Category: Our Firm

Helen Grafton

Post author By mturner
Post date December 6, 2021

Junior Associate

With more than 5 years of experience in marketing and communications within the nonprofit sector, Helen Grafton specializes in social media management, project/event management and content creation.

Helen’s expertise includes marketing and development of healthcare and higher education institutions. Some of her previous experience includes multiple roles at Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, Maryland. She began her nonprofit fundraising career in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

Helen graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication.

Area of Expertise: Helen’s predominant expertise is in Donor and Constituent Engagement. She also excels in Project Management. Direct Marketing, and Alumni Relations and Giving.

Experience: Education, Healthcare

Fundraising Must Have: A compelling and clear mission and story to share

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helengrafton/

Canada Associates Our Associates

Ann Hordylan

Post author By mturner
Post date November 11, 2021

Associate

With over 19 years of design and construction Project Management experience, Ann understands the unique challenges for nonprofits when undertaking new builds, renovations, restorations, and relocations as evidenced by her work with H&M Canada, Katz Group Canada, The City of Brampton, and Massey Hall.

In addition to Ann’s practical experiences, Ann also holds a Diploma from Humber College in Interior Design and has undertaken Project Management at Ryerson University in Toronto.

Area of Expertise: Ann’s core expertise is in Capital Project Management with a strong focus on interior renovations.

Experience: Arts & Culture

Fundraising Must Have: Building what matters while creating safe and enjoyable experiences for customers.

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/annhordylan

America Associates Our Associates

Sterling Garcia

Post author By mturner
Post date November 11, 2021

Associate

With more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Sterling Garcia has served as Director of Development for Florida State University and the University of Florida, and as Major Gifts Officer for UnidosUS, the largest nonprofit Hispanic/Latino civil rights organization in the United States. Sterling graduated from the University of Hartford with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and from Florida State University with a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration with a minor in Institutional Advancement. Sterling also holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management, Board Governance & Community Leadership from Alvernia University. Sterling is also a decorated veteran, having served as a United Stated Marine, receiving several awards including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal and two Humanitarian Service medals.

Area of Expertise: Sterling’s core expertise is in Major and Principal Gifts, supported by experience in Donor and Constituent Engagement, Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning, Board Training, Management and Governance, Alumni Relations and Giving, Direct Marketing and Annual Giving.

Experience: Education, Community Based Membership and Advocacy

Fundraising Must Have: A community with a strong culture of philanthropy both inside and outside the organization.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterlinggarcia/

America Associates Our Associates

Jeffrey Comfort

Post author By mturner
Post date July 11, 2021

Executive Associate

Jeff has 38 years of gift planning experience. He currently is vice president of principal gifts and gift planning at the Oregon State University Foundation (OSUF), where he provides strategic leadership to the gift planning program that assists donors in making deferred, assets-based or complex gifts to the university. Year in and year out, gift planning provides over 25% of total fundraising at OSUF.

He spent 18 years at Georgetown University, where he oversaw university-wide gift planning efforts resulting in approximately $500 million of gift commitments and receipts in his tenure. Before arriving at Georgetown in 1995, he spent 11 years in Denver directing the gift planning program for the National Jewish Medical and Research Center.

As a volunteer leader of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (formerly the National Committee on Planned Giving), Jeff served as president, chaired the 10th National Conference on Planned Giving and was a member of the NCPG board of directors for five years. Additionally, he was a member of the ethics committee and chaired the task force on gift valuation. Jeff chaired the CASE National Conference on Planned Giving for 10 years from 2008 to 2018.

Area of Expertise:
Jeffrey’s core expertise is in Planned and Legacy Gifts. Principal and Major Gifts

Experience:
Education, Healthcare

Fundraising Must Have:
Prospects

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcomfort/

Canada Associates Our Associates

Kyle Tan

Post author By mturner
Post date July 11, 2021

Junior Associate

Kyle is a core team member of the firm serving our back-office operations, with responsibility for monthly performance plans, financial projections and forecasting, and vendor relations. A sophomore at the University of Toronto in the Rotman Commerce program, Kyle plans to pursue a specialization in Management, with a dual focus in Finance and Marketing, along with a minor in Economics. Outside the classroom, Kyle is involved in the Rotman Commerce Students’ Association, the Rotman Commerce Consulting Association, and the Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto.

Area of Expertise: Kyle’s core expertise is in Advancement Services

Experience: Education, Community Based Membership & Advocacy

Fundraising Must Have: Solid back-office operation

Our Firm

Georgina Steinsky

Post author By mturner
Post date June 21, 2021

Photograph by: Aleksandar Antonijevic

Formal Education

University of Toronto, Master of Arts, History

Professional, Consulting and Volunteer Experience by Sector

Private Sector
Bata Shoe Organization, Senior Human Resource Officer, Toronto
Bata Shoe Organization, Chief Country Negotiator and Country Director General Operations , Czech Republic
Manulife Financial, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Public Affairs, Toronto
Bell Canada , Chief Human Resource Officer, Montreal
CGI, Consultant, Toronto
IBM Canada Advisory Board, Board Member, Toronto
Cogeco Cable Inc, Member Board of Directors, Montreal
Glebe Parents’ Day Care Centre, Volunteer Founder, Ottawa
Public Sector
Government of Canada, Parks Canada, Historian, Ottawa
Government of Canada, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Office of Native Claims, Director, Specific Claims Section, Ottawa
Government of Canada, Department of Energy Mines and Resources, Director General, Natural Gas Branch, Ottawa
Government of Canada, Office of Federal Provincial Relations, Privy Council Office, Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Affairs, Ottawa
Government of Canada, Department of Regional and Industrial Expansion, Associate Deputy Minister, Ottawa
Government of Canada, Department of Supply and Services, Deputy Minister, Ottawa
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Consultant , Ottawa
Government of Ontario, Management Board, Consultant, Toronto
External Advisory Group on Human Resource Modernization in the Canadian Public Service , Advisory Group Member, Ottawa
Federal Expert Panel on the Role of Gender Analysis in the Making of Federal Policy, Chair of 3-member Expert Panel, Ottawa
Community Based Membership and Advocacy
Canadian Centre for Philanthropy/Imagine Canada, President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto
The Glebe Report, Volunteer co-founder and writer, Ottawa
Women’s Vote , Volunteer , Ottawa
Montreal Chamber of Commerce, Member Board of Directors, Montreal
Public Policy Forum, Member Board of Directors, Ottawa, 2009 Winner of the Canadian Public Policy Forum Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Policy and Management
Masaryk Memorial Institute, Consultant, Toronto
Foundation for the Advancement of Civil Society, Consultant, Czech Republic
Healthcare
Baycrest Centre for the Aged, Member Board of Directors, Toronto
Plexxus, Member Board of Directors and one 3-year term as Chair, Toronto
Westpark Hospital Foundation, Member, Board of Directors , Toronto
Education
Ryerson University, Member Board of Governors, Toronto
Masaryk University, Special Guest Lecturer in Two English Language Summer Programs, Czech Republic
Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM), Chair, Board of Directors, Toronto
Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies, The Munk School, University of Toronto, Executive in Residence, Toronto
Arts and Culture
Arts for Children Foundation, Member, Board of Directors, Toronto
Bata Shoe Museum, Member Board of Directors, Toronto

Georgina Steinsky

Executive Associate

Georgina Steinsky has had a multi-faceted career within Canada and internationally as a senior executive. Her experience ranges from being a senior official and Deputy Minister in the Government of Canada, to executive positions in several major Canadian corporations, including Chief Human Resources Officer of Bell Canada. From 1990 – 95 she was an employee of the Bata Shoe Organization, where she led the project to recreate a Bata company presence in post-Communist Czech Republic. In these various capacities she has undertaken foundational work either in creating new organizations or undertaken major organizational restructuring and governance reform.

Georgina gained invaluable insights into the structure and nature of the charitable and nonprofit sector in Canada when she became Chief Executive Officer in 2004 of the-then Canadian Centre for Philanthropy which had just merged with another national nonprofit organization. From 2004 to 2008 Georgina’s task was to put in place a new strategy, and organizational and governance structure for what is now Imagine Canada – a national charity which today works alongside other charitable sector organizations – and often in partnership with the private sector, governments and individuals in the community – to ensure that charities continue to play a pivotal role in building, enriching and defining our Canadian nation. Imagine Canada’s work also included knowledge dissemination about best practices in the nonprofit and charitable sector, including matters related to governance.

Additionally, in parallel with other facets of her career, she has also had extensive experience as a senior volunteer in a number of charitable organizations. Since 2004 she served both as Chair and on the Board of two organizations whose creation was encouraged, and supported by the Government of Ontario: Plexus and OECM. Both are nonprofit corporations created to foster supply chain efficiencies in the Ontario Health and Education sectors respectively. During her tenure, both went from start-ups to fully functioning organizations with governance based on best practices. She is also currently a Director of the Bata Shoe Museum and of the Westpark Hospital Foundation.

Interview with Geogina Steinsky on Czech Radio