Category: Canada Associates

Junior Associate

Roace Estante has joined the firm as a Core Team Member focused on financial tracking and reporting.

A York University graduate with an Honors BA in Psychology, Roace brings diverse experiences having served with the Canadian Armed Forces and as a Supervisor at the Toronto Public Library, where he honed skills in leadership, workflow optimization, and stakeholder collaboration.

He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Information at the University of Toronto, exploring the intersection of technology, data, and organizational strategy, preparing for a career that bridges operations, information management, and innovation.

Area of Expertise:
Roace’s core expertise is in Project Management. He also excels in Data Analytics

Experience:
Community Based Membership and Advocacy

Fundraising Must Have:
A clear and compelling mission that creates meaningful impact.

Executive Associate

Kim West is a strategic and compassionate leader with over 30 years of experience driving impactful change across global NGOs and the private sector. Her expertise spans governance, organizational development, program strategy, and volunteer management, with a track record of transforming teams, securing multi-million-dollar funding, and leading inclusive initiatives across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the UK. As a consultant, Kim has advised organizations such as CHRI, DAI Global, and the Danish Refugee Council, delivering solutions in governance, reintegration, and strategic planning. Previously, she held senior leadership roles at African Initiatives, United Purpose, and VSO International, where she advanced inclusive education, gender equality, women/girls, indigenous communities and youth economic and social empowerment. Kim also brings valuable private sector insight from earlier leadership roles at TD Financial Group, Kraft Foods, and Sun Life Financial. She is known for her adaptive leadership, commitment to social justice, and ability to align mission-driven work with measurable outcomes.

Area of Expertise:
Kim’s predominant areas of expertise is in Strategic Planning, Program Management and Board training, Management and Governance.  She also has extensive expertise in Development Program Review and Expansion Strategies. Donor and Constituent Engagement;  and International Fundraising.

Experience:
International Development

Fundraising Must Have:
Successful international fundraising must be informed by donor priorities and the competitive landscape. It should clearly establish the organisation’s legitimacy and credibility, present a well-defined program of work grounded in a logical Theory of Change, and include measurable outcomes that demonstrate both impact and value for money.

Junior Associate

As a Junior Associate, Roberto L. Cabrera IV serves as the firm’s Proposal Project Coordinator and Social Media Coordinator, driving community engagement and impactful nonprofit and philanthropic initiatives.

Cabrera is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Environmental Management with a minor in Environmental Law & Policy at the University of Toronto, complemented by coursework in Sustainable Cities at Johns Hopkins University. His background in economics and urban planning equips him with the analytical and strategic skills necessary to support the firm’s mission effectively.

Cabrera’s experience includes founding the Revitalize Project, an initiative that raised funds for medical and school supplies through tote bag sales; interning as a Building Administrator for a commercial property in Southeast Asia, where he managed tenant relations and operations; and conducting research on sustainable city development and economic growth.

Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Cabrera thrives under pressure, embracing multiple responsibilities with grit. Inspired daily by his grandfather’s words, “Enjoy life,” he approaches challenges with determination and positivity, finding meaning in every step forward.

Area of Expertise: Roberto Rafael IV’s predominant expertise is in Project Management. He also excels in data analytics, marketing, communications, and digital engagement.

Experience: International Development, Community Based Membership and Advocacy

Fundraising Must Have: Recognition that even a small contribution can yield a profound impact and can lead to ever increasing levels of engagement and philanthropic commitment.

Associate

With more than 13 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Chiayi specializes in research of all types and generates insights from reading between the lines, connecting the dots, and deciphering patterns. Her experience as a prospect researcher has been mostly in the context of higher education fundraising. She also has background conducting research for archives, special collections, and a political organization. Previous experience includes working as associate director of prospect research at the University of Chicago and manager of prospect management at the University of Toronto, and serving as an ambassador of the Formosa Foundation.

Chiayi graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in visual arts and a minor in art history, and received her master’s degree in library science from Indiana University–Bloomington. She was American Library Association’s Spectrum Reach 21 Scholar and a US Department of State Title VII Grant recipient.

Area of Expertise:
Chiayi’s core expertise is in Advancement Services. She also has experience in Alumni Relations and Giving, Data Analytics, Donor and Constituent Engagement, International Fundraising, Major and Principal Gifts, and Project Management.

Experience:
Education, Healthcare, Arts & Culture

Fundraising Must Have:
Adaptability to evolve with a changing environment; openness to continuous learning and improvement

Junior Associate

Kenshi Yu has joined the firm as a Core Team Member focused on financial tracking and reporting, monthly performance plans, and vendor relations.

A graduate of the renowned Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a minor in Project Management, Kenshi has served as a Trade Support Analyst at Goldstar Securities, a Retail Sales Trader at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, and Head of Finance at the startup Patch Pals. Drawing on this foundation, Kenshi specializes in corporate partnerships and financial planning, with transferable expertise in client relationship management, strategic finance, and high-value transactions.

Kenshi is now expanding his expertise through his studies at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Bachelor of Information at the University of Toronto, focusing on the intersection of technology, information, and business, in preparation for a career that bridges finance, fundraising strategy, and innovation.

Area of Expertise:
Kenshi’s core expertise is in Project Management and Finance.

Experience:
International Development

Fundraising Must Have:
Successful fundraising must have strong relationship building supported by clear financial planning.

Junior Associate

A graduate of the University of Toronto Arts & Science Program, Kyle Atienza achieved an Honours Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Genetics and pursued his passion for combining science, psychology, and technology to improve user experiences through human-centered design by also achieving a diploma in UX/UI Design from BrainStation.

UX design focuses on creating a seamless and meaningful user experience by understanding user needs, conducting research, and designing intuitive interfaces, while UI design focuses on the visual, interactive elements of a product to create aesthetically pleasing interfaces.

In addition to applying his talent and skill with Medtronic and COL Financial, Kyle currently serves as a UX Designer for Mike Paul Atelier, to improve the atelier experience by enhancing the digital experience.

Area of Expertise: Kyle’s core expertise is in Donor and Constituent Engagement

Experience: Arts & Culture, Community Based Membership and Advocacy

Fundraising Must Have: Accessible and transparent information