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James D. Fleck is a highly respected entrepreneur, business leader, public servant, scholar, and philanthropist whose support and stewardship has changed the face of Canada’s arts and culture scene. He is currently recognized as a preeminent philanthropist and supporter of Canadian nonprofit organizations and cultural institutions.

Jim’s professional experience spans diverse sectors and industries, providing him with a strong background in business management, board governance, and executive leadership. Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario and he earned a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from Harvard Business School as a Ford Foundation Fellow. After completing his education, Jim began his career by founding and serving as CEO and Chairman at Fleck Manufacturing Inc., which began as a small organization with fewer than 10 employees and grew, under Jim’s direction, into a large multi-million dollar corporation. Building on his early success, Jim went on to hold the title of Director or Chairman for a number of companies in telecommunications, computer software, semiconductors, technology, and insurance including ATI Technologies, Alias Research, Noma Industries Ltd., Rogers Multimedia Inc., and Zurich Life Insurance Company of Canada.

As a public servant, Jim served as Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Premier and Secretary of the Cabinet (Ontario), and he was appointed Deputy Minister of Industry and Tourism. He was also responsible as Executive Director of the Committee on Government Productivity for the reorganization of the Ontario Government. Much of Jim’s efforts in these capacities was geared towards streamlining operations, providing strategic direction, and improving collaboration and cooperation between business and government. At the same time, Jim has applied his policy expertise to strengthen Canada’s independent think tanks and nongovernmental organizations such as the Public Policy Forum and the Institute for Research on Public Policy. Jim’s cross-sector experience demonstrates his ability to build relationships and bridge gulfs that can divide or pit public and private sectors against one another.

Jim’s distinguished experiences as a business leader and public servant combined with his academic achievements meant that he was uniquely suited for a long and fruitful career in academia serving as Lecturer at Harvard Business School, Visiting Professor at the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) and Keio University, Professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and York University where he was the founding Associate Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Studies (now the Schulich School of Business) and Director of the MBA and MPA programmes.

Owing to his deep respect for the arts as an indicator of a country’s quality of life and innovation, Jim has held many executive roles at leading Canadian nonprofit organizations over the years. In 1998, he chaired the first-ever Canadian Arts Summit, an annual event that continues to bring together Canada’s leading nonprofit executives, board members, and directors. He served as Chairman of Business for the Arts (currently Business / Arts) and was also Chairman of the Minister’s Advisory Council for Arts and Culture (Ontario). Other notable roles include President of the Art Gallery of Ontario Board of Trustees, founding President of the Power Plant at Harbourfront, and Chair to the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of History (a Crown Corporation).

In addition to his executive leadership and management of nonprofit organizations and foundations, Jim has been widely recognized for cultivating Canada’s arts and culture sector as a philanthropist, collector, advocate, and fundraiser. He has generously provided resources and lent his expertise in support of the Arts Gallery of Ontario, the National Ballet of Canada, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery at Harbourfront, Tennis Canada, Soulpepper Theatre Company, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and Tafelmusik, among many others. His contributions to Canadian cultural life and arts organizations and institutions has resulted in a number of awards and honours, including being appointed as Officer of the Order of Canada in 1997, and recently promoted in 2015 to Companion of the Order of Canada.

Dr. Shirley Cheechoo is a highly respected leader, celebrated for her diverse contributions as an artist, filmmaker, educator, and advocate for Indigenous representation. Her journey reflects a steadfast commitment to enriching the arts and preserving Indigenous heritage.

Professional Journey

As the Founder and Artistic Director of the esteemed Weengushk Film Institute, Dr. Cheechoo has played a pivotal role in nurturing Indigenous filmmakers, fostering talent, and amplifying authentic voices. A recognized trailblazer, Dr. Cheechoo has achieved many notable milestones, including being the first person from a First Nation to write, produce, direct, and act in a feature-length Canadian film.

Shirley began directing films in 1998, after working as a playwright, actor and director of notable plays. Her directorial debut is the award winning short film Silent Tears, in which she chronicles the events of one harsh winter trip with her parents to a northern trap line when she was eight years old. It was screened at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival, and was also awarded the Telefilm Canada and Northern Canada Award for Best Canadian Aboriginal Language Program.

As a respected visual artist, her paintings have been exhibited worldwide. Her commissions include Christmas Cards for UNICEF, Amnesty International, The Ontario Native Women’s Association, and the Hospital for Sick Children. Her works can be found in many private and public collections.

Academic and Professional Accolades

Dr. Cheechoo’s academic background includes training at prestigious institutions such as Sundance Film Institute and the Canadian Film Centre, where she honed her craft. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including the Order of Canada, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the arts. From 2015-2020, Dr. Cheechoo served as Chancellor of Brock University, the first woman and first indigenous person to hold this position. During her tenure, she inspired students and faculty, served as an advocate for inclusivity, and left a lasting impact on the culture of the university.

Dr. Cheechoo was recognized in 2008 by Indspire for her impact in film, television, theatre, as well as her mentorship of indigenous artists.

Philanthropic Endeavors

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Dr. Cheechoo is deeply committed to fostering cultural enrichment and community engagement. As co-owner of Kasheese Studios art gallery and president of Spoken Song film production company, she continues to champion Indigenous artists and promote cultural exchange. Dr. Shirley Cheechoo’s legacy serves as a testament to the transformative power of art and the enduring resilience of Indigenous heritage. Her tireless dedication to storytelling and cultural preservation continues to shape Canada’s cultural landscape and inspire generations to come.

Jeff Comfort is a seasoned professional with 38 years of gift planning experience. Currently serving as vice president of principal gifts and gift planning at the Oregon State University Foundation (OSUF), Jeff 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.

Jeff 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 Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medical (now National Jewish Health).

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:

Planned and Legacy Gifts.

Experience:

Education, Healthcare

Fundraising Must Have:

Prospects