Honourable Lindsay Blackett (PC)
MLA for Calgary-North West, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit
Mr. Blackett was elected to his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-North West on March 3, 2008. On March 12, 2008, he was appointed Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. Prior to his election as an MLA, Mr. Blackett worked at Arrow Electronics as a technical sales representative. From 1979 to 1983 Mr. Blackett studied criminology and corrections at Carleton University in Ottawa.
Mr. Blackett is an avid volunteer and is active in his community. In addition to coaching soccer and hockey, he volunteers with the Tuscany Community Association, the Calgary-North West Constituency Association, and the Canadian Progress Club.
Jo-Anne Ryan
Vice President, Philanthropic Advisory Services, TD Waterhouse Canada
Jo-Anne Ryan is Vice President, Philanthropic Advisory Services at TD Waterhouse Canada as well as Executive Director and architect of the Private Giving Foundation (PGF). PGF was the first donor-advised fund program launched by a financial institution in Canada that provides a structure to leave a lasting legacy in a simple and effective manner. Jo-Anne is a past member of the executive of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners GTA and is currently a member of the government relations committee which lobbies to improve tax incentives related to charitable giving. Joanne received the "Friend of CAGP Award" in 2002 for her significant contribution to gift planning in Canada.
Ken Aucoin, CFRE
Executive Director, Alumni & Development, University College, University of Toronto
Ken Aucoin has 15+ years experience as an accomplished marketing and fundraising professional in the non-profit arts and education sectors. Ken is currently the Executive Director, Alumni & Development at University College at the University of Toronto. Ken is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
In 2007, Ken co-founded the LGBT Giving Network, a collaborative effort of charitable organizations working together to raise the bar on fundraising in the LGBT communities. The LGBT Giving Network offers a mentorship program, an annual conference on LGBT philanthropy and is currently developing a Donor and Funders Directory.
Gael MacLeod, MBA
Executive Director, Alberta Real Estate Foundation
Gael MacLeod is the Executive Director of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF). At AREF, she has developed and implemented an expanded grants strategy focused on capacity building and addressing gaps in existing funding. Under Gael's leadership, AREF has focused its $1 million annual community investment program to improve practices in land use, sustainability, and housing affordability.
Prior to her work with the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, Gael provided financial counseling and investment management services to individuals and corporations. Gael is a past member of the Calgary Community Lottery Board and co-founder of the Chinook Lesbian and Gay Fund. In addition to her work with the Foundation, Gael has volunteered her time as an advocate for affordable housing.
Al Ramsay
Senior Manager, Marketing (Diversity), TD Bank Financial Group
Al Ramsay joined TD Bank Financial Group in March 2004. In his current role, Al supports TD's various diversity initiatives including Visible Minorities, Persons with Disabilities, Aboriginal Peoples and LGBT communities. Prior to joining TDBFG, Al spent two years with CIBC as Regional Manager, Community Relations.
Al currently serves on the Community One Foundation board - a grass roots community organization that support individuals and groups that enhance the development of the LGBT communities in the Greater Toronto Area. Al also serves on several advisory boards including the Urban Financial Services Coalition - an organization dedicated to promoting the growth of Visible Minority professionals in all areas of financial services.
Andrea McManus, CFRE
President, The Development Group
Andrea McManus is President of The Development Group, a full-service strategic philanthropic consulting firm based in Calgary. She is currently Chair Elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International Board and will be the first non-American and international chair of that organization in 2010 and 2011. Andrea is also a board member and immediate past-Chair of the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, as well as a member of the Advisory Council for the Institute of Non-Profit Studies at Mount Royal University, the Imagine Canada's Ethical Code Committee, and the Canada Revenue Agency Charities Technical Issues Working Group.
Andrea was recognized for her contributions to her field as the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award for 2007. She is also a contributing author to the 2006 book Management of Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations in Canada.
Christopher R. Post, CA
Partner, Tax, Energy and Natural Resources, KPMG
Chris Post is a partner with KPMG's Energy and Natural Resources tax group in Calgary. He has 25 years of experience assisting oil and gas companies with all areas of Canadian income tax planning, compliance and financial reporting.
Chris is a current instructor and former board member with the Canadian Petroleum Tax Society. He is a published author and has spoken at numerous tax conferences and seminars, including the Canadian Tax Foundation.
Michel H. Bourque
Barrister and Solicitor, Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
Michel Bourque is a member of the tax group at Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP and practices almost exclusively in tax litigation and tax dispute resolution. He has appeared in all levels of courts, including the Tax Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Michel is a frequent presenter on tax matters at industry conferences, including those presented by the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Canadian Petroleum Tax Society and the Canadian Bar Association.
Michel has been a member of the Board of Directors of AIDS Calgary Awareness Association since 2007. In addition to his duties as a director, Michel is the volunteer Chair of AIDS Calgary's Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday Fundraising Campaign.
Phillip Wong
Executive Director, Community One Foundation
With a strong interest in community development, journalism and urban planning, Philip joined the Community One Foundation in 2007 after a five year commitment as executive director at the Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line in Ontario. He led the youth-driven organization through a completed strategic plan and modernized the agency's brand in order to reach more youth in Ontario.
Philip is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is an alumni of the Executive Directors Institute run by the Schulich School of Business/Maytree Foundation partnership. Philip's mandate at the Foundation is to explore and push the boundaries of LGBTQ philanthropy by encouraging people to connect their resources and passions with the ideas and projects of our community organizers.