Unprecedented. Uncharted. Uncertain: Insights from KCI Philanthropy

Valerie McMurtry is President & CEO of Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, the leading national charity dedicated to improving the lives of our country's most vulnerable youth - those who have experienced abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Through the support of generous donors, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada raises and grants funds, and delivers a wide range of high-impact programs and services, transforming the lives of over 24,000 children and youth each year. Valerie is currently leading Stand Up for Kids - Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada’s national campaign for child welfare, a $60-million effort to catalyze change for kids in Canada’s child welfare system. Valerie has a personal passion for organizations supporting children and youth at risk.  She is focused on strategic investment in prevention programs that strengthen at-risk communities, ease the burden of poverty, and keep families together, in order to prevent children from coming into care in the first place. She sees first-hand how the power of philanthropy can have a profound effect at the grassroots level, enabling children and youth in the child welfare system to reach their full potential, breaking the cycle for future generations. Valerie believes that all Canadians have a role to play in ensuring that all children and youth in the child welfare system have the access to what they need in order to grow, thrive and lead happy lives. Before joining Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada in 2014, Valerie served as President & CEO of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation for 10 years, where she played a key role in raising more than $100 million for the hospital. Prior to her position at Holland Bloorview, she was a member of the leadership team at Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, contributing to the successful execution and achievement of the hospital’s $250 million goal for its Best Medicine Campaign. Valerie is also past CEO of the Canadian Olympic Foundation and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a graduate of the ICD Corporate Directors Program for NFP Management.

Susan Storey is a highly respected development professional with 25 years’ experience directing fundraising programs at some of Canada’s most notable charitable organizations. Her current work on behalf of KCI includes strategic counsel for studies and campaigns ranging from start-up to $500 million. In addition, Susan is involved in the creation of multi-year revenue generation plans that comprehensively evaluate potential across all fundraising channels including mass philanthropy, major and planned gifts, corporate giving and sponsorship, special events and social enterprise. Susan has been KCI’s lead consultant for projects in all sectors including arts and culture, education, health, environment, sports, multi-level national and international charities and community-based social service organizations.  She is a past Chair of both the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy Canada and the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter.