Awarded Recipients In 2024
Carrie Lauzon (she/her)
Executive Managing Director, OrKidstra
"In her life, Barbara McInnes was a valued supporter of the work of our charitable organization, and I am so proud to be a recipient of this fund honoring her legacy.
OrKidstra, an arts based social development charity that empowers kids and builds community in equity-deserving communities through music, has been my home and passion for the past 10 years.
As we enter into our next exciting phase of growth, this fund has provided me with the support to grow my executive leadership through a focus on authentic influence, communication strategies, and navigating the opportunities to come."
Carrie joined the OrKidstra team in the summer of 2014.
She has worked in the not-for-profit sector in finance and education for 25+ years, including positions with the YMCA-YWCA and United Way.
Carrie is an alumna of the Wexford School for Performing Arts in Toronto, where she performed and recorded with various stage, jazz and concert bands on the alto and baritone saxophones.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts, with a specialized Music Degree in Classical Vocal Performance, from York University. When she’s not working “backstage” at OrKidstra, Carrie is the lead vocalist of the Motown band Lady Soul.
She also enjoys the great outdoors with her family and volunteering to support local children’s charities with The League of Super Heroes and the 501st Legion.
“Living in Ottawa, I see firsthand the difference the OrKidstra program makes. It’s amazing what can happen when you give kids the chance to shine, the opportunity to communicate and express themselves in a positive way together. They find their voice, and it is beautiful.”
Michelle Ruel
Executive Director, Feed The City
"I am so grateful and excited to be one of the recipients of the Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project Fund for 2024.
These funds will allow me to continue to learn andgrow in my role as Executive Director, specifically in fundraising and Not-For-Profit Management.
Barbara McInnes’ dedication to a variety of local and International causes resonates deeply with me, and I extend my sincere thanks for this opportunity."
Michelle Ruel is a passionate advocate for food security and a devoted champion for rescue dogs.
With extensive front-line experience coordinating two of Ottawa's community food banks, Michelle has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those in need.
Her work highlighted the critical need for a centralized home delivery service for individuals unable to access local food banks. In response, she helped establish Feed The City and played a key role in building the program from the ground up.
As Executive Director, Michelle is committed to ensuring that essential food reaches the tables of Ottawa’s most vulnerable residents.
Taylor Howarth (she/ her)
Executive Director, Apartment 613
"This award will provide me with the opportunity to gain essential skills that are difficult to learn on the job, while also providing access to a network of like-minded professionals within the AFP.
This access is key to building a roster of thought leaders and experts to call upon for advice when the path forward in your organization isn’t clear.
I thank the AFP for this unique opportunity for new executives, like myself, and look forward to the coming year."
Funding support available for flexible learning and professional development
Barbara McInnes (1943-2021) worked tirelessly over decades to enhance the culture of philanthropy in Ottawa, in Canada, and internationally.
During her 27 years as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Ottawa, she developed new avenues and partnerships that enabled generous citizens to invest in their community.
She helped to steer the Community Foundations of Canada and the International Transatlantic Community Foundation Network and fostered numerous local foundations across the country.
Perhaps even more significant than her accolades and incredible career and service achievements, is how Barb inspired, supported and mentored people throughout her illustrious career.
AFP Ottawa is honoured to invite applications for the Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project Fund. The fund is designed to:
- provide bursaries and scholarships through the AFP Ottawa Chapter to new Executive Directors from underrepresented groups in Ottawa and from small NGOs and charities;
- support executive level mentorship within the profession, particularly for leaders from underrepresented groups; and
- encourage and promote diversity and inclusion in the fundraising profession in Ottawa.
We invite interested candidates to share (by letter) how they would use the funds (up to $1500 each) towards a professional development objective of their choosing over the course of the year ahead. Up to 3 recipients will be awarded this year.
To apply please send a letter of interest to secretariat@afpottawa.ca
Eligibility: Candidates need to meet one of the following three criteria:
- You are an ED/CEO of non-profit organization or charity in National Capital Region with annual revenues of less than $1M
- You are an ED/CEO of arts based non-profit or charity in National Capital Region
- You are an ED/CEO of non-profit organization or charity in National Capital Region from under-represented community (visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ people)
Please note that membership in AFP Ottawa is not a requirement of eligibility.
In addition to a bursary in the amount of up to $1,500, recipients will also receive an AFP Ottawa membership for 1 year, as well as free registration in Fundraising Day and the chapter’s professional development events throughout the year.
For more information please contact secretariat@afpottawa.ca
Awarded Recipients In 2023
Wendy Leung
Executive Director of Foodsharing Ottawa
As the Executive Director of Foodsharing Ottawa, I am grateful for the opportunity to constantly learn and grow, to feed into my never-ending curiosity.
Thank you AFP for this special recognition and for the support with the Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project Fund as I enter into the journey of fundraising.
I am more than inspired by Barbara's lifelong career and this experience will allow me to take a deep dive into the culture of philanthropy.
I am excited to see how the future will unfold, stay tuned.
Eric Collard
Executive Director / Directeur general Sentier récréatif Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail
As a new ED, these resources will further my leadership skills and truly help propel my organization forward.
I also look forward to being involved with AFP Ottawa and meeting some of the other members at upcoming events!
Angela Begin
Executive Director, OCH Foundation for Healthy Communities /Fondation LCO pour des communautés saines
As a newer Executive Director, learning the world of fundraising, I’m so grateful to be a recipient of the Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project Fund.
This opportunity allows me to pursue professional coaching to help me, and my organization, to grow and thrive
Patrick Newton Bondo: The first recipient of the Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Fund
AFP Ottawa is delighted to announce that Patrick Newton Bondo, Chief Executive Officer/ Co-founder for grassroots non-profit, the Outreach Social Care Foundation, is the first recipient of the Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Fund.
With this award, Patrick receives funding support from the chapter to participate in leadership programming at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. This will equip him to continue advancing his work to strengthen civil society and towards global sustainable development goals.
The Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project is designed to:
- provide bursaries and scholarships through the AFP Ottawa Chapter to new Executive Directors from underrepresented groups in Ottawa and from small NGOs and charities;
- support executive level mentorship within the profession, particularly for leaders from underrepresented groups; and
- encourage and promote diversity and inclusion in the fundraising profession in Ottawa.
“Patrick Newton Bondo truly exemplifies the values of the Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project and we are so pleased that he is the inaugural recipient. We look forward to working with Patrick throughout the year to champion diversity, inclusion and enhanced professional development in our sector,” says Kylie Patrick, President of the AFP Ottawa Chapter.
In addition to the bursary, recipients also receive an AFP Ottawa membership for 1 year, as well as free registration in Fundraising Day and the chapter’s professional development events throughout the year. The next intake period for this program will open in March 2023.
About Barbara McInnes
Barbara McInnes loved to dance but found that cancer was an unappealing and awkward partner. Early in the morning on July 1st, with a brilliant smile on her face, she took one last solo twirl and left cancer behind as she died peacefully at home in the arms of her daughters.
Barbara worked tirelessly over decades to enhance the culture of philanthropy in Ottawa, in Canada, and internationally. During her 27 years as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Ottawa, she developed new avenues and partnerships that enabled generous citizens to invest in their community. She helped to steer the Community Foundations of Canada and the International Transatlantic Community Foundation Network and fostered numerous local foundations across the country.
Barbara provided leadership to such organizations as Carleton University, the Ottawa School of Art, the United Way of Ottawa, Shorefast Foundation, the Equality Fund, Telus Ottawa, Compassionate Ottawa, PAL Ottawa. Refugee 613 and more. For her exemplary leadership in the philanthropic community, she was invested to the Order of Canada in 2010 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from AFP Ottawa in June 2021.
Perhaps even more significant than her accolades and incredible career and service achievements, is how Barb inspired, supported and mentored people throughout her illustrious career.
The Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project Fund will pay tribute to her legacy in fundraising and mentorship by:
- providing bursaries and scholarships through the AFP Ottawa Chapter to new Executive Directors from underrepresented groups in Ottawa and from small NGOs and charities;
- supporting executive level mentorship within the profession, particularly for leaders from underrepresented groups; and
- encouraging and promoting diversity and inclusion in the fundraising profession in Ottawa.
Those wishing to donate to the fund in honour of Barb are invited to do so here: https://afpcan.akaraisin.com/ui/BarbaraMcInnesFund. Charitable tax receipts will be provided by AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada.
Thank you for your generous support in honour of Barbara McInnes.
