Meet the Foundation Team

Lisa Talbot, CFRE, Executive Director
As Executive Director for over 20 years with KidsAbility Foundation, Lisa is responsible for developing, implementing and managing a comprehensive development fund program. Lisa is a member of the Waterloo Region Fund Raising Executives and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is a graduate of the University of Guelph and of Leadership Waterloo Region, a local community leadership program. Her leadership has enabled KidsAbility Foundation to develop strong community support and KidsAbility to enhance its profile as an important, innovative and family-centred organization. Whether you need additional information about the Foundation’s mission or philanthropic planning, Lisa is available to discuss matters in greater depth. Please contact her at 519-886-8886 ext.1201 or ltalbot@kidsability.ca.

Jenna Allan, Executive Administrative Assistant
Jenna’s primary focus as Executive Administrative Assistant for KidsAbility Foundation is to assist the Executive Director and provide support to our Foundation Board Members and our standing committees. She is responsible for the Foundation’s compliance with legislated and charitable sector standards and manages the administration of various bursary funds and team member health and safety processes. If you would like to discuss your giving with Lisa please contact Jenna at 519.886.8886 ext.1293 or email jallan@kidsability.ca.

 

Deborah Barton, CFRE, Senior Development Manager, Annual Fund, Events, Marketing Communications

In a fundraising career of more than 30 years, Deborah joined the team in 2018 as part of a rewarding career with leading non-profits devoted to healthcare philanthropy, including Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre and Thames Valley Children’s Centre. Deborah was recently appointed to the Faculty at Conestoga’s School of Business to teach fundraising, is passionate about mentoring the next generation, and has been a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners since 2004. Formerly the Community Manager for the Canadian Cancer Society’s annual campaign in Huron-Perth, she also specializes in major and planned gifts, inspiring donor confidence and celebrating community philanthropy. Deborah believes children and youth deserve the brightest future. She would be delighted to have a conversation with you about your impact on child development and KidsAbility’s greatest needs. Call her at 519.886.8886 ext.1295 or email dbarton@kidsability.ca.

Charmaine Brown, Senior Development Officer (On Leave)
Charmaine holds a Bachelor's degree from Trent University where she majored in Geography and Canadian Studies. Before starting her career in fund development, Charmaine was a Corporate Sales Manager in the hospitality industry and spent a decade working with a real estate developer. She joined KidsAbility Foundation in September 2013 as a Senior Development Officer. Charmaine is responsible for developing relationships with major gift donors as well as corporate partnerships in Waterloo Region and Guelph-Wellington. She also writes proposals and grant applications, and carefully stewards KidsAbility donors. Charmaine values the opportunity to give back to KidsAbility – an organization that has deeply touched her life since the birth of her daughter in 2007. 

Heather Curran, CFRE, Development Manager, Leadership and Planned Giving

Heather joined the foundation team in 2014 after a lengthy career in the corporate sector and most recently professional sport on an international stage. Hailing from small-town Ontario Heather’s ambition to travel and passion for people has taken her across this vast country from Vancouver to St. John’s and on to the UK where a decade’s - long career in golf tourism and championship operations provided the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe and Asia and finally returning to family and home.
Now firmly settled in Waterloo Region, Heather brings her expertise as an experienced event and marketing manager with an established history of working in the sports and non-profit industry and continues to develop deep and meaningful relationships with donors and colleagues alike. Heather currently serves on the local chapter committee of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Committed to a career in fundraising, Heather recently earned the distinction of Certified Fund Raising Executive providing valuable mentorship and experience to colleagues within the Foundation and beyond. If you require assistance with making a donation, leaving a legacy gift or any other philanthropic plans, please call Heather at 519.886.8886 ext.1399 or hcurran@kidsability.ca.

Bianca Gennaro, Development Associate, Community Engagement
Bianca graduated the Humber College Fundraising Management Post Graduate program in 2019. During her time at Humber, she received practical experience in many of the fundraising techniques used by non-profit organizations to build relationships with communities of support. Bianca completed her two-month fundraising internship at KidsAbility Foundation in the summer of 2019, where her role was a Marketing and Events Assistant. Bianca soon realized her immense passion for KidsAbility and dedication to making a difference. Bianca is now the Development Associate, Community Engagement, where she supports mid-level donor relations, partner and community fundraising events, as well as community engagement opportunities within the Waterloo Region and Guelph/Wellington County. If you would like to talk to Bianca about any community engagement opportunities, please contact her at 519.886.8886 ext.1308 or bgennaro@kidsability.ca.

Paige Phillips, Senior Development Officer (On Leave)

Paige has been practicing fundraising in the field of arts and culture for the last 8 years, working at world-class organizations such as the Canadian Opera Company, Soulpepper Theatre Company and THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener. She joined the KidsAbility Foundation team in hopes of offering her experience and expertise to create equal opportunity for our clients to live a meaningful, rich and happy life. For information about supporting the Foundation, Paige can be reached at 519.886.8886 ext.1352 or pphillips@kidsability.ca 

 

Elaine Tustin, Marketing Communication Officer

Elaine is responsible for KidsAbility Foundation’s marketing and communications strategies and initiatives. She develops innovative marketing plans and campaigns to support the Foundation’s fundraising goals with her expertise as a Public Relations professional. Since joining in 2019, her enthusiasm to share the stories of children, youth and their families is met with her passion to uphold the Foundation's core values of inclusion, respect, accountability and collaboration with donors, community/business partnerships and other funders. Please contact Elaine at etustin@kidsability.ca or at 519.886.8886 ext.1298.

   

Julia Twynstra, Data Assistant

Julia has been involved with KidsAbility since 2000 when she and her family moved to Waterloo Region as part of her career progression with Scotiabank. For many years she worked closely with her Bank Partners to hold an annual golf tournament in support of KidsAbility. When Julia retired from the Bank in December 2015 she became a volunteer at KidsAbility assisting in the Foundation Office. In 2017 Julia took on the part time role of Data Assistant and is responsible for day to day banking and tax receipting. If you require information about your donation or tax receipt, Julia would to happy to help. Feel free to call her at 519.886.8886 ext.1278 or contact her by email jtwynstra@kidsability.ca.

 
Alison Zimmermann, Visual Communications Specialist
As a graduate of Conestoga College’s Graphic Design and Advertising Program, creative thinking comes naturally to Alison. Her love of design was sparked back in high school when she first studied graphic design and photography. Alison turned that love into a career and now has over a decade of industry experience with a solid understanding of the strategy and planning that goes into great creative. As the Visual Communications Specialist at KidsAbility Foundation, Alison is responsible for creating both print and digital materials, acting as the liaison with printers and suppliers, and ensuring the delivery of quality products on time and on budget. If you have any questions about our marketing materials, feel free to contact Alison at 519.886.8886 ext.1200 or azimmermann@kidsability.ca.