Meet the Foundation Team

Lisa Talbot, CFRE| Executive Director of KidsAbility Foundation | 519-886-8886 ext. 1201  

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." – Mahatma Gandhi

For over two decades, Lisa has been helping individual donors, corporate partners and community leaders find their philanthropic purpose to help local children and youth reach their goals and realize their potential. A graduate of the University of Guelph and a Leadership Waterloo Region alumnus, she is responsible for the comprehensive strategy and development program that includes her accountability to the Foundation Board of Directors. Lisa is proud to be part of a dedicated team of professionals committed to helping local children thrive, one child at a time. She invites you to connect with her to learn more about all aspects of the Foundation’s work, including our strategic direction or philanthropic giving.

Jenna Allan, Executive Administrative Assistant | 519-886-8886 ext. 1293

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." – Robert Louis Stevenson

Jenna balances her focus between assisting the Executive Director and supporting Foundation Board Members and standing committees. She is responsible for the Foundation’s compliance with legislated and charitable sector standards and manages various bursary funds and team member health and safety processes. To request a media/speaking engagement with the Foundation, please connect with Jenna.

Laura Boyle | Financial Supervisor | 519-886-8886 ext. 1359  

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples." – Mother Teresa

Laura is responsible for the accounting and financial administration of the organization. This includes financial reporting and disbursement activities. If you have financial or audit questions, please connect with Laura.

Jessica Melady | Development Officer, Community Engagement | 519-886-8886 ext. 1308

"Only as high as I reach can I grow. Only as far as I seek can I go. Only as deep as I look can I see. Only as much as I dream can I be." – Karen Raun

Jessica is responsible for working with passionate businesses, community and third-party supporters who seek to financially support KidsAbility, a role which she loves. She oversees signature events within Waterloo Region and Guelph/ Wellington County, such as KidsAbility’s inclusive, family-friendly Superhero Challenge. If you have a fundraising event idea to support KidsAbility or simply need more information on where to begin, please connect with Jessica.

Elaine Tustin |Communications and Marketing Officer | 519-886-8886 ext. 1298

"There is only one way to look at things until someone shows us how to look at them with different eyes." – Pablo Picasso

Elaine is a copywriter and digital marketer. She develops and leads the Foundation’s marketing and communications strategies and initiatives to support its financial goals to truly make a community difference locally. She delights in working with children and families to tell their inspiring stories of how they found hope because of KidsAbility services, along with highlighting how a community of concerned and caring supporters make a difference every day. If you have a story you’d like to share, please connect with Elaine. 

Julia Twynstra | Data Assistant | 519-886-8886 ext. 1278

"We make a life by what we give." – Richard B. Gunderman

Julia is a key resource for our team in our gift acceptance program, providing data analysis to assist in financial reporting. She is also responsible for processing and tax receipting donations, bringing a wealth of knowledge from her former career in banking. If you wish to make a donation or have questions about your tax receipt, please connect with Julia.

Sarah Witmer | Senior Development Manager – Leadership and Legacy Giving | 519-886-8886 ext. 1203

"How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." – Anne Frank 

Sarah supports and stewards our current supporters and works with them to imagine what their philanthropic legacy can become. She also oversees the entire grant process, from proposal to evaluation. To discuss how your shared values and needs can be reflected in a meaningful way to make a lasting difference for children and youth in our communities, please connect with Sarah.

Alison Zimmermann | Visual Communications Specialist | 519-886-8886 ext. 1200 

Alison is a designer and social media specialist. With a keen eye for colour and concept, she brings her career experience as a graphic artist to create crisp and contemporary creative for KidsAbility. She is responsible for all brand and marketing designs and coordinating and deploying digital marketing activities. For your inquiries about logos, recognition and social media/marketing collateral, please connect with Alison.