The Fish

The team.

Senior Leadership Group

Marnie Spears, C.Dir, President and Chief Executive Officer

"Understanding and believing in your organization's needs lends to your authenticity when dealing with donors. It's this authenticity that will be one of your most powerful tools."

To be a successful leader in this industry, you must truly believe in what you do. Marnie Spears' genuine interest and commitment to the organizations she has worked with has been the catalyst for her successful career in both the corporate and charitable sectors.

Since joining the firm as President and COO in 1995, Ms. Spears has expanded the company's client base, developed new client services and established KCI's renowned Education and Research Services divisions. She was also instrumental in the creation of KCI's Philanthropic Trends©. As a direct result of her efforts, KCI is now Canada's leading fund development firm.

Since her appointment as President and CEO in 2002, KCI has undergone unprecedented growth as Ms. Spears continues to develop new lines of business and client services to help organizations better prepare for fundraising activities and surpass their goals. It is this type of dedication that makes Ms. Spears a sought-after coach, speaker and advisor to institutional leaders and senior development professionals across Canada, and the US.

Ms. Spears is an active volunteer, serving as Chair, McMaster University Crown Foundation; Past Chair, Board of Directors, Royal Botanical Gardens and as Member, Board of Directors, Hamilton Utilities Corporation.

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Tracey Bailey, CFRE, Vice President

"An extraordinary organization is filled with people who are passionately committed to its mission. At KCI we help unleash the desire to change the world that is within all of us."

The hallmarks of successful fundraising are leadership, a carefully planned strategy and an innate understanding of one's donors. With over 20 years experience in fundraising and communications, Tracey Bailey brings the right mix of leadership and know-how to her role as Vice President. Since joining KCI, Ms. Bailey has worked on a number of highly successful campaigns, including a $350 million campaign for the University of Waterloo, where she has played a strategic role in helping the University secure several 8-figure gifts. She also directed goal-breaking campaigns for the University of Guelph and Bloorview Kids Rehab.

In addition to her fundraising and communications consulting responsibilities, she is involved with the education and training of KCI's new consultants and now responsible for KCI's professional development activities.

Ms. Bailey is an active volunteer in the community and within the profession. She is a frequent presenter on the topics of fundraising and campaign communications.

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Gil Desautels, Senior Vice President

"The philanthropic sector is growing more competitive everyday, and we want to provide organizations with the tools and experience needed to help them believe that they can and will make a difference."

Sometimes it's not enough to just achieve one's goals, it's about pushing yourself to do more and surpassing your goals. This attitude is what has made Mr. Desautels one of KCI and Canada's most capable and respected development professionals. In addition to his leadership at KCI, this expert reputation was well earned when Mr. Desautels served as Executive Director for the Fond de développement de l'Université de Montréal's $218 million campaign which exceeded its campaign goal by over $93 million.

Mr. Desautels was also Vice-President and Executive Director of La Fondation de l'Université du Québec à Montréal and first Director of their Alumni Office. He is on the Board of Directors of organizations such as the Festival de théâtre des Amériques, the National Theatre School, Concordia University Alumni Association and the International Conference of Montreal (CORIM). With this type of preparation, guidance and the right team, organizations will be well equipped to reach the height of their potential.

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R.B. (Bob) Edgett, Vice President

"Raising sights and creating a new culture of giving, that is how we measure success. We bring value when we work with community leaders to achieve their goals."

Strategic insight and strong leadership are the backbone of R.B. (Bob) Edgett's success. With over 20 years experience, Mr. Edgett has been the driving force behind a number of unique initiatives on behalf of organizations in the healthcare, education and social services sectors. His holistic and discerning approach contributed to his success as Director of University Advancement for St. Thomas University, as Managing Director for the Nova Scotia Hospital Foundation and as Director of Campaign Planning for Dalhousie University. He is highly respected for his expertise and dynamism and is certain to make a great contribution to the not-for-profit marketplace in his role as Vice President for KCI.

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Tara George, MBA, CFRE, Senior Vice President – Lead, Search Practice

"Advancement leaders recognize that attracting, developing and retaining exceptional talent is one of the greatest challenges faced by our industry. By partnering with our clients to build their human capacity, we ultimately help them to grow their philanthropic capacity."

As Vice President and Lead Consultant for KCI’s Search Practice, Tara George has successfully recruited senior level staff for some of Canada’s most prestigious non-profit institutions, including the University of Waterloo, Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, Ridley College, the YMCA of Greater Toronto, and the Coady International Institute.

A respected development professional with extensive networks across the country, Ms. George has a clear sense of the strategic vision, leadership skills and business acumen necessary to success in the non-profit arena.

Prior to joining KCI, Ms. George spent a decade in advancement leadership positions at the University of Guelph, Appleby College, and Rothesay Netherwood School. Ms. George has also served the profession in a variety of volunteer roles with the Canadian Association of Independent Schools’ Advancement Professionals (CAISAP), Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE).

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Carl Julien, Vice President

"By Building a culture of philanthropy within your organization, you create champions for your cause that can spread your message, creating a stronger, more committed donor base."

The charities most likely to succeed in the future are those that successfully integrate philanthropy into all aspects of their organization. Throughout his career, Carl Julien has demonstrated tremendous leadership and ability in reaching across organizations, uniting them in their collective philanthropic goal, enabling them to broaden their donor base and intensify relationships with current donors.

A highly respected professional within the philanthropic sector, Mr. Julien has conceived and executed strategies for fundraising partnerships and managed major and planned giving programs. He has also directed a number of capital campaigns, including the Montréal Heart Institute’s highly successful $60 million Heart Beat for the Future capital campaign, which surpassed its goal by over $10 million, and the Charles LeMoyne Hospital Foundation portion of a $16 million campaign, within the University of Sherbrooke joint campaign, which exceeded its goal by $6 million.

Bilingual, Mr. Julien is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and majored in public communications at Laval University.

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Paul Koreen, Senior Vice President

"The key to success is knowing who you are and where you want to go. Raising funds is an important part of our job, but we're not just concerned with the numbers, we want to make a difference."

The philanthropic sector is made up of people and organizations that genuinely want to help, but we must also realize that this is a business—and a competitive one at that. By blending an impressive education in Economics and Management with a fundraising background, Mr. Koreen is able to provide KCI with a strong foundation on which to build its finance, communications and human resources functions.

Mr. Koreen served as Campaign Director for the Salvation Army Ontario Central Division's first-ever capital campaign, which exceed its floor objective by more than $2 million. As a community volunteer he is the Board President of Regeneration Housing & Support Services Inc., and is Panel Chair of the United Way of Greater Toronto.

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Michael Logue, Senior Vice President

"We are always finding smarter ways to help organizations achieve their goals. Because by helping them today, we know that they will be able to help thousands tomorrow."

Experience and leadership are true promises of success. Michael Logue brings both to the organizations that he has worked with over his two decades in the philanthropic sector. Since joining KCI in 1993, Mr. Logue has supervised over 60 major campaigns and has provided expert counsel to more than 20 organizations. Some of his accomplishments helped to benefit such organizations as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, YMCA of Greater Toronto, McMaster University, the National Ballet of Canada, Holy Blossom Temple Foundation and the Roman Catholic Diocese of London. He has the most successful track record of achieving financial objectives in the history of KCI.

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Stu Reid, Senior Vice President

"The philanthropic sector is changing rapidly. It's becoming more competitive and organizations must face much higher donor scrutiny. They must be prepared to make their case to the right donors at the right time."

Being a true leader should extend outside the boundaries of a company to include an industry. Mr. Reid is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences and has played a key role in advancing the development profession by acting as a coach and advisor to executives and non-profit organizations, and establishing innovative vehicles for private and philanthropic support.

As Executive Director, External Relations at the University of Calgary, Mr. Reid secured $150 million, ranking the university's endowment fund among the highest in Canada. Other notable projects with KCI include the Calgary Zoological Society, the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association and the Calgary Olympic Development Association.

His volunteer experience is equally as vast including serving as a Board Member and Campaign Chair of the Calgary Police Interpretive Centre, a member of the United Way of Calgary's Campaign Cabinet, a supporter of the Calgary Learning Centre and Executive Board Member on the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts. It is this type of expertise and guidance that helps our clients better understand the philanthropic environment in Canada.

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Susan Reitz, Vice President

"In order for an organization to succeed, you must first articulate your vision. Then you must work to understand your donor and be able to speak to them in a way that will resonate."

Understanding the environment in which you're launching a campaign is key to a profitable outcome. As a skilled fundraising consultant, Ms. Reitz supervises major capital campaigns for clients such as Griffith Mc Connell Residence and Marianopolis College. She is one of the most experienced and valued members of the KCI team, developing strategic fundraising analysis and planning studies for some of our most prestigious clients. She also regularly conducts research training workshops for a number of non-profit organizations throughout Québec.

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Rose Terzariol, CFRE, Vice President

"In an increasingly competitive environment, successful non-profit organizations are those that understand who they are, where they are going and how crucial it is to stand out and be recognized."

With over 17 years experience in the non-profit sector, Rose Terzariol appreciates that carefully planned strategies and an in-depth knowledge of the philanthropic landscape are paramount to success. Since joining the firm, Ms. Terzariol has built a solid track record of not only meeting, but exceeding client expectations. Her strong determination and know-how has resulted in multiple successes, including a $75 million campaign for the University of Guelph, which exceeded its goal by over $15 million and a campaign for STARS, which surpassed its goal by over $3 million.

In addition to her work with KCI, Ms. Terzariol is a Board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Vancouver Chapter, and also chairs the Fund Development Committee of the volunteer board of Big Sisters of the Lower Mainland. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and has shared her development knowledge as an instructor for organizations like Volunteer Vancouver, BCIT, Douglas College, and Vancouver Community College.

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Joanne Villemaire, Senior Vice President

"To achieve your campaign goals you must prepare for all facets of advancement in a unique way that only you can own."

Helping organizations succeed can only be done when you truly understand their culture. This is where Ms. Villemaire excels. Having worked in a variety of senior roles at non-profit organizations in Quebec and Ontario she has gained an in-depth knowledge of these business and philanthropic communities. This insight, particularly in campaign direction, contributed to Ms. Villemaire's successful $34 million capital campaign for the University of Ottawa and the $20 million campaign for the Université du Québec à Montréal. By immersing herself in these cultures she can identify with organizations' needs, making her a perfect leader to spearhead KCI's activities in the National Capital Region.

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Karen Willson, CFRE, Senior Vice President

"As our industry evolves into a more competitive one, we must prepare our clients through strategic planning and training so that they can succeed in this new climate of giving."

Providing expert strategic counsel is a very individualized process. In order to meet and even exceed a client's goals, we must develop custom solutions based on each organization's needs, their donors and the culture in which they exist. Ms. Willson is one of KCI's most accomplished senior leaders, providing strategic direction and project supervision to her clients, as well as leading staff and volunteer training.

Ms. Willson's current and recent client list includes the University of Waterloo's $350 million capital campaign, as well as campaigns for the Bloorview McMillian Hospital, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, and the University of Toronto. Under her direction, many of her campaigns have surpassed their fundraising goals.

As a volunteer in her community, Ms. Willson has served as a Board Member for Toronto Youth for Christ and as an advisory Board Member for the Sanfilippo Foundation.

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