Harvey McKinnon

President

Harvey is recognized as one of North America's leading direct mail experts. He is the author of Hidden Gold: How monthly giving will build donor loyalty, boost your organization's income, and increase financial stability (Bonus Books, Chicago).

An award-winning copywriter, Harvey has won international acclaim for his direct mail packages and has hosted a six-part TV series on fundraising.

Harvey has two best-selling training videos and an audio CD of his popular seminar, How Today's Rich Give (Jossey-Bass), and has written for numerous publications, including Donors, Grassroots Fundraising Journal, and Contributions. He is a columnist for Canadian Fundraiser and a contributing editor to Successful Direct Mail, Telephone and Online Fundraising.

Harvey is also a highly rated trainer and has taught fundraising to thousands of nonprofits. He has twice earned the highest rating of any speaker in the direct response and annual giving tracks at the U.S. Association of Fundraising Professionals annual convention, where he regularly speaks. He has helped groups raise hundreds of million dollars.

He is co-author of the Amazon.ca #1 best-seller, The Power of Giving (with Azim Jamal). All profits from sales go to charities.

Before founding Harvey McKinnon Associates in 1989, Harvey spent ten years with Oxfam Canada as Senior Development Officer. He was a 1998 finalist for the B.C.-based "Ethics in Action Awards".

He has served on many Boards including the Advisory Board of the Brainerd Foundation (US), Small Potatoes Urban Delivery (SPUD), Oxfam Canada, and the Vancouver International Comedy Festival. He knows 13,657 jokes.

Lynne Boardman

Managing Director

Lynne has been working in fundraising for over 10 years, in both Canada and the UK . In 1996, after three years with a B.C.-based wildlife organization, Lynne moved to London, England where she continued her work in the not-for-profit sector.

She initially worked as Donor Development Coordinator for the national cancer charity, CancerBACUP, responsible for running the direct marketing program. In 1998 Lynne joined Whitewater, one of the UK 's leading social marketing agencies. As Account Director, Lynne led her team in developing and implementing complete direct marketing programs for her clients, using direct mail, press inserts, display ads, DRTV, radio, telephone, websites and email.

Over the years Lynne has been involved in some real success stories. The integrated "Lifesaving Lunch" appeal for Concern won the Institute's award for best Donor Acquisition. And in 2003, the Royal Horticultural Society's "Wild Wood" campaign won an Echo award for charity direct marketing.

In March 2004 Lynne returned to Vancouver, where she joined Harvey McKinnon Associates to continue her career in the nonprofit sector, and to keep on raising money for wonderful clients and great causes.

Kersti Kahar

Account Director

Kersti joined HMA in Spring 2007. Working out of HMA’s new Toronto office, she’s happy to be part of HMA’s recent eastward expansion.

Kersti has over six years in agency-side direct marketing, with an additional three years working in communications.

Kersti spent several years working at Stephen Thomas, managing successful annual fundraising programs for such clients as UNICEF Canada, Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada and BC New Democratic Party.

She most recently spent the better part of a year working at a mid-sized commercial agency in Toronto, managing large-volume DM campaigns.

At HMA, Kersti serves as Account Director on Amnesty International, St. Michael's Hospital Foundation, Oakville Hospital Foundation and Ontario March of Dimes. She’s thrilled to return to her roots, helping nonprofit organizations in their mission to make the world a better place.

Renée Eaton

Senior Account Manager

Currently completing the BCIT Fundraising Management Program, Renée joined Harvey McKinnon Associates in January 2004.

Renée developed skills in marketing and editorial production during her four years in the publishing industry.

One publishing position was especially memorable. Renée helped create a handbook for students with learning disabilities, and then co-developed the marketing and sales plan to introduce this tool to educational institutions and nonprofit groups across North America .

This experience, along with three years volunteer work with a non profit group in Toronto, piqued Renée's interest in the nonprofit world and her career shift to fundraising upon her return to Vancouver .

Like many at HMA, Renée graduated with a B.A. in English Literature (from UBC). Her education also includes an intensive field school held in Mexico, studying political science and social change.

Renée's commitment and experience in fundraising, marketing, and client service will be a benefit for HMA clients. She is also a member of AFP Vancouver.

Renée manages the direct response fundraising programs for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, the Marmot Recovery Foundation and VGH/UBC Hospital Foundation.

Amy Wilkinson

Senior Account Manager

Amy joined the HMA Vancouver office in early 2006. She relocated to Toronto to help launch the satellite office in January 2007.

Amy graduated from McGill University with a BSc in Psychology, and after several years in the corporate sector, returned to pursue a postgraduate certificate in Public Relations from Humber College in Toronto.

Amy held the position of Media Liaison with the Banff Television Foundation before moving to Vancouver in 2002. With both agency and corporate experience, Amy has more than six years experience planning and executing national communications programs for a variety of non-profit and corporate organizations. Amy brings with her an array of knowledge relating to media, communications, marketing, advertising, and direct mail.

Amy was drawn to HMA because of the fact that it enables her apply her skills, while at the same time, offering her a chance to work with some great non-profit organizations.

Since joining HMA, Amy has managed the direct response programs for a variety of organizations. Currently she works with the Canadian Cancer Society (BC & Yukon Division), Amnesty International and The Lung Association.

Jon Allan Landaeta

Account Manager

Jon Allan is currently completing his Bachelors in Communications.

He developed skills in marketing and direct mail management during his five years in the financial industry.

Jon Allan has experienced living in 9 countries across the Americas, Caribbean, and Europe. In February 2004, Jon Allan returned to Canada, making Vancouver his new home. In June 2006, he joined Harvey McKinnon Associates to bring his direct response skills to help raising money for non-profit clients with worthy causes.

Jon Allan manages the direct response fundraising programs for Oakville Hospital Foundation (Ontario), University Hospital Foundation (Alberta), CDA Foundation (California), Vancouver Aquarium, and Victoria Women’s Transition House.

Laura Clark

Account Manager

Laura joined the HMA Toronto office in the spring of 2007.

Laura holds a degree in Drama from Queen's University and a post-graduate certificate in Fundraising from Humber College.

After graduation Laura worked as a Gift Officer for the President's Council at the Canadian Opera Company during their capital campaign, specializing in annual donor stewardship. In her role as Partnership Manager at the Canadian Stage Company she managed all direct response fundraising programs including direct mail and telemarketing. Laura has volunteered with the Toronto Humane Society and the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People.

Laura manages the direct response fundraising programs for St. Michael's Hospital Foundation and Credit Valley Hospital Foundation.

Jas Jhooty

Account Manager

Jas joined HMA in January 2008 and is thrilled to work with non-profit clients from across the globe. Jas holds a bachelors degree from Simon Fraser University where she studied marketing and human resource management.

Prior to HMA, Jas spent five years working as an account executive for an international direct marketing agency and learned the ins and outs of all aspects of direct mail marketing. In 2006 Jas took time off to travel and explore other industries. Her year and half was spent working in diverse industries ranging from advertising to construction and she learned valuable skills in business development, loyalty & retention marketing, small business consulting and communications. While she enjoyed her experiences, Jas realized she missed direct response marketing so when HMA came calling, she answered!

Jas is looking forward to using her excellent direct marketing and client relationship building skills in supporting her wonderful clients.

Jas manages the direct response fundraising programs for Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), IWK Health Centre Foundation (Nova Scotia) and Ontario March of Dimes.

Morgan Cartier

Account Manager

Morgan’s first giving experience took place as a child on a playground. In his excitement to ride the slide, he accidently dropped one of his cookies in the dirt. After picking it up, a young lady asked if she could have one. Not having yet discovered his gallant side, Morgan quickly passed the gravel strewn cookie to this innocent girl, keeping the clean ones for himself. In return, the girl gave him a kiss on the cheek. And so, Morgan’s passion for philanthropy began.

Morgan obtained a diploma in Marketing and Communications from B.C.I.T., winning First Place in the American Marketing Association’s 2006 Case Competition. His years at BCIT not only gave Morgan a great grounding in Marketing Management, but he also discovered that even a gravel strewn cookie is gourmet when you live with a bunch of guys.

Morgan went on to work in the creative department of one of Vancouver’s leading ad agencies, and then moved into direct response. 2 1/2 years with an international direct marketing company gave Morgan great knowledge in helping both profit and non profit clients. His work raising money for hospitals and other non profits helped rekindle that early interest in philanthropy.

Morgan is very excited to be working with HMA, and hopes to help get cookies to those who need them the most.

Eva Martinak

Head of Production

Eva’s desire to enter the world of fundraising brought her to HMA in 2005.

After completing her Masters in Marketing at the University of Economics in Slovakia, she had worked for several years in a full service direct response agency.  There, she successfully managed direct mail and customer loyalty programs for Microsoft Slovakia and later supervised the client service department.

She made Vancouver her new home in 2002 and joined an educational software company where she continued to advance her career in direct marketing and print and mail production.

Eva brings almost a decade of direct mail experience to HMA.  Her thorough understanding of the whole production process combined with her passion for direct mail make her an integral part of HMA’s production team.

Elaine Donovan

Production Manager & Graphic Designer

Elaine moved to Vancouver from Ireland in November 2006 and joined the HMA team in December 2007.

She has over eight years graphic design and production experience working within the print industry. She loves being involved in organizing fundraising events and has supported and collected for numerous different charities over the years. She is delighted to be using her knowledge and experience to work within the non-profit sector and is really looking forward to working with HMA’s wonderful clients.

Elaine loves to travel and experience different cultures, meet new people and try new things - and is very happy to call Vancouver her new home.

Chris Townsend

Production Manager

Chris obtained his BA in sociology and philosophy from the University of Toronto and a Diploma in education from the University of British Columbia.  After teaching English as an additional language to foreign students for many years, he pursued a long held interest in the advertising and design industries, where he worked as a production manager and project manager.

Chris joined HMA in 2008 and is very excited to be working for a company whose values and ethics reinforce his own and to be working specifically with non-profit clients.

Chris is a long time supporter of Plan Canada - formerly the Foster Parents Plan of Canada.

He has a passion for the arts and is a member of the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society.

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Glenn Gaetz

Graphic Designer and Web Developer

Glenn began working with HMA in January 2007.

After graduating from Boston University in 1997 with a BA in English and Philosophy, he worked for several years as Promotions Manager at Shambhala Publications where he managed the advertising program and designed advertising and promotional materials. Glenn has worked on improving his design and development skills on a freelance basis since he and his wife moved across the continent to sunny Vancouver in 2004.

He currently sits on the board of Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy and volunteers regularly for several animal rights groups in Vancouver, in addition to caring for the many animals who share his home.

Katie Sheehan

Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Katie joined HMA in June 2008.

After completing her BA in philosophy and sociology Trinity College Dublin, she spent two years as a teaching assistant in a Montessori classroom.  She then returned to Trinity College to work in the library.  She also has an MFA in creative writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Katie has volunteered as a youth leader and an ESL tutor.  She is glad to have found a place to put her professional and editorial experience to work for others.

Gayle Robinson

Bookkeeper & Controller

Gayle has been working with HMA since 1999. Her financial experience comes from many years of setting up financial records and managing finances in both volunteer and paid capacities. She has worked with the public school system, solidarity groups, charities, and various for-profit organizations.

Gayle earned her Diploma in Business Administration and Accounting from Capilano College while raising her two daughters.

Gayle leads a rich and fulfilling life that includes a great deal of grassroots activism both locally and internationally. She is committed to achieving social and economic justice through community-based organizations.

Gayle is very active in the struggle for peace and democracy in El Salvador, raising both money and awareness for this cause. Her years of involvement with the Latin American community have opened her eyes to the amazing power of the human spirit.