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

During her five plus years with HMA, Renee has led a variety of fundraising programs, including high-profile national brands like Princess Margaret Hospital, Ecojustice, and the Marmot Recovery Foundation.

She provides strategy for the social marketing campaigns for the Heart & Stroke Foundation – BC & Yukon chapter. Renee also manages the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation program. Her past clients include London Health Sciences Centre, BC Citizens for Public Power, and other groups.

Renee has built a solid knowledge base about direct response programs including leadership and legacy giving.  She also works closely with clients on integration strategies as well as developing their web sites, creating microsites and video clips, and partnering on e-blasts.

Clients appreciate Renee’s commitment to their mission and programs, her strategic insights, and practical suggestions on other aspects of their programs that benefit donors and the client.

Renee earned her Fundraising Management certificate (with honours) from the BC Institute of Technology and will be writing her CFRE exam in 2010.

Before joining HMA, Renee spent four years in the publishing industry in direct marketing, sales and editorial roles. Prior to publishing, she “cut her teeth” in the banking industry, developing skills in client services and sales, staff training, and management.
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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.

Leslie Traynor

Senior Account Manager

Leslie joined the Toronto office in 2009 and is thrilled to be working with the HMA team.

Leslie began her career in fundraising as a Regional Manager for Entertainment Publications Inc. (EPI). During her time with EPI, she was introduced to a variety of non-profit organizations throughout Eastern Canada. Leslie was impressed by the commitment and dedication of the fundraisers she met, and decided to change her career path by joining the Canadian Cancer Society. While employed at the Society, Leslie worked on several fundraising initiatives that provided her with insight into best practice around donor retention and stewardship. The lessons she learned at the Society served Leslie well when she joined a Toronto based non-profit direct marketing agency.

Leslie has previously managed appeals for leading animal rights, health and conservation charities. She looks forward to helping HMA client’s achieve their goals and currently works with Canadian Cancer Society (BC/Yukon Division) and the Ontario Lung Association.

Laura Clark Kugelmass

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.

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Katie Dudley

Junior Account Manager

Katie joined the awesome and talented HMA team in Fall 2008.  She works out of the downtown, Toronto office.

She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Western Ontario and a post graduate certificate in Public Relations from Loyalist College. 

During and after her post-secondary education, Katie has volunteered as a  Fundraiser/Campaign Creator with various organizations including Belleville General Hospital, Fixed Fur Life, and United Way.  Before working for HMA, Katie worked as a Public Relations Coordinator for Toronto Zoo where she planned exciting events for various clients and group sizes.

Katie manages the direct response fundraising programs for Amnesty International, Oakville Hospital Foundation, and assists in the management of St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation.
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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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Nancy Huffman

Production Manager

In 2008, Nancy jumped into direct marketing and joined Harvey’s incredible team. Beginning as an Account Coordinator, Nancy soon realized that her true passions lie in paper and print, and walked the floor to become the newest member of the famed Production Team.

While studying Art History and Classics at the University of Toronto (Trinity College) and Arts Administration at Bishop’s University, Nancy gained over five years of management experience in the service sector. Among her past accomplishments, she developed successful sales and resource protection strategies for international retailers, audited business models for nationally-acclaimed restaurants, and cultivated lasting client relationships for companies across Ontario and Québec.

In her capacity as Production Manager, Nancy is building upon her skills and continuing on the path to altruism, helping to raise funds for the meaningful causes we partner with at HMA.

Nancy is an advocate of the Canadian Mental Health Association and has volunteered for the Frontier Animal Society and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. In her spare time, Nancy windsurfs, skis, and runs on the beach with her dog, Sam. She is Project Manager for The Power of Giving, a campaign devoted to promoting giving in all its forms across the globe. Nancy is learning American Sign Language and trying not to sign her life away....

She also makes terrible puns.

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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.

Karri LaJeunesse

Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Karri is new to the HMA team as of February 2010.

Karri is originally from Thunder Bay, ON and moved to Vancouver in 1994.

She has over nine years of Senior Administrative experience and enjoys being a part of a high energy team. Her background is in the high tech industry where she was able to gain her experience supporting high level executives, a sales team and managing a small start up company. She is looking forward to making a difference in the fundraising industry and is excited with the opportunity given to her at HMA.

In her spare time Karri enjoys cooking for her friends, travelling, biking around Stanley Park, listening to music, and knitting.

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.