Harvey McKinnon, CFRE

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.

Alan Sharpe, CFRE

Senior Strategist

Alan has eaten a hard-boiled penguin egg, taught children with disabilities to downhill ski, led a rifle section during the Falkland's War, and lived in Jane Fonda's old house in Paris.

Alan joined HMA in January 2011 after a long career as a copywriter and direct mail fundraising consultant. He is excited to be working for what he considers to be the best direct response fundraising agency in North America.

Alan taught himself the craft of copywriting in 1988 after reading What Color is Your Parachute and discovering he wanted to be a writer or teacher. His copy has sold everything from pump parts to utility trailers to digital video transmission systems. He has worked in every media: print, radio, television, outdoor, multimedia, packaging, email and web. Alan even helped a client use direct mail to sell a coffee table book about Elvis Presley. Don’t ask.

After working for a decade as a copywriter, Alan started a direct mail fundraising consultancy that served hospitals, relief & development organizations, evangelical missions and other charities in North America and overseas.

Alan has written four books and 26 handbooks on direct mail fundraising, and publishes the only weekly email newsletter on the topic (8,000 subscribers worldwide). He is a contributing editor to Canadian Fundraising & Philanthropy and Charity Village, and is a popular workshop presenter at AFP and other conferences.

When Alan is not helping HMA clients, attending board meetings of local non-profits, attending church or wrestling with one or both of his young boys, he is asleep.

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Renée Eaton

Account Director

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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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.

Karri LaJeunesse

Account 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.

Ryan Garnett

Account Manager

Ryan joined HMA in 2011 after spending several years working in a number of sales and marketing roles focusing on the direct mail, and non-profit sectors.

He graduated from the Marketing Management – Direct Response program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in 2005. He was the only graduate of 300 in his class to be accepted to the program directly from high school. The bulk of his work experience was spent working as a direct marketing consultant for a large children’s charity in Queensland, Australia. His work there focused on the growth of their home lotteries program and although he was still working from Vancouver, he did get to visit the land down under on more than one occasion.

Recently, Ryan has gone back to BCIT to pursue his Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He has only a few more courses left to complete and expects to graduate from the program in April 2012. Once that is complete he plans to further his education with additional courses focused on fundraising and non-profits.

Outside of work and school Ryan is an avid traveller always looking forward to his next adventure. In the summer you’ll usually find him on the golf course, and in the winter he loves to compete in both hockey and dodgeball.

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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.

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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Deb Pound

Production Manager

Several years production management experience which includes graphic design & layout (YEARS ago!) print purchasing experience with the Alberta Government and many years experience with the direct mail marketing industry beginning with World Project Mgmt, Go Direct Marketing, DDB and RMG Connect (now JWT Direct). I Love the print industry because it always amazes me when a blank paper starts out at one end and comes out with a beautiful image. Direct Mail, at its best, can amaze, astound AND produce incredible results for the clients. That's what makes this business so much fun. Other than that, a Bard on the Beach volunteer (of the Year in 2008) and in withdrawal from being a 2010 Olympic Winter Games Pre volunteer and Games time volunteer. Avid, but not great, curler, and a swimmer as well, just to keep me active.

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Glenn Gaetz

Creative and Online Consultant

Glenn joined HMA in 2007 after working for several years in the marketing department of a small publishing company in Boston. While books were his first love he soon realized that making positive change in the world involves more than just reading. Working at HMA means that he can help many different nonprofits make real change happen.

Glenn also runs a small animal welfare nonprofit group in Vancouver, and is the co-owner of Nice Shoes, an eco-chic vegan shoe store.

At HMA, Glenn has created successful campaigns for many clients, including Ecojustice, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He is certified by Convio to work with their platform, and leads online & mail integration for HMA’s clients. 

Cassandra Colterman

Graphic Designer

Cassie won her first art competition when she was eight years old. She coloured a drawing of The Brave Little Toaster. She insisted that her mother drive her through a snowstorm to receive her prize: a VHS boxed set of Mickey’s Christmas Carol (which she watches to this day).

She’s been hooked on art and design ever since.

Cassie studied graphic design in high school, and continued on to earn a three-year graphic design diploma from Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario.

Cassie found her career grove when she discovered she could use her graphic design skills to make a difference in the world by helping charities raise funds for their causes. Cassie joined HMA in January 2011 as our first Toronto-based Graphic Designer. She creates direct mail packages for Amnesty International, Oxfam, War Child and many other HMA clients.

In her spare time, Cassie likes to walk Larry, her chocolate lab, whose favourite reality TV show is DogTown on the National Geographic Channel.

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.

Doug Fleetham

Data Manager

Doug joined HMA in 2011 as the data manager of the embryonic database department.

Doug graduated from McMaster University with a BA in Psychology and, naturally enough, began a ten-year career in brick making. Southern Ontario winters encouraged relocation to Vancouver, where Doug joined the family business in storage and services. It was during this ten-year career that Doug was introduced to database programming and he's never looked back.

After returning to college and earning a diploma in Information Technology from Capilano College, Doug spent ten years (hmmm, do we detect trend?) as a database programmer for a direct marketing and lettershop firm becoming fully versed in all aspects of mailing list, data analytics, reporting and data management.

Doug is delighted to be part of the energetic, creative, dynamic team at HMA and to be working for so many ethical, positive clients that are striving to affect real change.

Doug plays guitar in a band, writes and records for his own pleasure and works on occasion as a sound engineer for a variety of groups on the island that he and his family call home.

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