Breakfast Series: Exploring Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access in Fundraising
Thursday October 20, 2022
CFRE Credit Value: 1
Cost: AFP Members - $45.00 +fees Non Member - $55.00 +fees
7:30 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Session
Session Description:
October 20 will be an education session focused on IDEA. You can be sure it will be informative and a great opportunity to connect with your fellow members and fundraising pros!
Speaker Bios:
Constance Scarlett
Constance Scarlett is a cultural professional with over ten years of experience in the arts and heritage sectors. She has extensive experience in non-profit management, fund development and stakeholder relations.
Ms. Scarlett has led the fundraising strategies of numerous cultural organizations, including a $41.5 million capital campaign for TELUS World of Science – Edmonton. Having held positions as a funder and fundraiser, Constance has a unique perspective on both sides of the funding relationship.
Ms. Scarlett’s professional practice is rooted in the belief that arts and heritage institutions maintain their relevance through responsiveness to, and integration with, their communities. This has resulted in a strong community engagement background and expert knowledge of collaborating with people of diverse backgrounds.
In her current role at TELUS World of Science – Edmonton, Constance builds relationships and collaborates with community to strengthen the organization’s relevance and sustainability.
Zachary Weeks
Born and raised in Edmonton, Zachary has been a spokesperson on disability issues since he was young. He has consulted on a variety of building developments, including the Glenrose's Bill Black Auditorium, the Walterdale Theatre and Rogers Place.
Zachary is humbled to be a voice for the voiceless and considers this to be one of the most significant honours of his life. Zachary is a strong advocate for social justice and often uses his platform to shine a light on important disability issues such as lack of accessibility, ableism, and discrimination. While Zachary is a powerful advocate, he also understands the importance of balance and enjoys spending his free time with friends and family, playing video games, and indulging in good food and spirits. Zachary believes that laughter is the best medicine and tries to infuse humour into everything he does. Zachary was born with cerebral palsy and uses a power wheelchair for mobility. Despite doctors telling his parents that he would never walk, talk, or be able to care for himself, Zachary has defied many expectations.
Zachary was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and is an alumnus of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference. He was co-chair of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities planning committee in Edmonton from 2011 to the present. He has been an active member of the City of Edmonton’s Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) since 2013, serving as chair of the Community Engagement Committee until 2016, and then as chair of the AAC until 2019.
Michelle Okere
Michelle Okere is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) with over a decade of experience leading the growth of national, provincial and local non-profit organizations. She is the Vice Chair of PolicyWise for Children & Families, Chair of the Reconciliation Committee for YWCA Edmonton and a member of the Whyte Avenue Rotary Club.
Michelle is recognized for her expertise in fund development; public relations; strategic and operations planning; and human resources, with a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion.
Since 2016, Michelle has been working with non-profits, Foundations, and social enterprises across western Canada to support transformational growth through her consulting company - Okere & Associates.
Passionate about community engagement, Michelle has been featured in PINK Magazine for her work in rural communities, received the Deputy Minister’s Award for Innovation in Saskatchewan for a cross-sector fundraising and awareness campaign, and was named to Edify Edmonton’s Top 40 under 40 Class of 2021.
Erin Davis
Erin Davis (she/her) is an award-winning expert, inspirational speaker, and global thought leader in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion, helping people feel a sense of connection and belonging. She founded Erin Davis Co. in 2021 and as Lead Inclusion Strategist helps leaders understand their role in creating a more inclusive workplace to unlock creativity and enhance innovation. Erin empowers diversity and inclusion champions at all levels to find their voice and supports their journey to create a more inclusive world, one conversation at a time. She is also a passionate social justice advocate committed to challenge the status quo and helping others to make the same commitment authentically and bravely.
In addition to serving on the board of the Edmonton Business Diversity Network, Erin supported the City of Edmonton’s Community Safety and Well-Being Task Force to develop recommendations to address racism, discrimination, excessive use of force, poverty, and homelessness in the City of Edmonton, and currently serves as a Director with both McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association, Capital Pride Edmonton, and Explore Edmonton.
She lives in Treaty 6 Territory, Region 4 of the Metis Nation of Alberta, with her husband and two amazing children, where they both work to teach them about a world where inclusion truly matters.
Event Registration
Breakfast is included in the ticket price.