Interim Board Appointed for AFP Greater Toronto Chapter

CONTACTS:
Natalie Paskoski, Manager of Content, (434) 236 – 5583, Natalie.Paskoski@afpglobal.org
 
(Arlington, Virginia) AFP Global Board Chair, Birgit Smith Burton, has appointed six individuals to serve as the interim board for the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter (GTC). 

•    Liz Rejman, Secretary
•    Arleen Benjamin, CPA, Treasurer 
•    Dane Bland, Board Member
•    Esther Saehyun Lee, Board Member
•    Ann Rosenfield, Board Member

These interim board members join Olumide Akerewusi, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Econ), CSR-P, CDEP, who was appointed by Smith Burton as interim president of the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter in May, following the resignation of the previous board. 

The process of selecting the board candidates was a joint effort by Akerewusi and Smith Burton, which included an open call for expressions of interest, with emphasis placed on welcoming candidates from diverse and under-represented groups. 

This interim board was chosen for their demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and reconciliation practices, as well as their extensive leadership and change management skills. 

During their tenure, which is expected to last through December 2024, their immediate priorities will be facilitating an annual general meeting and leading a member consultation to develop a new path forward for the AFP GTC. 

These changes are in direct response to important conversations about anti-Black racism led by Nneka Allen, Olumide Akerewusi, and Múthoní Karíukí. The chapter and AFP Global are committed to transparently acknowledging the history of prejudice and the harm done to members of the community, while also taking steps to rebuild trust and move forward to creating a chapter where all fundraisers can belong.

To learn more about the progress being made, please refer to previous statements: 

•    Update from AFP GTC’s Interim Board President (July 2023) 
•    Message from AFP GTC’s Interim Board President (June 2023) 
•    Mike’s Monday Message: AFP Global Apology and Next Steps (June 2023)
•    AFP's Commitment to Our IDEA Principles and Next Steps (May 2023)

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Since 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has been the standard-bearer for professionalism in fundraising. The association works to advance effective and ethical philanthropy by providing advocacy, research, education, mentoring, collaboration and technology opportunities for the world’s largest network of professional fundraisers. AFP’s more than 27,000 members in over 200 chapters raise over $100 billion annually for a wide variety of charitable organizations and causes across the globe. For more information, go to afpglobal.org.

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