Meet Amanda Fritz and Muneeb Syed, Incoming Co-Chairs of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada: ‘We Want Members to Expect Trust, Openness, and Honesty.’
For the first time ever, the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada will be headed up by two fundraising leaders, Amanda Fritz, CFRE, MPNL, and Muneeb Syed, CFRE. After spending 12 years at McGill University working in major gifts, Fritz is currently director of major gifts and campaign management at CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation in Montreal. She has been a board member and chaired several committees of the AFP Quebec chapter. After six years in the development department of Toronto Metropolitan University and four years with York University, Muneeb Syed, has been the advancement lead at University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies for the past two years. He has volunteered as a member of the board of AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada for more than three years. As their terms of office begin, we caught up with them to see what’s on their minds.
This marks the first time the Foundation has been led by co-chairs. Can you talk about the background and how it came to be?
Fritz and Syed: We both believe we are at a crucial juncture for our organization and the sector. One that requires an all-hands-on deck approach and this intentional decision, which was made collectively by the board of AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada, enables us to expand our capacity to respond to our immediate needs—both proactively and reactively. We are grateful to our board members for their leadership in recognizing the need to act swiftly to change our governance structure, without unnecessarily belabouring the process. While we both have ideas on how to operationalize the co-chair model, we intend to be nimble in how we approach this change overall. The idea is to be able to adapt and respond to the needs of our board, to AFP members, fundraising professionals, and the sector, at large. Implementing a co-chair model also builds the Foundation’s capacity to reimagine, re-examine, and redefine its own practices through an IDEAA (inclusion, diversity, equity, access and anti-racism) lens. We want the Foundation to lead by example in establishing ways to cultivate a more vibrant and resilient culture of philanthropy, internally and externally. Even though it seems we are re-configuring the plane while flying it at high-speed, we are excited and optimistic because we have the confidence of our board members, and trust in each other.
What are your goals when you set out at the beginning of your terms?
Fritz and Syed: We have the joint goals of rebuilding trust in AFP in Canada. To regain relevance, and build that trust, we want to foster cohesion and innovation in the AFP ecosystem and revitalize fundraising best practices. We want to reinvigorate the Foundation’s fundraising efforts by redefining and re-examining how AFP Foundation for Philanthropy - Canada approaches its philanthropic efforts. The overarching goal is to lead by example and become a true north star for our sector. We also want to use the talents of our board members to foster collaboration and communication between the Foundation and other entities – in Canada and beyond, in philanthropy and outside it.
What are your individual areas of focus?
Fritz: I’ve been involved with AFP Foundation staff director recruitment, which was recently completed. Moving forward, I’ll be focusing on the AFP Global board, US Foundation board, the major gifts committee, and a special fundraising effort in honour of Lori Gusdorf’s upcoming retirement (stay tuned for more!).
Syed: My attention will be on strengthening our relationship with the AFP Canada board, the AFP Global president and CEO search committee, as well as working on the AFP in Canada Leadership Retreat, and championing the implementation of findings from AFP in Canada’s IDEAA audit.
Do equity issues affect the way fundraisers address their work. Does it change the way you look at your jobs as incoming chairs?
Fritz and Syed: Absolutely. IDEAA issues affect the way we work and the way we seek support. In the past few years, there has been significant discourse, especially around well-entrenched power structures that pose significant barriers to entrance and progression in the fundraising profession and within the AFP ecosystem. Equity deserving fundraising professionals with lived experiences, using both of us as examples, have been privy to this reality because many of us have experienced it at some stage of our careers and, unfortunately, continue to experience it today. The lack of equity and diverse lived experiences continues to pose a threat to our sector’s collective capacity to drive social impact and creates constant challenges to attracting and retaining quality talent in the fundraising profession. We are both aligned to support and champion the IDEAA audit to decentralize power and dismantle barriers to entry and progression in the AFP environment and the fundraising profession at large, especially for those who have been historically excluded. As co-chairs, both of us are eager to bring our own lived experiences to bear and to listen and learn from the realities of others as well. And we are supercharged for the findings of the IDEAA audit of AFP in Canada to inform how we can approach our roles and offer support to others more holistically.
What would you say are the leadership values you’re bringing into your new role? What can members expect?
Fritz and Syed: Firstly, we want members to expect trust, openness, and honesty - and we are approaching our roles sincerely with these principles in mind. We both have faith in our board members—whom we have collectively elected—to practise these principles. We recognize the work ahead for not just us but for every board member. We want our values to be of purpose and impact and mean something for each one of us. We are looking forward to collaborating and learning. Secondly, we are both strategic and analytical thinkers which, we believe, can assist us assessing our current approaches to seeking philanthropic support for the Foundation and making the informed and strategic decisions required to shape AFP Foundation for Philanthropy - Canada’s direction. Lastly, we want members to expect a degree of emotional intelligence in our practice, for us to provide leadership and enable collaboration that is grounded in the principles of IDEAA. Fostering a positive and cohesive culture for the Foundation, within the AFP ecosystem, will enable us to lead with integrity and empathy, and to navigate interpersonal dynamics and build trust. Adaptability and resilience will play a vital role in our ability to resolve complex challenges and seize emerging opportunities. It is a foundation for navigating setbacks, overcoming obstacles, persevering in the face of adversity, and adjusting our approach, strategies, and priorities when necessary.
One word or one sentence answers to the following:
What do you think is the biggest issue facing fundraisers today?
Syed: Belonging.
Fritz: Uncertainty.
One life lesson learned that you could apply to this role.
Syed: To not take yourself too seriously.
Fritz: Humility.
What is one challenge you anticipate in your new role as co-chair of the Foundation?
Syed: Understanding the AFP ecosystem.
Fritz: Rebuilding our community.
What books are you reading now?
Syed: "Meatball Sundae" by Seth Godin (for the fourth time)
Fritz: "Everything I Know About Love" by Dolly Alderton
What are you most looking forward to?
Syed: Working with Amanda!
Fritz: Working with Muneeb!
Anything you’d like to say to the members of AFP as you begin your role as Co-Chairs of AFP Foundation for Philanthropy - Canada?
Syed: Thank you for the opportunity to serve alongside Amanda. We KNOW the next couple of years are going to be transformative for us. So, buckle-up for a fun ride as we re-configure and fly this plane at high speed!
Fritz: Thank you for your trust in us and we are committed to deliver on our promises and plans! Also buckle up ;) (Muneeb made me say that last part!).