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2026 Maritime Fundraising Conference Sessions, Monday, September 28, 2025
Morning Sessions
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1A: The Change - Navigating Leadership in a Changing Time
Lisa Weatherhead: Director of Development, Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
At some point, everyone will be faced with career changes, whether strategic or unplanned. Saving space to create your own path and identity can prove to be a valuable resource as you navigate your career path. In this session, participants will:
- Challenge perceptions about career advancement and choices that impact next steps for you.
- Explore their own leadership identity and style and the type of leader you want to become.
- Recognize relationships as part of your professional journey and how they impact your past, present, and future successes.
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2A: TBA
TBA
TBA
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1B: Leading Through Uncertainty
Danielle Hodges: Director, Policy and Accountability, Government of Nova Scotia
Joanne Bernard (Moderator): CEO, Easter Seals Nova Scotia
One thing we know for sure, change is inevitable. With leaders from across the sector, we’ll discuss how to lead when everything is uncertain, building sustainable support and weathering the changes of government.
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2B: Authenticity in Storytelling
Chistena Copeland: Director, Principal Giving Communications, Advancement, Dalhousie University
TBA: North Grove
Storytelling is the backbone of fundraising and communications, but how do you know which stories to share? What will resonate with your audience? How do you even know who your audience is? What will stop people from scrolling and entice people to engage with your content? Three industry experts, including Christena Copeland from Dalhousie University, a representative from The North Grove community hub in Dartmouth and (TBA) will share their unique perspectives and ideas on how they've managed to get their messages across through loud and clear efficiently and effectively.
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3A: Beyond the Ask: Building a Major Gift Program
TBA: BNP Inspire
Major gifts have the power to transform an organization's impact and long-term sustainability. In this session, participants will explore the key elements of a successful major gifts program, from identifying and engaging prospective donors to solicitation, stewardship, and recognition. Through practical strategies and proven approaches, attendees will learn how to build meaningful donor relationships, inspire transformational philanthropy, and create a sustainable source of funding for their organization's mission.
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3B: Donor Advised Funds: Your Key to Unlocking Larger Donor Gifts
Glenn Stewardson: Financial Planning Advisor, Assante Hydrostone
Donors are changing how they give, and Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are becoming an increasingly important part of philanthropic planning. Financial advisors and investment firms are actively introducing DAFs to their clients as a charitable giving solution.
Through a DAF, advisors can help donors make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax receipt, and continue managing the invested assets while earning advisory fees. For fundraisers, the opportunity is to identify donors who have established DAFs and engage them in meaningful stewardship conversations to unlock additional giving potential.
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2026 Maritime Fundraising Conference Sessions, Monday, September 28, 2025
Plenary Luncheon Address
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Community Voices Panel
Ashley Hill: Founder and Executive Director, The PREP Academy
More Panelists to be announced soon!
This session at the Maritime Fundraising Conference, with the theme "Stronger Together," will bring together three local Nova Scotian organizations to share their unique journeys in building community-led nonprofits.
Each speaker will highlight the challenges and successes of developing mission-driven initiatives that prioritize community voice and participation. From youth empowerment and social enterprise to education support and inclusive programming, the three organizations will demonstrate their diverse approaches to creating lasting social impact. Common themes will emerge around the importance of authentic relationship-building, adaptability in the face of limited resources, and the power of grassroots leadership.
The session will underscore that sustainable change begins with trusting and investing in community leadership. This is a principle that resonates deeply with fundraisers who always seek to build meaningful donor relationships. Attendees will leave feeling inspired by the resilience and creativity of these local leaders, with practical takeaways for supporting community-led initiatives in their own work.
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2026 Maritime Fundraising Conference Sessions, Monday, September 28, 2025
Afternooon Sessions
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4A: Funder Perspectives Panel
Dawn Boylan: Senior Mnaager of Community Investment, Bell Aliant
Colleen Fleming: Fleming Charitable Foundation
Katie MacDonald: Director of Development, Biome Conservation
Kathleen Murphy: Director of Communications and Strategic Engagement, Community Foundation of Nova Scotia
The charitable sector is there for our neighbours, our environment and our communities when it’s needed most. But the good work we do cannot happen without sustainable funding. If you’ve found yourself reading through a list of sector cuts, crossing your fingers that funding will be renewed, or worrying at night about how you’ll continue a critical program, join us for a panel filled with tips, tricks and insider knowledge from local funders.
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4B: Cultivating Connections: The Art of Donor Visits and Stewardship
Katharine Berrington: Senior Manager, Legacy Giving, Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation
Join us for an energizing session focused on the heart of fundraising: building genuine, lasting donor relationships.
In this session, Katharine shares hands-on strategies for mastering donor visits and stewardship. She’ll offer concrete tips on securing that crucial first meeting, navigating the conversation, and mastering the follow-up. You’ll also discover how to strike the perfect balance between active listening and asking powerful questions, ensuring every interaction builds trust.
Katharine will also share candid stories from her own career - including a few quirky visits that didn’t quite go as planned and the valuable lessons they taught her.
Whether you’re new to planned giving and looking for approachable ways to start the conversation, or a seasoned pro seeking fresh inspiration, you’ll leave with actionable tools and a renewed passion for the work: a reminder that true relationship-building is always worth the investment.
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Ask the Experts
Brief and Interactive Table Discussions on Specific Topics
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