2025 MFC Speakers

Nneka Allen, CFRE, COC, PCC, Keynote Speaker
Principal and Founder
The Empathy Agency

Nneka Allen identifies as a Black woman and Momma, descended from those who traversed the Underground Railroad. Her African ancestors endured the Transatlantic Slave Trade, building North America through free and forced labour. This legacy connects her to the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island, specifically the Cherokee and Lumbee tribes.

As a lover of justice, Nneka has inspired philanthropy as a Fundraising Executive in the charitable sector for over 25 years. She is the founder of the Black Canadian Fundraisers' Collective, a community that nurtures the well-being of Canadian Black fundraisers and supports the fundraising capacity of B3 organizations. She is a celebrated author and co-editor of a bi-national book that showcases the personal stories of 15 Black leaders in the charitable sector, titled Collecting Courage: Joy, Pain, Freedom, Love. During the 2022/23 academic year, Nneka took on the role of one of the inaugural Scholars-in-Residence for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of British Columbia.

Nneka is a relationship builder, stone-catcher, freedom fighter, storyteller, and leadership coach. At the helm of The Empathy Agency Inc., she passionately guides clients towards finding hope, purpose, and justice in their relationship with themselves, others, and the Earth. Her mission centers on nurturing wholeness and honouring humanity by harnessing the power of empathy.

Co-Conspirators Partnership Statement 
(PDF 113KB)

Vanessa Burns
Grant Consultant
Vanessa Burns Grant Consulting

Vanessa Burns is a Grant Consultant with 20 years of experience helping organizations refine their fundraising strategies. Specializing in charities, social enterprises, and community groups, Vanessa guides clients to secure sustainable funding through trusts and grants. She helps organizations shift from a reliance on one-off funding to building long-term, diversified income streams. Having worked with a variety of clients, from small community projects to larger nonprofits, Vanessa is known for delivering practical, actionable advice that leads to measurable results. Her expertise includes navigating complex funding landscapes, strengthening relationships with funders, and ensuring that organizations are equipped with the right strategies to thrive in a competitive space. If you’re looking for clear, results-focused guidance on improving your grant fundraising strategy, Vanessa brings the experience and insights you need to succeed. Find me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/vanessaburns

Karen Dean
Mental Fitness and Mindset Expert
Karen Dean Inc.

Karen Dean is a Mental Fitness & Mindset Expert, bestselling author, and award-nominated entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience turning adversity into action. Based in rural Nova Scotia, she’s known for her bold honesty, practical tools, and unmatched ability to inspire audiences with stories that are raw, real, and deeply relatable. During the pandemic, Karen single-handedly raised over $96,000 to support families affected by tragedy—proof that her strategies work in the moments that matter most. Her work focuses on helping individuals and teams strengthen their emotional endurance, manage stress, and stay grounded in purpose, even in high-pressure environments. Karen has delivered the most successful mental wellness workshop in Farm Credit Canada’s history and continues to speak to organizations across Canada about how to thrive through change. She brings her signature fire to every room—and helps people show up for their mission without burning out.

Kathryn Levandier
Manager, Business Development and Partnerships
United Way Maritimes

Kathryn is an experienced fundraiser and leads business development and partnership efforts at United Way Maritimes. Kathryn specializes in corporate partnerships, helping businesses of all sizes leverage their capital, networks, and resources to drive social impact. Kathryn and the team at United Way Maritimes are focused on addressing poverty, social isolation, and affordable housing. Kathryn also serves as Communications Chair for the Canadian Association of Gift Planners Atlantic Chapter and is a Connector with Halifax Partnership’s Connector Program. She is a mom to two busy toddlers and enjoys being an active volunteer with the Sackville Minor Hockey Association.

Shaylyn MacAulay
Development Officer
NSCC Foundation

Shaylyn is passionate about bringing people together to make good things happen, which is perfect for her role as Development Officer with the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Foundation. She is a firm believer that inclusive education can ignite the spark for personal and community transformation. Prior to joining the NSCC Foundation, Shaylyn worked in increasingly senior fund development roles at the Canadian Red Cross.

Originally from St. Peter's, Cape Breton, Shaylyn completed a Business Administration Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations at NSCC. Her career in fundraising is influenced by growing up in a close-knit community, which fostered a love of giving back and empowering others. She serves on the AFP Nova Scotia Board of Directors, volunteers with the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning and is part of a neighbourhood group that prepares meals for Margeret House in Dartmouth. Outside of work you can usually find Shaylyn spending time in nature with her husband Jason and her dog Ziggy, cooking tasty meals for friends or planning her next trip.

Jaya Mootoo
Equity Seeker
Jaya Mootoo Consulting

Jaya Mootoo is a consultant, speaker, and entrepreneur focused on equity and inclusion in fundraising and the non-profit sector.

Through Jaya Mootoo Consulting, she offers training in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Grief, and Fundraising, and serves as Director of Fundholder and Community Engagement at Oakville Community Foundation, advancing Donor Advised Funds.

Jaya founded the “CRAM-A-CRUISER FOOD DRIVE AND FUNDRAISER,” adopted across North America and raising millions for organizations. She holds an Event Management Diploma and a Fundraising Management Post Graduate Certificate from Humber College, where she received the 2019 Kevin Allen Scholarship.

With over 25 years' experience, Jaya continues to advocate against gender-based violence through her work.

Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
Community Foundation of Nova Scotia

Kathleen Murphy believes the joys of fundraising live in the small moments: the thank-you note that lands just right, the story that lingers, and the connections that make you feel like the kind of person you want to be. When it brings purpose to both the donor and herself, she knows she is doing it right —that is why she loves it. With over a decade of experience in the charitable sector, Kathleen harnesses the power of moments to shape campaigns, events, and donor experiences. She holds a Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University and a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology. Guided by her belief that “kind people are my kind of people,” she spends her days connecting with generous Nova Scotians and sharing their stories as Director of Communications at the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia.

Jeff Sodowsky
Pacific Vice-President and Senior Consultant
Global Philanthropic Canada

Jeff is an accomplished philanthropy and fundraising executive with over 30 years of international experience. Initially arriving in Canada in 2008 as a Provincial Nominee for his fundraising expertise, Jeff became a Canadian citizen and has since continued to raise millions for diverse causes, working with both grassroots groups and major institutions. He has held senior roles at BC Women’s Hospital Foundation, Thompson Rivers University, American Ballet Theatre, and more, with projects spanning local, provincial, and international scopes. Especially known for fostering authenticity, equity, and access, Jeff deeply values his collaborations with Indigenous communities and strives to honour cultural traditions. He holds an MBA, an MA in non-profit administration, and CFRE accreditation, and is a dedicated mentor, food lover, and avid traveler.

Alexandra Theroux
Operations Specialist
AI First Consulting

Alexandra Theroux (she/her) is an AI Operations Specialist at AI-First Consulting, Inc., where she helps mission-driven teams make sense of digital systems and use technology to work smarter—not harder. With a background in nonprofit leadership and a love for well-designed workflows, Alexandra bridges the gap between people and tech with clarity, compassion, and a touch of creativity.

She’s spent over a decade supporting organizations through change—whether that’s adopting new tools, untangling messy processes, or making operations more sustainable. At AI-First, she focuses on practical, human-centered solutions that help clients confidently integrate AI and automation into their work.

Alexandra is especially passionate about supporting the community impact sector and believes technology should feel empowering, not overwhelming. Whether she’s mapping out a new system or co-creating a smoother workflow, her goal is always the same: to make space for the work that really matters.

Tia Upshaw
CEO, Serial Entrepreneur
Blk Women in Excellence

Tia Upshaw is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, changemaker, and the Founder & CEO of Blk Women in Excellence (BWIE), an award-winning organization dedicated to empowering Black women through entrepreneurship and economic opportunity.

Named one of Atlantic Canada’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Business and a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Tia has built a powerful platform that blends grassroots impact with strategic leadership. She is a dynamic speaker, media personality, and host of Tuesdays with Tia on CTV Morning Live Atlantic.

Tia’s work focuses on equity, innovation, and community-driven change. She is a leading voice in inclusive donor engagement, ethical storytelling, and how AI is reshaping the future of entrepreneurship and fundraising. Her lived experience, strategic insight, and unapologetic approach inspire audiences to take action and lead with purpose.