The “Dr. Tessa Hebb Graduate Award in Social Innovation” is awarded to students involved with a project in the not-for-profit sector through the 杏吧原创 Centre for Community Innovation. This year, Marlys Jordan (team lead), Damilola Abimboye, Erin Larmondin and Jeanette Wilson receive an Award for their MPNL capstone project, “Is Affordable Housing Really Affordable? The Dual Challenge of Providing Affordable Seniors Housing.”

The capstone report, in collaboration with , a nonprofit organization that provides affordable homes and services for seniors, families and individuals, looks at the D鈥橝rcy Affordable Housing Development in Okotoks, Alberta, just south of Calgary. The proposed Okotoks development is in the planning stages and targeted to provide affordable housing to seniors using a multi-tiered funding model.

The capstone looks at how multi-tiered funding strategies, including social finance mechanisms, can address affordability for both the housing provider and seniors . More broadly, it identifies systemic issues, like rising construction costs, inconsistent policy support, a lack of transparency in government practices, and limited collaboration among stakeholders, all of which impact the sector鈥檚 capacity to meet the demand for seniors housing. Their findings show that collaboration between governments, nonprofits, private-sector partners, and communities is essential to address a growing crisis.

The “Dr. Tessa Hebb Graduate Award in Social Innovation” (also known as the “2024 MPNL Social Innovation Fellowship Award”) was endowed in 2009 by an anonymous philanthropic gift to further 杏吧原创鈥檚 development of thought leaders, educators and professionals in the nonprofit sector. Preference is given to students who are pursuing research in civil society and whose work may enhance program or process innovation and capacity building in the nonprofit sector.

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Sarah Thatcher is this year’s recipient of the

“I applied for the Scholarship when I heard about it, because it fits with the work I’m doing,” Thatcher says. “I launched a charity in Muskoka called . We provide food packs on weekends for children facing food insecurity in our rural community.”

The Scholarship was founded by Ted Jackson and Magda Seydegart for students applying to the MPNL program who demonstrate a strong potential for leadership and innovation in community engagement — and who conduct a project with a community partner.

“I was a teacher for over 10 years and took a step out of the classroom after Covid 鈥� to shine a light on what’s happening to kids when they don’t eat and as a result, can’t learn, play and grow as they should,” Thatcher says.

“I love the MPNL program,” she adds. “When I tell people I’m doing my Masters in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, that sparks a whole bunch of questions. I come from the corporate world and from being a teacher, and this is new for me, but the MPNL program is incredible. We have amazing colleagues who have vast experience from different organizations across the country. I’ve learned a lot from them and from the educators, who are invested in giving us practical knowledge 鈥� to apply to the sector and to run a charity or nonprofit organization.”

“I appreciate the generosity that people have offered to me, which, in turn, I’m able to offer to others,” Thatcher says of the Scholarship.

Sarah Thatcher is on , and .

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Cindy Boustani, an MPNL student, is the inaugural recipient of the 鈥淏enevolence Award for MPNL.鈥�

“It was overwhelming to get the acceptance and to get the award, too,” Boustani says. “Even before I got accepted in the MPNL program, I worried about how I would finance the degree. I was financially unstable. I had moved from Lebanon to Montreal, and arrived here with nearly nothing. I feel like this program is my calling, and I’m grateful for being here, for being accepted, for receiving the award, for having this chance.”

The 鈥淏enevolence Award for MPNL鈥� was established by Alizeh Jaffrey Zaidi, a 2022 MPNL graduate, in honour of Hasan ibn Ali, a seventh-century philanthropist and spiritual leader known for his grantmaking and teachings about philanthropy. Today, Jaffrey鈥檚 work in the philanthropic sector is inspired by his teachings and example.

Boustani decided to work in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, starting with the MPNL program, after working for the Lebanese Red Cross. She has a Master鈥檚 degree in Architecture and worked as an Emergency Medical Technician and a trainer for the Lebanese Red Cross for more than seven years.

“In Lebanon, it’s very hard to build a career in the nonprofit sector, because it’s already a drained country, so the nonprofit sector is really suffering, so my work with the Lebanese Red Cross was always on the side,” Boustani says.

“When I moved to Canada, I worked as an architect, and continued working in the nonprofit sector on the side, but it was difficult to do both,” she adds. “In 2022, I returned to Lebanon to visit my family for a wedding, and it was heartbreaking seeing the country. It was mentally and emotionally tormenting to see the state in which my people were living, in which my family were living — to see my parents living in such conditions. I decided that, as I live in Canada, I have the resources to study, and I have everything I need in Canada to make nonprofit work a full-time career.”

She also volunteered in Tanzania, where she got the good news that the MPNL program had accepted her application and offered the Benevolence Award as well.

“I eventually want to make a change in my own country,” she says. “I would love to have experience in Canada. I’m learning a lot from my peers and professors. I’m passionate about making changes in post-conflict regions, because these are the regions most affected, the regions that struggle the most in terms of intergenerational trauma.”

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Molly Wilkes is a highly motivated individual who has dedicated her life to helping those in need. She graduated from 杏吧原创 University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Social Work, which led her to her current role as a Social Policy Advisor at Indigenous Services Canada. However, her passion for nonprofit work was ignited during her time shadowing the head of Operations and Fundraising at Belong to Youth Services in Dublin, Ireland.

Witnessing the positive impact of nonprofit organizations on the communities they serve inspired her to become part of that world. Molly was drawn to the MPNL program, at 杏吧原创 University, because it offers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the nonprofit sector in Canada. She hopes to learn how to effectively support organizations in gaining attention and funding to make a real difference in communities. Her ultimate goal is to assist nonprofits in developing the programming necessary to serve those in need and to strengthen communities across Canada.

Molly鈥檚 experiences and education have shaped her into a passionate advocate for social justice and equity. She’s committed to using her skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on the world. Molly is thrilled to be part of the MPNL program and looks forward to the journey.

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Intention and integrity are core concepts that drive Nick Yeo鈥檚 pursuit of his professional and personal objectives. He’s excited to embark on this next stage of his learning and looks forward to engaging with his peers in the 11th MPNL cohort.

Nick received his Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy from McGill University, and a certificate in Business Innovation from University of Toronto鈥檚 School of Continuing Studies. Over the past two decades, he has applied his skills to a range of causes: from fundraising for a social network for social good, to managing the operations of a diversity focused film festival, to designing innovative programs for young entrepreneurs.

Currently he鈥檚 Director of Programs at Rise, the only national charity sitting at the intersection of mental health and entrepreneurship. His team delivers trauma-informed programs and services that help marginalized Canadians achieve financial stability and social inclusion.

Nick is a first-generation Canadian and after spending eight years of his youth in Asia, he now calls Toronto home. He enjoys taking on new challenges, including parenting two rambunctious toddlers, training in martial arts and attempting to read 50 books each year.

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Rheann Quenneville is an enthusiastic individual with a passion for helping others. In 2022, she graduated with an Honours BA in Psychology, at 杏吧原创 University, concentrating in Health and Well-Being and minoring in Neuroscience and Mental Health.

Throughout her undergraduate degree, she had the opportunity to volunteer for numerous nonprofits and fundraising events within the field of brain/mental health. One of the nonprofits is the Women鈥檚 Brain Health Initiative, where she’s a secretary and a Young Person Cabinets member. Her time as a volunteer at the Women鈥檚 Brain Health Initiative solidified her desires to have a career within the nonprofit sector.

After graduating, Rheann worked as a research assistant at a Clinical EEG and Neuroimaging laboratory and as a Recreation Program Coordinator at the Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley, where she gained experience with different forms of nonprofit work.

Rheann hopes to gain experience in all the areas of philanthropy during her masters, experience that will open numerous doors to different types of nonprofit work. During her free time Rheann enjoys cooking, reading, playing sports, and spending time with friends and family.

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Michelle Murphy is a native of Nova Scotia with an expressive nature and a passion for movement. She entered the world of performing arts at a young age when she attended Canada鈥檚 National Ballet School. She subsequently began a 12-year career as a professional ballet dancer with several theatres across Europe. The majority of her career was with the Dutch National Ballet, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and the Royal Swedish Ballet, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Upon returning to Canada, Michelle pursued studies at Queen鈥檚 University and has become fascinated by fundraising and opportunities for fostering the Arts and Culture community in her home country. She enters the MPNL program motivated to investigate strategies for active engagement from discretionary donors, and wishes to address the ways younger generations can contribute to artistic endeavours.

As an aspiring artist, Michelle experienced access to resources and support made possible by donors to the Arts. The empowerment she felt as an artist is something she wishes to facilitate for more Canadians by developing the sector. In 2024, Michelle was the recipient of the Keith and Dorothy Sj枚gren Philanthropy Award, which recognizes the importance of arts and culture and which goes to a student with a demonstrated interest in working within the cultural or performing arts community in Canada.

In her spare time, Michelle stays connected to her dance roots with somatic and explorative dance styles and teaches various movement methods. She enjoys an active lifestyle with her partner that includes skiing, tennis, beach-trips and hikes with their dog, Dawson.

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A proud 杏吧原创 alumna, Meghan Maack graduated with a BA in Canadian Studies in 1995. Fast forward to 2023 and you can find her back on 杏吧原创鈥檚 campus as a member of the university鈥檚 advancement team. Meghan is a Senior Development Officer, with a focus on working with supporters to establish legacy gifts in wills.

Before joining the planned giving team at 杏吧原创, Meghan worked as a front-line fundraiser in small, medium and large not-for-profit organizations in the Ottawa area. Her career began with event planning and peer-to-peer fundraising, but after receiving her CFRE accreditation in 2021, Meghan shifted her focus to major and planned giving. Meghan has raised funds for a variety of causes, including disability rights, social services, international development, and health care. Meghan loves working with individual donors, hearing their stories, and uncovering their connection to cause.

Meghan also volunteers with ABLE2, a local organization that focuses on supporting people who live with disabilities, and is co-chair of the fundraising and awareness committee. Meghan is also an active CAGP and AFP member, attending national conferences and mentoring new fundraising professionals.

An active adventure traveller and a person who loves the outdoors, Meghan enjoys biking, hiking and canoeing with her circle of friends, family and loyal dog, Olive.

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Graduating from 杏吧原创 University with a BA, Combined Honours in Law and Philosophy, Jeremie Hooper-Grandbois explored the relationship between law and technology, focusing on issues such as technological neutrality and digital liberty.

Jeremie has over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, both as a performing artist and administrative support for independent touring artists. In his role at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Jeremie is currently implementing the 2020-25 Strategic Plan and had helped guide western Canada鈥檚 largest music conservatory through the pandemic. In 2021, his organization received a Lieutenant Governor of BC Award for exceptional leadership, community engagement and commitment to mentoring others.

Jeremie would like to examine the nonprofit sector鈥檚 culture and its role in re-enforcing barriers to inclusive and diverse arts education. He’d also like to help the nonprofit sector modernize their operations by embracing digital technology to help optimize their impact on communities.

Born in South Korea but raised in Canada, France and New Zealand, Jeremie can always be found with an electric guitar in hand, discussing dinosaurs with his wife, Kristen.

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Jen Garden has been in the nonprofit sector since 2010 professionally, but has been fundraising and volunteering nearly all her life with her parents, ingraining the meaning of community and being in the service of others at a young age. She’s currently the Chapter Director for Make-A- Wish Canada, Northern Alberta, and has been with the organization for more than eight years.

Jen graduated from Augustana University with a BA in Drama in 2007, then from MacEwan University with a certificate in Arts & Cultural Management in 2010. An internship with Theatre Calgary introduced her to the world of professional fund development, where she discovered her love for donor relations and fundraising. After her husband was posted to the military base in Edmonton, she started her work with Make-A-Wish.

Jen lives in Edmonton with her husband and two daughters. She wants to show her kids how to make the world a better place and that learning is a life-long experience, much like her own parents taught her.

In 2024, Jen Garden received the Simone Joyaux Memorial Award.

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