Our Team
Nicola Elkins
TEP, CFRE, MFA-Philanthropy, MSc – Founder & CEO
nicola@benefaction.ca; ext. 200
Bio
Nicola is President of Cause Strategies Inc., our charitable wealth management solutions provider since 2008. She is also Founder and CEO of Benefaction Foundation. She has built a reputation as a valuable resource for those who want to integrate charitable giving into their client’s financial, estate and succession plans. Prior to establishing Cause Strategies Inc., Nicola spent 20 years in the financial services industry holding several senior roles. She has an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from McGill University. She is the managing editor of the Master Financial Advisor - Philanthropy course offered by the Knowledge Bureau. She is also past President of Rotary Club of Westmount (QC) and of Le Manoir, a home for independent seniors living in Westmount (QC).
Joely Elkins
MSc, CSC – Director, Granting & Philanthropy
joely@benefaction.ca; ext. 202
Bio
Joely joined the Benefaction team full-time in September 2020 after finishing an MSc at Bayes Business School, in the U.K., with Distinction. Her research project focused on how small charities can use technology to adapt to COVID-19. She was previously involved with Benefaction for over three years working part-time as Grants Administrator while completing her BA at McGill University. In her current role, Joely is responsible for overseeing all of Benefaction's granting to charities and qualified donees across the country. She is a Communications Volunteer of the CAGP GTA Chapter.
Phoebe Uguy
Gift Fund Data Administrator
phoebe@benefaction.ca; ext. 207
Bio
Phoebe joined Benefaction in April 2022. Her background and past experiences have mainly been in the education sector where she has worked in a variety of roles, from administrator and program assistant to teacher and tutor. In her current role, Phoebe supports key data-related functions at Benefaction, including supporting the process surrounding new Gift Funds.
Meredith Agnew
CFA – Chief Investment Officer
meredith@benefaction.ca; ext. 201
Bio
Since September 2014, Meredith has been employed as CIO at Benefaction. Previously, she consulted private high-net-worth clients aiding in their asset management. From 1992 to 2005 she worked in the securities industry as both Sales Assistant and Investment Advisor at private investment firms – Moss, Lawson & Co. Limited and Mackie Research Capital Corporation. Meredith obtained a BA with a double major in Economics and Sociology from the University of Western Ontario and is a CFA Charterholder.
Tanya Yan
Senior Gift Fund Administrator
tanya@benefaction.ca; ext. 205
Bio
Tanya joined Benefaction in August 2021. As a fundraising professional for the prior 16 years, Tanya has worked at various charitable organizations in education, youth and health care sectors in Toronto. Tanya has broad experiences in developing and implementing fundraising programs, as well as improving database efficiency and building strong relationships with stakeholders. In her current role, Tanya works closely with CIO and supports tasks and communication surrounding account documentation and tax receipting. Tanya graduated from Xiangtan University (China) with a MA in English Literature and Linguistics.
Caroline O’Neill
Office & Administrative Coordinator
caroline@benefaction.ca; ext. 209
Bio
After graduating with a BFA from York University, Caroline has worn many hats within non-profit and arts sectors. Her work has included workshop instruction and artist mentoring, and more recently, program coordination and administration. Caroline joined Benefaction in July 2023 and supports the grants team and manages administrative tasks at the office.
Karen Hudson
VP, Growth Initiatives
karen@benefaction.ca; ext. 203
Bio
Karen is responsible for helping to grow the Foundation through the expansion of our partnerships with wealth management firms and leading internal initiatives focused on scalable growth while enhancing our donor experience. Prior to joining Benefaction, Karen had a successful 20-year career in wealth management with a focus on market research and advisor practice management. Karen graduated from Queen’s University with an Honours BCOMM. She is Co-Chair of the CAGP GTA Chapter and co-author of the first comprehensive study of Donor Advised Funds in Canada.
Irene Costello
Senior Grants Administrator
irene@benefaction.ca; ext. 204
Bio
Irene has over 30 years of experience in philanthropy, fundraising and charitable giving with a wide range of local, national and international charitable organizations. Irene also has direct experience working with donor clients and financial advisors through her work at the Toronto Foundation and her role in helping to launch and develop the administrative support team at the Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation. In her current role, Irene works closely with the CIO and supports tasks and communication related to granting. Irene graduated from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College with a combined BA as a Specialist in Fine Arts, Major in English and Minor in History.
Kaye Carrao
Accounting Manager
ext. 208
Bio
Kaye has over 10 years experience in full-cycle accounting from various industries both local and multi-national companies such as Shangri-La Hotels; Estee Lauder, Gucci; Tiffany & Co.; Heineken, Lindt, Recipe Unlimited and Burdock Brewery. She graduated Bachelor of Science in Accounting as Magna cum Laude in University of Cebu, became a CPA the same year of her graduation, got her US CPA licence in 2015 and Canadian CPA, CA certification in 2018. Kaye joined Benefaction in May of 2023 and manages all accounting work. She is also a mentor for newcomers to Canada via Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council and JVS Toronto, volunteer in CRA for Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, Habitat for Humanity and Toronto Park People.
Stacey Rennie
Grants Administrator
stacey@benefaction.ca; ext. 206
Bio
Stacey joined Benefaction in April 2022 and brings a diverse set of skills and knowledge from her background in various fields to the team. For over 10 years, she worked in the environmental area ensuring compliance and overall due diligence across Canada and the U.S. for the banking and retail industries. In her current role, Stacey will support the donor’s granting needs and expectations by providing quality assurance with the charities. Stacey graduated from Bishop’s University with a BA in Environmental Studies.
Our Board
Robert Gignac
Director
Bio
Robert Gignac is an experienced Portfolio Manager and is the Founder of Forterra Investment Management, a boutique investment management firm focused on investing in smaller growth companies. Robert has over 20 years of prior investment industry experience in various roles at CIBC Asset Management and HSBC Global Asset Management. Robert is both a CFA and CAIA charterholder. Robert was a founding board member of Benefaction, having served on the board from 2008 to 2015.
Serena Hak
Director
Bio
In 2009, Serena Hak began her career in the philanthropic sector working with youth to help them better understand the importance of social consciousness. Today, she is the Executive Director & Partner of The Donor Motivation Program®, a Senior Associate at CI Private Wealth, and the Head of Philanthropic Services for Assante Wealth Management. Serena is committed to helping Canadians better integrate their generosity goals with their wealth. Serena is a frequent national speaker, educator, and author on charitable giving. She has been featured in publications such as the Globe and Mail and the National Post and sits on numerous boards including the Canadian Association of Gift Planners and African Research and Medical Foundation Canada. Serena attended Western University and holds the Master Financial Advisor - Philanthropy (MFA-P™) designation. Serena is truly passionate about breaking down the barriers and bridging the gap between the for-profit and non-profit sectors.
Brad Offman
President
Bio
Brad has a long history working in the charitable sector and with Donor Advised Fund foundations. He is the Founder and Principal of Spire Philanthropy, a consultancy to corporations and charities. His previous experience includes the Mackenzie Charitable Giving Fund and the Toronto Community Foundation. Brad is currently on the Board of CANSOF Foundation, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Toronto and is a member of the National Advisory Council for Imagine Canada as well as a faculty member for the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP).
Melanie Yach
Director
Bio
Melanie is a dedicated expert in estates and trusts law and is a Tax Partner at Aird Berlis. A member of the Estates & Trusts Group and Estates & Succession Planning Team, her practice covers all areas of estates and trusts and is particularly focused on litigation involving trusts, estates and capacity issues. As a frequent speaker and writer on estates and trusts topics, Melanie is involved in various capacities on the Executive of the Trusts and Estates Section of both the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) and the Canadian Bar Association (CBA).
Stephenie Fox
Secretary/Treasurer
Bio
Stephenie has over 20 years of experience in independent standard setting and establishing and sustaining relationships with national and international standard-setting bodies. She joined Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) in 2015 and is responsible for the independent standard-setting board staff support who work to develop financial reporting and assurance standards for Canada. Prior to her role at CPA Canada, Stephenie worked at the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board, the Canadian Public Accountability Board, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Advisory Council
Keith Thomson, CFP, Managing Director, CI Private Wealth and Director in Canada of The Donor Motivation Program®
DeWayne Osborne, CPA, CGA, CFP, Vice-President, Compliance, Head of Philanthropic Services, Cardinal Capital Management, Inc.