Kara Holm, Chief Executive Officer Philanthropy & Partnerships, with Susan Smith, the CEO, Operations & Finance and Lisa McKeen, CEO, Marketing,
Education & Program Development, leads Invest in Kids. Decisions are
made by committee and the group presents a unified management front.
Kara is responsible for fund development at Invest in Kids through philanthropic support; partnerships, including cause marketing and government relations.
We believe that people must see their own vision of the best possible society reflected in the organizations they support. Engaging our donors and partners in a shared sense of accomplishment around the important work Invest in Kids is undertaking on behalf of Canadian parents is a key strategy. Invest in Kids relies on funding from individuals, corporations and foundations to fulfill our mission.
Kara has extensive experience in fundraising, integrated consumer communications, marketing and business planning. Prior to coming to Invest in Kids in July of 2008 Kara was the Advancement Director at University of King’s College in Halifax; and, prior to that, she was a partner in SuperNova Strategy: Marketing and Business Planning in Halifax and Montreal.
She has served on a number of boards, including those of The Atlantic Film Festival Association and The Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education.
Kara is the mother of a six-year old daughter and believes that all parents need support in the important work of raising a child.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political philosophy from McGill University. In her quiet moments, Kara enjoys knitting and reading.
Lisa McKeen, Chief Executive Officer, Marketing, Education and Program Development, is responsible for the development and implementation of all strategies pertaining to web development, parent and professional education, research and brand management. A seasoned program director and marketing and communications specialist, Lisa has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 18 years.
Prior to joining Invest in Kids, Lisa consulted in the education, healthcare and social service sectors in both Canada and the U.S. She brings a rich background of marketing, communications and program development, with an impressive record of achievement. She is the recipient of five national public relations and development awards, graduate of the Olympic Academy and won a gold medal at the Olympics in Seoul, Korea for her role as Director, producing our Canadian Youth Camp delegation’s cultural presentations.
Lisa has served on a number of not-for-profit boards and provided leadership for a variety of advisory and taskforce groups. She has been an active member of the mentorship program at Covenant House and volunteers in a number of not-for-profit settings.
As CEO, Operations & Finance, Susan Smith is responsible for the overall administration and business operations of Invest in Kids. Areas of responsibility include financial management, human resource management and all day-to-day administrative responsibilities.
To this position, Susan brings a deep and unique combination of experience in financial and volunteer management, resulting in a thoughtful balance of vision, strategy and solidly grounded business principles and practices.
Since 2000, Susan has been an advisor to professional service firms and not-for-profit organizations. Previously, as a Chartered Accountant, Susan had risen to partnership in a mid-sized public accounting firm in just six years. In 1994, she founded her own public accounting practice, which grew rapidly until she sold it in 2000 in order to focus full-time consulting. In early 2001 she received her designation as a Certified Management Consultant.
Over the last several years, Susan has become a sought-after speaker and seminar leader on a variety of management issues, for diverse organizations and educational institutions.
Currently, Susan is a presbytery representative for the United Church of Canada. Her previous community service roles include President of the Society for Design Administration; member of the ARIDO Board of Directors; Chair of Council, Leaside United Church; Treasurer, Vice-President and President, Etobicoke CA Association; Founding Director and Treasurer, Rexdale Community Health Centre; Volunteer Coordinator, Canadian Women’s Foundation.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Business Management degree from Ryerson University.
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