Joining Global’s Central team, Barbara brings over three decades of senior leadership in educational, health, and cultural philanthropy. Based in Toronto, she has built a reputation as a meticulous strategist, an exceptional steward, and a master of protocol and high-level donor engagement.
Barbara is best known for her transformational leadership at Woodsworth College, University of Toronto, where she served as Executive Director, Advancement, Alumni & Communications from 2003 to 2025. There, she led advancement through two consecutive University of Toronto campaigns, exceeding ambitious goals — $12.4M on a $7M goal and $22M on a $15M goal — while building authentic bridges between academic leadership, high-net-worth donors, and dedicated volunteers. She transformed donor culture through personalized stewardship, ensuring every donor understood the value and impact of their support, and through highly visible projects including sponsorship strategies for The Presidents’ Annual Report and U of T Day.
Prior to Woodsworth, Barbara directed regional development and community giving for The Arthritis Society, managing a team of 20 across Ontario to meet demanding financial targets, and served as Senior Development Officer in the Division of University Advancement at the University of Toronto. Her early career includes leadership roles at Ketchum Canada Inc. as Campaign & Planning Study Director and as a freelance consultant in development and communications.
Today, in her role as Senior Consultant with Global Philanthropic Canada, Barbara advises non-profits on major gift and campaign leadership, donor relations and stewardship, volunteer and board engagement, and protocol and public relations. She is known for her ability to translate complex organizational needs into compelling cases for support and to execute high-profile events with precision — from major donor celebrations with the Office of the President to visiting international delegations.
Barbara is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and holds a BA from the University of Toronto and a Primary School Specialist Certificate from Toronto Teacher’s College, with advanced professional development through CASE, AFP International, and AFP Toronto Congress. A dedicated community leader, she currently serves as Board Chair of the Christian Resource Centre Self-Help and as a Foundation Board Member at Belmont House. She is a past Fundraising Day Chair and Congress Co-Chair for AFP Toronto, and in 2025 received the J.S. Woodsworth Award of Distinction for services to the College.
Fun Fact: Barbara has skydived!