During his time at Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, Mischa raised $10 million over five years, including a $4 million donation, the foundation’s largest single gift. Upon joining the BC Cancer Foundation, Mischa quickly led the planning of a $6.1 million campaign for a new systemic cancer therapy unit and secured over $425,000 in six months from eight new, first-time donors. Mischa is deeply engaged in giving back to the fundraising profession through volunteerism. He is past president of the AFP Okanagan/Interior BC Chapter, serves on the AFP BC Government Relations Committee, and serves on multiple national AFP Canada committees. Mischa earned his CFRE credential in 2018.
After completing my Master’s Degree in Modern History, I worked in the Contemporary Culture department at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto; however, I ended proverbially “falling” into the fundraising profession and joining the museum’s foundation as a development officer. After moving to the west coast of Canada, I transferred my fundraising experience from arts and culture to healthcare philanthropy as a major gift officer; and I haven’t looked back since.
Health is paramount to a fulfilling life. What could be more meaningful than working with passionate clinicians, scientists, and healthcare teams to accelerate breakthroughs and advance innovations to save the lives of patients and their loved ones through the power of philanthropy?
Attaining my CFRE designation in 2018, affirmed for me that healthcare philanthropy was my chosen profession. As a professional fundraiser, I can combine strategic leadership and continuous learning with a desire to work collaboratively with medical leaders and donors to solve life-changing healthcare challenges
My family. Knowing that my work in healthcare philanthropy has a dramatic impact on future health outcomes for my family and my community inspires me to keep going every day. I see the role of fundraisers as critical catalysts that inspire donors to fulfill their philanthropic potential to make positive, lasting, and transformations changes in healthcare.
Be your authentic self. Over my 10+-year career, I’ve realized that successful fundraisers come in all temperaments. Important is only the ability to meaningfully connect with others to build relationships based on trust. Trust is the foundation for transformational giving.
I grew up in Basel, Switzerland, and am a lifelong FC Basel football fan. Now I am teaching my two daughters Swiss German and coaching soccer.