2024 40 Under 40 Winners

Katelyn's leadership at RVH Foundation has been transformative, especially during the pandemic. Starting her role remotely, she quickly connected with her team and surpassed performance goals. Katelyn played a pivotal role in expanding the Cabinet from fewer than 10 members to three Cabinets with 34 members, implementing strategic improvements that resulted in exceptional volunteer satisfaction and goal achievement. Her efforts in professionalizing development team operations, such as restructuring the database and setting KPIs, have been instrumental in driving growth. Additionally, Katelyn's relationship-building with key hospital leaders has elevated the Foundation's position and resulted in securing significant donations, including a $10 million gift, the largest in the region's history.

Throughout my career, I've dedicated myself to nonprofit organizations. However, after moving to a new region and experiencing the limited access to healthcare in my community personally, I felt compelled to make a change and lend my talents towards a solution. When a position with RVH Foundation became available, I jumped at the opportunity and have never looked back. Working with exceptionally talented, benevolent, and deeply dedicated colleagues, alongside passionate, hard-working volunteers, is unlike anything else I’ve experienced in my career. Joining this sector remains one of the best decisions of my life, providing me with a deep sense of fulfillment every single day.

As a fundraiser, it is an honour to work with donors and volunteers who are committed to improving the world and making a positive impact on others. Helping to bring their vision to life through our shared values and goals is deeply enriching to their lives—and being part of that process is a beautiful thing. Knowing that world-class healthcare and transformative health innovations are made possible through philanthropy is what makes my career in this sector so rewarding. When healthcare practitioners have the resources and spaces they need, when donors feel fulfilled through their generosity, and when communities become healthier, lives are changed. I couldn't be more thankful for the small role I play in that journey.

Early in my healthcare philanthropy career, I had the honour of securing a grant focused on building the operational capacity for advanced care of pediatric eating disorder patients—a group that was severely underserved in our region, and an issue that holds personal meaning for me. Thanks to this start-up grant, our health center was able to open a new regional program dedicated to caring for these children. This moment, where personal "whys," a generous supporter’s vision, and the dedication of hospital staff united to bring such rare and profound impact to an entire region, is when I knew I had found my calling.

My greatest passion is service above self. As a Rotarian, this is quite literally our motto. Beyond that, I have always had a desire to help others. Whether it’s volunteering in my community; mentoring my team and others in the sector; wearing the hats of mom, wife, or friend; or working in healthcare philanthropy, my passion lies in sharing what I have and serving those around me.

Ask questions! And then ask more. Be curious as you navigate this new career. Talk to others in the sector, seek advice from your constituents, and take advantage of every learning opportunity you can find. There’s a quote that says, “Perfect fundraising is impossible. Raise money anyways.” I think it’s a great reminder that you will learn something with every conversation you have, and not to let fear or the pursuit of perfection prevent you from learning and succeeding. People give to people, and no one is perfect—so ask the question.