40 Under 40

• Afsheen leads the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre’s leadership giving program, raising approximately $5.8 million annually
• She has successfully engaged members of Muslim, Sikh, Persian, and Ismaili communities to support philanthropic projects, identifying new opportunities and determining strategies to build bridges between her organization and these communities
• In her inaugural year at Princess Margaret, Afsheen successfully cultivated and advanced five mid-level donors to give 6-7 figure gifts in 2020-2021. This includes gifts ranging from $100K to $1 million

1. How did you get into healthcare philanthropy?

My family has deep connections with Aga Khan University Hospital back home. Given that other members of my family were working determinedly for the hospital, they inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare. I started my career by joining AKU’s Resource Development team shortly after receiving my MBA. It gave me the opportunity to see all sides of healthcare philanthropy and learn how it can have a remarkable impact on the communities. From there, I continued my passion for healthcare fundraising in Canada.
 

2. Tell us about a pivot point or crucial step in your career journey.

When I look back on my career, I can identify several breakthrough moments. One important turning point was when I joined Mackenzie Health Foundation to raise funds for the $250 million campaign to build the first smart hospital in Canada. This was a powerful experience for me. Working with the philanthropy team, identifying new prospects, identifying diverse leadership volunteers, while managing my own portfolio and a team of volunteers was intense. I gained an enormous amount of experience, knowledge, and success.


3. What piece of advice would you give aspiring 40 Under 40 recipients?

Never be afraid of putting yourself out there.