Years in Fundraising: 30+

What inspires me: About 25 years ago, I read about a father, Dick, who refused to let his son Rick’s cerebral palsy define his life. Dick, who was not a runner or even an athlete, saw his 15-year-old son’s face light up as he watched a triathlon. So he started pushing, pulling, and carrying Rick through over 1,000 triathlons and marathons. He didn’t just share in his son’s dreams — he gave him dreams. Dick’s grit, love, and unwavering belief inspired hope where there might have been despair, and demonstrated the power of a parent to awaken courage and possibility in their child. After their first race, Rick told his dad that when they were running, he felt like he wasn’t disabled — a moment that sparked their lifelong journey as Team Hoyt. The look of unbridled joy on his son’s face as they raced really broke me. I had just become a dad myself, and to see so vividly how much a parent could impact their child in the face of overwhelming odds, I’ll never forget it.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: While I do love our vision and the causes we work for, what I love most is our team. We have been through so many challenges, individually and together. That process binds a team together or breaks it apart. I am SO proud to be a member of this outstanding team that has become one of the premier agencies in North America.

What does the world need more of? Like Mother Teresa said, if you want to change the world, go home and love your family.

Years in Fundraising: 18 and counting… I am officially a lifer!

What Inspires me: My team’s passion inspires mine!  Their innovation and hard work motivate me every day.

Hobbies:  Planning vacations, vacations

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: Our clients are extraordinary in how they face the challenge of solving our world’s greatest problems.  It has always been a great honour for me to be a part of their work!

Favorite food or drink: I live for my fake vanilla-flavoured coffee.

What does the world need more of?  Hearing others' stories with empathy rather than judgement.

Years in fundraising: 22

What inspires me: Acts of kindness and courage. My daughters. Simon Sinek. Any opportunity to improve a process or an outcome.

Hobbies: Watching sports, reading about sports, playing sports. I’m a complete sports fanatic.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: We help change the world for the better every single day. Also, the CAUSEWORX team consists of some of the most passionate, brilliant, hardworking, kind-hearted people I’ve ever met. I’m so grateful for them!

Favorite food or drink: Coffee.

What does the world need more of? Empathy, kindness, love and appreciation.

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What inspires me: Meaningful work. Passionate colleagues. Loyal friends. Nature. Dr. Rangan Chatterjee.

Hobbies: Cooking and enjoying Asian food

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: Our team’s commitment to giving their best energy to empower positive change in the world. And we truly love working together!

Favorite food or drink: Chocolate, a daily necessity

What does the world need more of? Passionate problem solvers who care about the things that matter most.

Years in fundraising: 28

What inspires me: Collaboration, passion, a positive attitude, as well as kindness and compassion, and most importantly, my son

Hobbies: Pokémon Go (yes, I still play), traveling, and reading (book club anyone?)

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: The team, the vision, and the clients that I have the privilege to work with

Favorite food or drink: I love anything salt & vinegar.

What does the world need more of? Understanding, awareness, acceptance, and curiosity

Years in fundraising: 7

What inspires me: Seeing others enact positive change in the world

Hobbies: Gaming, listening to music, learning new things

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: We take time to listen and have legitimate conversations with donors.

Favorite food or drink: Pizza

What does the world need more of? Compassion for others

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Years in fundraising: 10

What inspires me: Adventure! I love visiting new places and seeing new things.

Hobbies: I’m a creative person so in my free time I like to paint.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: Definitely the people I work with. We are like a big family and everyone is so passionate about the work we do.

Favorite food or drink: Anything with Chocolate

What does the world need more of? Kindness! An act of kindness, no matter how small, can make the world a better place.

Years in fundraising: 2

What inspires me: My children and their friends. Their innocence and the kindness that they show towards each other inspires me to be better and do better every day. Children are the future in more ways than one.

Hobbies: Watching my kids play sports, camping with my family and cooking

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: Our incredible team! The level of support, respect and appreciation that everyone shows for each other is unlike anything I have experienced before.

Favorite food or drink: Chai tea latte and any type of coffee that could double as a dessert

What does the world need more of? Understanding, acceptance and forgiveness of one another

Years in fundraising: 8

What inspires me: Hard work and dedication to a cause. Both things that are found in abundance here at CAUSEWORX!

Hobbies: These days, most of my time is consumed with fishing, chess and tattoos.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: The team! What an amazing collection of people! Everyone brings in a distinct talent and skill to the table. I love how easily we work together.

Favorite food or drink: SUSHI!

What does the world need more of? Generosity. Patience. Understanding.

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Years in fundraising: 6

What inspires me: My children. Everything I do in life is for them.

Hobbies: Playing road hockey with my boys, gardening, going for walks and Zumba

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: The team! Everyone works together and makes a difference every day. Knowing that when my thoughts and ideas are shared, they are valued. CAUSEWORX has given me the opportunity to grow so much both professionally and personally.

Favorite food or drink: Asian food and chicken wings

What does the world need more of? Kind, friendly and accepting individuals

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Years in fundraising: 13

What inspires me: Leading a team of fundraisers to success. Watching people grow, enjoy what they do and feel good about making a difference. I am inspired by making big changes in the world that are positive, bring energy and love.

Hobbies: Biking, walking and baking

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: I love that CAUSEWORX makes you feel like family. They’ve created a virtual environment that is friendly, supportive, professional and goal-oriented. All while making a difference in the world through fundraising.

Favorite food or drink: Fresh homemade lemonade. That refreshing feeling is the best, even during the cold winter months!

What does the world need more of? More people working together. We can all make a big difference if we come together, support each other through honesty and kindness. It’s all about teamwork.

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Years in fundraising: 4

What inspires me: Making sure that everyone has a fair and honest chance in life. I also want to understand why things are the way they are and how we can improve them.

Hobbies: Reading, volunteering, biking

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: Everyone cares so much about helping and making a difference in the world.

Favorite food or drink: Tacos

What does the world need more of? People that want to change things and make them better

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Years in fundraising: 5

What inspires me: The poem “Messenger” by Mary Oliver

Hobbies: Getting out into nature to spend some time with the bugs and frogs, or the exact opposite of that — heading down to the cinema to watch a movie (or two!)

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: I get to be part of an amazing, forward-thinking team that is just as passionate about working towards a better world as I am.

Favorite food or drink: Coffee to an extent that my team has raised concerns about it

What does the world need more of? The world needs more of us seeing the (often frustratingly) incremental changes through to the cumulative positive impact whenever we can. Alternatively, cats.

Years in fundraising: 5

What inspires me: The small and big positive impacts that we make on the world

Hobbies: Anything DIY, if I see something done once I need to try to recreate it.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: How much they care! Whether it’s for the charity, the donors or the fundraisers/staff. There is so much care put into each decision.

Favorite food or drink: A nice glass of wine and a cheese plate – add in a patio on a summer day and I’m my happiest.

What does the world need more of? More patience with understanding one another

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Years in fundraising: 6

What inspires me: My daughter. Seeing her energy, ambition and kindness makes me want to do better every day. Her future is my inspiration, and my motivation to do well for her, and the world around us.

Hobbies: I am a total homebody who also loves the outdoors, long walks, bike trips with the family, or camping. Love to read, anything and everything I can get my hands on, and since my daughter also likes to read, we spend a lot of time talking about books, and doing creative writing to entertain each other.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: There is a whole lot I love about CAUSEWORX, but if I had to narrow it down to one idea, it would be the willingness of small and large groups of people to come together to make a positive change in the world. CAUSEWORX has allowed me to see firsthand how total strangers can participate in something amazing, and do something great. This includes our staff, of course, their dedication to the causes we work with has been absolutely amazing.

Favorite food or drink: Cold pizza

What does the world need more of? Empathy. I think that we too often cannot picture ourselves in the position others have found themselves in. We’re sometimes too quick to judge, or ignore others’ life experience while insisting that our own experiences must be a universal truth. Thankfully, I feel like we’re moving in the right direction and getting better at empathizing with each other.

Years in fundraising: 6

What inspires me: Helping my community

Hobbies: Knitting, crocheting, gardening, video games

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: Everyone is filled with compassion and understanding; seeing everyone as a person and being treated with respect.

Favorite food or drink: A cup of tea

What does the world need more of? More compassion towards each other, animals and our planet

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Years in fundraising: 6

What inspires me: Doing something new is a source of inspiration to me. I like trying something in a new way, with a new approach, a new idea.

Hobbies: Building personal knowledge, staying informed, cooking, family fun time

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: I enjoy being with like-minded people. CAUSEWORX has allowed me to be an individual and run with my passions. I love the support and encouragement.

Favorite food or drink: Mexican food

What does the world need more of? Tolerance, acceptance, understanding, compassion, forgiveness

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Years in fundraising: 3

What inspires me: Seeing all of my newbies grow and watching them blossom into their full potential.

Hobbies: Enjoying nature, travelling, bike riding and trying a new bubble tea spot

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: Being a part of a team that shares so many amazing personalities and is open-minded, passionate and respectful.

Favorite food or drink: Did I say bubble tea already? My go-to is an ice-cold strawberry lychee green tea and of course can’t forget the lychee/coconut jelly pieces.

What does the world need more of? Smiles and good vibes!

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Years in fundraising: 4

What inspires me: My family – first watching my child grow up and begin her own family, and then WOW! Grandchildren! I can’t wait to see what they become! They are my reason to be.

Hobbies: I read a lot, and write short fiction. I also like to dabble in amateur photography and crafting.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: This is the most inclusive and supportive company I’ve ever worked for. There is always something new to learn and it’s wonderful to be able to end my work day knowing that what I do makes a difference.

Favorite food or drink: I’m either living on coffee, Pepsi, and take-out, or drinking gallons of water and grazing raw food. Balance? What’s that?!

What does the world need more of? Kindness.

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Years in fundraising: 2

What inspires me: Music & Kindness.

Hobbies: Painting, going to the gym & lifelong learning.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: The team! Every day, I’m filled with joy knowing that I have the opportunity to collaborate with an extraordinary team of individuals who truly cares about everyone who works here. Together, we’re not just working; we’re making a tangible difference in the world, and that’s incredibly fulfilling.

Favorite food or drink: Sushi or ice cream, hard to choose.

What does the world need more of? Empathy. If we could all genuinely understand and share in each other’s feelings and experiences, we could build stronger connections and foster greater compassion, leading to a much greater positive change and harmony worldwide.

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Years in fundraising: 1

What inspires me: My family, they are at the heart of everything I do. I grew up alongside my sister’s family and living in a small outport community really gave me a love for nature, and the interpersonal stories we had with each other.

Hobbies: I love upcycling old furniture, I’m a big makeup fan, I love spending time with my friends and family, and also love gaming. Also, I have been known to read tarot here and there as well.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: The people, from the team I work with every day, who are truly becoming like my 2nd family, to the wonderful people we speak to, they are the force behind everything that we do. From the stories we hear and the conversations we have, it is truly inspiring. Along with the amazing causes we support. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of this wonderful organization!

Favorite food or drink: Hard to choose but I am a major Diet Pepsi fan, I think it’s my blood type at this point. And food-wise, I love homemade spaghetti.

What does the world need more of? The world needs more people with open minds and open hearts! I say that because if we all could open our minds to others’ situations and have more understanding, we would all be more empathetic, and if we could all open our hearts to one another, we could heal relationships, hearts and lives.

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Years in fundraising: 1

What inspires me: My family and friends. Overcoming challenges. Positivity.

Hobbies: Walking, playing card games and board games, cleaning and organizing

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: Working with an amazing team that is passionate about the work that we do and the people we do it with.

Favorite food or drink: Pasta and Ginger Ale

What does the world need more of? Kindness, empathy, and compassion.

Years in fundraising: 1

What inspires me: The people around me and empowering others.

Hobbies: Rock climbing, anything cooking or baking related, thrifting, looking out onto big bodies of water, and recently training for a half-marathon.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: Being a part of something so much bigger than myself, working with an incredible and thoughtful team, and having the opportunity to help amazing organizations create the impact that they do.

Favorite food or drink: Shawarmas and iced matcha

What does the world need more of? Supporting each other, equity, and trees.

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Years in fundraising: 1

What inspires me: Random acts of kindness

Hobbies: Sports of any kind, a good movie or show, and cooking

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: The charities we support are championing positive change on all fronts, inspiring and grounding me in the importance of our work. Also, our team is so smart, kind, humble, and passionate it makes work a fulfilling and enriching experience everyday.

Favorite food or drink: Tacos and water

What does the world need more of? Selflessness & Empathy

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Years in fundraising: 1

What inspires me: Great teamwork, fresh ideas, and the magic that happens when everyone brings their best to the table.

Hobbies: My favorite things to do would be gaming, reading, crafting, and watching a great TV show.

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: How passionate and caring everyone is here. Being able to be a part, even if it’s just a small piece, of the magic that happens here makes me feel like I am contributing to a better future.

Favorite food or drink: My favorite food would have to of course be poutine, nothing beats that. Pizza is a close second. And coffee. Coffee is a must.

What does the world need more of? With the world as it is today, I think the world needs a whole lot more compassion, empathy, understanding, and kindness… and puppies. I mean, more puppies wouldn’t be bad either.

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Years in fundraising: 1

What inspires me: My family… I want my children to have a better and safer world!

Hobbies: Crafts, baking, True Crime, and spending time with family

What I love most about CAUSEWORX: The CAUSEWORX team makes us feel welcome and shows that they care about us as people. They give all the support we need to be successful as fundraisers.

Favorite food or drink: Chicken wings and tacos, but the best is a great cup of tea!

What does the world need more of? Compassion, understanding, love, and acceptance for each other.

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