THE ART OF FUNDRAISING> SPOTLIGHT ON: GILLIAN HEWITT

WOMAN.ca salutes Canada's Top Belles of the Ball. In our on-going The Art of Fundraising feature, we proudly introduce you to the women for whom being a part of Canadian society means regularly raising millions on its behalf. They are the reason we have public galleries, a chance for a cure, and reform in our public schools. This is the luminous class responsible for the shift from individualism to collaboration, delegation to participation, exteriors to evidence.

Gillian Hewitt

DAY JOB

RBC Capital Markets, Head of Communications

Former Aeroplan, Manager, Corporate Reputation

PHILANTHROPIC RESUME

Vice President, Board of Directors, The Stop Community Food Centre

Co-Chair, artsScene

Organizing Committee, Art Gallery of Ontario Massive Party

Director and Chair, Marketing Committee, Tapestry New Opera Works

Director, Business for the Arts

Communications Committee, Canada's World

WOMAN: How did you get involved with such a staggering number of organizations?

I made the choice to focus my efforts on the arts sector and in the social service/policy realms. I know that, for the time and energy I devote to these two areas, my peers work tirelessly in the health, justice and many other important voluntary sectors. It's almost a sense of divide and conquer' to get the most done and, at the same time, it's a great deal of fun.

I believe that getting involved can mean much more than a financial contribution. I began as a volunteer at a time when I was just starting out in my career and, while didn't have an extra nickel to spare, I had energy, time and ideas in spades. I was lucky to find an organization (The Stop) that was able to take advantage of what I had to offer. The Stop taught me professional lessons that were still many years away in my paid career.

WOMAN: What fundraising event in Canada is your all-time favorite, that you enjoy attending as a patron?

Well, I am quite heavily biased in favour of the Art Gallery of Ontario's Massive Party! Not only is it a blowout party, it also puts art front-and-centre. Whereas other events often use art to add to the atmosphere, Massive Party makes art the focus, which makes perfect sense, given our mandate to support one of Canada's premiere art institutions.

WOMAN: How do you interpret social justice? What's our responsibility to one another in a complex, industrial society?

I believe very strongly that our fundamental duties to each other are to vote and to volunteer.

Regardless of whether Canada is home by happenstance of birth or by choice of citizenship, we're all very lucky to live in this country. Our first duty is to participate in civic life by voting and having a voice in the life of our land.

Civic engagement extends far beyond the ballot box, however. Apart from casting a vote, I believe that citizens have a duty to use their strengths - be they time, energy, influence or financial support - to the benefit of others.

It takes all actors - government, the corporate sector, institutions, organizations and individuals - to make society function to the benefit of all. The absence of any one group causes an imbalance that is hard to overcome.

WOMAN: In the short term, what are the biggest challenges facing Canada as a nation?

Canada has too few committed volunteers to meet the needs of the many who need help. The definition of help, in turn, continues to evolve and increase in complexity as waves of new Canadians compel us to think about what it is to be Canadian and how our responsibilities as Canadians should be fulfilled.

Si Si Penaloza
		About the author:
		Si Si has cultivated strong ties with editors, producers and publishers at all major Canadian media outlets. She is a seasoned print, radio and broadcast specialist. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Bowdoin College in Maine, Si Si moved to Manhattan to study Film at New York University. Her strengths lie in contextualizing relevant content for a broad audience. She's driven to stay competitive and at the top of the market - commissioning exclusive features and launching bold initiatives.
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