Our Philanthropic Team

Janeen Webb is the Vice-President, Donor Engagement at Calgary Foundation. Prior to her role at the Foundation, Janeen worked for over 10 years at Inn from the Cold, where she managed all facets of Resource Development for the organization including Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Volunteer Resources, Marketing and Communications and Community Education and Advocacy.

Janeen holds a BA/BED from University of Calgary and was a dedicated Elementary Teacher prior to joining the charitable sector. In 2013, Janeen was named the Outstanding New Fundraiser of the Year by the Association of fundraising Professionals and has played a major role in advancing Donor Stewardship and Donor Relations in the Calgary not for profit community.

Grace is the Gifts and Estates Associate at Calgary Foundation and has been with the organization since 2010.

As part of the Gifts & Donor Relations team she is the first point of contact for many donors and professional advisors seeking information and guidance in the creation of legacy funds. Grace appreciates the opportunity to support multi-generational family giving and the positive impact it has on the community.

Prior to the Foundation, Grace held various positions within TD Bank Financial Group including estate administration for individuals and their families.

With over 20 years of experience in the education sector, Darlene Chrapko works with donors to develop student award funds and oversees the stewardship, management and granting of a variety of post-secondary and community-based awards. During her tenure, student award funds have grown considerably, many of which support multiple awards. Prior to her work in donor engagement, she gained knowledge of the charitable sector through supporting the Community Grants program.

With colleagues from Edmonton, Victoria and Winnipeg, Darlene initiated a panel presentation on the unique niche of foundation-based awards at the Community Foundations of Canada bi-annual conference in 2013.

Darlene achieved her Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours English) at the University of Alberta in 1985. She has also acquired a Public Relations Certificate through Mount Royal University’s Faculty of Continuing Education, participated in the Writing with Style program in Creative Nonfiction at the Banff Centre and taken numerous writing and editing workshops. She has been a member of the Writers Guild of Alberta since 2006 and is currently a member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada.

An avid writer, Darlene’s most recent volunteer work includes serving on the board of the Creative Nonfiction Collective Society and filling the role of communications and media for Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary. She has also volunteered on the Calgary Stampede’s Agriculture Media Committee. Since 2010, she has covered Calgary and area Aboriginal stories as a monthly contributor to Alberta Sweetgrass newspaper.

A second generation Canadian, Darlene was born and raised in rural east-central Alberta. She has made Calgary her home since coming to the University of Calgary to pursue graduate studies in English in 1986.

Riz Nathoo is the Donor Stewardship Advisor on the Gifts and Donor Relations team at Calgary Foundation. A firm believer that diversity is a strength, Riz came to the Calgary Foundation with a desire to build participation and strengthen community philanthropy.

In his role he provides knowledgeable guidance and support around community needs, grant making and Fund activity to donors (and often their multi-generational Fund successors), and creates and implements stewardship strategies that increase engagement between donors and the Foundation. Riz is a strategic and versatile professional with nearly a decade of experience in the charitable sector, having previously held roles with Calgary Health Trust as a Planned Giving Officer and the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary as a Development Officer.

He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and is the Co-Chair of the Education Committee on the Board of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP) Southern Alberta Chapter. Riz has also previously served as a member of the Program Committee with the Association of Fund Raising Professionals (AFP) Calgary Chapter.

Riz is a native of Calgary, where he resides with his family, and enjoys his passions for hiking, biking and almost anything that gives him a reason to be outdoors.

Tina Overwater joined Calgary Foundation as a Donor Stewardship Advisor to continue to build her career in donor stewardship, and to contribute meaningfully to the building of our great city. As a member of the Gifts and Donor Relations team, Tina shares knowledge on the impactful work of charitable organizations to inform and inspire donors and their families. Like her Stewardship Team counterparts, Tina aims to continue to provide donors with thoughtful support and guidance in their grant-making and Fund activity, with a responsiveness and attention to detail that enriches the donor experience.

With a 15 year background working in post-secondary education, Tina identified that her work in stewardship and donor relations was by far the most fulfilling. She brings a passion for connecting with people and bringing stories of others’ good work to the forefront, and is delighted to be part of an organization whose broad community support strengthens all facets of the charitable sector. She particularly enjoys working alongside the true change makers—donors and charities.

In fall 2017, Tina was named the Outstanding New Fundraiser of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in recognition of her work in donor relations and stewardship in support of advancing Bow Valley College.

“Acts of philanthropy are vital to having a healthy and caring society,” says Tina. “Coming into donor relations mid-career, I’ve never been more satisfied than by contributing to a greater good and playing a role in helping others. Philanthropy fills my cup and my heart.”

Tina is proud to call Calgary home as it offers her family a life that is rich with experiences both urban and rural, equal distance to family farms and the Rockies right outside our door.

Marie Stevens is responsible for stewarding the vitally important relationships that Calgary Foundation has established with many of its Donor Advised and Designated Fund donors and advisors. Marie develops and implements stewardship strategies that align the mission of the Foundation with the philanthropic goals of donors and the needs of the community, while providing knowledgeable guidance and support to donors around charitable needs, grantmaking and Fund activity. Marie also provides counsel and support to families engaging in multi-generational family philanthropy.

Marie has extensive background working in charitable foundations, community investment, corporate communications and public relations. She worked for several years in advertising and public relations agencies, followed by communications and community investment roles in the corporate sector.

Her passion for charitable foundation work began when she was appointed manager of a new foundation by a major energy company in the late ‘90s. While she went on to enjoy roles managing internal communications, consulting in community investment, and coordinating a charity’s capital campaign, Marie’s heart remained in foundation work. She has been with Calgary Foundation since 2010.

As Donor Relations Advisor Alison informs, inspires and educates potential and current Calgary Foundation donors. Her previous professional experience includes over a decade working in charities and nonprofits in donor relations, operations management and fundraising.

Alison holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta.

Jessica is the Awards Program Coordinator at Calgary Foundation, supporting the education of tomorrow's community leaders through scholarships, bursaries and awards.

Jessica's professional experience includes working with non-profit and for-profit organizations. Graduating from the University of Calgary, Jessica has a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies and Canadian Studies. She also holds a University Certificate in Human Resources and Labour Relations from Athabasca University.

An active community supporter, Jessica volunteers her time with various groups throughout the city, including the Calgary Stampede and Historic Calgary Week.