John has been a professional fundraising and public relations consultant since 1978. He was the principal partner in JE Saunders and Associates (1986-l988) and has been President of Madrona Consulting Group since 1991. John began his career in teaching and guidance counseling, then became headmaster of Sir George Williams High School, Sir George Williams University (1966-l975). He then went on to serve as their director of schools (1975-1978). John has held a number of senior development management positions in the post-secondary sector, including director of development, Concordia University (1978-1986), where he completed the initial planning and execution of a $25 million campaign, and director of development, Huron College, University of Western Ontario (1988-1990), where he planned and executed a $4 million campaign for a new theological centre and performing arts centre. John was one of the first fundraising professionals in Canada to obtain the designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). He is the founding president and a current board member of the Vancouver Island Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the first Canadian to sit on the revised AFP board (when it was known as the National Society of Fundraising Professionals or NSFRE), and the first Canadian to sit on the board of the AFP (NSFRE) Foundation. He is a also founding director of the AFP Canada Foundation and past president of the Rotary Club of Royal Oak Centennial. John is a lay reader and a member of the Stewardship Committee of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Cobble Hill, BC, a member of the Community Advisory Board of the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre, a member of the International Development Committee of AFP, and a member of the Vancouver Island Regional Advisory Board of Junior Achievement. In 2007, 2008, and again in 2009, he was elected Chair of the LINCS Universities Foundation, University Canada West.

Blair is a senior advisor with the CIC team. He has 40 years of experience in all aspects of professional fundraising in the charitable sector. His most recent work has focused on First Nations governments and community organizations in British Columbia and the Yukon to secure funding through federal and provincial government departments for a wide range of program development initiatives.

Laurie’s business experience in the hospitality industry and community advocacy initiatives provide a solid background to her work as a facilitator in fundraising and event management. She is currently enrolled in the fundraising program at BCIT and has made a commitment to ongoing professional development through her involvement with the Vancouver Island Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Laurie is passionate about the plight of people and the need for social support agencies in our community. With her people-centered training coupled with strong interpersonal and conceptual skills, Laurie has become an effective and productive member of the CIC team.