Ross W. Marsh (Principal, Ross W. Marsh & Associates - Canada)
Ross W. Marsh & Associates is a Canadian consulting firm that works closely with clients in Western Canada and Ontario to help them achieve their fundraising, sponsorship and non-profit management goals. The company's strength is senior-level, real-world experience in the for-profit and non-profit sectors and in growing non-profit organizations into strong, sustainable, focused development operations. Our ultimate goal is to foster growth in an organization's talent and abilities to succeed in development and to provide service that will benefit our clients for the long term.

With 18 years experience fundraising in Canada and internationally, our principal, Ross Marsh, has worked with over 120 clients on campaigns with goals from $500,000 to $200 million, as well as a myriad of other projects spanning the education, health, religious, arts and culture, sports and social service sectors. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades from industry groups, fundraising professionals and others. He leads a team of 12 Associates with over 200 years combined experience in development, corporate sponsorship and non-profit management.

Ross has a diverse fundraising and management background with a solid track record of success in many types of development projects. From 1990 to 2004, Ross was with DVA Navion, a major international fundraising consulting firm. Starting as a consultant, Ross progressed all the way through DVA Navion's ranks to become President of the Canadian division, overseeing all aspects of client services and management of the business. In 2004 Ross established Ross W. Marsh & Associates to provide the charitable sector with something new; personalized, senior-level, hands-on service in collaboration with other senior practitioners to organizations in Western Canada and Ontario.

In addition to being an award-winning fundraiser, Ross has become known for his particular expertise in strategic planning, major gift development and helping clients to build comprehensive, integrated, high-performance development programs.

A graduate of the University of Toronto, Ross has sat on a number of for-profit and not-for-profit boards, including the Beta Theta Pi Foundation of Canada, Hillandale Corporation, DVA Navion, LinkAGES Foundation (where he chaired the fund development committee) and most recently Sage Theatre. He is a sought-after presenter and facilitator, has been a guest lecturer at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario and Mt. Royal College in Calgary, Alberta and is a regular speaker and presenter at conferences and workshops for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy, Canadian Association of Gift Planners, Canadian Association of Independent Schools, Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education, Alberta Association of Fundraising Executives and others. He is an active community volunteer, is a mentor through the AFP Calgary chapter, and has authored a number of published articles on industry issues.

Wm. Edward Laity, (CEO, DVA Navion North America) During his many years as a fundraising professional, Ed has planned and managed major capital campaigns, directed feasibility studies and helped strengthen annual giving programmes. Not only has he worked in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but he also has experience working with a number of international clients located around the world. Before becoming a consultant, he was the director of development at Boys Clubs of Metro Atlanta where he planned and executed a successful capital and endowment campaign and served as Community Relations Director for The Salvation Army in Louisville, Kentucky. In his career, he has directed campaigns with goals totaling more than $100 million. He is a frequent lecturer, with a background in capital campaigning, board development, direct mail, special events, planned giving, marketing and communications. As a past president of the NSFRE's Georgia chapter, Ed served on the Society's National Assembly and was chair of its professional credentials committee. He is an alumnus of Georgia State University

David Richards OAM (Founding CEO of the International Cricket Council - 1993-2001)

Louise Parkin (Managing Director, Saints Information Research - New Zealand)

Terry Murray (Former CEO and Chairman, DMI - South Africa)

Panellists

Andrew Blode (CEO, Jack and Robert Smorgon Families Foundation)

Ian Clark (CEO, Tennis Victoria)

Alyson Miller (Manager Business Development and Partnerships, Melbourne Citymission)

Roewen Wishart (Philanthropy Manager, Australian Bush Heritage)

Phil Baker (Associate, DVA Navion & former Executive Officer of the Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust)

Laura Mumaw (former CEO of Zoos Victoria)

Adam Smith (CEO, Education Foundation)

Leah Sertori (CEO, Melbourne Cares)

Bruce Salvin (CEO, Jewish Care)

Dr. Judith Slocombe (CEO, The Alannah & Madeline Foundation)

Vanessa Meachen (Research & Training Manager, Philanthropy Australia)

Jenny Odgers (Social Investment Manager, Shell)

Ian Finlayson (Marketing and Communications Manager, Guide Dogs Victoria)

*To be confirmed