Recognizing Excellence in Gift Planning

CAGP honours the visionaries, advocates, and rising stars who are shaping the future of strategic philanthropy in Canada. Explore our awards and each year nominate a colleague who is making a profound impact on the sector.

Friend of CAGP

In 2026, we recognized Keith Sjögren for his contribution and dedication to the mission of CAGP

Past Recipients of the Friends of CAGP award include:

View Past Recipients

Emerging Catalyst Award

Recognizing the rising stars who are redefining the future of gift planning. The Emerging Catalyst Award honours innovative, high-impact professionals who have brought fresh perspectives, disrupted the status quo, and demonstrated exceptional leadership early in their careers.

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2025 - Chantelle Ohrling

CAGP is proud to present the inaugural Emerging Catalyst Award to Chantelle Ohrling. Since entering the planned giving sector in 2021, Chantelle has rapidly distinguished herself as a driving force for innovation, equity, and community building within the profession. She has taken on pivotal leadership roles across the network, serving on the National Conference Program Committee and acting as Communications Chair for CAGP Vancouver. In that role, she revolutionized local engagement by launching a Community Board and establishing a dedicated Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Reconciliation (JEDI-R) section in the chapter’s monthly newsletter. Beyond her work with CAGP, Chantelle is a profound thought leader and advocate; she authored the compelling article "Narrowing the Racial Wealth Gap: Planned Giving as a Tool for Economic Justice," published in The Philanthropist Journal, and actively serves on multiple committees for the Hogan's Alley Society and the Black Canadian Fundraisers Collective. Chantelle embodies the exact spirit of this award - challenging the status quo and shaping a more just and inclusive future for Canadian philanthropy.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Award Recipients

2025 - Keith Thomson

Bio to follow 

2024 - Ken Ramsay

Ken Ramsay is the founding Chair of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners. He laid the foundation for excellence in our field and helped launch the very first CAGP conference back in 1994.  His work as Founder/Managing Partner at Legacy Leaders has resulted in over $2 billion in commitments for North American charities. His groundbreaking work has centered around the 'Empowerment Dialogue' – a method that has empowered countless fundraisers, foundation staff, and volunteers to engage with donors authentically and with passion – building lasting relationships based on trust and shared vision, not just securing financial commitments. 

Donald K. Johnson is an accomplished entrepreneur and celebrated philanthropist. Currently serving as a member of the Advisory Board of BMO Capital Markets, Don was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Awards because of his tireless advocacy for tax incentives that support charitable giving, including successful lobbying for gifts of publicly-listed securities, resulting in millions of dollars of gifts to Canada’s charities. He continues his efforts advocating for a capital gains exemption on gifts made from the proceeds of the sale of real estate and private company shares. Don Johnson is also a Founding Donor of the CAGP Foundation.