Panel leader:
Mike Todd, Founder, Transform Philanthropy
Mike finds himself at the intersection of wealth management and philanthropy, having spent a lot of time in both sectors. He’s worked on Bay Street and Hastings Street and streets in between and is driven by his desire to spread the magic of generosity. Most recently he founded Transform Philanthropy, and spends most of his time helping charities, advisors and donors understand the unique benefits of donor-advised funds (DAFS).
Panelists:
Yogesh Bhathella, Partner, KPMG Private Enterprise
Yogesh Bhathella has had a long and fulfilling career as an Accountant. He has been a Tax Partner with KPMG for over 6 years. He currently works out of the Langley Branch. You can count on Yogesh’s to keep us up to date on CRA Tax rulings with his regular LinkedIn Posts.
Joanne Wiebe, Associate Barrister & Solicitor, De Jager | Volkenant & Company
Joanne Wiebe is an associate at De Jager Volkenant & Company. She practices in the areas of estate planning, preparation of trusts, estate administration, gift planning, and corporate and compliance for charities and non-profit organizations. Joanne enjoys building relationships with her clients, both individuals and organizations, as they navigate a broad range of complex issues.
Prior to joining De Jager Volkenant & Company in 2022, Joanne practiced litigation at a mid-size insurance defence firm in Vancouver. She completed her law degree at the University of Saskatchewan, and prior to law school she studied philosophy at UBC.
Areni Kelleppan, Executive Director, Abbotsford Community Foundation
Areni Kelleppan is the recently appointed Executive Director of the Abbotsford Community Foundation. Born and raised in Vancouver, Areni has worked throughout the Lower Mainland, the Okanagan, the Edmonton area, and Calgary. For over 2 decades, she has been a leader in a range of sectors including lumber and building materials, the environment, agriculture, and food security, and most recently, gender-based violence and mental health. A family violence survivor and 2nd generation immigrant, she has spent a lifetime making sense of her own biases and shifting her understanding of what living in a just society means to her. To her, the work of the Foundation and philanthropy in general, encompasses her passion for strengthening the resiliency of community and engaging with a diversity of stakeholders to make that happen.
