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 | Emerging Catalyst | Lifetime Achievement

Friend of CAGP

Each year the CAGP Board of Directors recognizes individuals who exemplify the spirit and vision of CAGP through the Friend of CAGP Award. This award acknowledges contributions made at the local and national level and which have had a national impact on strategic charitable gift planning.

Presenting sponsor

Image

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

View full list of past recipients here 

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.

Image

2026 - 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

2025 - Keith Thomson

Keith Thomson is an internationally recognized financial educator, author, and consultant, specializing in estate and charitable tax planning. Keith has authored the book, “What Was Your Great Grandmother’s Name? Fifty Thoughts On How Canadian Philanthropy Can Transform You, Your Family And Your Community”. His numerous articles have appeared in publications such as The Globe and Mail and CPA Magazine. Hundreds of lawyers, accountants, financial advisors and philanthropic professionals have also benefited from his instruction.

Keith is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and more recently has earned the Master Financial Advisor of Philanthropy (MFA-P)TM designation. Keith’s presentations expand on the strategies he has developed to take full advantage of the tax incentives our government has created to encourage charitable giving. The expertise that Keith offers in his presentations to entrepreneurs, professionals, and retirees have already redirected more than $50 million of their social capital … also known as taxes.

For over five years he was chair of The African Medical and Research Foundation and has also served on the boards of The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Seva Canada and The Toronto Foundation. Keith and his wife, Tanja, their daughter, Kiera, and their dog, Haggis, reside in the Beach neighbourhood of Toronto.

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.