KEA Canada Team
Kathy Arney
Founder and CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) // Canmore, AB and Panorama, BC
Kathy doesn’t just advise nonprofits. She’s built her career walking beside them, helping them fund their mission, strengthen their team, and grow with confidence.
Kathy Arney founded KEA Canada in 2013 with a mission to grow organizational capacity, improve results, and enable people to reach their full potential.
She’s an expert in fund development, capacity-building, campaigns, strategy, and operations. Her business and executive background, combined with two decades in philanthropy, give her clients a unique skill set few can match.
Kathy created the GROW Model and co-authored a book, The Deep End, with Gordon Holley (coming November 2026).
What Kathy brings to your organization
Kathy works across resource development, organizational capacity building, strategic planning, board development, campaign planning and management, coaching, and interim leadership.
Kathy’s philanthropy journey
Kathy’s career spans some of Canada’s most respected institutions:
She’s also consulted with universities, colleges, arts organizations, community groups, and the health sector on advancement restructuring, strategic planning, operational planning, and campaigns.
Kathy is the current Board Chair for the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP/ACPDP)
Queen’s University (Kingston)
UBC Okanagan
Carleton University
Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity
University of Saskatchewan
Provided interim leadership for University Relations during a major transition, while leading fundraising campaigns for a new ice facility, Merlis Belsher Place and a new Livestock and Forage Research Centre facility.
Credentials & Recognition
- Commerce degree, Queen’s University (1989)
- ARCT in piano performance (1985)
- Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) (1990)
- MFA-P (Master Financial Advisor – Philanthropy) (2021)
- Will Power Advisor — guiding others through giving in their will
Kathy has presented at regional, national, and international conferences and is recognized for her thought leadership in the intersection of finance and fundraising.
Areas of Expertise
- Campaign Planning & Management
- Coaching & Interim Leadership
- Strategic Thinking & Planning
- Organizational Capacity
- Resource Development
- Culture of Philanthropy
- Finance + Fundraising
- Training & Workshops
- Thought Leadership
- Board Development
- Charity Overhead
- Facilitation
Connect with Kathy Arney
Katie Macpherson
Senior Strategic Fundraising Advisor // Nelson, BC
Katie doesn’t just build fundraising strategies. She builds partnerships that help nonprofits strengthen their organizations, inspire philanthropy, and create lasting impact.
Katie is a strategic fundraising advisor with more than 20 years of experience helping nonprofit organizations build fundraising capacity, strengthen donor relationships, and prepare for sustainable growth. She holds a Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University and brings expertise in major gifts, campaign readiness, strategic partnerships, and organizational capacity building.
What Katie brings to your organization
Katie is passionate about helping nonprofits grow. She works alongside boards, executive leaders, and fundraising teams to develop practical strategies that strengthen organizations, build donor confidence, and support long-term philanthropic success.
Known for her collaborative approach and thoughtful leadership, Katie helps organizations turn vision into action by building the partnerships, systems, and fundraising strategies that create lasting impact.
Katie’s nonprofit journey
Katie’s professional background includes fundraising leadership, campaign strategy, and consulting with organizations across Canada in healthcare, arts and culture, recreation, environmental stewardship, and national nonprofit organizations.
Katie is committed to helping organizations build the confidence, capacity, and partnerships needed to create lasting philanthropic impact.
Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity
National Music Centre
Children First Canada
GoByBike BC
Canmore Hospital Foundation
Alpine Club of Canada
Credentials & Recognition
- CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive), Carleton University
- MNPL (Master of Nonprofit Leadership), Carleton University
- BA Music, Carleton University
Areas of Expertise
- Organizational Capacity Building
- Case for Support Development
- Fund Development Strategy
- Strategic Partnerships
- Campaign Readiness
- Donor Stewardship
- Major Gift
Connect with Katie Macpherson
Ready to get started?
Explore KEA Canada Case Studies
From Summit Dreams to Sustainable Revenue: How the Alpine Club of Canada Transformed Fundraising
The Alpine Club of Canada is a nonprofit organization established in 1906 to promote mountaineering, foster a sense of adventure, and advocate for the protection of the alpine environment. Executive Director Carine Salvy registered for the RAP course to better...
How Canadian Food Focus Doubled a Key Annual Donation with the GROW Revenue Program
Please note that the 'Revenue Accelerator Program' (RAP) is now the GROW Revenue Program.Canadian Food Focus connects communities and organizations with the agricultural sector. With the help of the Revenue Accelerator Program, Penny Eaton, Managing Director,...
KEA Canada Brings A Fresh Perspective to Help Greenways Trail Alliance Meet Their $9.6M Fundraising Goal
At a glance: 25-km paved multi-use family-oriented trail connects the communities of Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs 17 benches, 25 KM marker flagstones, 3 washroom facilities and 2 trailhead kiosks honour donors and their legacies along the way $9.6 million in...
Land Acknowledgement
The KEA Canada team is thankful for the opportunity to create, collaborate, play and work on the lands known today as Canada. We recognize that these lands are home to the enduring presence of all First Nations and Métis people, and the Inuit.
We acknowledge that KEA Canada's home office in Canmore is in the area traditionally known as “Chuwapchipchiyan Kudi Bi” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “shooting at the willows”) and the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation, and Goodstoney First Nation – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is also home to the Rocky View Métis District within the Battle River Territory (District 4).
We are grateful for the meaningful relationships that we are forging with Indigenous communities across this land that we know today as Canada as we work towards truth and reconciliation in all that we do today and every day.
Connect with KEA Canada
Book a Call
Learn more, book a 30-minute meeting.
Follow KEA Canada
New book, The Deep End, coming November 2026