Dianne Lister, LL.B., CFRE Named 2002 Outstanding Fundraising Executive

4/10/2002

From: Michael Nilsen of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), 800-666-3863, ext. 481

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 10 -- Dianne Lister, LL.B., CFRE, has been named the 2002 Outstanding Fundraising Executive by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the largest association of charitable fundraisers in the world. Lister will be honored during AFP's International Conference on Fundraising in St. Louis on April 15.

Lister, the first Canadian fundraiser to win the award, has been in the profession for more than sixteen years. A lawyer, and member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Dianne's first career was as a litigator and child welfare lawyer. She is currently president and chief executive officer of The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation (HSCF), one of Canada's premier children's academic health sciences centers renowned internationally for its research and clinical care. During her tenure, Lister has transformed HSCF from a small organization of 15 staff raising $6 million annually in 1991 to a professional organization of 85 staff. HSCF is now the third largest foundation in Canada by asset base (approximately $425 million), attracting annually over 100,000 donors who contribute in excess of $60 million.

Through her leadership, HSCF has become a pioneer in developing innovative fundraising programs. These achievements include: the first mega-lottery in Ontario; first hospital-based DRTV program in Canada; first charity to bring the new idea of gifts of charitable options from conception to government approval; and first hospital to use advertising to position a campaign based solely on endowments for research.

Her work in the public policy sector is equally impressive, as Lister spearheaded AFP's campaign to make permanent the federal tax incentive relating to gifts of publicly traded stock. She has also taken a leadership role in the Voluntary Sector Initiative and is encouraging the federal government to create more incentives for private philanthropy. She is currently lobbying for funding for the first nation-wide research of human resource practices of professional fundraisers in Canada.

Since 1994, Lister has accepted leadership roles within AFP, including the president of the Toronto Chapter (1994 - 1995) and faculty for AFP's Survey Course (1998 - 2001). She was appointed the inaugural chair of the AFP Canadian Council and AFP Canadian Government Relations Committee in 2001. She received her CFRE in 1995, and recertified in 1998 and 2001.

"Dianne's work in the profession is truly exemplary," said Paulette Maehara, CFRE, CAE, president & CEO of AFP. "Through her numerous achievements, Dianne has not only worked to build community awareness, but also to strengthen partnerships with other organizations and the public. AFP is honored to recognize Dianne as the 2002 Outstanding Fundraising Executive for her unwavering commitment to philanthropy, the charitable sector and the fundraising profession."

Lister was nominated by the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter, and will be recognized at the J. Richard Wilson Keynote Address on Monday morning, April 15. Other honorees of AFP's 2002 Awards for Philanthropy include:

-- Wynton M. "Red" Blount (Montgomery, Ala.): Outstanding Philanthropist; -- Ebby Halliday Acers (Dallas, Texas): Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser; -- May Department Stores Company (St. Louis, Mo.): Outstanding Corporation; and -- Community Foundation Silicon Valley (San Jose, Calif.): Outstanding Foundation

For more information on Lister and other honorees, contact Michael Nilsen at 800-666-3863.

--- The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents 25,000 members in 163 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs. The Association fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession. AFP was formerly the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE). For more information, visit the AFP Web site at www.afpnet.org.