On Saturday, Sheila and I drove up to Queen’s University in Kingston. We met up with my daughter Sarah, who is a second year Commerce student at Queen’s, and one of her housemates, Alex, before heading off to the conference. The Queen’s Conference on Philanthropy was very well organized by student leaders like Georgia Fung, Amanda Kwok and Chloe Agache. The speakers and panelists were excellent. I was delighted to represent Princess Margaret. I was actually feeling kind of nervous and emotional, as both my daughter Sarah and Sheila were in the audience. Speaking about philanthropy is very personal to me and when I talk about my personal connection to cancer and the death of my Mom, I get inspired, but also feel the emotion. My speech is available on the home page of pmhf.ca (click on Queen’s logo) or click on the link below. I was surprised and energized by the quality and quantity of questions after I spoke. People were plugged in and asked great questions when I was done. My hour went by in a flash and I was both moved and proud to be able to talk about philanthropy as well as tell the Princess Margaret story. It was a wonderful, well organized and inspired conference…..I believe the first of its kind in a Canadian University. Driving back to Toronto Saturday night, I was feeling encouraged by the young people I met and by those who had both the skill and the talent to pull this amazing event together. If the students who attended the conference are any indication, the future of Canada is in very good hands. Thanks to the organizers and attendees of the conference. I hope this is the start of a tradition and I hope other Universities organize similar conferences. I want to give a special thanks to my daughter Sarah, who sat up front at the conference, for all of her support, encouragement, inspiration and sense of humour. Sarah was so supportive during the time my mom was battling cancer and she continues to be a great inspiration to me. I hope to be able to write an article about developing “the creed” along with Judy Flanagan from Y&R because obviously, the creed document is extremely valuable to not-for-profits in helping to focus their vision, mission, ambition, impact and personal stories.

Click Here to read my speech