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Our Approach:
Connect - Collaborate - Counsel

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At ARBORA Philanthropic Dialogue, we believe every act of generosity can become a true driver of transformation.

 

We support organizations, foundations, businesses, and individuals who want to go further — to structure their commitment, clarify their vision, and create lasting impact through their actions.

At the intersection of strategy and purpose, we help our clients transform their intentions into concrete, aligned, and impactful initiatives. We help build strong foundations, foster a vibrant philanthropic culture, and create authentic connections with communities.

Because beyond giving, it is about contributing with purpose, coherence, and ambition.

MISSION

ARBORA Philanthropic Dialogue supports nonprofit organizations, individuals, foundations, and businesses in optimizing their philanthropic strategies. We help our clients maximize the impact of their actions, ensure the sustainability of their initiatives, and build lasting relationships with their communities through strategic and tailored approaches.

VISION

To be change agents for strategic  fundraising and philanthropy management, fostering a culture of informed, sustainable, and effective generosity. We aspire to create a philanthropic ecosystem where every commitment, whether individual or organizational, generates significant and measurable impact for society.

VALUES

 

Commitment

A sincere and consistent dedication to the ambitions and causes we support.

Excellence

High standards driven by expertise, precision, and a results-oriented culture.

Collaboration

An approach based on listening, dialogue, and co-creating meaningful solutions.

Innovation

The ability to rethink established models in response to current and future challenges.

Integrity

A practice rooted in transparency, ethics, and deep respect for our clients’ values.

Our Team

With a dual background in art history and museology, as well as leadership and arts management, Laureen has developed extensive expertise within major museums in Montreal and internationally. Holder of the internationally recognized CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation, she was recognized among the 50 Most Influential Women of Montreal in 2024 and 2025 (Women We Admire) and received the ARDI Award for Innovation in Cultural Philanthropy (management profile) in 2026. She brings over 13 years of experience in philanthropic management across the arts, education, and healthcare sectors. Convinced that art plays a vital role in collective well-being and in fostering critical thinking about the world, Laureen dedicates her work to building bridges between meaningful causes and committed philanthropists. Her approach aims to structure thoughtful philanthropy that drives transformation and looks toward future generations. Passionate and deeply committed, she actively contributes to positioning philanthropy as a strategic lever for society. Mother of two young daughters, she balances family and professional responsibilities with energy while serving as Senior Director of Philanthropic Development at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, acting as a consultant for ARBORA Philanthropic Dialogue, and contributing to numerous volunteer initiatives. Highly engaged in advancing the profession, Laureen is active within the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) at the local, national, and international levels. She serves on the AFP Quebec Board of Directors and contributes to governance committees for AFP Quebec, AFP Canada, and AFP Global. A CFRE Ambassador for 2025 and 2026, she also mentors the next generation of philanthropy professionals (HEC Montréal, AFP Quebec) and regularly speaks at training sessions, conferences, and specialized events in Quebec and internationally, including AFP ICON.

Amanda was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and completed degrees in Psychology, Public Relations, and a Masters in Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL). Her 17-year career in the non-profit sector spans education, health, and community. She is passionate about leveraging data and modernizing the way our field’s professionals approach major giving, capital campaigns, and volunteer management. In her current role as Director, Major Giving and Campaign Tracking, CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, Amanda works to put in place the strategies and tools needed to secure $500M in new philanthropic investments – the most ambitious campaign ever undertaken by a healthcare institution in Quebec. Amanda proudly serves on the Board of Directors of the Montreal Children’s Library, Champions for Life, and is the Co-Chair for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Foundation for Philanthropy - Canada. In 2018, the Governor General awarded Amanda the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers for her service to youth education. She has spoken at fundraising conferences across North America on the topics she is passionate about - major campaigns, volunteer mobilization, and the importance of developing data-driven strategies.

Our Story

ARBORA Philanthropic Dialogue was born from the shared vision of Amanda and Laureen, two professionals recognized for their leadership, rigor, and impact in the philanthropic sector.
 

With strong backgrounds in fundraising within major organizations, their expertise is also rooted in years of involvement at the highest levels of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). They are among the youngest professionals in Quebec to have earned the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation, a mark of excellence, ethics, and mastery of best practices in North America.

Throughout their careers, they were regularly called upon to support organizations and philanthropists in their strategic thinking. These experiences led to a clear realization: the sector needed a more human and personalized approach, centered on the quality of relationships and the deeper meaning behind philanthropic initiatives.

Their conviction lies at the heart of ARBORA: philanthropy is not limited to fundraising — above all, it is about building meaningful, aligned, and lasting relationships.

With this philosophy, they founded ARBORA Philanthropic Dialogue, a boutique consulting firm supporting organizations, foundations, businesses, and donors in designing strong, thoughtful philanthropic strategies grounded in the realities of their challenges.

Alongside their leadership roles within major Montreal-based foundations in the healthcare and arts sectors, Amanda and Laureen carefully select mandates where they can create meaningful value — helping organizations structure their development and helping donors maximize the impact of the causes they care about most.

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Our Clients

College of Nursing and Midwifery

Kaabong, Uganda

Our Promise

Rigor. Ethics. Recognized Excellence.

At ARBORA Philanthropic Dialogue, our practice is grounded in the highest professional standards.

 

AFP Code of Ethics

 

As committed members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), we adhere to its Code of Ethics, ensuring an approach rooted in integrity, transparency, and best practices.

 

International CFRE Accreditation

 

Amanda and Laureen both hold the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation, the international standard in philanthropy.

 

This globally recognized accreditation demonstrates:

  • Proven fundraising expertise

  • Commitment to the highest ethical standards

  • A rigorous practice aligned with industry best practices

 

It serves as a mark of trust for our clients, donors, and partners.

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