Launch Pad Coaches
Participating Launch Pad community groups are paired with a team of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in everything from fundraising and business planning to communications and heritage regeneration.
Chris Wiebe
Manager of Heritage Policy and Government Relations
National Trust for Canada
Since 2007, Chris has organized of the National Trust’s annual national conference, Canada’s largest gathering of heritage practitioners and professionals, and has led the organization’s government relations, advocacy work, and development of positions on heritage policies. Chris holds Master of Arts degrees from Carleton University (Canadian Studies - Heritage Conservation) and the University of Alberta (English). He has been an instructor in the Cultural Resource Management Program at the University of Victoria since 2012 and sits on the Willowbank School for Restoration Arts Advisory Council (2015–present).
Sonja Kruitwagen
Project Manager, Marketing and Membership
National Trust for Canada
Sonja markets the programs and services of the National Trust and creates tools that help Canadians tell their stories so they can save places that matter. She has extensive experience in marketing campaigns that engage and educate. Her expertise in digital marketing is helping the National Trust to better understand its audiences and develop effective messaging that intrigues and motivates.
Emily Boulet
Development Manager
National Trust for Canada
As the Trust’s Development Manager, Emily manages donor relations and administers the Trust's Awards program, the Herb Stovel Scholarship, and the Launch Pad Coaching Grants program. Since joining the National Trust in 2011, she has helped connect community groups with programs and funding opportunities that meet their needs. She also leads in the development of strategies to engage and steward National Trust donors, and helps share great stories about people and places that bring heritage to life.
Kirstin Evenden
Director, Business Development and Partnerships
National Trust for Canada
Kirstin has been working in the field of heritage, museums, and galleries for 30 years. Since early 2022, she has been the Director of Business Development and Partnerships at the National Trust for Canada, based in Ottawa, where she leads fund development, sponsorship, and programs. Prior to the Trust, she was the Executive Director of the Lougheed House National and Provincial Historic Site in Calgary, Alberta for 8½ years. Kirstin has a diverse background including museum and historic site leadership and management, fund development, community engagement and communications. Early in her career, she was an art curator and has always been interested in amplifying the stories and histories of all who call Canada home.
Jonathan Wade
Jonathan is a non-profit professional with more than 25 years of experience as a staff member, volunteer, board member, and consultant. In the last 10 years, he has provided coaching and professional consulting to hundreds of non-profit organizations, co-ops and individuals seeking to start or expand a social enterprise.
Kendra Fry
Kendra works on Regeneration Works, a joint project between Faith & the Common Good and the National Trust for Canada that helps faith groups across Canada reconnect with the community at large and fully occupy their positions as Third Spaces (a place to gather that is not work or home).