Teresa is an established senior executive, thought leader, and educator in the non-profit sector. She
leads the Rideau Hall Foundation, an independent charity established by the Right Honourable David
Johnston. The RHF’s vision is a better Canada, and it works to address key challenges facing the country
in the areas of learning equity, creating a culture of innovation, leadership development, and the
promotion of giving and volunteerism. Teresa has significant experience in people management,
stakeholder engagement, major-gift fundraising and financial stewardship. She is a sought-after public
speaker and frequent media commentator on Canadian philanthropy, giving patterns, and non-profit
sector management issues.
She is an instructor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s G. Raymond Chang School for Continuing
Education and holds degrees in Canadian history from the University of Ottawa and York University, and
a post-graduate certificate from Dalhousie University’s School of Continuing Education, with a focus on
non-profit governance. In 2022, she was named one of the inaugural winners of DMZ’s Women of the
Year award.
Teresa’s volunteer service has focused on community development and education issues and she has
served on numerous local and national boards of directors. Her current and previous directorships
include the National Theatre School, AFP Ottawa, Family Services Toronto, and Working Women
Community Centre. She is interested in how giving patterns and attitudes towards philanthropy in
Canada are changing. She is seeking to drive social change while strengthening the non-profit sector and
civil society more broadly.