Research Team
Women in Philanthropy
Lisa Trefzger Clarke, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Lisa Trefzger Clarke is an educator, scholar and social justice advocate living on the Treaty 20 and Williams Treaties’ traditional lands of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg. She’s the daughter of a German immigrant and German-Jewish refugee, and identifies as queer and disabled. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit work and leadership, she now researches the intersections of feminist care work, policy, legislation and frontline practice. Her scholarship includes intersectional feminism, adult and transformative learning, public education, feminist psychotherapy, and the voluntary sector. Lisa is a postdoctoral researcher in the MPNL program.
See Lisa’s full bio.
Susan Phillips, C.M., Professor Emerita
Research Supervisor
Dr. Susan Phillips is Professor Emerita in the School of Public Policy and Administration and established Carleton’s Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program.
Viewing philanthropy as an exercise of citizenship – how people engage in and with their communities – Susan’s work considers how the nonprofit sector creates social change and the dynamic relationship between government and civil society. She co-authored the first international handbook on philanthropy for Routledge. Susan’s research now focuses on women in leadership roles within public and non-profit sectors.
See Susan’s full bio.
Allison Norris, PhD Candidate
Research Associate
Allison Norris is a researcher and educator pursuing her PhD in Communication and Media Studies at Carleton University after working in the public service for 15 years. Allison’s creative practice in film and theatre informs her teaching focus in media, gender, culture, intersectional feminisms, and activism. Allison’s research includes media production and distribution, the Canadian food system, and policy analysis, with a focus on innovation and impacts by underrepresented groups, including women and 2SLGBTQ+ peoples.
Danielle Vaillancourt, Étudiante à la maîtrise/Master’s Student
Research Assistant / Assistante de recherche
Danielle Vaillancourt is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Carleton University. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music-opera from the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. A bilingual Franco-Ontarian mezzo-soprano, Danielle brings nearly 20 years of arts sector experience, including donor engagement and research mobilization roles with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and Mécénat Musica, along with board leadership in the cultural sector. Her studies focus on philanthropy in the arts, with a growing interest in women’s philanthropy in Francophone communities.
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Danielle Vaillancourt est étudiante à la maîtrise en philanthropie et leadership des organismes sans but lucratif (MPNL) à l’Université Carleton. Elle est titulaire d’un baccalauréat et d’une maîtrise en musique du Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. Mezzo-soprano franco-ontarienne bilingue, Danielle cumule près de 20 ans d’expérience dans le secteur des arts, notamment en engagement des donateurs et en mobilisation de la recherche auprès de l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal et de Mécénat Musica, en plus d’avoir siégé à des conseils d’administration dans le milieu culturel. Ses études portent sur la philanthropie dans les arts, avec un intérêt croissant pour la philanthropie des femmes au sein des communautés francophones.
Roslyn Bern
Supporter
Roslyn Bern is an educator, businesswoman, philanthropist, and president of the Leacross Foundation. She is committed to creating opportunities for women and girls, particularly in education and STEM fields. She has received honorary degrees, awards, and sits on several boards for organizations aimed at empowering women and girls. Roslyn has been longtime supporter of Carleton students and the Women in Philanthropy project is supported by Roslyn and the Leacross Foundation.
Former Team Members
Nada Jama, M.A.
Research Assistant
Nada Jama graduated with a Master of Public Policy and Administration with a Data Science specialization from Carleton University. She also holds an undergraduate degree in Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa. Nada held previous posts in data analysis, student research, and as a Co-Chair of the uOttawa Relay for Life Committee. Now her studies focused on policy innovation and governance, as well as exploring how data can inform decision-making.