Kathryn Ladano
Senior Development Officer
Kitchener
Summary
Professional development specialist skilled in leading fundraising campaigns and cultivating donor relationships. Known for results-driven approach and ability to work seamlessly within teams, adapting to changing needs. Expertise in strategic planning, research, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Senior Development Officer – Major Gifts and Planning Giving
The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth
02.2024 - Current
- In this position, I have been developing and executing a diverse Major Gifts and Planned Giving program. This includes building and growing a portfolio of prospects and donors, and developing engagement strategies and solicitation plans in support of the organization and its strategic priorities. This includes fundraising for the organization’s 6-million-dollar capital campaign to construct a new community outreach centre on site. The position has also involved speaking at a variety of local events and appearing in television commercials for the organization.
Contract Teaching Faculty
Wilfrid Laurier University
09.2010 - 04.2024
- As contract staff with the University, I have taught a variety of courses within the Faculty of Music which specifically focus on the topics of improvisation and creativity. My work in this area has also included course design, curricular design, recruitment, and graduate committee work. The courses I have taught include Music 136 (Musical Skills 1), Music 380/480 (Private instruction in improvisation), Music 365 (Improvisation 1), Music 181/281/381/481 (Improvisation Concerts Ensemble), Music 245A/B (Community Music Skills 1/2), and Music 196 (Private instruction in bass clarinet).
Grant Writer
Hospice Wellington
01.2020 - 02.2024
- As the part-time Grant Writer for this registered charity, I am part of the fund development team and am responsible for raising approximately $90,000 in grant funds each year. This position requires me to network with local and national foundations and corporate sponsors in order to secure ongoing funds that the hospice can count on in order to ensure that the various programs offered can continue to run free of charge.
Artistic Director
NUMUS Inc.
09.2014 - 12.2023
- As Artistic Director of this local arts organization, I am responsible for all artistic programming, conceptualization of the organization and its offerings, and contracting of artists, technical staff, marketing staff, summer students, and volunteers. I am also responsible for venue contracts and bookings, recruiting and hiring staff, grant writing and budgeting each season, realizing a vision for the organization, strategic planning, acting as a liaison between our organization and local businesses and potential sponsors, and acting as the face of the organization. While my job title was Artistic Director, my responsibilities were that of an Executive Director.
Social Media Coordinator
Penderecki String Quartet
09.2013 - 11.2018
- As the part-time social media coordinator for The Penderecki String Quartet, I was responsible for regularly updating their website, Facebook and Twitter pages with information on upcoming performances.
Teaching Assistant
York University
09.2012 - 04.2018
- As a teacher for courses such as Music 1000 (Introduction to Musicianship), Music 2200 (Music and Cultures 2), and Music 1900 (Music in the City), I was responsible for teaching music history, theory, and musicianship and administering and marking all tests, exams, papers, and assignments. These are full credit courses that are required for all students majoring in music. This position required me to teach for approximately 1-3 hours per week as well as mark, log grades, and create lesson plans.
General Manager
NUMUS Inc.
09.2013 - 12.2014
- As General Manager for NUMUS, I was responsible for the day-to-day administrative operations of this not-for-profit concert presenter. These duties include financial reporting and budgeting, bookkeeping, recruitment and training of volunteers, working with our auditor on annual financial reports, advertising and marketing, contract preparation, fundraiser planning, board meeting preparation and reporting, and ensuring that all of our public events are properly prepared.
English Tutor
Tutorbright
06.2013 - 12.2014
- As a contract English tutor, I provided in-home tutoring for students taking Grade 12 English. I was often hired to help students increase their high school English marks to help meet University requirements for various programs.
Concerts & Auditions Coordinator
Wilfrid Laurier University
07.2006 - 12.2012
- I was responsible for the administration and organization of several key events in the Faculty of Music such as: entrance auditions, ensemble auditions, Laurier Day, graduation recitals and orientation week. I also counselled incoming and prospective students, which required me to be well versed in admission requirements and program requirements within the faculty. I was also responsible for the various Faculty concerts that took place during the year. I designed and produced programs and tickets for the various concerts and worked on promotion and composing and distributing contracts. In addition, I recruited, managed, hired, and trained all the Faculty of Music box office and audition staff.
Office Administrator
First Data International
05.2006 - 07.2006
- I was responsible for the inputting of American Express terminal applications from various businesses across Canada. I was expected to input each application quickly and accurately and solve any problems that arose. I was also involved in Quality Control and had to ensure that all applications were complete and any missing information was obtained.
Customer Service Representative
Citigroup
01.2006 - 04.2006
- I was required to answer calls at an inbound call centre in the financial services industry. The majority of calls received required me to provide basic account information to clients. On occasion I was required to conduct detailed research in order to serve the client’s needs and complete all requests. I also worked in the Exceptions Processing department where I was responsible for contacting clients to obtain missing account information.
Financial Management Coordinator
Ernst and Young
01.2005 - 07.2005
- As financial management coordinator, my job was to offer administrative support to the financial management associates of Ernst and Young. This position involved processing and distributing reports, analyzing and comparing information charts, correcting invoices and time sheets, and general data management.
Office Manager
Sak’s Music
08.2003 - 07.2004
- As the office manager of this company, I was required to organize a schedule of approximately 500 music students and 25 teachers. This required administrative work, data entry, and input of teacher payroll. In addition, I provided customer service to clients who were interested in music lessons, books, accessories, and instruments.
Floater
CIBC Wood Gundy
02.2003 - 08.2003
- In this position I was required to fill in for brokerage assistants and administrative staff who were away from the office. I was required to perform a variety of tasks each day which would often involve data entry, computer work, administrative tasks and reception.
Financial Services Representative
TD Canada Trust
12.1999 - 10.2002
- As a financial services representative my duties included opening new accounts, writing loans and lines of credit, selling visas, mutual funds, and various investments to our customers. I also was required to perform various administrative and data entry tasks during the day. At this position I was considered to be a senior staff member, which required me to deal with all customer and staff problems when there was no manager available.
Education
Ph.D. - Ethnomusicology
York University
Toronto, ON 05.2012 - 01.2018
Master of Music - Music Performance
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB 05.2001 - 01.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Music
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON 05.1995 - 01.1999
Skills
Team management
Organizational development
Problem-solving abilities
Public speaking
Planned giving
Fundraising strategy
Capital campaigns
Prospect research
Major gifts solicitation
Donor recognition
Board relations
Interests
Performing and teaching music, Mentoring young artists, Dog grooming and walking, Painting
Awards
Oktoberfest Woman of the Year – Arts & Culture (2025), Canadian Music Centre – Beckwith Award (NUMUS) (2021), Waterloo Region Arts Awards – Cook Homes Music Award (2016), Recipient of several graduate scholarships and bursaries including an Ontario Graduate Scholarship – York University, Recipient of several grants at the regional, provincial, and national level.
Affiliations
- 2024-present Open Ears Festival of Music and Sound (board member)
- 2020-2022 MT Space (vice chair of board)
- 2018-2020 Canadian New Music Network (board member)
- 2011-2013 NUMUS Concerts (board member)
- 2006-2007 NUMUS Concerts (board member)
Other Professional Experience
- I have 17 years of experience working in post-secondary education. This includes work in both academic teaching and administration.
- I have 13 years of experience in mentorship of young artists and students.
- I have 10 years of experience in Artistic Direction and artistic programming.
- I have significant experience in budgeting and finance, having started my career with TD Canada Trust as a Financial Services Representative, working with companies such as CIBC Wood Gundy, Ernst and Young, and Citigroup, and later doing budgeting and fundraising for non-profit organizations and registered charities.
- I have over 18 years of experience as a grant writer, having written for both individuals and organizations for corporate grants, foundations, and at all levels of government.
- I have managed social media accounts for a variety of organizations and musical ensembles.
- I am a professional musician and perform in many concerts over the course of each year, both locally and internationally.
Timeline
Senior Development Officer – Major Gifts and Planning Giving
The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth
02.2024 - Current
Grant Writer
Hospice Wellington
01.2020 - 02.2024
Artistic Director
NUMUS Inc.
09.2014 - 12.2023
Social Media Coordinator
Penderecki String Quartet
09.2013 - 11.2018
General Manager
NUMUS Inc.
09.2013 - 12.2014
English Tutor
Tutorbright
06.2013 - 12.2014
Teaching Assistant
York University
09.2012 - 04.2018
Ph.D. - Ethnomusicology
York University
05.2012 - 01.2018
Contract Teaching Faculty
Wilfrid Laurier University
09.2010 - 04.2024
Concerts & Auditions Coordinator
Wilfrid Laurier University
07.2006 - 12.2012
Office Administrator
First Data International
05.2006 - 07.2006
Customer Service Representative
Citigroup
01.2006 - 04.2006
Financial Management Coordinator
Ernst and Young
01.2005 - 07.2005
Office Manager
Sak’s Music
08.2003 - 07.2004
Floater
CIBC Wood Gundy
02.2003 - 08.2003
Master of Music - Music Performance
University of Calgary
05.2001 - 01.2003
Financial Services Representative
TD Canada Trust
12.1999 - 10.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Music
University of Waterloo
05.1995 - 01.1999
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