Meet Our Foundation Team

Dr. Jill Stoddart, Executive Director

Jill is the Executive Director of Family and Children’s Services Foundation. She worked for in Child Welfare, Children’s Mental Health and Developmental Services, for more than 30 years, including various frontline positions. Recognizing the disparities in child and youth outcomes by race, ethnicity and other socio-demographic factors has been the driving force for her collaborative community approach to program and research design.

Jill leads several multi-sector collaborative projects focusing on preventing child abuse and neglect. Her experience in multiple sectors serving children and families has led to positive changes in the provision of evidenced-based services ranging from resilience promotion for children and youth to decolonizing trauma based parenting programs for specific cultural groups. This work has ensured that funds raised by Family and Children’s Services Foundation benefits not only children, youth and families involved in Child Welfare, but also other marginalized populations facing adversities such as trauma, social isolation, poverty, and re-settlement issues. Jill has a Masters and a PhD in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada and also holds a position of Assistant Professor (status only) at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.

Jill is the proud mother of three children who are now grown and have families of their own. She enjoys spending time with her husband Dave and can often be found out walking or hiking with a few of her 5 rescue grand-puppies or playing with her beautiful grand daughter. If you’d like to learn more about the research that supports the work of the Foundation email Jill at jill.stoddart@facswaterloo.org

Jennifer Utting, Leadership and Corporate Giving Manager

With over 25 years in the social profit sector, Jennifer has a passion for community, social justice, and equitable philanthropy.

Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Jennifer volunteered with grassroots projects in India. Returning home to Toronto, she realized how much there was to do here, in her own backyard. Her commitment to social justice led her to opportunities with a number of charities and not-for-profits covering food security, education, and the arts. Her roles have included event management, sponsorship, fundraising, communications and, as is the case in small charities, “other duties as required”. Prior to coming to the Foundation, Jennifer was at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery. In 2022, Jennifer went back to school for an MA in Social Justice and Community Engagement at Laurier (Brantford) where her research focused on women and ageism in activism.

Happily married and the proud mom of two teenagers, Jennifer is devoted to making her community and world a better place for not only her own family, but all families. An idealist at heart, she believes that we can only make that happen together.

If you’d like more information on how you can make a gift with impact and create lasting change for children, youth, and families in Waterloo Region, email Jennifer at Jennifer.Utting@facswaterloo.org.

Jullie Pfeffer, Community Engagement Manager

Jullie brings decades of fundraising experience to the Foundation, most recently as Senior Manager, Operations at donorworx. In that role, she trained fundraisers, planned campaigns, and managed the logistics of major fundraising efforts for national and international charities. Jullie is passionate about discovering what really matters to people and helping them help others. Jullie would love to talk about how you can get involved in fundraising for us! Send her an email at Jullie.Pfeffer@facswaterloo.org

Joan Koritko, Donations Coordinator

Joan brings over 30 years of experience in a variety of non-profit organizations. The last 10 years she was at the Fort York Foundation working in communication and as an administrator. With a background in website design and marketing along with a life-long interest in social justice she fits into the foundation team quite easily.

Questions about your gift, scholarships or general questions about the Foundation? Email Joan at foundation@facswaterloo.org.

Sydney Tricand, Community Fundraising Manager (On Leave)

As a Canadian who grew up internationally, Sydney moved to Canada for the first time to complete her Honours BA in Psychology at Queen’s University, followed by a year-long trip across the pond to undertake her MSc from the London School of Economics in Health, Community, and Development. This experience furthered Sydney’s understanding of the importance of strong and supportive communities to nurture healthy and happy individuals. Combined with her passion for social justice, Sydney’s experience and education led her to a career in the social profit sector.

Most recently, Sydney has worked for both the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation and the Stephen Lewis Foundation supporting groups and individuals in their communities hold third party fundraisers and promote awareness for their organizations. Sydney is always in awe of the incredible people willing to give their time, energy, and resources to causes they feel strongly about. As a newcomer to the Waterloo region, she is excited to learn more about the community and continue to encourage the wonderful ways they support Family & Children's Services Foundation.