Who's Who Women in Business

who's who women in business 35 W hen Annitta Stenning took the job of President and CEO of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation more than eight years ago, it was with a promise. "The chair said I can't leave until I've found my replacement," Stenning says. "I feel I have. Here's an organization that was great when I arrived and is even better now." While she has been successful in growing and developing a remarkably capable team, Stenning has no plans to leave. Her motivation comes from what she sees every day at work. "We're in the same building where people are coming in for treatment. There are days we ache for them," she says. "That's why we're very conscious that we spend donor dollars wisely. Donor dollars are precious." Stenning's team is dedicated to raising those all-important dollars. Since 2000, the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation has granted more than $100 million to help deliver the best research, patient care, treatment and support for Manitobans living with cancer. The foundation is the only charity that raises funds exclusively for CancerCare Manitoba. All funds stay in the province. Eight years ago, the staff of 13 was focused almost entirely on event fundraising. That included supporting everything from community bake sales to large signature events like the annual Challenge for Life walk — which has added a workout option for this year's Walk It or Work It event, June 11 at Assiniboine Park. Now with a staff of 20, Stenning has built a strong communications and marketing team, added an annual and planned-giving component and will soon embark on a capital campaign to support development of CancerCare Manitoba's much-needed space for research and patient care. Bolstering communications and marketing efforts means sharing the stories of how donor dollars are spent. "It's important to answer that question, 'Where is the money going?' Now we're able to communicate and connect in many ways, and that includes social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter." Stenning is proud to point out that her team meets its goals while keeping the cost of fundraising to 17%. That's an important number when there's competition for every donor dollar out there. Luckily, Manitobans continue to be some of the most generous people in the nation. "The act of giving can be very therapeutic for a lot of people," she says. "They realize they may not have been able to control a cancer diagnosis in someone they care about, but they feel they can really make a difference in the care someone receives." Before her post at the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, Stenning served as chief administrative officer for the City of Winnipeg and before that, as president and CEO of CentreVenture Development Corporation. Both those stints were four years in length. She's currently in her ninth year with the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. "When you get to be involved in something like this, where you feel you're part of the solution, and when you see positive outcomes, well, it's pretty special," she says. "During my time here, I've seen the research breakthroughs. I feel I've had a small part in helping people in the most difficult times in their lives. It doesn't get any better than that." ❚ To learn more about the foundation, fundraising events and services, visit www.cancercarefdn.mb.ca. Annitta Stenning, President & CEO of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Making a Difference HELPING MANITOBANS BRINGS SPECIAL REWARDS By Shel Zolkewich From left: Director of Finance and Administration Sandra Tym, Director of Marketing and Communications Jane Kidd-Hantscher, Chief Development Officer Patti Smith and President and CEO Annitta Stenning. Photo by Darcy Finley

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