Philanthropy Friday

In this extraordinary episode of Philanthropy Friday, Mark Halpern is joined by Rabbi Elimelech "Rabbi G" Goldberg, Founder and Global Director of Kids Kicking Cancer and The Hero Circle. What begins as a conversation about philanthropy quickly becomes one of the most powerful stories of resilience, healing, and global impact you will ever hear. After losing his young daughter to leukemia, Rabbi G...

In this insightful episode, Mark Halpern is joined by Cindy Wilson and Michelle Middlemore, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of MC2 Business Advisors Inc. With decades of experience in mergers and acquisitions, Cindy and Michelle specialize in helping owner-managed businesses navigate one of the most important and complex transitions of their lives: selling their business. They share why early planning is...

In this inspiring episode, Mark Halpern sits down with Chuck Downs, founder of Epic Success Coaching, to talk about how professional advisors can overcome burnout, break limiting beliefs, and unlock higher levels of fulfillment, productivity, and purpose. With more than 25 years in the insurance and financial services industry, Chuck shares how neuroscience and mindset transformation can help advi...

In this cross-border episode, Mark Halpern is joined by Jeff Hammer, Founder of Forte Impact Advisors, based in Richmond, Virginia. Together, they explore the differences between Canadian and U.S. approaches to philanthropy, estate planning, and tax strategies for high-net-worth families. Jeff brings a unique background from leading major business units in aerospace, IT, and banking, to now helpin...

In this eye-opening episode, Mark Halpern is joined by Glen Gumalka, CEO of The Mississauga Foundation, to uncover one of the best-kept secrets in Canadian philanthropy: community foundations and donor-advised funds (DAFs).        If you've ever thought that philanthropy is only for the ultra-wealthy or those with private foundations, this conversation will change your mind. Glen explains how dono...

In this inspiring episode, Mark Halpern is joined by Amy Stein, Executive Director of The Pixel Foundation (formerly the Henry's Foundation). Amy shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a 114-year-old family business (Henry's Cameras) to leading a national conversation about mental health and corporate philanthropy. If you're a family business owner, an advisor helping multi-generational...

This heartfelt episode of Philanthropy Friday brings together three passionate advocates for strategic philanthropy: Luke Carter (President & CEO of CAP Advisors), renowned advisor and son of one of my closest mentors, late Graham Carter,  and Aneil Gokhale (Director of Philanthropy, Toronto Foundation). Together with Mark Halpern, they explore how families can transform grief into lasting impact...

In this must-listen episode, Mark Halpern is joined by two national experts Peter Nicholson (Founder of WCPD) and Ken Stern (Philanthropic Advisor at Capital Ideas) to break down one of the most misunderstood and underutilized tax planning tools in Canada: flow-through shares. If you're a generous donor, financial advisor, or charitable organization looking to maximize impact while minimizing tax,...

In this powerful episode of Philanthropy Friday, Mark Halpern sits down with Ed Sluga, President of PGgrowth, to unpack the incredible potential of planned legacy giving for charities, donors, and professional advisors alike. Ed shares how PGgrowth helps nonprofits from grassroots organizations to national institutions, design and implement sustainable legacy giving programs that drive long-term m...