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2023 40 Under 40 Winners

 
 

Vice President of Fund Development and Stakeholder Engagement

Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation

Morrel managed a team that has raised $18 million since 2019, posting consistent year over year revenue increases.

He created and led a program involving 39 hospital foundations that raised $7 million for 40,000 frontline health care workers during COVID by creating the Operation Frontline Impact program in partnership with the Edmonton Oilers NHL hockey team.
 
He led an initiative called Indigenous Cultural Partnership to incorporate indigenous approaches with Western medicine approaches, raising $1.3 million for the program.
 
Morrel has served the fundraising profession as chair of the planning committee for CASE District 5 conference and has served his community as co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Edmonton chapter.

I was recruited from higher education philanthropy, but the audiences I advocated for were similar. There was a learning curve. I needed better to understand the Canadian health system as an American. I was fortunate. The opportunity presented itself when I didn't even know I wanted to do it.

I chose healthcare philanthropy as a career because I could see and better understand the gaps in a universal health system. The government funds basic levels of care, and our community deserves extraordinary care, from equipment to experiences with their providers. Being able to be the conduit that fills the gaps is special. Plus, I am good at it. I am passionate about elevating resilient voices, and I have the opportunity to do that in my work every day.

My Canadian work visa expired in a few months, and there was no indication of when the government would finalize my permanent residency application. I started looking at opportunities in the US to work legally and with no issues. Then I get a call from a Canadian recruiter who asked if I would be interested in interviewing for a Director of Philanthropy position at an inner-city hospital, the Royal Alexandra Hospital. I didn't know much about healthcare, but I knew much about resilient populations and their needs, mental health, addiction, and substance misuse. I also had a keen interest in learning more about women's health. The position made me rethink the opportunities that might be available in Edmonton that align with my passion and purpose. Then when I had the chance to interview with the leadership team at the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation it was the perfect fit. They believed in my vision for the team and what I could do to build on their success. The rest is history and since then I was promoted to Vice President and have grown my team and philanthropic support to our organization by 30 percent, year over year.

My greatest passion is using my voice to elevate marginalized voices or brands that I align with. I always say, "it is not about me but how I treat people." I believe that because I know the karma will return to me tenfold. The world would be better if we all could adopt a servant mindset built on gratitude and appreciation, especially if we believe in doing so for the greater good. It is easy to be kind. It is free! I want how I treat people to create a ripple effect that can empower and impact the people in my ecosystem.

Make sure your passion and purpose align with the cause you are advocating for because you can cause harm for and to the communities you are representing if you don't.

Fun Fact

I volunteer at a model train society and own a business that helps people say thank you in unique ways.  We curate gifts and experiences on behalf of my clients that hopefully leaves a lasting impression on their client to ensure repeat business or referrals.

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