2022 40 Under 40 Winners

Josh has raised over $180 million in commitments during his 11 years at the UHN Foundation, with progressive fundraising roles and goals each year.

In the past 5 years, Josh has surpassed his gross revenue goals by 10-25% and has exceeded new pledge commitments by 15-20 % year over year.

Josh achieved his CFRE designation in November 2012 and has remained in good standing for a decade.

He has been a longtime volunteer with the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter, including service on the Education Committee for the annual AFP Congress conference.

Growing up, I had one driving ambition: to become either a scientist or a doctor. In university, I studied microbiology and immunology, and also worked in a laboratory, with the goal of pursuing a PhD. And while I loved the theory of science, I was disappointed to discover that its practice did not spark my interest or passion in the same way. Trusting my instinct, I decided to pivot. When I applied for my first full-time role (at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at University of Toronto), I knew little about fundraising and thought it would be a simple pit stop on my way to another career. I quickly realized the joy that working closely with remarkable clinicians and scientists, and sharing the wonder and hope inherent in their work with others, brought me.  

Healthcare philanthropy enables me to remain deeply connected to my first loves – leading-edge science and the field of medicine – while marrying these with my passion for people and relationship building. My most pivotal inspiration, however, was a family member whose life was saved by a surgical procedure that was only made possible by the generosity of donors who helped our hospital purchase the first gamma knife machine in Ontario. This experience galvanized my dedication to the healthcare sector. 

Although I started my career in special events, and relished the excitement and intensity of the role, I did not see myself working in events long-term. After joining UHN Foundation, I made the transition to major gifts fundraising – an opportunity for which I will forever be grateful. A crucial step in my journey came when I was entrusted to cultivate and solicit a prospective donor who had not previously supported the hospital. Developing a new relationship on behalf of my organization; finding the alignment of mission and donor interest; getting to “yes”; and seeing the donor take pride in their gift, brought me great joy and I immediately knew I had found my calling. 

My greatest passion is seeing the hospital, its programs and its talent develop and flourish with philanthropic investment. UHN is Canada’s largest research and teaching hospital, and its impact is felt globally. Every day, I have the opportunity to meet and be inspired by donors, clinicians and researchers who are motivated to make a difference in the world, as well as by patients and families whose lives are profoundly affected by the work of our hospital and by philanthropy. To play a role in this process is both an honour and a privilege, and it is one of the best parts of my job.

Cultivate your curiosity with intentionality. This applies to career development - you never know where a new opportunity will lead you – and in your relationships with colleagues, mentors and mentees, donors and beyond. Encourage yourself to ask for, and take on, new challenges, particularly when they fall squarely outside of your comfort zone and you know you don’t have it all figured out. Such challenges can be incredibly rewarding and can help you grow in ways that you never anticipated.