It is with great pleasure that we introduce the four interns selected for the 2022 edition of our cultural philanthropy internships! Created for students in HEC Montréal’s cultural organization management program and the philanthropic management certificate program offered by the Université de Montréal’s Faculté d’éducation permanente, the program encourages Montreal arts organizations to develop their charitable activities while helping secure employment opportunities for a new generation of philanthropy management professionals.
Learn more about the selected interns and the challenges awaiting them!
Olivia Gomez – Orchestre Métropolitain
Now a student in HEC Montréal’s D.E.S.S. graduate program in cultural organization management, Olivia began her studies in classical dance in Guadalajara, Mexico. On arriving in Montréal, she danced for Ballet Ouest de Montréal’s production of The Nutcracker and joined the teaching staff at the Académie du ballet métropolitain. Armed with a bachelor of arts degree from UQAM, she has also worked in the fields of marketing and partnerships at the organization Vue sur la Relève as well as the École supérieure de ballet du Québec.
During her internship with the Orchestre Métropolitain, Olivia will assist with planning the upcoming annual campaign. She will also take part in customer loyalty activities, develop fundraising tools and organize a benefit event.
Maude-Hélène Brouard – LA SERRE – arts vivants
As a graduate of the stage performance program at Collège Lionel-Groulx’s École de théâtre professionnel and a student in HEC Montréal’s D.E.S.S. graduate program in cultural organization management, Maude-Hélène is no stranger to the arts. She co-founded Théâtre du Portage, where she sits on the board of directors, handles administrative duties and collaborates on various creation projects. Maude-Hélène has also worked as a cultural mediator for Rencontre Théâtre Ados and a dance teacher at Studio 88 Swing.
Her internship at LA SERRE – arts vivants will give her hands-on experience with many facets of philanthropic activities, including using a CRM (customer relationship management) system, and enable her to develop data analysis skills and to refine and personalize her approach to donors. Her mandate will also include implementing the annual campaign and solidarity pricing system planned for the OFFTA.
Joé Lampron-Dandonneau – Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Joé Lampron-Dandonneau is a classical singer by training and hails from Richmond, in the Cantons-de-l’Est region. After completing a bachelor’s degree at Université de Montréal, a master’s degree at the University of Victoria and a diploma in performance at McGill University, he continued rounding out his education by enrolling in the D.E.S.S. graduate program in cultural organization management at HEC Montréal. In parallel with his graduate studies, he worked as a coordinator for the Conseil des métiers d’art du Québec registrar, where he made good use of the communication, management and human resources skills he had acquired in the course of his D.E.S.S.
Since January, Joé has been interning with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal as a member of its philanthropic development team, focusing primarily on major donations and planned giving. In recent weeks, he has had the opportunity to train extensively in such areas as donor management and donor prospecting in a virtual and hybrid world. Between now and the end of his internship in July, he will also have a chance to spearhead several projects, including research into the organization’s active donors, a study on planned giving at the national level, and an interview protocol designed to shed light on OSM philanthropists.
Alexandra Grebenuk – MUMAQ – Musée des métiers d’art du Québec
Armed with two bachelor’s degrees and a master of arts, Alexandra Grebenuk has some 15 years’ experience in professional legal drafting, working with decision makers in various legal settings. More recently, she began a certificate in philanthropic management at Université de Montréal and, at the same time, had an opportunity to help found a charitable organization. In her capacity as project manager and interim director, she has dealt with every facet of NPO operations, including administration, communications, taxes and legislation, fundraising, partnerships and resource management.
As an intern at the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec, Alexandra will be able to share her expertise by developing the team’s philanthropy program and assisting with the Foundation’s strategic planning and fundraising activities.
Our warm congratulations to all interns and organizations! We hope that these internships will give you all plenty of opportunities for learning and success!
