The new Director of Development for Eden Foundation is excited to join an organization that, he says, is helping people to progress on their mental health journeys.
The non-profit fund-raising group announced earlier this week that Dave Sawatsky had stepped into the role effective Monday.
"Eden is a pretty special place in the communities, especially Winkler, Steinbach and Winnipeg, in terms of the services they offer," said Sawatsky. "(I am) excited to be a part of this organization and getting to know people (and) the stakeholders for Eden."
He brings with him broad leadership, strategy, governance, project/event management, and communications experience to the role from his years in the insurance industry.
"I really wanted to shift what I am involved in into something that is working explicitly to help people to make the community, to make the World, a better place and I think Eden is doing that, in large part," explained Sawatsky. "I also am really impressed with the leadership here at Eden and their forward-thinking, mature kind of response to the needs that are out there and how they're able to provide sound, strong leadership and progressive leadership to the Foundation or to Eden's work and mission. It's really been inspiring."
In turn, Brad Unger, CEO for Eden Health Care Services, believes Sawatsky's leadership will be instrumental in driving the Foundation’s strategic goals and ensuring the continued growth and sustainability of Eden’s programs and initiatives.
"We have some really solid events that we do at our foundation and we're excited to build on those, but also looking to see how Dave can help lead the foundation in some of our other areas of planned-giving and doing some major gift donor relationship building," he added.
In this role, Sawatsky will work out of Eden’s offices in Winnipeg, Winkler, and Steinbach and oversee all aspects of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, including donor relations, major gifts, planned giving, events and grant opportunities. As well, Sawatsky has been charged with pursuing additional possible revenue streams. According to the Foundation, says Sawatsky has demonstrated abilities in working collaboratively to implement new programs and processes at work and in his church.
"I think there's lots of opportunities and I really will need to spend some time understanding what we are doing today and then wanting to bring to the table in the future I think some of the opportunities are not as visible, in terms of events. So, being able to access grants, there are lots of grant opportunities that we could be pursuing. There are also opportunities with folks who really capture the vision for Eden and want to provide a sustainable kind of donation in terms of wills or bequests and those sorts of things."
“We are particularly delighted by Dave’s enthusiasm to be a part of the Eden Team, pursuing Eden’s mission through all its programs," said Barry Dyck, Board Chair for Eden Foundation, in a news release.
As he settles in, Sawatsky said stakeholders and donors can expect the usual upcoming events, like Head of the Hills, and even e-mail campaigns.