At Do Gooders, we are united by a shared belief that our services have the power to transform lives. Our commitment is fueled by a genuine understanding of the impact we can make in partnership with the organizations we serve.
We believe not-for-profits deserve the help they need to raise awareness and funds so they can deliver vital services across Canada.
Founder, CEO
Kathleen Lemieux is a dynamic entrepreneur, seasoned leader, and fundraising professional with over two decades of experience in Canada’s not-for-profit sector. As the founder and CEO of Do Gooders, Kathleen leads a skilled team that provides grant writing and grant research services to support charities, nonprofits and Indigenous Nations across the country. She launched Do Gooders in May 2021 with a clear mission: to help organizations secure the funding they need to deliver vital services to Canadians.
Kathleen’s career is marked by strategic success in fundraising, from developing comprehensive revenue plans to securing millions in grant funding for organizations from coast to coast. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) since 2015, she is a proud graduate of the Boston University Professional Fundraising Program and a certified digital marketer who keeps pace with the ever-evolving digital landscape.
A longstanding member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) for over 20 years, Kathleen is one of the founding members of the AFP BC Interior Chapter and has served on the National Philanthropy Committee. Her deep commitment to professional standards and sector collaboration is a hallmark of her leadership. Do Gooders currently sponsors a multitude of events in the not-for-profit sector each year.
Kathleen has played key roles in high-impact campaigns for organizations including Habitat for Humanity Okanagan, the Kelowna Women’s Shelter, and the Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities Association. She also brought her expertise to the political realm, serving as Director of Logistics for Loyal Woolridge’s successful 2018 Kelowna city council campaign.
In recognition of her leadership and community contributions, Kathleen was nominated for the Crowe MacKay LLP Change Maker Award as part of the inaugural Kelowna Women in Business RISE Awards in 2020. In 2023, she received an Honourable Distinction and was named one of the “Top 40 Over 40” by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
Under her leadership, Do Gooders was named the winner of the 2024 Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award for Community Impact, following back-to-back nominations for the Rising Star Business of the Year award in 2022 and 2023.
Administrative & Client Services Manager
Patricia is an aspiring humanitarian with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of British Columbia.
As the Administrative and Client Services Manager at Do Gooders, Patricia is passionate about helping not-for-profits, Indigenous Nations, and charities amplify their impact. She recently completed Alacrity Canada’s CRM Bootcamp, strengthening her ability to support organizations with meaningful systems and client care.
Driven by a deep desire to make a difference, Patricia thrives in values-based work. She brings empathy, curiosity, and a people-first approach to every conversation—building strong relationships and helping changemakers feel supported every step of the way.
She firmly believes that when purpose-driven people are empowered, they can change the world.
Grant Writer
Ivana is an experienced grant writer based in Ontario, Canada, with a strong track record of securing funding for various organizations. With nearly four years of experience, she has successfully worked with for-profit organizations, non-profits, and municipalities, securing grants of all sizes.
Ivana holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Toronto, combined with her Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ivana is known for her genuine love for animals. As an avid animal lover, she has two cats and actively supports animal welfare organizations in her community. Her dedication to both her work and her furry friends showcases her compassionate nature and commitment to making a difference.
Web Developer
Jithin is a web developer with a keen interest in Web User Experience and Cybersecurity. He has designed and developed several websites for small businesses and non-profits across Canada and the U.S. His expertise ranges from structuring, developing and implementing interactive and secure websites using WordPress.
Jithin loves to work collaboratively and is always eager to learn new web standards and trends.
When not working, Jithin can be found enjoying the Okanagan, – especially the trails and the wineries.
Grant Writer
Michelle has over 30- years experience focusing on community development and working to end violence against women. She is the former executive director of the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society where she led from 2013 to 2020. Michelle was also the Regional Coordinator, Community Coordination for the Women Safety Program for Ending Violence Association of BC from 2005 to 2013.
Other career highlights include working with the RCMP and municipal police to develop the first province-wide “third party reporting” protocol for reporting sexual assaults anonymously. In collaboration with Kelowna, BC RCMP Detachment she developed the first in BC Embedded Domestic Violence with Community-Based Victim Services working out of the detachment.
Michelle developed and facilitated three-day training on identifying and responding to risk in domestic violence cases. She also developed and facilitated workshop, “Developing a collaborative response to sexual assault” for hospital, police, victim services and transition house workers.
Michelle provided core victim service training through the Justice Institute of BC, and she provided workshops on Vicarious Traumatization across BC and Canada
Grant Writer
Gaelene has more than 25 years of experience working in the social justice sector, the last 15 years as Executive Director. Locally, she was the ED at the John Howard Society of the Central and South Okanagan, the Central Okanagan Journey Home Society and the BC First Nations Justice Council.
Gaelene has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Development with a minor in Conflict Resolution from the University of Winnipeg.
She fostered dogs for a number of years until the last one was a ‘foster fail’, so now her two dogs keep her active with walks and hikes every day. Much to the chagrin of many of her friends, she is an Oilers fan.
Digital Content & Grant Research Specialist
Kimera is a perpetual learner who leverages her creative and analytical abilities to make an impact in the world of digital marketing and grant research. She holds certifications in digital marketing, Google Ads Search and Measurement Certifications, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration with a specialization in marketing, and a Post-Graduate diploma in Public Relations and Corporate Communication.
In her role, Kimera combines her passion for storytelling with data-driven insights to create compelling content and conduct in-depth grant research. Her exceptional writing and editing skills are evident in her mastering four languages and her continuous love for learning new languages and cultures.
She brings out her artistic side by exploring various arts such as knitting, weaving, painting, etc. and by being an avid reader. She loves travelling and has visited more than 25 countries! Her motto in life is to be kind and compassionate and to use her talents for the good of humanity.
Grant Researcher
Abbie is a seasoned grant administrator and manager with many years’ experience working to strengthen the not-for-profit sector in British Columbia. She has held a variety of roles in the sector including administrator, fundraiser and Executive Director. Abbie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Okanagan College as well as a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Northern BC.