Kris Fernet

For more than 25 years, Kris has helped dozens of Canadian social purpose organizations successfully increase their Annual Giving Fundraising. With a strong focus on donor data maintenance and Direct Response Marketing, Kris is driven to improve fundraising programs with meaningful communications, accurate appeals, and timely reports.

He has been an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Calgary and Area Chapter since 2002 and was proudly elected to the Board of Directors in December 2023. He is also a current member of AFP – Interior BC.

Kris began fundraising in 1998 as a door to door fundraiser for a Direct Response Marketing agency exclusively serving the social purpose and arts sector. After just four years as operations manager, Kris became the owner and managing director of more than 130 staff.

In 2007, he began working with Gloria Stewart at Touchworks Communications Inc. as an account manager specializing in Direct Mail Fundraising. He joined Canadian Cancer Society in 2014 to assist in a national comprehensive capital campaign which led to him accepting the a role of Annual Giving and Direct Response and Gaming Coordinator.

Since 2017 he’s managed internal Annual Giving Fundraising and Direct Response Marketing programs for a number of diverse and successful organizations including Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Hull Services, TELUS Spark Science Centre, and Epilepsy Calgary.

He rejoined Touchworks as Senior Strategist and Digital Director in 2023.

Kris was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and continues to live there with his partner, Deanna, and turtle named Sandy. He is lucky to travel often to Kelowna, BC, and enjoys history and being in the outdoors.