Michelle Clarke - Philanthropy 

Name: Michelle Clarke 

Industry: Philanthropy 

Job Title and Employer: Executive Director, Burns Memorial Fund 

Area of Expertise: Grant-making, Community Collaborations, Charitable Sector 

Bio: Michelle Clarke is the Executive Director of the Burns Memorial Fund (BMF).  BMF administers a charitable foundation (The Children’s Fund) that works to meet the health, education and recreation needs of low-income children and youth in Calgary and two non-profit trusts (The Police and Fire Funds) that provide post-secondary scholarships and other educational supports to the children of police officers and firefighters.    

Michelle has been active in the charitable sector for over 30 years, as an Executive Director, funder and research/evaluation consultant.  Before joining BMF, Michelle worked at the United Way of Calgary, as the Children and Youth Strategy Lead, and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary, as the Executive Director.   

Michelle has been involved in designing, implementing and supporting large collaborative initiatives in Calgary. She chairs the Collaborative Funders’ Table – a group of Calgary funders partnering to improve employment outcomes for vulnerable youth. She is also a leader in the Natural Supports movement in Calgary, working to ensure that all youth have strong networks of natural supports in their lives and that our communities are supportive places in which to live. 

Michelle is originally from Newfoundland but has lived in Calgary for many years.  She is married and has two adult sons. 

Fun Fact: I love to travel and can’t wait for the world to open up again! 

Social Media Accounts or Website: www.burnsfund.com