President of Watermark Philanthropic Counsel, Sharilyn helps those who want to make the world, or even just their community, better. She enables philanthropists and their families to unearth and achieve their philanthropic goals, and supports organizations to deepen their performance even through times of change and transition. With a 20+ year career spanning the philanthropic sector, she draws on expertise in philanthropic strategy, family engagement, organizational development, and board governance.
Serving clients across Canada and the Caribbean, Sharilyn is an advisor with the NYC-based 21/64 Foundation to support multi-generational family philanthropy. She is also a BoardSource Certified Governance Trainer and member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. With a deep history and track record in the local and international philanthropic communities, she is a leadership volunteer for the Imagine Canada accreditation program for charities in Canada – and coaches organizations to achieve these standards.
She is an author, and invited speaker and educator to professional communities around the world in the areas of philanthropy, board governance, and fund development. A recognized expert in women’s philanthropy and for her ability to combine on-the-ground practical experience with the best of philanthropic theory and research, Sharilyn was among a group of leaders to initiate Canada’s first graduate degree program in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Carleton University. A Research Associate with the Centre for Global Generosity, she is currently earning a doctorate in leadership, where her research focuses on governance and succession in family foundations.