I am Robynn Benner, Sr. Director of Program Services. I joined the CAF family in 2013 as a Grants Officer with our CAF America team, and transitioned to our CAF Canada operations full time in 2019. Since then I have helped the organization grow through my leadership and interest in assisting charitable individuals support the causes important to them through our project work.
In my current role I manage our CAF Canada Project Team and focus most of my time on providing guidance to Canadian philanthropists interested in funding projects around the globe; as well as drafting and approving Project Agreements with our charitable project partners. I provide support to my CAF America team members by helping complete final reviews on our charity eligibility process. I can also be found assisting with special projects or collaborating with my team members in one of our many working groups: Values, Principles and Practices Working Group, Culture Deck Working Group and Benefits Working Group, to name a few.
Prior to joining the CAF family I spent 8 years with AYCO, a Goldman Sachs Company as the Account Manager for one of their three Donor Advised Funds. In this role I have enhanced my knowledge of philanthropic giving and sparked my interest in becoming a liaison between donors and organizations working together to fund impactful projects all over the world.
I spend most of my non-working hours taking care of three very energetic children between the ages of 2-13. I like to look for volunteer opportunities in my community and help out at the girls’ school when possible.
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from The State University of NY at Buffalo (UB) and am certified in Anti-Money Laundering (AML/CFT) by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).