From Gratitude to the Finish Line

Direct Impact By the Numbers:

“It’s wonderful to give back and help girls who are more creative or technical, who want to work with their hands." — Darcy BETT MacLeod'84

"I will never forget the impact that attending Branksome has had on my life, and I hope

that one day I can support others in the same way.” — Frogh Azizi ARAB’25

Read the story below to hear about the fund's impact from our students themselves.

"Coach Tea" working with the U10 Volleyball Team, made possible by the Opportunity Fund.  

Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Opportunity Fund, eight outside coaches are supporting students in Grades 4–12 across seven athletics programs, providing specialized expertise, mentorship and confidence.

From Field Hockey and Squash to Volleyball, Soccer and Badminton, these coaches do more than refine technical skills. They shape team culture and help students grow as leaders. For Kinley, a Grade 8 student and member of the U14 Volleyball Team, the impact was immediate:

“Having [Coach Tea] this season not only improved our skills but also our team dynamic,” she says. “She always says there are two things she cares about, effort and communication, and if you do those two, the rest will follow.”

Through focused training and an emphasis on teamwork, Kinley learned advanced defensive and offensive positioning, while her team developed stronger communication and trust on the court.

Across seven enhanced sports programs (see "By the Numbers" above) students benefit from mentorship that extends beyond the scoreboard.

Because of donor support, Branksome girls are not only becoming stronger athletes, they are also becoming more collaborative teammates and more confident young women.

Every gift matters, regardless of size or frequency. Learn more about the Opportunity Fund and how monthly giving creates a lasting impact.

Hy and Phyllis Ackerman (centre) with granddaughters Ray (Grade 4) and Dylan (Grade 1), and their parents Samantha and Loren, have a deep love of the arts and have named iCAST's Studio Theatre seating.

For grandparents Hy and Phyllis Ackerman, supporting iCAST reflects their deep belief in the power of the arts and the “intangible values” that define a Branksome Hall education—creativity, confidence, collaboration and self-expression. It is fitting that, in honour of their gift, they’ve chosen to name theatre seating in celebration of their granddaughters and the enduring impact of the arts on students’ lives. 

Their connection to the school is deeply rooted in the joy of their granddaughters, Ray in Grade 4 and Dylan in Grade 1, who "love going to school.” As an educator and department head in Toronto-area schools for 28 years, Phyllis recognizes that her granddaughters' enthusiasm is the foundation for something even more vital: confidence.  

“Confidence is a very important ingredient,” she explains. “Without that, they can’t proceed to take the risks or the challenges they need to embrace opportunity.” 

While Hy’s professional background is in business, where one often looks at "numbers to equate value,” he sees iCAST as a space that transcends the balance sheet. “From what I see that Branksome is doing, it’s the intangible value that is instilled within each girl to

come to the table and say, ‘I could try this.’ They’ll be a lot better equipped to deal with the strains and stress that occur every day.” 

As members of the Board of Governors of the Shaw Festival, Hy and Phyllis are passionate about the human connection and critical thinking encouraged by the arts. During a tour of the new facility, they were particularly impressed by the "behind the scenes" opportunities iCAST will offer. “Those who you never see behind the scenes—their role is as important, if not more important,” Phyllis says, noting that the interdisciplinary nature of the theatre allows students to develop the skills to express themselves both individually and within a community. 

By investing in the Studio Theatre, Hy and Phyllis are helping to ensure that Ray, Dylan and all Branksome girls have a "cutting-edge" environment to test their voices and build resilience. “We’re thrilled our granddaughters are young enough to proceed through the ranks in this building," they add. “We’re going to be absolutely amazed by what they’re going to be able to accomplish.”

Learn more about our latest Naming Opportunities here or contact Claudia Metelsky, Director, Campaign and Development, Advancement and Community Engagement.

Marrisa Zhong with daughter Charlotte (SK) and family at Branksome's Christmas party last December.

Thanks to Marrisa Zhong’s use of her company’s corporate matching program, what began as a $15,000 Stepping Stone commitment for her daughters has grown to an extraordinary $25,000 investment in the future of Branksome Hall.

Marrisa measures impact every day in her role in Data and Insights. But at home, her most meaningful data point is the growing confidence of her daughter, Charlotte, a Senior Kindergarten student who has been part of the Branksome community since JK.

“The Branksome community has provided her with a safe, friendly environment where she is growing in confidence, exploring the world, and beginning to discover her passions,” Marrisa says. Right now, that passion is unmistakably art. Charlotte feels calm when she’s drawing, capturing what she sees and feels wherever she goes.

Watching Charlotte flourish, and looking ahead to when her younger sister, Emily, will hopefully join her, Marrisa and her husband wanted to find a way to give back that felt both personal and lasting. They chose to name a Stepping Stone for both girls in the new iCAST facility. For a parent whose professional life revolves around data and technology, the vision for iCAST as a hub for innovation feels like a natural fit.

“It will be a space where future scientists, artists, musicians, writers

and entrepreneurs can all take shape,” she explains, noting that the building will offer her daughters a “dedicated place with opportunities to grow and explore what they love.”

As the family made giving a yearly tradition, Marrisa stumbled upon a powerful way to make their contribution go even further. Working for a major U.S.-based company, she initially didn’t think her employer would match a gift to a Canadian educational institution. She was thrilled to discover that EA’s commitment to social impact extends across borders.

“Social impact should be global,” Marrisa says, reflecting on how her company’s matching program allowed her family to significantly increase their Stepping Stone commitment. By leveraging corporate programs—many of which match donations dollar-for-dollar, offer enhanced matching at certain times of year, or provide rewards for volunteer hours—Marrisa realized that parents can meaningfully amplify the reach of their generosity.

As Branksome enters the final push of the Make Way Campaign, Marrisa is eager to share this insight with other families. For the Zhou family, it’s about more than just a building; it’s about ensuring that the community that nurtured Charlotte’s love of learning continues to empower every girl to take her next big step.

Does your company offer employee matching? Learn more and check here. 

Andrew Dunbar and Nancy Deng are huge advocates of early STEM exposure.

What happens when a Chief Information Security Officer and a high-stakes Patent Agent decide to invest in the next generation? For Andrew Dunbar and Nancy Deng, the answer isn’t just found in a textbook. It’s found in the sparks flying in a woodshop and the hum of a 3D printer. 

With a daughter in Grade 2, Andrew and Nancy are already looking toward a future that is changing at an exponential rate. For them, supporting the iCAST Equipment Fund was less about buying "gadgets" and more about fueling a specific kind of magic: the moment a student stops being afraid of a mistake and starts being curious about a solution.

Andrew, who navigates the digital frontlines at Shopify, knows that the most important industries of tomorrow often don’t even have a curriculum yet. “Innovation isn’t a domain that’s taught,” Andrew explains. “It’s about being curious and falling in love with the problem you’re working on.” 

He sees iCAST as a multi-faceted playground where girls can move between sound design and 3D printing, learning to "go deep" and understand the design decisions that shape our world.

Nancy’s perspective is grounded in her work at an international law firm, where she translates complex ideas into strategic assets. Both she and Andrew share engineering backgrounds, making their advocacy for early STEM exposure a natural progression.

The impact is already hitting home. Their daughter has been experimenting in class with coding to control the physical world—triggering lights and sounds to act as timers. It’s this blend of creative production and technical grit that Nancy and Andrew believe will prepare Branksome girls to lead. By funding industry-grade tools, the family is ensuring that when a student has a "wild idea," she has the professional-grade lighting kit, the vacuum former, or the drill press ready to bring it to life. 

“We want our next generation to have early exposure to different equipment, hands-on, and get ahead to understand most emergent trends in tech,” Nancy says. Their support of the iCAST Equipment Funds is setting up Branksome to do just that. 

Learn more about making a tangible impact through the iCAST Equipment Fund.

Andy and Aimee Carmody at Family Formal with Alaina (Grade 9) and Reagan (Grade 12)

Passing the Torch: Why the Carmody Family is Investing in the Next Generation

For Aimee and Andy Carmody, walking through the doors of Branksome Hall often sparks a sense of gratitude for the families who came before them. They’re witnessing their daughters, Reagan in Grade 12 and Alaina in Grade 9, thrive each day in the spaces and places, such as the Athletics and Wellness Centre, that make Branksome such a terrific place to learn and grow. Their appreciation of the direct impact of past generosity spurred a decision to name a Stepping Stone in iCAST: “It’s our obligation to pay forward the rich and remarkable education our daughters have received,” says Andy. 

“We recognize that we are beneficiaries of the generations that have come before us,” the Carmodys explain. “Where did these wonderful buildings and spaces come from? We felt like now it’s our turn to contribute as we pass through for the generations that will come after us.”

As Reagan prepares to head to Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvia to study liberal arts, her parents reflect on how the rigour of the IB programme has turned her into a thoughtful thinker and a compelling communicator. “These are skills that apply to the real world in real-time today,” says Andy. 

For Alaina, the excitement lies in the future of the arts. A dedicated dancer, she is looking forward to a modern,

suitable space to practise and perform her craft, while Reagan’s favourite memories are also tied to the theatre.

The Carmodys are excited about the promise of the on-campus theatre and flexible black box performance space, offering a professional-grade environment for the shows that have defined the girls’ school years.

They're also excited about iCAST’s Pitch Spaces, envisioning these as vibrant hubs where students and their friends can gather, present and share ideas, and build the confidence to lead in industries that are often still dominated by men.

Combined with Branksome’s diverse student body, which the Carmodys describe as a "rich and varied collection of students and families from around the world," they believe iCAST will be a catalyst to drive the innovation mindset, build confidence and skills in preparing and presenting new ideas, and further the connections made across the incredible student body at Branksome. By naming a Stepping Stone, Aimee and Andy are ensuring that the spirit of leadership and innovation they’re proud to see in their own daughters will continue to flourish for generations to come.

Learn more about how you can leave your legacy with a Stepping Stone.

Annual Fund Co-chairs Beth, Bina and Phiona are thrilled our parents have already reached 93% of this year's goal.

Annual Fund: Message From Our Co-Chairs 

We are continually inspired by the way our community shows up for our girls. Seeing families across every single grade participate—through gifts of all sizes—has been incredibly powerful. Whether it’s $10, $25, $50, or more, every gift matters. Together, those individual acts of generosity create something extraordinary.



As members of the Annual Fund Committee, we have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the depth and breadth of impact your support has across Branksome. Every dollar goes directly to our girls—fuelling learning in classrooms and labs, bringing creativity to life on stage, opening doors to trips and co-curricular experiences, strengthening exceptional facilities and ensuring remarkable students can access a

Branksome education regardless of financial circumstances. The impact is real. It is immediate. And it touches every corner of a Branksome education.



Thanks to this remarkable collective effort, we are thrilled to share that we have already reached 93% of our Annual Fund goal for this year. This milestone represents far more than progress toward a target—it reflects a community united in belief, participation and shared responsibility for our girls’ futures.

Beth, Mom of Catherine (Grade 9) and Grace (Grade 11)

Bina, Mom of Lia (Grade 4) and Aria (Grade 9)

Phiona, Mom of Chloe (Grade 2)

Annual Fund Committee Co-Chairs

Sarah HOWCROFT'03 with fellow Class of 2003 travellers.

Branksome Hall is more than a school in Sarah HOWCROFT’03’s memory; it’s a place she still walks through often, in her mind. Now a Director and Senior Economist at BMO Capital Markets, Sarah frequently finds herself mentally retracing the hallways of her youth, reflecting on the influential teachers and enriching experiences that shaped who she is today. Even though she graduated during the “double cohort” year, a unique moment when two graduating classes came together after Ontario eliminated Grade 13 in 2003, she remembers it as a remarkably welcoming period that forged the lifelong friendships she still cherishes.

That deep, personal connection is exactly why Sarah chose to support the Opportunity Fund through a recurring monthly gift. By giving in this way, she can make a more significant contribution over time, one that helps ensure Branksome remains “as good as it can be, forever.” For Sarah, monthly giving is both a meaningful way to stay connected to the school’s future and a practical, dependable source of support that provides Branksome with reliable funding year after year.

I appreciate that funds can be oversubscribed in other ways,” Sarah

explains, noting that she trusts the school’s leadership and staff to direct her support to where it is needed most at any given time.

Sarah’s ties to the campus have also evolved into a family affair. Though her son won’t attend the school, Branksome has become part of her family’s day-to-day life through weekend swimming and community camps. Seeing the school open its state-of-the-art facilities and diverse programming to the wider community reinforces her desire to give back.

When Sarah reads about her fellow alums, she is constantly inspired by the impact they’ve made in their professions, which she attributes to the school’s blend of academic rigour and essential "soft skills" like teamwork and problem-solving. 

By giving monthly, Sarah is helping to ensure those same opportunities exist for the next generation of girls, one steady contribution at a time: "It's about making sure the place I still revisit in my mind so fondly continues to grow and thrive.”

Every gift matters, regardless of size or frequency. Learn more about the Opportunity Fund and how monthly giving creates a lasting impact.

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