Gena grew up in a family business as part of a larger enterprising family. Gena has a Masters in Non-Profit Management and Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University and is a certified Family Enterprise Advisor. She has also received certification from 21/64 in NextGen philanthropy and Strategic Doing project management and system design from the University of North Alabama. For over 20 years, Gena has been working with North American philanthropic families, helping them plan legacies and manage philanthropic transitions.

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Following the sale of her previous company, Dexterity Ventures, Gena partnered with Richard Ouellette to found Karma & Cents Inc., a Social Impact Lab.  Some of the complex problems K & C client projects are addressing include food security, access to mental health resources, and gender based violence. In addition, Gena is the Executive Director of Place2Give Foundation, and co-founder of CivicTechYYC, SheEO Activator. Recognized internationally, she is published in various industry publications, the Globe and Mail and Financial Post and has appeared on BNN, Alberta PrimeTime, CBC and the TEDxCalgary stage.