At the end of 2023, Lucia Costanzo embarked on a decisive change in her professional life. Rather than viewing the reorganization she was experiencing as an end, she saw “a genuine opportunity to refocus and to reflect deeply on my path, my values and, above all, what I really wanted to bring to the world.” This was the beginning of a true realignment, guided by a powerful desire to give back and to find renewed meaning in her daily work life.

Lucia has always been naturally drawn to human and community causes. This time, she decided to truly follow her intuition. She started modestly, as a volunteer with various causes, in particular, with Moisson Montréal and Mission Bon Accueil, and gradually discovered a rich and inspiring philanthropic ecosystem. Parallel to this, she offered consulting services to various non-profits, whose missions deeply inspired her and nourished her desire to get more involved. “Very quickly, I was welcomed with open arms by people in the milieu, who offered me advice, leads and inspiration.” This human warmth and  kindness fed her sense of belonging to an engaged community—and confirmed that she’d landed exactly where she belonged.

With solid training in business administration, and a specialization in marketing, Lucia had developed crosscutting expertise over the years in strategy, project management, partnerships and communication. All skills that are highly transferable to the philanthropic community. To deepen her understanding of the issues specific to the sector, she also completed the AFP’s Fundamentals of Fundraising course and explored content specific to NPOs. Her efforts provided her with concrete tools and, above all, a heightened awareness that telling a true story and clearly showing the impact we have is key to generating mobilization around a cause.

Since the start of the year, she’s been working as Senior Advisor, Events and Sponsorships, at the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation. In this role, she puts her relational and organizational skills to work to bring people together around a cause that she holds dear to her heart. She’s also actively involved on the AFP’s Organizing Committee for National Philanthropy Day 2025: “I’m delighted to be contributing to this event, which brings us together, celebrates agents of change and, I sincerely believe, can serve as a catalyst.”

For those who’d like to get involved in philanthropy, she has a simple, accessible and fruitful piece of advice: “Simply start where you are, with what you have to offer. There are so many opportunities to get involved, that suit all interests, areas of expertise and availability.” Whether that’s volunteering with a group, getting involved on a project-by-project basis, or strategically, the important thing is to take that first step.

So how does Lucia recharge her batteries? She has a soft spot for contemporary art and immersive cultural experiences. When she’s not discovering an art installation, she likely has a paintbrush in hand: “I’m a discreet but passionate artist!”