Who We Are
Emma Woodbeck
Grants Manager
Aubrey is an active Trustee of the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation that he, and his wife Marla co-founded in 2002. He is a Canadian businessman, philanthropist and a Tony-Award® winning producer (MEMPHIS). He is the principal of Dancap Family Investment Office www.dancap.ca.
Aubrey graduated from Western University in 1985 with a degree in Administrative and Commercial Studies. Since then he has worked in the pharmaceutical, theatrical, and business worlds. The foundation truly embodies Aubrey’s entrepreneurial personality by partnering with organizations in new and innovative ways.
AMDF supports community, healthcare, and education to improve quality of lives for individuals by ensuring access to basic needs and resources. Both Aubrey and Marla have made many generous donations towards creating engaged, healthy and successful communities through programs that support healthcare, education, creative arts, and communities.
He and Marla raised two children, imparting on them the importance of pursuing your passions and giving back.
Marla, along with her husband Aubrey, is the Co-Founder of the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation (AMDF), which they started in 2002. She is an active Trustee member.
The foundation embodies her spirit of philanthropic giving by building inclusive and engaged communities, supporting positive and successful development of women and youth, and fostering healthy lifestyles to improve people’s overall well-being.
Marla’s career is that of a lead volunteer and philanthropist. She was National President of Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) from March 2009 to November 2014, after finishing her presidency of CHW Toronto Centre from 2007-2009. Marla has been a proud member of CHW Toronto Centre for over 25 years. Throughout Marla’s involvement with CHW, she has strongly supported leadership development and volunteerism.
Before her volunteer career, Marla worked for the Royal Bank in both Edmonton and Toronto for over 13 years. Marla was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and moved to Toronto in 1988 where she and Aubrey raised their two children.
Eli is a Trustee of the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation and helps to drive key decisions. He has been the COO and CFO for the Dancap Family Investment Office for over 25 years. In that capacity he has managed many of the family office’s underlying operational and financial functions.
His management style is resourceful and versatile with a deliberate focus on diligence and building strong, capable management teams.
Born in Toronto, Eli is a graduate of the University of Toronto and is a licensed CPA and CFP. He has served as well as assumed leadership roles in various religious, philanthropic and political associations outside of AMDF, this includes UJA, CJN, CHAT, AHS, LPCO, LPC and SKC.
Eli is married to his lovely wife Adina, is a very proud father and grandfather to his growing family and has a particular passion for always trying to improve his golf game.
Alyse is the Executive Director of the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation, overseeing the organization’s day-to-day activities. She manages many ongoing projects within the foundation’s portfolio to guide the organization forward and regularly assesses new community, healthcare and educational initiatives to give back to.
Having graduated from Queen’s University with a BA with Honours in Drama (2014) and from the Schulich School of Business at York University Toronto with a Master’s Degree in Management (2017), Alyse has blended her love for creativity and organization.
After working internationally in the commercial theatre production world for three years, she joined the foundation in 2016. Since then, Alyse has focused the Foundation’s priorities on building community ties, empowerment through education, and providing access to healthcare and wellness programs.
Caren is a member of the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation Advisory Committee. Having worked with the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and The Crown Family in Chicago, Caren brings a wealth of knowledge to the AMDF Board of Directors.
Caren is a frequent speaker on the power of family philanthropy and ethics and compliance at universities, wealth management and estate planning conferences. She sits on the boards of The Poetry Foundation which received a $200MM USD grant in 2002, the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute.
Dolcita Birch joined the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation in January 2021 as Executive Office Manager. She assists the Executive Director and AMDF Team with the effective and efficient and operation of the Foundation.
Prior to joining the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation, Dolcita worked extensively as an Executive Assistant supporting Presidents and CEOs and Senior Level Management while contributing to the day-to-day business operations.
