Fund Her: Best Practices for Fundraising in a Municipal Election

Fundraising and financing a campaign can seem intimidating, especially for first-time campaign teams. This session will explore how to execute an effective fundraising strategy, build a campaign budget, and how to request donations from supporters.

Speaker: Erika Barootes

Erika Barootes is a seasoned leader in politics, communications, and public affairs, bringing nearly two decades of experience to her current roles at MaKami College. As Director of External Relations, she is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that encompass public relations, government relations, and brand and reputation management. Her work is instrumental in supporting MaKami’s transition from a private vocational school to a publicly funded, not-for-profit Independent Academic Institution (IAI), advancing the college’s mission of delivering accessible, quality education to Alberta’s diverse communities.

In addition to her external relations portfolio, Erika serves as Department Head for the Applied Politics and Public Affairs Diploma Program, launching in 2025. She designed this innovative program to equip students with practical skills for careers in governance and advocacy, reflecting MaKami’s commitment to hands-on, community-focused education.

Based in Edmonton, Erika’s deep understanding of Alberta’s political landscape is rooted in her extensive background. She has held senior management roles in government communications, served as Principal Secretary to the Premier of Alberta, and was the first elected President of the United Conservative Party of Alberta. Erika has also led campaign operations and issues management for the UCP, and held advisory positions to ministers under multiple provincial governments.

Her experience extends to the private sector, where she has managed brand and reputation for a major utility, co-owned a small business, and led strategic planning and executive coaching at her own consulting firm. Erika is recognized for her expertise in stakeholder engagement, having facilitated consultations, focus groups, and community outreach initiatives across both sectors.

Outside of her professional roles, Erika co-hosts The Discourse Podcast, a weekly show fostering balanced, cross-partisan dialogue on issues shaping Alberta and Canada. She is a frequent contributor to national and local public affairs panels, offering insights on policy, governance, and strategic communications.

Prepare Her Bootcamp

The 2025 municipal elections provide a unique opportunity to get involved in your community and help advance representation in elected office.

The Prepare Her Bootcamp is a four-part training series designed to equip participants with ‘need-to-know’ skills to support successful campaigns for women and gender-diverse candidates. Expert speakers will provide their insights on topics including building an effective campaign team, communications, fundraising, and get-out-the-vote.

Who Should Attend:

• First-time candidates and campaign volunteers
• Friends and family of municipal candidates looking to support campaigns
• Experienced campaigners looking to refresh their skills
• Prepare Her Alumni