Esther Vise

Esther is the director of finance with the Stephen Lewis Foundation.  Combining a passion for social justice and strong financial systems, her interest is impact, sustainability, and transformation.  She works alongside the dedicated staff and Board at the Stephen Lewis Foundation, where since 2003, they have funded over 1700 initiatives, partnering with more than 325 community-based organizations in the 15 African countries hardest hit by the global AIDS pandemic.   Being able to support and be part of the profound work of community members, activists, educators, and grandmothers is life changing.

Esther has worked in the not-for-profit and charitable sector for over 26 years, with organizations whose budgets range from $100 thousand to $30 million.   Prior to joining the Foundation in 2016, she worked as Manager of Finance at YWCA Toronto, Planned Parenthood Toronto, Canadian Environmental Law Association, Between the Lines Publishing, South Asian Visual Arts Collective, and Skyworks Charitable Foundation, amongst others.  Esther’s earliest accomplishment was managing the Toronto Women’s Bookstore where she learned the joys of balancing books and changing the world.