Meet the Team
The People Powering Gifting Sense...
Are parents, financial literacy champions, and professionals—invested in a future where every child leaves school ready to make thoughtful, informed spending choices.
Karen Holland
Founder, Board Member & Parent
Karen has been the driving force behind Gifting Sense for more than a decade. Drawing on her background as a risk analyst and the everyday lessons her mother taught her — lessons she later passed on to her own family — she is passionate about helping school-age kids develop practical money skills through mindful spending. Karen holds a Master’s degree in Economic History from the University of Toronto and an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Her warm leadership and clear vision guide Gifting Sense as it helps young people learn to pause, gather information, and reflect before they spend — building financial confidence that lasts a lifetime.
Chitra Unnikrishnan
Fractional Head of Strategy & Partnerships, Board Member & Parent
Chitra is a senior corporate executive with expertise in Strategy, Product Marketing, and Customer Experience. She joined Gifting Sense in November 2024 to lead initiatives that expand awareness and impact. Chitra holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and an MBA from the Indian School of Business. Formerly the Head of Marketing at FreshBooks, she brings a data-driven and human-centered approach to growth. As the mother of two middle-schoolers, Chitra sees firsthand how Gifting Sense lessons strengthen her family’s money smarts.
Christine McGrath
Board Member & Parent
Christine is a retired senior finance professional who brings a well-rounded blend of non-profit experience, community leadership, and parenting insight to Gifting Sense. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Colgate University and began her career at Morgan Stanley and Rabobank before raising a money-smart family. For 15 years, she has served on the board of the Area Baby Center, a New Jersey nonprofit, and has coached middle school soccer for more than 2 decades. Christine’s long-standing dedication to families, learning, and community strengthens Gifting Sense’s programs and outreach.
Jonathan Kent
Board Member & Parent
Jon is a Controller at Apple Canada, bringing over fifteen years of experience in financial planning and operations commercial management at Apple and BlackBerry. He holds a BSc in Biochemistry and an MBA, both from Wilfrid Laurier University. As the father of three middle-schoolers, he sits at the crossroads of raising money-smart kids in a fast-paced world. His corporate financial acumen and perspective as a parent inform Gifting Sense’s strategic direction and governance.
University of Waterloo
Co-Op Students
With appreciation to the growing list of University of Waterloo Co-op students whose contributions have supported and support the Gifting Sense project: Amanda Lobo, Vedant Iyer, and Arnav Gill.
