A message from the founder:
A firefly is a single, remarkable point of nature’s light. It represents a moment of illumination that inspires us each and every time we catch a glimpse.
In this spirit, Firefly Foundation has been established to help bright minds in the world of neuroscience evolve their very best ideas into brilliant discoveries. It is also about inspiring everyone to take care of their ‘source of light’ and help their brain stay bright and healthy.
Firefly is a tribute to my parents, Herbert and Elizabeth Anspach. The Herbert K. and Elizabeth M. Anspach Family Foundation was set up as the founding patron of Firefly, which officially launched in December 2006.
Both my parents were bright lights, an inspiration to many professionally and personally, who were unfortunately stricken by neurodegenerative diseases later in life. They were a source of illumination and inspiration to me, and the spark of Firefly Foundation.
Heather McKenzie Anspach Fraser, Founder
As the Founder of Firefly, Heather brings drive and inspiration to lighting a new path to brain health. As Director of the Business Design Initiative and Designworks at the Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto), Heather helps others (students and enterprise executives) design new ways to build better solutions every day through insight, imagination and smart strategies. She joined Rotman in 2005 after 25 years in the marketing and communications business, including 10 years of research and business design at Procter & Gamble, 5 years of global brand campaign development and agency management at Ogilvy & Mather, and 10 years as Principal & Executive Vice President at TAXI Advertising and Design. Heather also included Firefly in the Designwork’s portfolio of developmental projects, illustrating her commitment to support people and ideas with the potential to make an important contribution to the world.
