kasandra herrendorf-cohen, helen siwak, folioyvr, vancouver, bc, luxury lifestyle, philanthropy, charity

Kasondra Herrendorf-Cohen: Rooted in Purpose Early

From her earliest days, Kasondra Herrendorf-Cohen has carried within her a profound sense of purpose. Shaped by a family legacy steeped in community leadership and philanthropy, she learned to see privilege not as an entitlement but as a call to action. Even as a young girl in Vancouver, she witnessed how one person’s generosity could ripple outward, changing lives in visible and invisible ways. This awareness became the compass that guided her through personal challenges, informed her approach to leadership, and inspired her to dedicate her life to creating opportunities for those most in need of them.

kasandra herrendorf-cohen, helen siwak, folioyvr, vancouver, bc, luxury lifestyle, philanthropy, charity

FACE OF TODAY FOUNDATION

Through Face of Today, Kasondra has dedicated herself to lifting up children and teenagers who often fall through the cracks. The foundation has raised over $1 million to date, including an impressive $250,000 netted from a single gala in 2015. Under her leadership, Face of Today has funded music therapy programs through B.C. Children’s Hospital and the burn unit at Vancouver General Hospital. Additional partnerships with charities such as Music Heals, the Street to Home Foundation, Boys Club Network, and the Ray-Cam Co-operative Centre have made a lasting impact in the lives of countless young people.

In 2019, Face of Today unveiled its first resource centre in Vancouver, providing grassroots organizations with space and funding to deliver programming six days a week. From access to food and counselling, to academic support and leadership training, this vibrant hub sees over 150 youth participating in transformative activities each week. In 2025, the foundation was renamed The Landing Youth Centre and is now in the process of relocating to a brand-new building, designed in partnership with the Herrendorf Family Foundation to offer more comprehensive services.

kasandra herrendorf-cohen, helen siwak, folioyvr, vancouver, bc, luxury lifestyle, philanthropy, charity

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Following the passing of her beloved father Hershel Herrendorf in 2014, Kasondra stepped into the role of CEO at the Herrendorf Family Foundation Inc. In this capacity, she has continued her family’s legacy of philanthropy while expanding its reach on a global scale. Learning from her own mental health journey, she has prioritized programs that offer wrap-around support, scholarships, and bursaries. Under her stewardship, the foundation has created partnerships with organizations such as the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, FIDF, Chicago Bulls Charities, Chicago White Sox Ace Program, and the Born This Way Foundation. She has also overseen the development and opening of community-based resource centres in both Haifa, Israel and Vancouver, Canada. Each of these spaces stands as a testament to her belief that meaningful change begins with creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow.

kasandra herrendorf-cohen, helen siwak, folioyvr, vancouver, bc, luxury lifestyle, philanthropy, charity

MOMS OFFERING MORE

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Kasondra’s role as a mother has deepened her passion for advocacy and community building. With a five-year-old daughter and newborn twins, she understands firsthand the complexities of parenthood. This experience led her to create Moms Offering More (MOM), a community-driven initiative supported by the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation. MOM unites women across Canada and the United States who are committed to helping underserved youth and families.

Since its inception, Moms Offering More has provided more than $500,000 in grants to organizations across North America, including Britannia Elementary, Boys Club Network, A Place of Hope, JAFCO, Bella’s Angels, and many others. MOM has also provided grocery, gas, and food delivery gift cards to individuals facing hardship. Its mission extends beyond traditional philanthropy by offering a hand-up rather than a handout and building relationships grounded in trust and solidarity.

MOM hosts events to create connection, raise funds, and bring awareness to its causes—most notably, the annual Holiday Hamper event, which brought families together to stuff over 100 hampers filled with grocery and shopping gift cards, blankets, clothing, food, books, games, and bath products to ease the stress of the holidays for vulnerable families in Vancouver’s downtown eastside community. Looking ahead, MOM will launch an exciting membership initiative in the fall at its new centre in Vancouver, featuring event collaborations with Tallu, Rebecca Bree, and many others.

“No matter what background you may come from, being a mom comes with all types of hurdles and joys,” Kasondra explains. “At MOM, we stand as an army of moms supporting moms to be that arm of support when you need it most.”

kasandra herrendorf-cohen, helen siwak, folioyvr, vancouver, bc, luxury lifestyle, philanthropy, charity

A LEGACY OF IMPACT

For her work and dedication, Kasondra has been honoured with the ‘Raising the Bar’ Award by The Zajac Foundation, an organization known for its life-changing camps for children facing chronic or life-threatening conditions. Her appreciation for initiatives like Zajac Ranch, which give children the chance to experience the joy of nature and community, reflects her broader philosophy: every child deserves to feel valued and empowered.

Today, Kasondra Herrendorf-Cohen remains a devoted mother, philanthropist, and mentor, determined to build a future where young people and families have every opportunity to succeed. Whether through the Face of Today Foundation, the Herrendorf Family Foundation, or Moms Offering More, she continues to shape a legacy defined by generosity, resilience, and unwavering hope.

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer: Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at [email protected].