All Love, All Impact: How Justin & Yael Segal Are Turning Passion Into Philanthropy

From raising funds to build schools in Ethiopia as a teen to founding a family fund dedicated to under-the-radar causes, Justin Segal have always believed in the power of passion-fueled giving. Together with his wife Yael, Justin launched the Justin & Yael Segal Family Fund to create immersive, inclusive experiences that shine a light on causes close to their hearts—especially in Israel’s southern region and their hometown of Vancouver. In this inspiring Q&A, we chat with Justin about launching Rafaela’s Angels in honour of their daughter, redefining what impact really looks like, and why true philanthropy starts with love, energy, and a smile. —Noa Nichol

What inspired you to launch the Justin and Yael Segal Family Fund, and what impact do you hope to achieve?

If you were to ask anybody who knows me personally, they’d likely tell you that I’m always smiling and bringing the positive energy. My positivity is rooted in my permanent state of gratitude. To quote my hero and biggest inspiration, Pharrell Williams, “I’m just very thankful. And I say that a lot because that’s the most important message.” The gratitude I have for everything in life—from my overall health to the roof over my head—motivates me to spread love and light to those around me. Philanthropy has been a constant in my life going back to when I was 15 and started my first initiative—Spread the Love Project—while I was in high school. With Spread the Love Project, I was able to raise enough money to fund the construction of two schoolhouses in a remote village in northern Ethiopia — both of which are still fully operational and serving their communities today. Fast forward to present day: I’m now married to Yael—the woman of my dreams—and, together, we committed to start something that would take our dearest passions, blend them with our desire to help others, and create a lasting legacy of bringing light to the world that we could get our kids involved with (and eventually pass on).

Your fund supports causes ranging from children’s health to food security and education—how do you select the organizations you partner with?

I think what’s most unique about our fund is that we actively support causes that are closely aligned with our passions — no matter how small the charities may be. While many of the charities we’ve partnered with are on the smaller side, they’re all punching above their weight. What I mean by this is, these charities are making such a positive impact despite their more modest size and lesser-known status. Yael and I always develop very close relationships with these charities because, that way, we can speak directly to the recipients of our support and listen to how our efforts have improved their situations.

What has been the most rewarding moment since starting the fund, and can you share a story that stands out?

The most special moment was a day that Yael and I spent in the south of Israel, where we visited two very special charities doing great things. We started our day in Be’er Sheva (where Yael was born) visiting a rehabilitation centre that supports people struggling with mental health challenges and various forms of addiction. Being able to meet face-to-face with the centre’s patients and listen to their journeys—stories of homelessness, addiction, abandonment, and contemplating suicide—was powerful, moving, and something we will never forget. Afterwards, Yael and I committed to transforming the centre’s dilapidated outdoor space into a vibrant, green, outdoor fitness area where patients could engage in physical exercise to boost their mental wellness. Yael and I are both passionate about fitness and wellness, so being able to utilize our shared passion to spread love to those in need was very meaningful to us.

Philanthropy is deeply personal—how do your own experiences and values shape your giving approach?

I am blessed to have been raised in the company of two selfless and devoted philanthropists: my late grandfather, Joe, and my father, Gary — both recipients of the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia. Philanthropy is something that I was exposed to from a very young age, so dedicating my time and energy to worthy causes is a staple in my list of ongoing commitments. A few things that have shaped my own approach to giving are my passion, creativity, and resourcefulness. I remember the moment I turned to Yael and said, “What if we could take our passion for tennis and blend it with philanthropy?” From there, we set out to find a registered charity that was utilizing tennis as a vehicle to positively impact lives. In March, Yael and I launched Rafaela’s Angels—an annual scholarship in honour of our daughter, Rafaela—to support young girls in Israel who are living below the poverty line and are passionate about tennis. Scholarships granted through Rafaela’s Angels will provide these girls with access to organized tennis programming and coaching, professional psychological therapy and support, hot meals, and skill-developing after-school activities. Since launching Rafaela’s Angels, we’ve already provided scholarships to two young girls from the Ethiopian-Israeli community, to participate in the Girls Empowerment program at the Israel Tennis & Education Centers (ITEC).

What advice would you give to people who want to make a meaningful difference but aren’t sure where to start?

Ask yourself, what are you most passionate about? Between work, study, maintaining relationships, staying physically active, and making time for yourself, time is so limited for all of us. If you are committed to making a positive and meaningful difference in the world but are concerned about how you can make time for it, try to find a cause that’s directly related to your dearest passions. It’s like the saying, “if love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” When you’re passionate about the causes you’re supporting, and the causes are directly aligned with your values, philanthropy is never a chore; you’ll quickly discover that you have all the time in the world for it.

How do you measure the success of the initiatives you support, and what does impact look like to you?

As a result of the warm relationships Yael and I have cultivated with the charities we’ve partnered with, we’re able to see the impact of our contributions in real time. With ITEC, Yael and I were able to coordinate a visit to one of the centres and get on court with the kids we’ve been supporting. While we were there, we had the chance to hit with some of the kids from the centre’s neighbouring Bedouin village. This is an example of ITEC using our beloved sport of tennis as a positive, bridge-building tool to bring kids together from other cultures, religions, and backgrounds. For us to participate in drills with the kids, see their smiles, and share in their joy — it was one of the most special things that Yael and I have ever experienced. I speak almost daily to the centre’s coaches to get updates on the kids and how they’re doing. All of this feels so much bigger than “charity work”: the work we’re doing, the people we’re helping — it’s something that’s on my mind every minute of every day. It’s all love, and it puts a smile on my face every time I think about it.

Giving back is a core part of your mission. What do you think needs to change in philanthropy to make a bigger difference?

I truly believe that there is a charity out there that can appeal to anybody’s passions, while also creating a positive impact in our world. Yael and I are just one example of a couple who were able to find a charity that combined our passions for tennis and helping children in need. So, think about some of your biggest passions, and search far and wide for worthy charities—no matter how small they may be—that will allow you to blend passion and impact. It’s not about how much money you can give: time, energy, and effort are worth just as much, if not more. To again quote my hero, Pharrell Williams, “Success is not measured by fame or wealth, but by the impact you have on others.” Never underestimate yourself and your ability to bring light to somebody else’s world who’s in need of it.

Looking ahead, what are your goals for the fund, and are there any exciting projects on the horizon?

We are energized by the positive response we’ve received since launching Rafaela’s Angels on our daughter’s first birthday, and are so excited to see the impact we’ll have on the first recipients of the scholarship. We are aiming to expand Rafaela’s Angels worldwide and bring our vision of utilizing tennis to support children in need to other countries. For example, we’d like to expand Rafaela’s Angels to our home country of Canada, and then to Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. What we’re most looking forward to is the day that Rafaela, herself, will be on a tennis court, hitting balls with all the kids who have benefitted from Rafaela’s Angels. That’s definitely a moment that Yael and I can’t wait to experience.