We are pleased to present this panel discussion as a special bonus episode of CharityVillage Connects! We hope you enjoy!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our State of the Nonprofit Sector panel discussion at the 2026 CharityVillage Awards! Our sector experts explored the key trends and challenges shaping Canada’s nonprofit sector as we look ahead to 2027. From emerging technologies and policy shifts to evolving funding landscapes and the latest sector research, the conversation offered valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges ahead. We hope the discussion provided useful perspectives to help your organization navigate change and plan for the year ahead.

Watch the Panel

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Meet Our Guests

    • Jason Shim, Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience
    • Julie Fiorini, CanadaHelps
    • Christopher Holz, Adelaide Strategy Inc.
    • John Hallward, Sector3Insights
    • Anita Khanna, United Way Centraide Canada

This special panel discussion is proudly presented by Riipen.

Meet Our Guests

Jason Shim

Chief Digital Officer, Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR)

Jason Shim serves as the Chief Digital Officer Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR), which aims to build a digitally-enabled nonprofit sector, where Canada’s diverse nonprofits use data and tech to advance their mission and multiply their impact. As an experienced digital executive, Jason has consistently provided leadership to help organizations stay ahead of the technology curve and successfully championed organization-wide digital-first approaches. He has previously served on the boards of Ontario 211 and NTEN. 

 

 

Julie Fiorini

General Manager, Charity & Donor Services, CanadaHelps

Julie is a strategic and purpose-driven leader who is passionate about connecting people in a meaningful way to the brands and causes they support. As General Manager, Charity & Donor Services at CanadaHelps, she draws on her expertise in marketing, communications, and fundraising to inspire generosity and drive impact. With experience on both client and agency sides, Julie has advanced missions for charities including Make-A-Wish® Canada, SickKids, Heart & Stroke, Canadian Cancer Society, Kids Help Phone, and Doctors Without Borders.

 

 

Christopher Holz

Managing Principal, Adelaide Strategy Inc.

Christopher Holz is one of Canada’s most experienced public affairs professionals, with a career spanning more than twenty-five years at the intersection of government, politics, and public policy. Providing strategic counsel at all three orders of government – federal, provincial, and municipal – Chris brings to Adelaide a network built over decades with the knowledge that only comes from having worked on both sides of the table.

 

 

John Hallward

President, Sector3 Insights

In 2008, John created GIV3 (a registered Canadian charity) with the mission to encourage more Canadians to be more giving. GIV3 brought GivingTuesday to Canada in 2013, and primarily focused on grass roots, “bottom up” initiatives to promote greater generosity. In 2020, GIV3 pivoted towards more advocacy and “top down” systemic policy changes in belief this is the path for greater good sooner. John also started a social enterprise research firm, Sector3Insights (2017) to leverage his professional career to bring new unique research + insights to better understand generosity and the charity sector. He continues to run Sector3Insights in support of various charities in the USA and Canada. All profits are used for charitable purposes.

 

 

Anita Khanna

Vice-President, Government Relations and Public Policy, United Way Centraide Canada

Anita is proud to represent Canada’s United Ways and Centraides to the federal government and to develop policy and program proposals that further the movement’s goals to build stronger communities where everyone can reach their full potential. With support from the McConnell Foundation, Anita is currently co-leading a data-driven project to develop a labour force strategy for the community services sector of the care economy. An active volunteer, Anita serves on the boards of the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, Ontario Nonprofit Network and Child Care Now. Anita holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and is based in Ottawa.

 

 

About your Host

Mary Barroll

President of CharityVillage

Mary Barroll, president of CharityVillage, is an online business executive and lawyer with a background in media, technology and IP law. A former CBC journalist and independent TV producer, in 2013 she was appointed General Counsel & VP Media Affairs at CharityVillage.com, Canada’s largest job portal for charities and not for profits in Canada, and then President in 2021. Mary is also President of sister company, TalentEgg.ca, Canada’s No.1, award-winning job board and online career resource that connects top employers with top students and grads.

Additional Resources from this Discussion

We’ve gathered the resources from this episode into one helpful list:

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