In this episode of CharityVillage Connects, we explore how nonprofits across Canada are beginning to harness the power of artificial intelligence to advance their missions. Through real-world case studies and conversations with sector leaders, we spotlight tangible examples of how AI is being used today, from streamlining operations and enhancing donor engagement to improving service delivery. Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or looking to deepen your organization’s capabilities, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration to help you navigate this fast-evolving landscape.
To download the full podcast episode transcript, click here.
How to Subscribe
Subscribe today with your favourite podcast player including iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and more.
Meet Our Guests
-
- Elena Yunusov, Executive Director, Human Feedback Foundation
- Anne-Marie Newton, President and CEO, CAMH Foundation
- Dan Kershaw, Executive Director, Furniture Bank
- Jason Shim, Chief Digital Officer, Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience
- Tim Lockie, Chief Executive Officer, The Human Stack
- Jessica Vestergaard, Grant Writer & Founder, Written With Purpose
Meet Our Guests (in order of appearance)

Elena Yunusov
Executive Director, Human Feedback Foundation
Elena Yunusov is Founder & Executive Director of the Human Feedback Foundation (HFF), a Linux Foundation AI & Data nonprofit on a mission to advance a more open and human-centered future for AI. She leads RAISE — Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact, Canada’s first national program to train 500+ nonprofit staff and pilot AI projects at CAMH Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Achev, Furniture Bank, and CanadaHelps, with support from DIGITAL, The Dais (TMU) and Creative Destruction Lab.

Anne-Marie Newton
President & CEO, CAMH Foundation
Anne-Marie Newton is President & CEO of CAMH Foundation, where she leads efforts to advance mental health through philanthropy in support of Canada’s leading mental health hospital. She previously served as the Foundation’s Chief Philanthropy Officer, playing a key role in the success of the $600M+ No One Left Behind campaign.

Dan Kershaw
Executive Director, Furniture Bank
Dan has led Furniture Bank to turn excess home furnishing into engines for social good, equipping the empty housing of 125,000 families into furnished homes across Canada.

Jason Shim
Chief Digital Officer, Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience
How can we harness technology to make a difference in the world? That’s the question Jason loves to explore with organizations. Jason serves as Chief Digital Officer of the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience 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.

Tim Lockie
Chief Executive Officer, The Human Stack
Tim Lockie brings a wealth of experience and credibility to the field of leadership and technology. With 30 years of leadership experience, 20 years in the tech industry, and a decade dedicated to advising and consulting, Tim has a proven track record of success.

Jessica Vestergaard
President & CEO, Canadian Women’s Foundation
Jessica Vestergaard is the founder of Written With Purpose, a grant writing consultancy that helps Canadian charities win more grants, so they can do more good. Over the past two years, Jessica raised over $3 million for programs supporting youth, seniors, women, and mental health initiatives. Sign up for her newsletter and download her free grant calendar for tips and reminders to stay on top of grant deadlines!
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 Episode
We’ve gathered the resources from this episode into one helpful list:
- Canada Launches Landmark National Program to Equip Nonprofits with AI for Social Impact Raise program (Human Feedback Foundation 2025)
- A made-in-Canada model for responsible AI is putting nonprofits at the centre (Digital Journal, 2025)
- Her job interview was with an AI bot. It was odd (CBC, 2025)
- Digital Guidance (The Human Stack, 2021)
- CCNDR Research reports on tech skills gaps (CCNDR, 2025)
- AI and Automation (CICP, 2025)
- Getting Started with AI in 2025 (Furniture Bank, 2025)
- Unlocking the Power of Deep Research: Opportunity AI at work (Furniture Bank, 2025)
- ‘Malicious’ AI willing to sacrifice human lives to avoid being shut down, shocking study reveals (NY Post, 2025)
- The Grant Circle (Written with Purpose, 2025)
Watch the full interviews with our guests
Catch up on past episodes
Missed one of our monthly podcast episodes? All of our past episodes are available here.
Never miss another episode – subscribe today with your favourite podcast player including iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and more.


