Women's Nonprofit Network

Introducing our esteemed Advisor, Cathy Cowan! #MeetTheTeam As a successful entrepreneur and communications expert, Cathy passionately believes in paying it forward to help more women realize their potential. Cathy began her career rising through the ranks at nonprofits and international PR agencies in Toronto, where she honed her strategy, management and communications skills. As President and Founder of national public relations agency Cowan & Company Communications for nearly 20 years, Cathy led award-winning marketing communications programs for many of Canada’s top brands and organizations including L’Oreal Paris, Kraft, Jamieson Vitamins, Cara Restaurants and Food Banks Canada. In her journey to help make the world a better place, Cathy joined the Canadian Mental Health Association York Region as head of communications for three years, creating and implementing strategic communications and integrated marketing campaigns with extraordinary results. Cathy now combines all her skills, experiences and passion for “doing good” at C&C Consulting. As an independent marketing communications consultant, Cathy works with nonprofits and socially minded businesses to transform their communications to amplify social impact. Cathy holds an MBA from University of Leicester and a BA in Political Science from Western University. She proudly sits on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment, volunteers with International Association of Business Communicators and is delighted to participate on the Board of Advisors for Women’s Nonprofit Network.

Balancing a thriving nonprofit career with the responsibilities of motherhood is no small feat, and for many, it feels like a constant push and pull between personal and professional obligations. The nonprofit world, with its mission-driven work and desire to make a real difference, can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with long hours, emotional investment, and the pressure to deliver meaningful impact. Add in the equally demanding role of parenthood, with its own unique set of challenges, and this balancing act can quickly become overwhelming. Melanie Rodriguez, however, exemplifies how to manage these competing demands with a blend of grace, resilience, and determination. Through her journey, Melanie offers insight into how working mothers can not only thrive in the nonprofit sector but also find a sense of fulfillment in both their professional and personal lives. Read now: https://buff.ly/48eMoc0

For several months, the Women’s Nonprofit Network has conducted in-depth research, revealing a significant mental health crisis among women in Canada’s nonprofit sector, where too many feel undervalued, isolated, and stagnant in their careers. Your donation today enables us to provide these women with the essential resources, support, and community they deserve. Learn more about our giving tiers, how you can make an impact, and even receive future membership credits as our thanks: https://buff.ly/4fjy2df

Nine months ago, I had a vision: to create a space where women in the nonprofit sector could come together, share knowledge, and uplift one another. It started as a simple idea—a LinkedIn group where we could connect and support each other through our unique challenges and triumphs. As the months passed, something amazing happened. An extraordinary group of women joined my journey, each bringing their unique experiences and aspirations. Together, we envisioned a brighter future for the sector—one where women are not just surviving but thriving, supported by a community that understands their struggles and celebrates their achievements. Today marks an exciting milestone for the Women's Nonprofit Network as we launch our first fundraiser to directly support and empower women through membership. Our newly developed membership program aims to provide: ✨ Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals, nonprofit leaders, and sector experts to spark new ideas and collaborations. ✨ Mentorship Programs: Benefit from structured mentorship where seasoned professionals guide leaders at all levels through career transitions and challenges. ✨ Exclusive Resources: Access tailored resources, including toolkits, case studies, templates, and webinars designed to meet the needs of women in the nonprofit sector. ✨ Professional Development: Engage in continuous learning through workshops, webinars, and courses focused on leadership, advocacy, DE&I initiatives, soft skills, and sector-specific skills. ✨ Community Building: We will create events and experiences designed to make the nonprofit journey impactful and enjoyable, with the goal to foster positive connections and lasting bonds among members. For those who may be observing from the outside, this is your chance to uplift the incredible women who are the backbone of our communities—the ones working tirelessly to fortify the resilience of countless Canadians. If you’re among those dedicated individuals in the field, your contribution today can help pave the way for future membership, which is open to all, not just women. By donating, you can play an essential role in this transformative journey. A donation of $50, $100, or $200 can be credited back toward your future membership with us. Join us in creating an empowering community where women in the nonprofit sector can thrive, share their stories, and support one another. Together, we can make a lasting impact! Donate now: https://lnkd.in/gJR3XMfu

Meet our esteemed Advisor, Danielle S. Russell, CAE, C.Dir! 🎉 Danielle is a Canadian Not-for-Profit Industry leader with over a dozen years of experience providing staff support and leadership to Associations and Charities serving a wide variety of sectors. She is currently the Executive Director of the Canadian Defence Lawyers, and has previously served as the Executive Director and COO of the Air Cadet League of Canada, Ontario. Danielle has also worked for two of Canada’s leading Association Management Companies. In 2024 she was recognized by her peers with both the Community Leader Award and the Empowering Leader Award from CSAE; and was a finalist in the Industry Volunteer Category for the 2024 Hall of Fame presented by the Canadian Meetings and Events Expo (CMEE). Ms. Russell is a member of the Board of Directors of Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, and the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association, she also currently serves a the Chair of the City of Markham Race Relations Committee. Danielle is a speaker, consultant and author, and frequently contributes to Association industry magazines and blogs. She writes a popular weekly LinkedIn Newsletter ‘Tuesday Thoughts’ and is the author of two volumes of ‘The Tuesday Thoughts Companion: A Year of Small Actions for Big Impact’. Ms. Russell holds a BA in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Chartered Director designation issued by the Directors College, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. As a life-long learner she also holds a Recognition of Proficiency in French Conversation from Seneca College, a designation as a CAE (Certified Association Executive) and is a Certified Organizational Specialist. A huge shoutout to Danielle for all of her amazing contributions to the Women's Nonprofit Network!

A huge congratulations to our Board Director, Stacie Smith, for being recognized as an Under 30 Innovator by Atlantic Business Magazine!

Friendly & urgent EOY reminder: This has been a tough year for a lot of #nonprofit orgs and the fundraisers supporting them. Be kind to yourself. You are working hard. You are not a failure. You cannot control things outside of your power (insert the Serenity Prayer here). And all that aside, you are definitely not alone! Hug a puppy ... or two. Go on a long meandering walk. Take 5 deep breaths. Do the next small thing ❤️ ______________ #fundraising #nonprofitleadership

Next up on our "Meet the Team" series, we're excited to introduce our amazing Treasurer and Board Director, Meghan Baryliuk! Meghan is a motivated and enthusiastic individual who has experience in lead generation, entrepreneurship, and financial budgeting. Most recently she worked for Kingston Economic Development as a Research and Investment Support Coordinator. In this position she identified high growth companies all over the world, contacting ‘c’-level executives, and speaking with them about Kingston, Ontario in order to attract foreign direct investment into the region. Previous to this role, she ran her own house painting business in Oshawa, Ontario. In this position, she handled every aspect of the business including marketing, sales, and management. She managed a team of student painters, listened to their needs as well as the customers, and used conflict management skills where needed. In the past she has volunteered with several organizations including Queen’s Female Leadership in Politics and the Secret 3K. She gained extensive budgeting and reporting skills as Finance Director for Queen’s Female Leadership in Politics from 2020-2022. During that time, she oversaw the club’s finances, provided financial advice, and managed budgets for both the organization and its annual conference. From 2022 to 2024 she volunteered as the International Liaison for Secret 3K aiding in organizing a 3 km walk/run to support every humans right to move in their community freely. Meghan graduated from Queens University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science. She has recently completed her Master of Science in Global Security with the University of Glasgow and is located in Oshawa, Ontario.

In the nonprofit world, a strong content strategy is essential for communicating your mission and connecting with your audience on social media. To gain deeper insights on the subject, we turned to Ann Lambert, a rising expert who leads organic socials at jack.org, a nonprofit dedicated to youth mental health in Canada. In this illuminating interview, Ann shares her strategies for creating impactful, resonant and mission-aligned content. From understanding your audience’s shared values to developing a cohesive, credibility-building narrative, Ann’s advice is invaluable for anyone working hard to put some good into the world – one message at a time. Read now: https://buff.ly/4gShvOf

Up next in our "Meet the Team" series, we’re thrilled to introduce our incredible Board Director, Geena Denno! Geena is a major gift fundraising professional with a specialized focus in healthcare philanthropy. Gaining valuable experience by securing transformative gifts, Geena has made noteworthy contributions to leading healthcare institutions such as UHN Foundation in Toronto, ON, and most recently, Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation in Burlington, ON. Leveraging her passion for equitable and accessible healthcare, Geena has a high aptitude for driving impactful philanthropy that makes a difference in patient care and medical research. With her growing expertise in cultivating meaningful donor relationships and corporate partnerships, Geena is actively working towards her CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation. Geena holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, where her volunteerism across several community organizations sparked her career in the nonprofit industry.