Archived Announcements
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Volunteer Canada is Hiring
Corporate Citizenship Coordinator
We are currently seeking a Corporate Citizenship Coordinator for a four-month contract to support our mission by providing operations support for our corporate engagement programs, event coordination, and various administrative services.
The person in this role will advance volunteering and participation in Canada by ensuring seamless delivery across our suite of corporate engagement programs including group volunteering, skills-based volunteering, and employer-supported volunteering programs.
Read the full job description here.
Membership and Engagement Associate
In service of building belonging and inclusion, Volunteering Canada has a new three-year strategy, to enhance and support equity, diversity, and inclusion within our membership. We are excited to have the Membership and Engagement Associate contribute to this important work.
Reporting to the Director of Membership and Engagement, this new position is responsible for implementing Volunteer Canada’s membership and engagement programs and helping launch a new membership strategy. The incumbent, a strong relationship and network-builder, will grow and deepen Volunteer Canada’s Membership Programs.
Read the full job description here.
Manager, Campaigns and Coalitions
Reporting to the President and CEO, this position is responsible for coordinating all elements of the development of the National Volunteer Action Strategy for Canada. With a deep knowledge of movement-building and an awareness of how to build and launch campaigns, this role will advance key elements of the campaign and work alongside diverse stakeholders including national, provincial and territorial leaders in business and government as well as key sector leaders advancing volunteer infrastructure and pathways to participation. The incumbent brings a strong track record of campaigning, government relations and strategy development, and coalition-building experience.
Read the full job description here.
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Building a National Volunteer Action Strategy
On December 5th at noon EST, celebrate International Volunteer Day and join Volunteer Canada as we launch a Roadmap to building a National Volunteer Action Strategy (NVAS). The NVAS is an opportunity to address the volunteering and participation crisis, increase belonging and inclusion, and support future generations. With the World Health Organization’s recent announcement that loneliness is a global health concern, it’s time to invest in volunteering, which has been proven to reduce loneliness, address social challenges, and create stronger, more connected communities.
During the event, we will be sharing success stories, campaign tools, and ways to get involved. We can’t think of a better way to spend International Volunteer Day; register now!
To learn more about our research and insights on a National Volunteer Action Strategy, click here.
To read our recent media release, click here.
Thank you!
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Volunteer Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to our board of directors
We are delighted that Volunteer Canada has recently welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors. This exciting announcement signals the organization's ongoing commitment to supporting and promoting volunteerism across the country. As valued members of the Board, these individuals bring diverse backgrounds, unique perspectives, and a wealth of experience. We look forward to working collaboratively with them as we continue to advance Volunteer Canada's critical mission.
Adrienne O'Neill 
As Global Controller and Group Chief Accounting Officer at Manulife, Adrienne leads a global team of finance professionals responsible for Company-wide financial reporting practices and controls. She has overall accountability for accounting policy, external and internal financial reporting, expenses, global finance transformation and the enterprise’s financial planning and reporting systems. Adrienne has been with Manulife for 16 years and has held progressively senior roles in the Company’s insurance and wealth businesses. Most recently, she served as the Global Head of Investor Relations where she was the Company's primary spokesperson to the investment community and oversaw the preparation of investor communication materials. Prior to joining Manulife, Adrienne worked at KPMG in both the assurance and advisory practices.
Adrienne holds CPA, CA and CFA designations and is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University where she obtained an Honours BBA. Adrienne is passionate about education and was deeply involved in CPA (formerly CA) education in Ontario for many years, including serving as a Sessional Lecturer at Laurier for graduate-level accounting courses (evening sessions) and as a Seminar Leader at the CA School of Accountancy held at York University.
Adrienne was raised in Montreal and spent several years in both Calgary and Waterloo early on in her career. She has been based in Toronto since 2013 where she and her husband enjoy the vibrance of the city.
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Sam Reusch is the current Executive Director of Apathy is Boring, a national, non-partisan organization that supports and educates youth to be active and contributing citizens in Canada's democracy. She has been active in the democracy and civic engagement space for over six years, engaging as an advocate and educator to drive investment in positive and effective engagement practices and promote equitable and innovative approaches to civic participation and engagement. She has continuously engaged a multi-sectoral network of stakeholders (including academic, civil society, private, and public) to advance new understandings of how young people contribute to change-making, volunteerism, and movement-building. Her work is rooted in the right for all citizens to have influence and access to shape our institutions and circumstances, and in the principles of democracy and of human rights for all.
Sam has contributed extensively to media commentary in Canada related to youth participation and elections, current events, policy, and democracy and has proudly published several works speaking on those issues.
Sam is also a proud Montrealer and alum of Concordia University, where she studied Anthropology, specializing in the intersection of identity, politics, and community.
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A public sector leader for more than 15 years, Ambuj Laroiya grounds his life and work in generosity and compassion.
Ambuj lives in Nova Scotia, where he works at the Halifax Regional Municipality. Ambuj holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering (2007), a CEO award (2014), Mill's award in marketing (2018), a Douglas C. MacKay award in academic excellence (2019), an MBA from Rowe School of Business at Dalhousie University (2019), and a Board Governance certification from Smith School of Business at Queen's University (2023).
In his spare time, Ambuj volunteers with United Way Halifax and Karate Nova Scotia, which keeps him educated and informed on the societal issues of health, inclusion, diversity and equity. He is also a facilitator of change, volunteering at the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, where he was a participant in the testing of the COVID-19 vaccine. Ambuj loves to read African Nova Scotian history and learn about the First Nations Mi'kma'ki peoples of Nova Scotia.
Ambuj makes every day a new day. He believes that life is a journey where mutual learning, empathy, and kindness make us better together.
Matt Erhard .png)
Matt Erhard, a passionate advocate for volunteerism and community engagement, brings over two decades of leadership and governance experience to Volunteer Canada. Born in Ottawa and an alumnus of the University of Manitoba Asper School of Business, Matt currently serves as the Managing Partner of Summit Search Group, where he focuses on professional recruitment and executive search in Winnipeg and across Canada.
Matt's commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond his professional career. He has dedicated more than 20 years to volunteering in his community, firmly believing in the transformative power of volunteerism to enrich the lives of individuals and strengthen communities. His journey as a volunteer has not only allowed him to contribute to various causes but has also fostered personal growth and a profound sense of community.
"I am thrilled to welcome Ambuj, Matt, Adrienne, and Samantha to Volunteer Canada's board. Their backgrounds and valuable skills will undoubtedly benefit our organization. Their leadership and expertise will be instrumental in shaping the role of volunteerism in Canada's future, and I have no doubt that Volunteer Canada will flourish under their guidance," expressed Dr. Megan Conway, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada.
Thursday, June 8, 2023
The Volunteer Canada Team is Growing!
Welcome Emily Wettlaufer, Jason Shim, and Madeline Porter!
Emily Wettlaufer - Communications and Events Coordinator 
Emily Wettlaufer is bringing her ability to create engaging narratives and love of storytelling to Volunteer Canada as our Communications and Event Coordinator. Emily recently graduated from Conestoga College with a bachelor's degree in public relations, where she obtained foundational and practical knowledge in communications and events.
Emily thrives on finding new ways to tell an organization's story and has helped non-profits around the Waterloo Region reach their audience and shape their brand. She is deeply passionate about improving her community and using her expertise to shape them for the better. Welcome Emily!
Jason Shim - Chief Technology Officer 
Jason Shim brings 18 years of experience in the digital and technology sector to Volunteer Canada. Jason has led multiple organizational digital-first strategies that bolster operations, marketing, fundraising, and program delivery.
Jason has previously served as Director of Digital Strategy and Transformation at Pathways to Education Canada, where he led technology and innovation. He led Pathways to become one of the first charities to issue tax receipts for cryptocurrency donations and co-authored the book Bitcoin and the Future of Fundraising with Anne Connelly. Jason’s passionate about helping organizations harness technology to make a difference in the world. Welcome Jason!
Madeline Porter - Associate, Skills Exchange for Good 
Madeline Porter is a new and invigorating addition to our team. We are excited for her to apply her experience in frontline service delivery and collective impact combined with knowledge of how to address complex community issues to support the Skills Exchange for Good Program.
Madeline has ten years' experience in the homelessness sector and has a Masters of Canadian and Indigenous Studies from Trent University. She started her career volunteering at an emergency shelter and has since held roles as a frontline worker, transitional housing coordinator, case manager, and homelessness system coordinator. She is deeply committed to supporting communities to end homelessness, and we are thrilled to have her experience and passion on our team. Welcome Madeline!
Welcome David Vandenberg!
Volunteer Canada is pleased to welcome David Vandenberg as the new Corporate Citizenship Specialist. 
David Vandenberg is a community builder and social impact specialist focused on strategic partnership development that drives actionable results for stakeholders. In his new role with Volunteer Canada, David will work closely with both companies and non-profits to advance positive social and environmental impact by facilitating a variety of engagement opportunities.
David has held roles at Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, Burlington's Emergency Meal Program, and Crestview Strategy. David is experienced in non-profit management, government relations, strategic planning, and DEI best practices.
David holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from McMaster University, a Not-for-Profit Leadership and Management Certificate from Mohawk College, was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 2021 and was awarded the Platinum Jubilee Medal of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by the Government of Canada in 2022 for community service.
Join us in welcoming David to the Volunteer Canada Team!
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Volunteer Canada announces new VP, Strategy, Impact and Development
Volunteer Canada is excited to announce Chad Lubelsky as the new Vice President, Strategy, Impact and Development. Chad has 20+ years experience designing and implementing programs that support and elevate belonging and inclusion.
In his position as VP, Strategy Impact and Development, Chad will be playing a leadership role in the organization supporting development and advancement opportunities for Volunteer Canada. He will also lead the development and implementation of Volunteer Canada’s strategic growth and engagement as a trusted partner supporting volunteering and participation across communities, networks and organizations in Canada. Playing a leadership role in reimaging new models of volunteering and participation supports that will meet the needs of communities and individuals, Chad brings a strong track record of building durable models and strategies that support systems change. Megan Conway, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada expressed her enthusiasm for Chad’s arrival stating, “Chad brings tremendous wisdom and expertise about the landscape of volunteerism in Canada—he is charismatic, engaging and will be a dynamic leader reimaging what the future of volunteering will look like with a greater emphasis on belonging and engagement.”
Prior to joining the McConnell Foundation, Chad was the Executive Director of Santropol Roulant; developed leadership and community engagement programs for the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation; worked as an Assignment Editor for NBC news in San Francisco; managed global Internet Rights advocacy for the South African based Association for Progressive Communications; and was a Founding Trustee of the Montreal Awesome Foundation.
Currently on leave from McConnell, Chad is joining Volunteer Canada for the next year and can’t wait to get started, “Volunteering brings people together, connects us to our communities and builds collective purpose” says Chad. “Volunteer Canada is well-placed to help usher in a new era of belonging and inclusion and I couldn’t be more excited to contribute to this vital work at this pivotal time”.
A dedicated and active volunteer, Chad was the co-Chair of Universities Canada’s Social Impact Advisory Group, and a Board Member with Apathy is Boring and l’Abri en Ville. Chad is currently the Chair of the Board for Open North, a member of the Advisory Committee at the Concordia University’s Shift Centre for Social Transformation and a regular meal on wheels volunteer.
Chad holds a BA in Communications & a Master’s Degree in Communications and Leadership.
We enthusiastically welcome Chad as a member of the Volunteer Canada team.
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Volunteer Canada's Recommendations for Budget 2023
Consultation on these recommendations provided by members of Volunteer Canada’s Volunteer Centre Council—a leadership council of Canada’s 150 Volunteer Centres across the country.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Volunteer Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to our board of directors
Lindsey Alcy 
Lindsey Alcy is a third-year undergraduate student at Carleton University. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor in Global and International Studies, specializing in global law and social justice and a minor in sociology! She is passionate about youth and children, giving back to those in need suffering from homelessness in the greater Ottawa region and foreign affairs such as international development, human rights and diplomacy. In 2021, Lindsey was awarded the Volunteer Ottawa Outstanding Youth Volunteer award for her continuous commitment to others.
Alex Medina
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Alex Medina has over 25 years of diversified engineering, design, and management experience. During this time Alex has gained experience interfacing with diverse stakeholders including public relations, regulating bodies and Government. Alex has extensive experience in contract negotiations, corporate relations, and partnership management, as well as support of financing and investor relations. He forms part of the leadership team at Stantec with focus in Energy and Resources and is an innovation coach providing guidance and mentorship. Alex is Chapter Chair for the Latinos in Stantec employee resource group serving three major components: educational outreach, community involvement, and professional networking and has founded his own nonprofit organization promoting empowerment and selflove, The Medina Family Foundation focusing on advocacy, education, and assistance.
Gina Jordan
Gina Jordan has nearly 30 years of public affairs experience in diverse sectors, including energy, telecommunications, healthcare and the nonprofit sector. She recently served as the Co-Chair of Volunteer Canada’s Corporate Community Engagement Council and has experience leading both corporate and non-profit volunteer programs as well as managing a large volunteer centre. Gina is currently the Manager, Sustainability a
nd ESG Policy at Enbridge, where she leads the development of sustainability strategies and reporting in support of the company’s transition to a more sustainable, reliable and affordable energy future.
“Lindsey, Alex and Gina bring tremendous knowledge, networks and skills as new members of the board of Volunteer Canada. Their leadership and expertise come at such an exciting time for the organization as we look forward to the ways that volunteerism can support Canada as it rebuilds from the pandemic,” said Dr. Megan Conway, President and CEO, Volunteer Canada.
The Volunteer Canada board of directors is responsible for setting Volunteer Canada's strategic direction. The board represents a pan-Canadian perspective on volunteering and civic participation. Collectively they bring a breadth of experience and wisdom that is crucial to the development of sound organizational policies and maintenance of good governance.
Please join us in welcoming these three fantastic new additions to our board.
Learn more about our board members.
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Volunteer Canada announces two new appointments
Renata Rusiniak, Acting Director, Corporate Citizenship 
Volunteer Canada is pleased to welcome Renata Rusiniak as Acting Director, Corporate Citizenship starting immediately. In her role, Renata will be the organizational lead on supporting companies in their employee/stakeholder community engagement programs, convene the Corporate Community Engagement Council, and lead the consulting practice for businesses. “Renata’s leadership, her knowledge of the corporate landscape and her commitment to innovation will be an asset to Volunteer Canada, especially during this moment in time,” said Megan Conway, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada.
“I look forward to supporting Volunteer Canada’s Corporate Citizenship programs over the next few months. Purpose-driven corporations play an important part in advancing the mission of Volunteer Canada. Through the efforts of the Corporate Community Engagement Council, Volunteer Canada can achieve its goals to increase participation, quality, and diversity of volunteer experiences across Canada. It’s a challenging time for non-profits who rely on volunteers to fulfill their missions but with challenge comes opportunity and I’m confident that Volunteer Canada is well positioned to take on this challenge,” said Renata.
Renata is an employer brand builder fueled by a desire to foster connected corporate cultures and extra-engaged employees. With a blended background in human resources, marketing, communications, and environmental social governance, Renata is well-positioned to engage audiences with authentic storytelling about people, programs, and social impact. She has worked across multiple business sectors including cybersecurity (eSentire), finance (Manulife), technology devices (BlackBerry and L3-Wescam), and food (Cadbury-Schweppes) within Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Her 20 years of corporate experience has led Renata to her next career chapter as the Director and Founder of Green Horseshoe Solutions – enabling companies to build their employer branding through revitalizing engagement programs, forging community partnerships, instituting ESG practices, and communicating impacts that matter. Renata holds an honours BA from the University of Waterloo and a Certificate of Community Involvement from Boston College Centre for Corporate Citizenship. She is a certified Corporate Social Responsibility Practitioner and believes that investing in people and the planet paves the way for profits.
Originally from Hamilton and currently residing in Guelph with her husband and two sons, Renata is active in her local community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, advises as part of the Strategy Committee for the Guelph Community Foundation, and mentors social enterprises at Innovation Guelph. Previously, Renata has served as a Board Director with the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce (including 2 terms as Chair of the Board) and Leadership Waterloo, mentored with Women in Communication and Technology (WCT), served as a member of the University of Waterloo Alumni Council and volunteered her time in the equine community with Equine Guelph. Renata is an avid skier, equestrian, and general advocate of all things outdoorsy.
Shaminda Perera, Knowledge, Practice and Learning Lead 
Volunteer Canada is pleased to announce the hiring of Shaminda Perera, MEd. to the position of Knowledge, Practice and Learning Lead, beginning Monday, September 26, 2022.
“We are excited for Shaminda to lead the development of a new learning agenda that will support Volunteer Canada’s key stakeholders,” shared President and CEO Megan Conway. “In particular, his work will help identify important questions that will help strengthen volunteer infrastructure in the years to come.” Shaminda will also play a leading role in our data-driven engagement initiative — work that is meant to raise awareness, understanding and access to data on giving and volunteering across the country.
Shaminda’s passion is to help others learn and grow, and he is a creative and strategic thinker. With over 2 decades of experience in the field, Shaminda is an expert in Performance and Learning. Since 2012, he has been leading learning initiatives to support not-for-profit organizations and community groups to apply best practices in volunteer involvement. He specializes in strategizing system-wide competency frameworks, knowledge management, innovating learning, leading communities of practice, and volunteer management. He has been serving in senior leadership capacities since 2008.
He transitions to Volunteer Canada from Volunteer MBC, the Volunteer Centre serving the cities of Mississauga, Brampton, and the town of Caledon, in Ontario. While at Volunteer MBC, he has been instrumental in implementing numerous signature knowledge, practice and learning initiatives, building the centre’s learning portal, and innovating Volunteer MBC’s learning services. After over a decade of service, he ends his term as the Manager of Learning and Resource Development. Shaminda holds a Master of Education in Adult Education degree from Yorkville University, New Brunswick. His thesis focused on building learning organizations in the social impact sector.
No stranger to Volunteer Canada, he has been contributing to our mission since 2012. He developed the national Screening Training train-the-trainer program in 2012 on behalf of our provincial project partner, the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network (OVCN), authored the chapter covering the standard ‘Orientation and Training’ in the CCVI (2017 ed.) online course, developed our learning portal, and developed the e-learning product of Volunteer Canada authored online course in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity Volunteer Canada has given me to serve the Social Impact Sector on a national platform. As an active practitioner in the sector, I have always admired Volunteer Canada’s efforts and initiatives to be the voice of volunteerism. The organization’s work is crucial now more than ever when we all experience a world that is quite different today. During the pandemic, we saw the Volunteer Centres, social purpose organizations, supporters, and volunteers rise to the challenging environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector continues to go through rapid change, and there is important work to be done. I am very aware that our stakeholders I will be working with, and my colleagues are relying on me to collectively push forward the values and benefits of volunteerism. I am committed to doing my best. I eagerly look forward to contributing with the privilege of my education, the opportunities my community has given me and the expertise I bring - to strengthen the volunteerism infrastructure in Canada,” says Shaminda.
His current volunteering and philanthropic engagements are through the Lions Club International. He is a Lion since 2015 and currently serves as the President of his home club - the Mississauga Cooksville Lions Club. Furthermore, on the philanthropic front, Shaminda and his son Kristyen (14) are the annual co-sponsors of Volunteer MBC’s ‘Youth Lead by Example’ award presented to an exemplary youth volunteer/group in Peel.
He is a settler in Canada since 2010 and, with Kristyen, calls the city of Mississauga their home. Shaminda’s interests include creative activities, with considerable experience in leatherwork, tabletop role-playing games, and abstract art.
Welcome Shaminda and Renata!