Women’s Nonprofit Network announces 2026 award recipients on Women in Nonprofit Awareness Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nine awards recognizing the women and organizations advancing equity across Canada’s nonprofit sector, announced October 21.
Barrie, ON — October 21, 2026 — The Women’s Nonprofit Network (WNN) announced the recipients of its 2026 awards, marking the second annual Women in Nonprofit Awareness Day.
Created by WNN, Women in Nonprofit Awareness Day takes place during Women’s History Month and shines a national spotlight on the leadership, contributions, and impact of women across Canada’s nonprofit sector, a sector where women make up the majority of the workforce yet remain under‑recognized for the work that sustains communities.
“Women’s experiences in the nonprofit sector are shaped by racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of oppression that determine who is supported, heard, and allowed to lead. Recognition is not a symbolic act, it is the first act of equity. It makes women’s leadership visible, valued, and not overlooked. The women we are honouring today are creating workplaces and communities where others can stay, grow, and lead. Their leadership strengthens the entire sector, and championing it is the commitment the Women’s Nonprofit Network carries forward.”
— Rebecca Rogers, Board Chair, Women’s Nonprofit Network
The 2026 recipients
Legacy of Equity Award — Sara Casselman, Executive Director of Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, Kitchener
Breakthrough Award — Shiza Hirani, Founder of Youth MentorNet Café, Regina
Visionary Impact Award — Yanique Brandford, Founder and Executive Director of Help a Girl Out, Brantford
Empowerment & Connection Award — Toyin Oladele, Founder and Executive Director of Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation, Calgary
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Award — Christall Beaudry, President and COO, CNIB Deafblind Community Services and Chief Inclusion Officer, CNIB and CNIB Deafblind Community Services, Regina
Transformative Leadership Award — Suzanne Decary, Senior Vice President, Programs at Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Toronto
Workplace Wellness Award — Heather Farquharson, Executive Director of First Book Canada, Toronto
Corporate Trailblazer Award — Cherry Chan, CEO of OTUS Nonprofit CFOs, Oakville
WNN Volunteer of the Year Award — Katerina Protopapas, Psychology and Social Development Studies Student, Toronto
"I've learned that leadership isn't about being the smartest person in the room. It's about bringing people with different perspectives together, building trust, and giving them the space and support to contribute and lead. In a sector where so many women are stretched to the point of burnout, that support is often what keeps people in the work."
— Suzanne Decary-van den Broek, CVRT, Senior Vice President, Programs at CNIB
Research released by WNN and YMCA WorkWell underscores the importance of recognition in workplace well‑being. Inadequate appreciation was among the top five sources of stress reported by women experiencing burnout. The full report is available at ymcaworkwell.com/nonprofit-womens-wellbeing.
Thank you to our sponsors
The 2026 WNN Awards were made possible by our Award Champion Sponsors, BridgeRaise, Charity Shift, Circles of Impact, Piat Public Health, Propela, Purposeful, Sound Fundraising Strategies, Thriving Nonprofits, and YMCA WorkWell, whose support helped us celebrate and recognize women's leadership across Canada's nonprofit sector. We are also grateful to our community partners for helping amplify the awards and the incredible women being recognized.
“Honouring women’s leadership requires partners who believe in equity, and our sponsors have stepped forward with that commitment. Visibility and recognition don’t happen on their own, they happen because sponsors choose to invest in WNN. Their support makes it possible to honour these nine women and ensure their leadership is seen, celebrated, and carried forward.”
— Hailey Rodgers, Founder and Executive Director, Women’s Nonprofit Network
Individuals and organizations can mark Women in Nonprofit Awareness Day by sharing messages using #WomenInNonprofitAwarenessDay and tagging @womensnonprofitnetwork. Nominations for the 2027 WNN Awards will open in April 2027 at womensnonprofitnetwork.com/awards.
About the Women’s Nonprofit Network
The Women’s Nonprofit Network (WNN) is a Canadian registered nonprofit and a community of more than 8,000 women across the Canadian nonprofit sector, built around leadership, connection and well-being. WNN created Women in Nonprofit Awareness Day and presents the annual WNN Awards. womensnonprofitnetwork.com
Media contact
Hailey Rodgers, Founder & Executive Director, Women’s Nonprofit Network (WNN) · executivedirector@womensnonprofitnetwork.com · 613-302-2275