Introduction
While the political noise has been constant, we are still in the early days of significant transitions: less than five months into a second Trump administration in the U.S., and just over a month into new federal leadership in Canada. These shifts raise complex questions for Canadian philanthropy that require not just reaction, but reflection.
Canadian foundations face growing pressures, from progressives and conservatives, to clarify how they support civil society. This panel brings together experts in philanthropy, democracy, and international aid to examine how foundations in Canada are navigating today’s uncertain context. Anchored by a recent paper exploring the implications of a Trump 2.0 administration on U.S. philanthropy, the discussion will explore broader questions about the responsibilities and strategies of foundations in times of volatility.
Panelists will offer interdisciplinary perspectives and practical insights relevant to both academic researchers and foundation professionals.
Inès Chaâlala (moderator) : has been working in the fields of sustainable development, philanthropy and social innovation for almost 20 years. Her career has taken her to work with the United Nations, NGOs, foundations and governments in over 40 countries around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and small island states. Today, she holds a strategic role at the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon, where she heads up communications and knowledge mobilization. Here, she designs integrated approaches to capitalize on learning from the field, strengthen collective capacities and support efforts towards a more equitable and inclusive society. Active in the Canadian philanthropic ecosystem, she has contributed to several initiatives around major issues such as social justice, equity, the socio-ecological transition and data governance. Since 2020, she has also been a member of CECI’s Board of Directors, continuing her commitment to international solidarity. Her career path testifies to a deep commitment to equity, sustainability and social innovation. Inès is renowned for her collaborative approach, rooted in listening, dialogue and the valuing of plural knowledge.
Michele Fugiel Gartner (panelist) : is the Lead Researcher at Philanthropic Foundations Canada. She holds a PhD from the University of St Andrews, School of Management, where she studied the experiences of CEOs in UK family foundations and conceptualized the role of foundation professionals. She is an Adjunct Research Professor at the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University, and teaches nonprofit management and social innovation at Mount Royal University in Calgary, AB. Michele’s philanthropic experience includes working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Social Venture Partners Calgary, Trico Charitable Foundation, and the Centre for the Study of Philanthropy & Public Good.
Benoît Fontaine (panelist) : is the Executive Director of Myriad Canada, a registered charitable organization in Canada, part of the Myriad Alliance for Borderless Giving. Myriad Canada works with Canadian donors to manage charitable projects in North America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Central and Latin America. The Myriad Alliance is a global network of trusted member organizations that facilitate cross-border giving with independent office in Canada, the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. He has worked in international philanthropy for 25 years, starting at the King Baudouin Foundation, the largest foundation in Belgium and a major foundation on the world stage. He was in charge of the Venture Philanthropy programs.
Michèle Lamont (panelist) : is a cultural sociologist who studies morality, group boundaries, and inequality. She has tackled topics such as dignity, respect, stigma, racism, and how we evaluate social worth across societies in Money, Morals and Manners, The Dignity of Working Men, How Professors Think, and the coauthored Getting Respect: Responding to Stigma and Discrimination in the US, Brazil and Israel. Her most recent book is Seeing Others: How Recognition Works and How It Can Heal a Divided World (Penguin/Simon & Schuster 2023). She is at work on a book tentatively titled “Recognition Globally.” The recipient of various awards, she served as President of the American Sociological Association in 2016 and is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the British Academy, and the Royal Society of Canada.