About Us

Cause Leadership is a boutique executive search and recruiting firm connecting cause-driven organizations with executive leaders and volunteer board members, and offering advisory and other select services.

We serve registered charities and nonprofits in a variety of categories such as faith-based ministries; community development and international aid; poverty reduction, addiction, and food security; housing; education; health; grantmakers; and member-based associations. From local charities to national organizations, what our clients share isn’t size or structure, it’s a cause worth leading well.

We also produce the Cause Leadership Podcast, bringing together leading voices from the sector to share practical insights on leadership, fundraising, talent, and organizational growth. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

CauseJobs is our second brand, created to serve the broader recruitment needs of the Canadian charitable sector at accessible price points. Together, Cause Leadership and CauseJobs form a complementary recruitment ecosystem — supporting organizations of every size, stage, and hiring need.

CauseJobs was built specifically for charities and ministries that may not want to access traditional executive search services but still want high-quality hiring support.

We understand the unique challenges facing charity and nonprofit employers. We are here to help organizations connect with passionate, skilled professionals who want their work to make a difference.

Laura Hanna, MBA, Senior Consultant

Laura brings the strengths of both the corporate and charitable worlds together. She is a strategic thinker, seeing both the big picture and the details. She has spent the past 15 years working in the charitable sector, both in Canada and internationally. Her diverse work and board experiences have given her a deep understanding of the challenges facing organizations and keen interest in helping teams function optimally. She finds great joy in seeing the right people in the roles, stakeholders provided creative engagement opportunities, and partnerships strengthened.

Lisa McClung, Senior Consultant

Lisa was born in Western Canada but was raised in Toronto, ON. Some of her best memories are of camping in the summer, road trips, playing with her kids, and hanging out with good friends. Lisa has been working in HR and recruitment for over 10 years and joined Cause Leadership in 2021. Her passion lies in helping candidates on their journey, making sure they are heard and understood. Lisa will go above and beyond to help our clients acquire and retain the top talent available.

Robert Shiell, Senior Consultant

Robert moved to central Ontario for university and continues to call it home. Being on the edge of cottage country and the big city provides his family the best of both worlds. Being with family and friends is how he prefers to relax. Robert joined the Cause Leadership team in January 2023. With his experience in family mediation and leadership training, he is comfortable with in-depth interviews and establishing a client's needs. Robert enjoys the opportunity of enabling people to reach their professional goals.

Sharon Roberts, Director Operations

Sharon has spent most of her 30-year career working for charities and not-for-profits. This has given her firsthand experience in the challenges and constraints faced by charities, as well as the sense of satisfaction and reward that comes from investing time and energy in a worthy cause. Whether in business or her volunteer pursuits, Sharon enjoys supporting colleagues and initiatives so they can thrive for the good of others. She is also energized by opportunities to learn new things. Sharon is married with three adult children and lives in the Greater Toronto Area.

Dave Hutchinson, President & CEO

Born and raised in Toronto, Dave entered the recruitment field in 1997 and has successfully placed senior-level candidates with a wide variety of organizations across a broad spectrum of the not-for-profit sector. Leadership driven and impact focused, Dave is often sought out as a source of information for those interested in a career in the not-for-profit sector. Well connected, Dave builds relationships with a long-term view for the advantage of clients and candidates alike. With over a decade of experience in board governance roles, he continues to serve as a volunteer Board member and Board Chair in the sector.

Industries We Serve

The social impact industries we serve with recruitment services span the full range of nonprofit and social impact organizations, including some for-profit organizations and their social ventures.

These would be groups like Social Impact Organizations, BCorps, Social Enterprises, ESG Ventures, Nonprofit Technology (Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity) and others.

Business Non-profit Organizations

These would be groups like Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations, Protection Services, Condominium Associations, and Trade Organizations among others.

Community Non-profit Organizations

This represents groups like Food Banks & Community Food Services, Community Housing Groups, Disaster & Emergency Relief Organizations, Advocacy Groups, Legal Aid Organizations, Sports and Recreation Organizations, Arts and Culture Organizations, Animal Protection Organizations and Long-Term Care and Retirement Living Centres.

Government Non-profit Organizations

This segment would include Educational Organizations, * Healthcare and Medical Research Organizations, Government & Quasi-government Organizations

Other Charitable Non-profit Organizations

Such as Private & Public Foundations, and various Religious Organisations.

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