Cathy recently retired from a 35+ year career that spanned both academia and the nonprofit sector. Dr. Barr holds a PhD in Political Science from York University and spent several years as a faculty member at Wilfrid Laurier University. In 2002, she moved to the nonprofit sector, becoming Director of Research for the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy (now Imagine Canada), remaining there for 22 years in various positions.
During her tenure at Imagine Canada, Cathy led dozens of data, research, and knowledge mobilization projects. She is the founding Director of the Insurance & Liability Resource Centre for Nonprofits, led the creation of Imagine Canada’s Standards Program and has been involved in several national public policy and advocacy initiatives, including chairing the Federal Nonprofit Data Coalition.
Currently, Cathy holds positions as Senior Advisor, Research & Data at Imagine Canada and Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University. She continues her involvement with the
Federal Nonprofit Data Coalition and co-chairs the External Advisory Committee for Statistics Canada’s Nonprofits and their Diversity Project.
Cathy joined the board in 2017, is a member of the Executive Committee, serving as Treasurer since 2018 and Co-chairs the Conference committee.
