In this edition of 7 Questions for a Changemaker, I had the chance to connect with Carleen Pauliuk, Vice President, Western Canada, with the Arthritis Society Canada. Carleen shares her perspective on leadership, impact, and building teams that make a real difference.
1. Who are you, and what do you actually do?
I’m Carleen Pauliuk, Vice President, Western Canada at Arthritis Society Canada. I lead a large portfolio overseeing major gifts, corporate partnerships, events, planned giving, marketing, programs, advocacy, and government relations.
At its core, my role is about bringing people together around a shared vision and helping turn bold ideas into meaningful impact. I’m fortunate to lead an incredible, high-performing team across Western Canada. My role is to set the vision, create alignment, and ensure we are all working toward something bigger than ourselves. That often means connecting the dots between people, strategy, and opportunity, and helping remove barriers so the team can do their best work.
At the heart of it, I see my role as both a leader and a connector. I work alongside donors, community leaders, government, and our team to mobilize resources, build meaningful relationships, and drive impact for the more than 6 million Canadians living with arthritis.
Every day looks a little different, but it always comes back to the same purpose: bringing the right people together to create real, lasting change and monumental impact.
2. What pulled you into the nonprofit world?
I come from an entrepreneurial family, so from an early age, I was exposed to the mindset of building, creating, and working with purpose. During my education, I completed several co-op placements across corporate environments, working with organizations like BC Hydro, the Olympics, and Great Canadian Gaming. These experiences gave me exposure to diverse stakeholders and complex, fast-paced environments.
Along the way, I also had the opportunity to engage with several charities and see firsthand the role philanthropy could play in creating real impact. That exposure stayed with me.
At a pivotal moment in my career, as I was transitioning out of one of my roles, I came across an opportunity in the nonprofit sector. I remember thinking this was a chance to bring together everything I had learned and apply it in a way that could truly make a difference in my community.
What started as curiosity quickly became purpose. From that moment on, I was hooked.
3. Tell me about a moment that made you think, “Yes. This is why I do this.”
There are so many moments, and that’s what makes this work so powerful.
It’s the moments leading up to when someone makes a gift that takes your breath away, and you find yourself asking, why them, why us, and how can someone be so generous. It’s seeing a room full of people come together, feeling the energy, the emotion, and the shared belief in something bigger than themselves.
But what stays with me the most are the moments on the other side of that generosity. Seeing the look on a patient’s face when they realize they are going to receive care, support, or equipment that will change their life. Watching a doctor or healthcare professional pause in disbelief, realizing that what once felt out of reach is now possible because someone chose to give.
And sometimes, it’s quieter than that. It’s driving by a building you helped bring to life, thinking about the department created, the program funded, or the piece of equipment now in use. There is a deep sense of fulfillment in knowing you played a part. Your heart and soul feel full in a way that is hard to put into words.
These moments also ground how I lead. I advocate for change with conviction and do not apologize for pushing forward what I know will create meaningful impact.
That is when it all comes full circle, where generosity becomes impact in a very real and human way.
And in those moments, there is no question, this is exactly why I do this.
4. What’s something about working in nonprofits most people don’t understand?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that nonprofits are not run like businesses. In reality, they are highly complex, performance-driven organizations. The difference is not in the level of discipline or strategy, but in who we are accountable to. Instead of shareholders, our stakeholders are donors, partners, and the communities we serve. The return is not financial profit, but something far more meaningful: measurable, life-changing impact.
What is often underestimated is the level of strategy behind fundraising and development. It is not simply about asking for support. It is about building long-term relationships, understanding what truly motivates people to give, aligning values with purpose, forecasting revenue, and executing multi-year growth strategies. It requires the same level of sophistication as raising capital in the private sector, with the added responsibility of earning trust and delivering on a mission that matters deeply.
There is also a perception that people in this sector should not be compensated for their work. I often challenge that thinking. If you were building a company and needed someone to raise millions of dollars to fuel growth, you would invest in the right leadership to do so. The same applies here. The only difference is that the capital we raise is not for profit, but for a purpose. It fuels research, supports critical programs, and creates opportunities that truly change lives.
At its core, this work is about bringing people together around a shared vision for something better. It is about mobilizing resources, inspiring generosity, and creating lasting change. It demands rigour, accountability, and leadership at the highest level, with the profound privilege of knowing that the work we do today shapes a stronger, healthier future for others.
5. What’s one thing you wish more fundraisers or hiring managers knew?
I wish more fundraisers and hiring managers understood that fundraising is not a transactional role. It is a long-term strategic function. Success is not measured by a single gift, but by the strength of relationships, the depth of trust, and the sustainability of the pipeline.
The most effective fundraisers are not simply asking for support. They are aligning vision, values, and impact over time. This work requires patience, intentional investment, and a true leadership mindset.
Transformational giving does not happen overnight. It is built through consistent engagement, thoughtful stewardship, and a commitment to the long game. When we move beyond short-term targets and focus on building meaningful, lasting relationships, we unlock a far greater level of impact for our organizations, our donors, and the communities we serve.
6. What’s a small, underrated habit that’s helped your career?
Being consistently intentional and authentic in how I build relationships.
It sounds simple, but I approach every interaction with purpose and honesty. I make a point to follow up, remember details, check in without an agenda, and show up when it matters. That combination of consistency and authenticity builds trust over time.
In a world that often moves quickly and transactionally, people can feel the difference when your approach is genuine. Taking the time to build real, long-term connections has been one of the most valuable habits in my career. Many of those relationships have grown into strong partnerships and, in some cases, lasting friendships.
I’ve learned that meaningful impact is built through people. When you lead with authenticity and invest in relationships with intention, you create a foundation of trust that carries through everything you do.
7. Finish this sentence: “The future of fundraising is…”
The future of fundraising is rooted in bold leadership and long-term vision. We need this boldness to fuel transformational change and deliver monumental impact. It is relationship-first and purpose-driven, grounded in trust, authenticity, and a commitment to long-term outcomes. Most importantly, it is about inspiring people to see themselves as part of something bigger than themselves, where generosity becomes a shared movement, not just a moment, and where collective action drives lasting change in our communities.