Christina Palassio

Christina Palassio is a strategic communications professional and writer with a background in journalism and more than 20 years of experience working in the arts, food security, and international development sectors. In addition to contributing to The Philanthropist, she also writes about cycling, culture, and causes for The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Canadian Cycling, and other publications. She’s proud to be a member of Humber College’s Professional Writing Certificate advisory committee and the co-chair of Unlock Democracy Canada, a grassroots, non-partisan organization committed to strengthening Canada’s democracy.

Written By Christina Palassio

Personalities & Interviews

Convincing people that change is possible by ‘painting the beautiful tomorrow’

July 31, 2023

Contributor Christina Palassio talked to renowned communications strategist Anat Shenker-Osorio recently about the power and promise of positive messaging and how non-profits and charities – from leaders and funders to fundraisers and communicators – can navigate increasingly polarized and polarizing political and cultural environments and move donors and supporters to take action for lasting positive, unifying change.

Case Studies & Guides

Shaping the narrative on abortion rights and access

May 23, 2023

While access to abortion is protected in Canada, not everyone who needs an abortion can get one, and public opinion has been affected by ideological shifts in Canada and abroad. Frédérique Chabot, director of domestic health promotion at Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights, talks about policy goals, framing the case for increasing access, and the need to dispel harmful narratives.

Personalities & Interviews

Anand Giridharadas on reclaiming persuasion to rebuild democracy

May 8, 2023

In an exclusive interview with Christina Palassio, Anand Giridharadas, whose latest book is The Persuaders, talks about building progressive fronts, crafting popular narratives that unite instead of divide, and crossing political lines to connect with people on a values level.

Case Studies & Guides

Housing as a human right: Shifting the conversation through narrative change

March 7, 2023

In the midst of Canada’s housing crisis, there’s a strong narrative that housing is a commodity rather than our right. Bonnie Mah, strategic narrative lead at Maytree, considers the opportunities and challenges of rights-based framing and talks about how she and her colleagues are trying to shift the conversation on housing in Canada.

Case Studies & Guides

Dear Everybody: How one campaign engages young voices to change the narrative on disability

January 31, 2023

The dominant narratives and stigma around disability can limit children from living full lives. Toronto’s Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital believes it has a responsibility to challenge that narrative. Here’s how they’re doing it.

Analysis

Shifting the conversation: How the sector is using narrative change to advance social change

October 31, 2022

Changing the way people think about an issue is a precondition to mobilizing action on it. But which organizations have institutionalized narrative change practices as a strategic priority, and how is that playing out day-to-day? How many non-profits are doing the deep listening necessary to understand how audiences perceive their issues, and developing strategic messaging that can shift the conversation?

Analysis

50 years, 50 moments (part 3)

April 19, 2022

On the occasion of The Philanthropist Journal’s 50th year of publishing, we look back at 50 notable moments, movements, and trends that have affected the non-profit and charitable sector in Canada. Part 3 focuses on the long road to improving sector–government relations.

Analysis

50 years, 50 moments (part 2)

April 6, 2022

On the occasion of The Philanthropist Journal’s 50th year of publishing, we look back at 50 notable moments, movements, and trends that have affected the non-profit and charitable sector in Canada. Part 2 focuses on the pivotal moments that have shaped philanthropy and funding.