Leadership Transition at Abundance Canada

January 9, 2025 — Today, we share important news about a significant leadership transition at Abundance Canada. With profound gratitude for his leadership, we announce that after 26 years at Abundance Canada, Darren Pries-Klassen will be stepping down as CEO in June 2025. 

Darren joined the Mennonite Foundation of Canada in 1998, as a Stewardship Consultant, and started the Niagara office in St. Catharines, Ontario. In 2009, he was appointed Executive Director. Darren was instrumental in leading the organization through a governance restructuring and rebranding. Since being rebranded as Abundance Canada in 2016, the foundation has significantly broadened its donor base. In 2018 the Board of Directors appointed Darren as CEO.

Over Darren’s career Abundance Canada has increased its assets under management by 700% from $38 million in 1998 to $267 million in 2024. In the foundation’s 50-year history, it has disbursed over $400 million to charities on behalf of its donors.

As Chief Executive of Abundance Canada, Darren has overseen tremendous positive change concurrent with constant evolution in the charitable sector. He guided the organization in redefining its mission, vision and values; and consistently modeled its core value, that “our relationship with donors is a sacred trust.”

Darren’s personal integrity, commitment and ability to nurture deep, meaningful relationships have been pivotal in forming significant partnerships with donors and the philanthropic sector as a whole. Darren has served as the Chair of the National Board for the Canadian Association of Gift Planners as well as the Canadian Association of Gift Planners Foundation. For his many contributions to CAGP and to the charitable sector, Darren was recognized as a FRIEND of the CAGP in 2021. Currently, Darren serves on the Board of Directors for Imagine Canada.

“As we begin the process of this transition, we want to reflect on and celebrate all that Darren has accomplished at Abundance Canada. We are extremely grateful for his dedicated leadership,” said Jennifer Thompson, Chair of Abundance Canada.

“I’d like to thank Abundance Canada staff and board members, past and present, for the opportunity to serve in this role and for their consistent support,” says Darren. “Special thanks to the thousands of donors who have entrusted resources to Abundance Canada and have made such a tremendous difference throughout the 50-year history of the organization. I am proud to have been part of this remarkable journey, and I look forward to celebrating the future success Abundance Canada will have working with donors, charities, and other partners as it promotes generosity and creates impact.”

A formal executive search process, led by KCI has been initiated by the Board of Directors. We anticipate that a successor will be identified and brought on board in time for Darren to assist with this leadership transition.

For inquiries, please reach out to: 

Shelly Wilcoxson 
Director of Operations
204-488-1985
swilcoxson@abundance.ca

“At Abundance Canada we believe your generosity changes everything”