If you’ve been working in evaluation consulting over the past few years, you’ve likely felt the effects of a rapidly shifting social and economic climate. Budget pressures, spending cuts, tighter and evolving procurement processes, shrinking international opportunities, and changing political currents in Canada and abroad are just some of the conditions that have made evaluation consulting contracts across levels of government, nonprofits, and academic institutions harder to find and win. With Budget 2026 introducing another round of operating reductions at the federal level, many consultants are asking how best to prepare for a context that may become even more challenging in the months ahead.

This session kicks off with a candid snapshot of the complex forces that have been shaping a more constrained and competitive marketplace. The heart of the session focuses on actions that consultants can take, both within their practice and in the marketplace, to stay resilient, relevant, and well positioned as conditions continue to shift. By exploring practical ways to adapt consulting practice in response to external pressures, the session highlights ways to strengthen your footing, meet changing demands, and chart a steadier course through uncertainty.

Presenters

Jane Whynot, PhD is an Ottawa-based evaluator with nearly 30 years of experience in evaluation, research, and public policy. As a Partner at Goss Gilroy Inc., she helps organizations strengthen decision-making through practical, evidence-informed evaluation and performance measurement. Jane is an Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University, served as an Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, and has received national recognition for her contributions to evaluation practice, research, and teaching. 

Vanessa Anastasopoulos, PhD, CE is a bilingual, Montreal-based consultant with 25+ years of evaluation experience. Through her collaborative and equity-driven approach, she has led 125+ evaluation and performance measurement projects in sectors like S&T, health, and education. In 2018, she founded VANASTAS, an evaluation firm that provides government, non-profit, and academia clients across Canada with evidence-based insights tailored to their needs. Among a range of other CES committee roles, Vanessa cofounded ICCI in 2023 and currently serves as Past Chair.

Event type: Online webinar

Date: Wednesday, September 30 | 12:00 - 1:30 ET

Presenters: Jane Whynot & Vanessa Anastasopoulos