Catalyste+ Advisor Profile: Daniel Nadeau
Written by: Danielle LeBlanc
with contributions from Claudia Aparicio, Elodie Desrochers, Anna Fabro, and Brianna Marshall
In 2019, Daniel Nadeau first heard about Catalyste+ through a colleague who had completed assignments with the organization. Intrigued, he decided to learn more about the volunteering experiences of others and soon embarked on his first assignment. Since then, he has completed more than 15 assignments, primarily in Francophone Africa (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Togo), as well as in a country particularly dear to him, the Philippines. This discovery came at just the right moment in his life, responding to an aspiration that may have remained unspoken but was nonetheless present.
Daniel’s professional journey began in the banking sector and continued at Desjardins, where he held several management and executive positions. Around 2009, after more than three decades in the financial industry, a desire to experience something different began to emerge, prompting him to reflect more deliberately on what he wanted his next chapter to look like.
Daniel stepped back to reflect and chose to return to school, allowing him to break from routine and habit while remaining intellectually engaged. He found great satisfaction in his studies, as he believes in continuous learning throughout life. He pursued a master’s degree in business administration, which enabled him to expand his areas of expertise while honing and updating his management skills, knowledge, and competencies. Later, teaching at the college and university levels fulfilled this desire for change while offering him the opportunity to take on a new professional role that, among other things, redefined his relationship with others—from managerial relationships to a more supportive, student-centered engagement.
Circumstances eventually led him to discover Catalyste+, its mission, and the role and responsibilities of volunteer advisors. His extensive and diverse education and professional experience, his enjoyment of sharing knowledge, and his ability and willingness to step outside his comfort zone emerged as key strengths for embarking on this new journey. When asked about the qualities required to be a Catalyste+ Advisor, he first mentions adaptability, followed by openness to others and their cultures, strong listening skills, in-depth knowledge of his field of expertise, rigor, honesty in his approach, and, naturally, a desire to give back.
Why continue after all these assignments? Initially, the opportunity to collaborate with Catalyste+ allowed Daniel to meet personal goals and respond to a need for change and challenge, while also preparing him for his “post-career” era. Over time, the experience grew richer through the pleasure he felt in contributing to collective goals without expecting anything in return, and it was further strengthened by the tangible satisfaction and recognition expressed by Catalyste+ partners. In fact, “feeling useful” and “bringing something to people” gave true meaning to his commitment.
Meeting others and learning about their cultures by immersing himself in their daily lives, the humanism that underpins professional relationships, and the pleasure of traveling are also central to the satisfaction Daniel derives from his assignments. He started slowly, initially targeting opportunities closely aligned with his core expertise, and later, due to the pandemic, completed virtual assignments. As he took on more assignments, he grew increasingly comfortable in his role and more confident in his ability to meet partners’ expectations. He also embraced new professional challenges, such as developing new training topics and techniques and leading a strategic planning process for the first time, which is something he had previously experienced only as a participant.
With pride and joy, Daniel recalls a training session he delivered within a large cooperative in the Philippines. He met strong women leaders who were empathetic and attentive to their members and employees, forming a cohesive and united group. He spent the summer preparing new modules for them, eager to diversify his teaching methods by incorporating more concrete case studies as well as practical, personalized exercises. This approach met his objectives: as the assignment progressed, word spread, and more people within the organization registered for and participated in the training sessions. While this was logistically challenging, it proved unmatched in terms of personal fulfillment. An additional layer of satisfaction emerged for Daniel: the opportunity to continue growing professionally, to keep learning, and to strengthen his support for partners and, ultimately, as he says, “to discover himself.”
In his view, this freedom to dare exists because Catalyste+ establishes a relationship of trust with its advisors and gives them room to maneuver, fostering their professional development and strengthening their commitment to the organization’s mission. Daniel also notes that the evaluation process reassures him: it ensures that if any unexpressed dissatisfactions arise during an assignment, partners can mention them in their own confidential follow-up report or directly to the Country Representative. Catalyste+ can then provide the necessary follow-up, allowing him, as an Advisor, to make adjustments in future assignments.
What advice would he give to someone considering becoming a Catalyste+ Advisor? “Be bold. Trust yourself if you feel you have the skills, qualities, and expertise. Once you have taken the first step, ask Catalyste+ for support and tools if, despite personal preparation, you still feel hesitant.” He also suggests speaking with a volunteer who has previously worked with the partner, as this can provide valuable insight into the realities and specificities of the host organization, country, and culture to which an Advisor must adapt. Finally, he notes that the short duration of assignments, combined with the specific needs expressed by partners, facilitates both the experience and its success.
As Daniel emphasizes, this has been a holistic experience for him. It has allowed him to better understand himself across different facets of his personality, push his potential, and respond to values and needs that matter deeply to him, all while enjoying the discovery of new horizons. It has also enabled him to build a new network of Advisors he met in the field, with whom he has discovered shared affinities, as well as partners with whom he maintains ongoing contact.
From our conversation with Daniel, we take away a thought he often shares with partners when he witnesses their culture, perseverance, determination, and solidarity in the face of adversity: “I learn as much from you as you learn from me.”
