Today we're sharing an important step in raisin's story. Star Hofer, our Chief Operating Officer since 2023, is now raisin's Chief Executive Officer, effective October 16, 2026. Adrian Bartha, who has led raisin as CEO since 2023, becomes our Chief Product & Strategy Officer.
This is a planned succession, not a goodbye. Adrian and Star have led raisin side by side for three years, and they'll keep doing that in their new roles. For the nonprofits we serve, your team, your support and our commitments stay exactly as they are.
"Star's COO role was a staging ground for this moment. She's ready to be a great CEO, and she's the best CEO for raisin." - Adrian Bartha
A note from Adrian
When GoodCapital became raisin's new owners in 2023, I jumped in with both feet as CEO. I'd found raisin as a donor to causes it supports, and I've been grateful for that lucky discovery ever since.
Back then, raisin felt like a house with good bones in a good neighbourhood. Not just a house, but a home. We had incredible people, wonderful clients supporting important causes, and a track record of trust. What we needed was a distinct vision for the future of fundraising, and a modern product to deliver on it.
My first high-growth company taught me two lessons. Bring great leaders on ahead of the curve, not behind it. And build with people who challenge you, complement you and bring out your best. Reflecting on that took me about three seconds. I called Star.
I'd worked in the trenches with Star before. She's courageous, curious and has the perseverance to see something great through. She's uncompromising on her principles but leans into change, undaunted by the messy middle of building a company, and deeply committed to the people around her. This time, I wanted to set the stage for her to lead.
The CEO role can be a lonely one, but I never felt that here, because I had a great partner in Star. And as for me: I'm not tired, and I'm not finished. As Chief Product & Strategy Officer, I'll focus on connecting what we build today with the advantages we need for tomorrow. That means raisin 2.0, a new approach to our clients' digital presence, and continuing to build around a simple belief: technology should strengthen the human connection that makes giving possible.
A note from Star
I grew up in a small town in Newfoundland, where I learned early that determination, curiosity and a willingness to work hard can take you further than you might imagine. At 17, I moved to Toronto to study network engineering, beginning a career in technology that has taken me places I never expected.
Over the past 25 years, I've had the opportunity to work in six startups, including raisin. I've helped companies grow, navigated acquisitions, built customer success organizations and, most importantly, worked alongside some incredible people.
I love the scrappy side of building a business. Rolling up your sleeves, solving problems that don't come with a playbook, developing leaders and finding better ways to help customers succeed. That's where I've always felt at home.
I've spent much of my career as a customer success leader, and that perspective is something I carry proudly into the CEO role. Because no matter how sophisticated the technology becomes, success still comes down to people, relationships and the trust we build along the way.
That's also what excites me about the future of raisin.
We're building raisin 2.0 with a belief that fundraising technology can do more than process a donation. It can help tell stories, inspire generosity and strengthen the connection between people and the causes they care about.
We're exploring how thoughtful design, creativity and AI can help nonprofits bring those experiences to life, without losing the authenticity that makes giving so personal.
There's a lot more to share, and I can't wait to show you what we're building.
To our team, I want us to stay curious, challenge each other, be bold enough to try new things and never be afraid to get our hands dirty.
To our clients, thank you for trusting us with the work that matters so much to you. Your success will always be at the centre of what we do.
And to Adrian, thank you for believing in me, challenging me and building alongside me. I'm excited that this next chapter is one we get to continue together.
We're just getting started.
What this means for you
Your client experience team, support and live campaigns continue without interruption.
Our roadmap continues, with Adrian now focused full-time on raisin 2.0 and what comes next.
Questions? Reach out to your client experience manager or hello@raisinsoftware.org.
About Star Hofer
Star Hofer is the Chief Executive Officer of raisin, a Canadian fundraising technology and digital services company helping nonprofits build stronger connections with their supporters.
With more than 25 years of experience in technology, SaaS and customer success, Star brings a builder's mindset to leadership. Raisin is her sixth startup, following a career spent helping growing companies scale, navigate acquisitions and build high-performing teams across venture-backed, private equity-backed and publicly traded environments.
Starting her career in network engineering, Star went on to lead Customer Success, Support and Professional Services organizations, developing leaders and building the operational foundations that help businesses and their customers thrive.
A customer success leader turned CEO, Star believes great companies are built by people who aren't afraid to roll up their sleeves, challenge conventional thinking and put customers at the heart of every decision.
Her leadership philosophy is simple: invest in people, stay curious and never lose sight of the human connection behind the technology.
About raisin
Founded in 1997 and based in Toronto, raisin brings award-winning creative services and fundraising technology together to help nonprofits strengthen the human connection that makes giving possible. More than 300 long-term clients have launched over 30,000 campaigns with raisin.