The Discovery Pod

A successful healthcare foundation relies on strong trust between clinical leaders and executive visionaries. Establishing an effective CEO-physician partnership can transform how hospitals engage donors and elevate patient care across an entire region. In this episode, host Douglas Nelson welcomes Avery Brohman , Chief Executive Officer at Victoria Hospitals Foundation , and Dr. Jeff McCracken ,...

Healthcare is changing rapidly, demanding that organizations look past traditional fundraising to build deep, trust-based community relationships. At the forefront of this shift is the KGH Foundation , an organization redefining how healthcare philanthropy operates both inside and outside hospital walls. In this conversation, host Douglas Nelson sits down with Allison Young , the outgoing CEO of K...

How do we move from simple, transactional giving to creating real, lasting change in our communities? The answer lies in the shift toward relational philanthropy, a concept that is redefining how modern foundations operate and support their partners. Host Douglas Nelson is joined by Hilary Pearson , the founding president of Philanthropic Foundations Canada and author of the 2022 book From Charity...

How can we shift the perception of the social profit sector from being seen as a charitable afterthought to essential civic infrastructure? At the forefront of this movement is the Nonprofit Chamber , which is driving groundbreaking research and partnerships to demonstrate the indispensable role organizations play in community development. Host Douglas Nelson is joined by Angie Gélinas , the Presi...

Building an impactful philanthropic strategy requires visionary leadership at the intersection of donor insights and data science. Selecting the right leader to drive research and prospect analytics is essential for elevating fundraising pipelines and accelerating mission-critical initiatives. In this Opportunity Spotlight episode, Becky Yost , Executive Director of Development at the BC Cancer Fo...

Stepping into a major leadership role is a thrilling milestone, but finding the right pace can be one of the greatest challenges for any incoming executive. Striking the balance between executing bold, decisive actions and taking the time to listen, learn, and absorb organizational history is crucial for long-term sustainability. In this episode, host Douglas Nelson sits down with Brian Torrance ,...

As post-secondary institutions navigate a rapidly changing landscape, leaders are called to think outside the box to secure a sustainable future. Leading Canada’s number-one art and design institution, Emily Carr University of Art and Design , requires a unique blend of creativity and strategic foresight. In this episode, host Douglas Nelson sits down with Dr. Trish Kelly , President and Vice Chan...

Philanthropy is undergoing a major shift across Canada as donor preferences evolve and strategic giving structures become essential. Navigating options like donor advised funds allows individuals, families, and organizations to maximize their long-term impact on the causes they care about most. In this episode, Jo-Anne Ryan , Vice President, Philanthropic Advisory Services at TD Wealth and Executi...

Navigating a complex healthcare landscape requires bold leadership, strategic clarity, and a deep commitment to collective action. As CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society , Andrea Seale has guided the organization through a transformative era to maximize its national reach and impact. In this conversation, Andrea shares how her team crafted an ambitious strategic plan aimed at increasing cancer surv...

Nonprofit leaders often struggle to identify and engage the right supporters, leaving valuable philanthropic opportunities untapped. Building sustainable donor growth requires a grounded approach to prospect research that goes far deeper than net worth or basic online search results. In this episode, Elanna Giang , Director of Research and Analytics at The Discovery Group , shares actionable insig...

The social profit sector is undergoing significant shifts, demanding that leaders distinguish between what is truly important and what is merely urgent. In this final episode of season 10, host Douglas Nelson reflects on the core themes that have surfaced throughout the season, offering a roadmap for organizations ready to embrace transformation. By anchoring in abundance and rethinking board gove...

Mastering nonprofit leadership strategies requires a unique blend of emotional intelligence, adaptability, and governance expertise. In this episode, we sit down with four distinguished nonprofit CEOs— Jennifer Gillivan ( IWK Foundation ), Sharon Avery ( Toronto Foundation ), Michael McKnight ( United Way of British Columbia ), and Wendy Beauchesne ( Alberta Cancer Foundation )—to explore how the...

Transformational change within the social profit sector is not an overnight success story. It requires a strategic plan, deep internal alignment, and courageous preparation long before the public celebration begins. In this episode, host Douglas Nelson joins senior Discovery Group team members Jen Rose, Christoph Clodius, and Ainsley Dowle to unpack key insights from their recent Discovery Dialogu...

Katherine Pui, the Associate Vice-President of Philanthropy at the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, shares her transition from a medical background to full-time healthcare fundraising. She highlights the strategic importance of major gifts and how they drive innovation within the provincial hospital network. Katherine explains the player-coach model of her new leadership role and why it is criti...

Achieving transformational change is a universal goal for nonprofit leaders, but it requires more than just scaling programs or ambitious growth plans. In this episode, we dive into what it actually takes to navigate organizational shifts, build alignment, and sustain momentum. Join us as we sit down with Kelly Cole , President and CEO of Sunnybrook Foundation , and Aaron Sanderson , CEO of Kids H...

It is quite ironic to use AI tools to help human skills, but one company out there is doing exactly just that. Douglas Nelson sits down with Tadzio Smith , Co-Founder and CEO of Rapport , where they tap into the human side of AI to increase the emotional intelligence and people skills within organizations. He explains how technology can help build more timely and effective human interaction to pre...

Traditional philanthropy in Canada has long been defined by transactions, KPIs, and metrics. But what happens when we shift the focus toward relationships, reciprocity, and the long-term stewardship of the next seven generations? Today, we sit down with Emily Cabrera , Executive Director of RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs), to explore what it truly means to be a “philan...

Closing the systemic healthcare gap for First Nations communities requires more than government support; it demands a radical shift toward self-determined, community-led philanthropy. In this conversation, we are joined by Nathania Fung , inaugural CEO, and Dr. Ruth Williams, Board Chair of the First Nations Health Foundation , to explore how they are bridging critical funding and knowledge gaps a...

Building a just future requires commitment, not just a single moment. In this special episode, we sit down with Sarah Midanik, President and CEO of The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, to explore the crucial work of reconciliation in Canada. As a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Sarah is deeply committed to bridging cultural understanding. She discusses the legacy of The Secret P...

The Canadian Mental Health Association BC (CMHA BC) is at a pivotal moment, having grown into a $65 million powerhouse of community care. Now, they are seeking a highly strategic and mission-driven leader to step into the brand-new Chief Programs Officer (CPO) role. In this exclusive interview, CMHA BC CEO Jonny Morris opens up about the organization’s transformative impact—from innovative, commun...

In the social profit sector, solving the world’s “knottiest problems” requires more than just good intentions—it demands true social profit innovation. But what happens when proven, life-saving solutions exist, yet never reach the millions who need them most? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Karlee Silver , President and CEO of Grand Challenges Canada, an organization that has marshaled over...

Are you looking to transform your organization’s financial future and embed philanthropy into its DNA? Today, we sit down with  Chad Holtum , Head of School at  Glenlyon Norfolk School  (GNS), to uncover the secrets behind their monumental fundraising success. Chad shares the journey of transforming GNS’s parent participation in annual giving from a modest 10% to over 60%, culminati...

Is your organization truly ready for the big leap? While every leader desires transformation, many are unprepared for the complex commitment it truly demands. In this powerful conversation, two top-tier leaders who have successfully navigated monumental change—Angela Chapman, President and CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, and Deb Lester, CEO of Covenant House Vancouver—share their candid...

In today’s fast-paced world full of unnecessary noise and grind, mentors are expected to give the breather everyone desperately needs. Douglas Nelson is joined by coach, social entrepreneur, and leadership practitioner  Ian Chisholm , who explains why mentorship requires silence and calmness. He discusses why mentors should create spaces where everyone can learn with intention, purpose, and g...

The role of a Campaign Director is a rare opportunity to move beyond traditional fundraising and lead a transformative shift in how a community addresses mental health and housing stability.  Keir Macdonald , CEO of  Coast Mental Health , joins the conversation to detail how this specific leadership position will bridge the gap between provincial support and philanthropic vision to creat...