The Discovery Pod

Are you ready to be the architect of B.C.'s most ambitious healthcare campaign? The VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is launching an unprecedented, comprehensive fundraising effort—a bold undertaking designed to elevate healthcare innovation across the province. At the heart of this monumental initiative is a critical new role: Director of Campaign Operations. In this exclusive Opportunity Spotli...

For this episode’s Opportunity Spotlight, we are joined by  Elissa Ming Morrissette , Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer of  BC Cancer Foundation , who talks about their new Executive Director role. She explains what they are looking for in their future ED, who will play a pivotal role in the largest philanthropic funder of cancer research in British Columbia. Elissa a...

Transforming crisis into growth takes bold vision and courageous leadership.  Katherine Hay  reveals how  Kids Help Phone  redefined itself as an innovation-driven, data-powered mental health organization. By shifting from a traditional phone service to a leading digital platform, KHP embraced technology to protect its mission and stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. This...

The Royal BC Museum Foundation is looking for a builder—a connector who can turn vision into impact. In this episode of Opportunity Spotlight, Christoph Clodius talks with  Cristi Main  and Robert Peterson about the Foundation’s new Director of Development role, why it’s vital to the Museum’s future, and how the right leader can help rekindle trust and excitement around this beloved BC i...

Building resilient social profits starts with leadership that empowers.  Geoffrey Kasangaki , CEO of  Asante Africa Foundation , shares how the organization equips rural youth in East Africa with the skills and mindset to transform challenges into opportunities. From innovative “pay it forward” models to robust governance and a bold transition of leadership from the global North to the g...

In a healthcare landscape under strain, balancing immediate member needs with a long-term strategic vision has never been more critical.  Angie Knott , Executive Director of the  Midwives Association of British Columbia , shares how she leads a profession facing burnout, staffing shortages, and under-recognition while championing parity of esteem, sustainable midwifery care, and stronger...

What does it take to scale impact without losing sight of humanity? In this Women’s History Month conversation, Douglas Nelson speaks with  Donna-Lynn Rosa , CEO of  Atira Women’s Resource Society , about leading with humility, compassion, and hope. From one house four decades ago to more than 2,500 supportive housing spaces today, Atira has become British Columbia’s largest provider of...

By bringing different local programs together, they become much more efficient and impactful in addressing today’s biggest social issues. Douglas Nelson continues to put the spotlight on women leaders in Canada this Women’s History Month as he sits down with  Lauren Ravon , executive director of  Oxfam Canada . She shares how small donations combined with long-term community development...

Women in leadership are reshaping the future of work, and  Heather Odendaal , founder and CEO of  WNORTH , is at the forefront of this movement. What began as a single conference in 2015 has grown into a powerful national platform connecting and advancing women leaders across sectors. Heather shares the inspiration behind WNORTH, insights on the shift from corporate to purpose-driven and...

Women’s health in Canada is critically underfunded—only 7% of national health research dollars are dedicated to it, and just 2.5% when oncology is excluded.  Amy Flood , Executive Director of  Women’s Health Collective Canada , joins the conversation to share how her organization is tackling this disparity through strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, and public education. From pushin...

From turning potato starch waste into edible packaging to redirecting over a million pounds of imperfect produce,  Enactus Canada  proves that student-led innovation can transform communities. President & CEO  Catherine Fowler  shares how this national charity empowers almost 2,300 post-secondary students across 78 campuses to tackle pressing social, economic, and environme...

With food insecurity and waste getting worse year by year, food banks are becoming a crucial necessity in saving people’s lives.  Kirstin Beardsley , CEO of  Food Banks Canada , shares how they are coordinating a national network to serve local communities and save them from severe hunger. In this conversation with Douglas Nelson, she explains how food banks are mainly operated through v...

Heather McDonald  recently stepped into her role as president and CEO of the  United Way Greater Toronto , an organization focused on growth impact and operational transformation. In this conversation with Douglas Nelson, she shares how she balances their work as a solutions finder and her task of implementing new systems to integrate her values-based leadership. Heather also discusses h...

The Discovery Pod is now on Season 10! Douglas Nelson shares what to expect from this next phase of the show, from what it takes to build a resilient organization in uncertain times to how leadership successions should be handled in the social profit sector. He also reveals which topics from the previous season he will continue to discuss, including the essential elements of sustaining change with...

Dive deep into the pivotal Executive Director of Programs role at the  Canadian Mental Health Association BC , as CEO  Jonny Morris  unveils the strategic vision behind this critical leadership opportunity. Learn how this individual will spearhead the integration and oversight of CMHA BC’s extensive program portfolio, from promotion to crisis intervention, and lead a dedicated team...

Integrating your campaign into your strategic plan isn’t just smart—it’s essential. In this season wrap-up,   The Discovery Group ’s very own  Douglas Nelson  offers a deeply practical guide for social profit leaders seeking to align campaigns, strategic planning, and board engagement. Drawing from real organizational challenges, Douglas outlines the six essential functions of...

Explore the true meaning of innovation and its role in building meaningful partnerships and telling compelling stories within the social profit sector. Joined by  Josée Thibault , Practice Lead for Philanthropy and Social Innovation at  The Discovery Group , this conversation dives deep into navigating uncertainty at the board table, fostering genuine collaboration, and crafting a narrat...

Douglas Nelson visits his hometown Calgary, Alberta and sits down with  Christy Holtby , Vice President of Development of the  Alberta Cancer Foundation . She talks about the billion-dollar partnership between their foundation, the Government of Alberta, and  Siemens Healthineers , aimed at significantly investing in Alberta’s healthcare system. Christy looks back on how this ground...

What if leading one of North America’s largest United Ways meant revolutionizing charitable work itself?  Michael McKnight , CEO of  United Way British Columbia , reveals the hunt for a visionary Chief Development Officer, a role that’s not just about fundraising, but about reshaping the future of philanthropy. Forget dusty traditions; this is about leveraging cutting-edge tech like Food...

What does it take for a 140-year-old organization to stay relevant, radical, and rooted in justice? Today, we sit down with Amanda Burrows , Executive Director of First United , a cornerstone of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. From providing essential services like food, water, and shelter to driving real policy change through data-backed advocacy, Amanda shares how First United continues to evolve...

Many indigenous students still struggle to get access to proper education even in these modern times. In Canada, registered charity  Indspire  is making a real difference by investing in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. Sitting down with Douglas Nelson is their president and CEO  Mike DeGagné  who talks about their noble mission as the largest non-g...

Almost everyone spends a huge chunk of their days glued to their phones and scrolling through endless online content. This engagement-rich virtual world must be leveraged by non-profit organizations when gathering charitable donations. Douglas Nelson sits down with  Wen-Chih O’Connell , executive director of  PayPal Giving Fund Canada , who supports charities raising funds through PayPal...

Covenant House Vancouver  has been serving young people to help them get out of homelessness and provide them with everything they need to enjoy a comfortable life. Its CEO,  Deb Lester , provides a glimpse of what they are doing behind the scenes to make a real difference for youth at risk. In this conversation with Douglas Nelson, she shares what it takes to be a leader in an already e...

The Equality Fund is redefining the way we invest in gender justice by combining philanthropy, grant-making, and impact investing. Join Douglas Nelson as he sits down with Jess Tomlin , CEO of the Equality Fund. In this insightful conversation, they explore the transformative power of feminist philanthropy, the importance of funding women-led initiatives, and the role of the Equality Fund in resha...

People often come together in public spaces, and   Jen Angel   ensures that these areas are functioning at their utmost best to foster healthy, long-lasting connections.   In this conversation,   Douglas Nelson   sits down with the CEO of   Evergreen Canada   as she shares their mission of building spaces centered on community building, social interaction, and di...