The Discovery Pod

The year we have all endured is now over, and 2021 greets us with its own set of opportunities and uncertainties. If 2020 has taught us anything, it would be that sometimes things change so much that what we planned for the beginning of the year may not turn out exactly as we wanted it to. It shouldn’t discourage us from making plans, however. If anything, it tells us that we should take a differe...

As an organization grows in scope and scale, it would need to fill an increasing number of roles, especially in senior leadership positions. Executive search experts like Christoph Clodius  help these organizations find talent that perfectly fits their vision, mission, goals and specific needs. Christoph has been leading the executive talent management for Ketchum Canada Inc. for nine years....

Making a great impact is one of the main goals of a social profit organization. But as with its nature, you have to pull a number of strings in order to make things work—from coordinating with donors to organizing fundraisers and more. Needless to say, the job entails a lot. Yet, with a heart that is ever-willing to serve, nothing is quite impossible. In this episode, Douglas Nelson sits down with...

Founded at a time when social media was limited to Friendster and MySpace, Stupid Cancer soon grew to become the largest cancer support community for young adults in the world. Diagnosed with cancer when he was 21, Matthew Zachary did not set out to start an organization, but to spearhead a movement, an edgy, disruptive brand that has never existed before in the world of cancer. As you will soon f...

Formed with a humanitarian intent around a mission, a big issue, or a great opportunity, nonprofits and philanthropic organizations are noble causes. However, many fall along the wayside and fail due to them being unable to overcome many of their challenges. Limited funding and the pressure to show results and scale their impact are just two of the most common problems nonprofits face, both of whi...

A registered non-profit based in Victoria, Power To Be creates nature-based activities for vulnerable populations, focusing on children, youth, and families living with cognitive, physical, financial, and social barriers. Joining Douglas Nelson on the show today is Tim Cormode , the CEO of Power To Be. Tim has been involved in youth work and the non-profit sector for nearly 30 years. He shares the...

This year has been a pivotal time for charity organizations and even the more established names are not spared the challenges. Despite the hardships, however, Variety, the Children’s Charity remains committed in fulfilling its mission, especially in this time of utmost need. Coming into a leadership position with a strong background in fundraising, CEO Cally Wesson gives the organization the kind...

One area that contributes to the turnover in the social profit sector is its hesitance to invest in leadership development. Many people who can’t find leadership opportunities in the sector either search for a greener pasture next door or find a different role altogether. Having successfully transitioned in her career from being a fundraiser to CEO in the social profit sector to becoming an execut...

Music is becoming an antidote to COVID-19 and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra takes the challenge of keeping its traditions in a radically changing world. When the pandemic hit us in early 2020, organizations all around the world have been evaluating their mission and aligning it with changed circumstances. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the performing arts, as the pandemic took away the ve...

Making that shift from the corporate sector to the social profit sector can be surprising, especially when you’re already an accomplished leader. Mark Breslauer , the CEO of the United Way of Greater Victoria , did exactly that and in this episode, he shares with host, Douglas Nelson the transitional piece that attracted him to make that move. He talks about how it is working with donors, a volunt...

Are you wondering how animal charities are faring in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic? In British Columbia, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SCPA) is trying its best to rethink their strategies and campaigns so that they can continue to be of service despite the challenges. The pandemic is a tough time for charities, who are struggling to reconcile the increased demand...

What’s in a name? For President and CEO Joanna Kerr , the name change from Tides Canada to MakeWay is much deeper than just being just an attempt to solidify brand identity. It represents a bigger pivot from being a service-based organization to being a purpose-based organization. It represents the adoption of a more laser-focused approach on service that aligns everything to the purpose of making...

The busiest season for social profit is upon us, but with everything that has happened in the first three quarters of 2020, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, things aren’t exactly breezy for the sector. What can we learn about the way we do things today that can help us navigate the challenges and uncertainties of the future? Joining Douglas Nelson to talk about this is one of Canada’s premier phi...

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that afflicts a significant part of our aging population, yet we still have a lot of catching up to do in addressing the needs of people who are living with it. The  Alzheimer’s Society of BC  envisions an ideal society that is free of Alzheimer’s and dementia. In recognition of the fact that the vision may be many decades away from realization, the Soc...

Like all forms of education, music education has been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the closure of physical campuses and the increased reliance on distance and online learning. How do music schools manage to do this? The  Sarah McLachlan School of Music  is such a success story in this regard, as Interim Executive Director,  Jen Rose , relates in this interv...

Immigrating to another country is no easy feat—from the time you’ve decided to move to the moment you finally arrive. How do you settle down? How can you create new relationships? How can you start on the path towards the life you want?  Olga Stachova , CEO of  MOSAIC , helps people who are in this challenging journey. MOSAIC is one of Canada’s largest settlement organizations supporting...

In unprecedented times, such as with the current COVID-19 pandemic we are all in, finding precedent is one of the most important tasks of a leader in an organization.  Ezra Shanken , the CEO of the  Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver , is someone who is all too familiar with this challenge, and in this episode, he sits down with host, Douglas Nelson to talk about how the pandemic has...

A lot of people have been working hard to pivot their organizations, their fundraising, their messaging, and the missions of their organization in response to the pandemic. One such organization that has pivoted successfully despite the numerous challenges is Ocean Wise, a global conservation organization that inspires millions of people to take action to improve the health of our oceans. Joining...

Men’s health remains to be an underserved advocacy in the social profit sphere despite alarming statistics of men suffering from preventable chronic health problems like heart disease and obesity. Led by its President,  Wayne Hartrick , the  Canadian Men’s Health Foundation  (CMHF) is on a mission to inspire men to live healthier lives by being more proactive in modifying their life...

As the world keeps changing, research continues to provide understanding and knowledge about the things that affect us in our daily lives. It keeps us informed and, in times of crisis, prepared. In a global health crisis, the power of research—especially medical research—is undeniable. However, we can’t deny the fact that it can be quite costly. Responding to this concern, a group of community cit...

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost every single aspect of our lives, and everything has to be put on hold as we struggle to survive the crisis.  Burnaby Hospital Foundation  had just launched the largest campaign in their history, raising $30 million for redevelopment, when the pandemic struck and forced them to shift focus.  Kristy James  was right there at the forefro...

Engaging with the community, of course, is one of the most important aspects of running a social profit organization. But this engagement naturally differs between organizations, and over time must evolve to respond to the needs of the times, especially in times of extraordinary crisis. Douglas Nelson is joined by Christine Bergeron , Vancity ‘s Chief Member Services Officer. Douglas and Christine...

One of the silver linings in the COVID-19 crisis is the fact that we see a lot of people stepping up to donate in any way they can to the fight against the pandemic. Victoria Hospitals Foundation makes sure that these donations go where they are needed the most. Using all resources available to extend its reach, the dedicated people in the foundation have essentially become frontliners in healthca...

The COVID-19 pandemic is a far-reaching and present danger that affects every sector on every level. Assuming roles of leadership in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic is bound to be tough because, on top of the usual transitional activities, there’s the additional task of keeping everything running as smoothly as can be, undaunted, in the face of an international crisis. Douglas Nelson is joined b...

For many organizations and social profit groups, attaining sustainability that’s authentic and equitable is both a challenge and a mission. However, many organizations are working towards this goal consistently, whether on a large scale or a community level. Douglas Nelson is joined by  Mark Gifford , the CEO of the  Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia . Douglas and Mark discuss t...