The Discovery Pod

Navigating the complexities of fundraising leadership in a changing donor landscape requires both unparalleled expertise and a dedication to constant evolution. We sit down with  Roger D. Ali , the second Canadian and current  AFP Global  Chair, to discuss his remarkable career and the key insights he’s gathered from the sector. Roger shares the biggest concerns he’s heard from AFP...

How do you maintain momentum after the record-setting success of a $600 million campaign? Learn the critical role of organizational readiness and strategic ambition in this master class on philanthropic leadership. Douglas Nelson sits down with  Anne-Marie Newton , President & CEO of the  Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation , who openly shares her experience navi...

Osteoporosis may seem like a normal part of aging, but it is actually a sign of some internal problems that you must address at once.  Dr. Famida Jiwa , President and CEO of  Osteoporosis Canada , joins Douglas Nelson to share how they are raising awareness about the wrong perceptions about bone health and fractures. She discusses how their team balances real science with real human stor...

The continuous challenge of balancing advocacy, fundraising, and programs is a fundamental tension for leaders in the international development sector. Douglas Nelson explores this dynamic with  Allison Alley , President and CEO of  World Vision Canada , who oversees efforts to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Allison shares her unique perspective on leading through seismic...

Uncover the essential nonprofit fundraising insights needed to anchor your organization in abundance for 2026 and beyond. In a special “Ask Doug Anything” session,  Douglas Nelson  sits down with  Samantha Gayfer , Director of Strategic Development at The Discovery Group, to tackle the sector’s most persistent challenges. They dive into critical shifts in donor behavior trends, disc...

Hogan’s Alley Society  (HAS) is dedicated to advancing the social, political, economic, and cultural well-being of the Black community in Metro Vancouver. Douglas Nelson sits down with their inaugural executive director,  Djaka Blais , who talks about their place-making efforts focused on nonprofit housing development and community engagement. Djaka discusses how they embrace Afrocentric...

Whenever the economy stumbles or takes a moment to take a breath, the social profit sector gets concerned about what will happen with corporate philanthropy. Douglas Nelson delves into the current state of corporate partnerships in Canada with  Adam Starkman , President and CEO of  Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations . He offers valuable insights on building and driving meaningful c...

The donor community is one of the powerhouses of every philanthropic group, and therefore must be given proper support and appreciation.  Covenant House Vancouver , a non-profit organization supporting young people living in “hidden homelessness,” aims to boost their fundraising efforts through their newly created role: Director of Donor Engagement and Operations. Talking about the responsibi...

Raising money is one of the lifelines of any hospital foundation. It ensures the organization’s longevity and capacity to save many lives. Douglas Nelson offers a glimpse of what it takes to build successful fundraising models with  Jennifer Molloy , CEO of the  Royal University Hospital Foundation . She shares the challenges and successes of raising money for the largest clinical teachi...

To make the social profit sector more equitable, inclusive, and effective, an optimistic vision from a committed leader is necessary.  Tanya Rumble , executive director of the  Toronto Metropolitan University , takes her social profit leadership approach to the next level to make this dream a reality. She joins Douglas Nelson to share how she promotes inclusive fundraising practices and...

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which is growing quicker in Canada than many other countries and Jessica Diniz leads the charge in unlocking brand-new health breakthroughs to accelerate the pace of its research. She joins Douglas Nelson to share her experiences and insights as the president and CEO of  Breakthrough T1D , one of Canada’s top national health charities dedicated t...

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...