The Discovery Pod

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...

What does it take to lead meaningful change in healthcare philanthropy? In this episode, we go behind the scenes of one of BC’s premier healthcare foundations with two powerhouse leaders shaping the future of giving at  VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation . Join us as we speak with Liza Jerome, Senior Vice President of Community Giving and Engagement, and Samantha Rogers, Director of Community...

The Canadian Climate Institute is at the forefront of research and policy solutions for a sustainable future. In this episode, Douglas Nelson welcomes Rick Smith , President of the Canadian Climate Institute, for a compelling conversation on the future of climate policy in Canada. As a leading voice in environmental advocacy, Rick shares insights on the urgent actions needed to drive meaningful ch...

Ready for impact? Journey with us into the heart of the Pond-Deshpande Centre , where groundbreaking ideas ignite real-world change! In this captivating episode, Douglas Nelson sits down with the dynamic Vanessa Paesani , the Pond-Deshpande Centre's Executive Director, to unravel the powerful connection between innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact. Prepare to discover how they're foster...

Dive into the world of university development and philanthropic partnerships at the University of Victoria . In this Opportunity Spotlight episode, Christoph Clodius speaks with Jane Potentier , Associate Vice President, Alumni and Development, and Laura Milligan , Director of University Development. They discuss the new Associate Director, Philanthropic Partnerships position and UVic's strategic...

CILAR isn't just a name—it’s a movement. In this episode, Douglas Nelson engages in a compelling conversation with Serena Nguyen , Founding Executive Director of the Coalition of Innovation Leaders Advancing Respect (CILAR). Delve into the captivating story of CILAR's evolution into a dynamic platform actively shaping a better future. Serena candidly shares the ambitious vision, the challenges enc...

What happens when you center youth voices in the climate movement? In this episode,  Cory Witter , Executive Director of  Youth Climate Lab , shares how the organization empowers young leaders to drive systemic change. Cory breaks down the principles of radical collaboration — from fostering creativity to intentionally disrupting the status quo — and explains how Youth Climate Lab partne...

Navigating change in healthcare requires bold leadership, deep empathy, and a commitment to ongoing evolution. In this episode, Alexa Pitoulis , Executive Director of BC Family Doctors , shares her experience leading an organization at the forefront of family medicine advocacy. She dives into the longitudinal family physician payment model, the rapid transformations sparked by the pandemic, and th...

Community engagement and strategic communication are essential for building trust and a lasting reputation. In this episode,  Aleece Laird , CEO of  Amplify Consulting Inc. , shares her insights on helping organizations connect with their stakeholders and turn feedback into meaningful change. She breaks down the three key steps to effective engagement: being brave enough to hear the hard...

At the heart of this episode is Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), where Douglas Nelson talks with CAIS Executive Director Anand Mahadevan . Anand paints a vibrant picture of CAIS as a diverse archipelago united by excellence, continuous improvement, and a strong belief in student empowerment. He shares the unique qualities that define CAIS schools, emphasizing their focus on fosterin...

Ever wonder how real environmental change takes root? In this episode, Douglas Nelson talks with Carolyn Scotchmer , Executive Director of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF), about their unique, donor-driven approach to supporting hands-on environmental projects across Canada. Carolyn shares how TD FEF funds grassroots initiatives, emphasizing community engagement and the importance...

In this Opportunity Spotlight episode, Christoph Clodius is joined by  Adrienne Carruthers , Co-Chair of the  Midwives Association of British Columbia  (MABC). She shares how she advocates for midwives’ access to proper health benefits, liability insurance, and training opportunities. Adrienne also explains MABC’s work for indigenous midwives and their current search for a new execu...

Brilliant minds, global challenges, collaborative solutions – these are the power of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) . In this episode, Douglas Nelson speaks with their President and CEO Stephen Toope who unveils how CIFAR is breaking down research silos to tackle the world's most complex problems, one brilliant collaboration at a time. He shares their approach to bringing tog...

A strong community can shape the future of healthcare, and Jennifer Gillivan , President and CEO of IWK Foundation , knows this firsthand. Their organization has become a driving force in improving specialized care for women, children, and families across the Maritimes. In this conversation, Jennifer shares how the foundation connects donors with bold healthcare initiatives, the power of community...

Change is inevitable, but resistance does not have to be. In this episode, Douglas Nelson speaks with Jan Kaderly , author of Change Killers: Managing Resistance So People and Organizations Thrive . Together, they dive into the human factors that often stand in the way of organizational transformation and how to better navigate these obstacles with confidence. Jan also shares eye-opening insights...