The Discovery Pod

What changes can you implement in your organization so you can make a difference? Listen as your host Douglas Nelson sits down for a conversation with Malcolm Berry on BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s philanthropic success. Since March 2021, Malcolm Berry has led the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation as president and CEO, bringing with him a proven track record of philanthropy and leadership ac...

There are so many things the social profit sector can do, and corporate partnerships can help them further achieve their goals. Tune into this episode as  Brad Offman  discusses corporate partnerships in the social profit sector. Brad is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at  Spire Philanthropy , a management consultancy specializing in corporate-charitable partnerships and phi...

The Pacific Salmon Foundation is a nonprofit that focuses on rebuilding and improving the ecosystems for salmon. Running a massive organization with such a unique structure as this charity has is a one-in-a-kind challenge. We get taken into the ins-and-outs of the Pacific Salmon Foundation by Allison Colina , Vice President of Development, Marketing, and Communications. In this episode, she talks...

The Calgary John Howard Society  (CJHS) is a charity that has been reducing crime and making Calgary communities safer since 1949 by helping youth and adults make positive changes and move away from criminal behavior. They do this by addressing the root causes of crime through education, employment programs, housing, and support so individuals have alternatives to breaking the law. Joining Do...

Tension in the workplace can be counterproductive, but do you know that leaders can use healthy tension to enhance alignment in the effectiveness of their boards? In this special episode, Douglas Nelson is joined by two of his colleagues at the Discovery Group,  Margaret McNeil  and  Karen Gilmore , in a discussion about the role of healthy tension and how that tension plays out in...

The definition of a leader today is different from before. Douglas Nelson welcomes Roberto Erario , a Business and Leadership Coach. Roberto talks about how a leader before was someone who had a lot of knowledge. But today, a leader is someone who surrounds themselves with people who have the expertise to help them accomplish something greater than they can by themselves. One of the challenges the...

Raising money, for whatever purpose, is an inspirational act anyone can and should be proud of.  Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation  CEO  Jeff Norris  has dedicated his life to enhancing hospital care and improving its fundraising strategies. Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is a provincial and regional independent charitable foundation that raises millions of dollars annua...

Around 20% of society has a mental illness, whereas everyone has mental health. Just like your physical health, this is something you need to take care of. Join Douglas Nelson as he talks to  Michael Anhorn  about how he runs his organization as a leader. Michael is the CEO of the  Canadian Mental Health Association . Michael believes in creating an inclusive society where no one is...

What are the elements of success for fundraisers to transition from raising money door-to-door to building programs and a culture of philanthropy? Douglas Nelson welcomes Ana-Maria Hobrough , the Vice President for Advancement at Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation . The first step is to identify your natural strength and skillset. Then figure out where you want to go with your project. It’s not about...

One out of 100 people have schizophrenia and three out of 100 people experience psychosis. Schizophrenia is not rare. People need to be aware of it and all the other mental illnesses. Join Douglas Nelson as he talks to the CEO of the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society , Faydra Aldridge . BCSS is a community-based nonprofit organization that focuses on severe and persistent mental illness. Its...

Do you strive to make a difference in the world? Wendy Beauschesne  is the CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation , which aims to help cancer patients face their situation. She has been in the healthcare industry most of her career but decided to be a philanthropist when she became CEO. This decision required a lot of adjustments and worked through talking to people within the organization for...

Health information is important, especially for first responders. MedicAlert  is in charge of all this info. They make sure that first responders get all the health information they need. MedicAlert Foundation Canada is one of the nation’s longstanding health charities. Join Douglas Nelson as he talks to Leslie McGill , the organization’s CEO and President. Leslie's goal is to increase MedicA...

As a leader, your decisions affect everybody. Leadership is not about you getting where you're going. It's about bringing other people along to get where they're going. You have to bring everyone together for a common cause. But at the same time, you need to know when to take a step back and understand how things run. Join Douglas Nelson as he talks with Debra Pozega Osburn about leadership commun...

A leader doesn’t just sit at the top but works as the center of the organization. A great example of this is  Sally Ginter . Sally is the CEO of the  South Okanagan Similkameen (SOS) Medical Foundation , an organization that fundraises for different interior health facilities in various communities. Sally’s complex role comes with many responsibilities: leading her organization, interact...

You have to identify problems first before you plan your future-forward decisions. Join your host Douglas Nelson as he sits down with the Vice President of Corporate Development at Carbin Minerals Inc. , Sean Lowrie . Sean is the Director and founding CEO of The Start Network , a global network of non-governmental organizations that tackle crises through innovation, funding, early action, and loca...

As a leader, we are handed with situations where we find ourselves helpless, challenged, and overwhelmed. What do we do in those scenarios? How do we overcome adversities and deal with the unfamiliar?   Ahmad Zbib  is the CEO of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, the national professional association for Canadian rheumatologists. Ahmad spent most of his career at mission-based,...

There have been many changes to the world of fundraisers, with many opportunities in the field. Along with opportunities, of course, are new challenges to face. In this episode, Douglas Nelson interviews  Sofia Janmohamed , President of the AFP Greater Vancouver Chapter. They discuss the state of fundraisers and charities, the impact of philanthropic work, and how to face the challenges of to...

Appearing defensive in a board meeting can break the trust between members. Learn that it's okay, to be honest, and to say "I don't know" if you really don't know. Join Douglas Nelson and learn five tactics that you can use to avoid being defensive in board CEO relations. As a leader, it's your job to step into these challenging conversations. Your board is just there to help you so that you can a...

NorQuest College  continues to grow more into an institution that helps show the way on solving problems together. Douglas Nelson introduces Carolyn Campbell , the President and CEO of the institution. Carolyn explains that the deep purpose of NorQuest is to be a place where people come to transform lives and feel that they belong. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are highly-prized values. Th...

The Cultch  is an arts community center showcasing artists and their work in a historic church building. In this episode, Douglas Nelson presents Heather Redfern , the Executive Director at The Cultch. The Cultch is a presenting organization that doesn’t produce its own work. Instead, it presents the work produced by other companies. Follow the story of organization as the number of seats the...

The  Ronald McDonald House  is a home away from home for families who have a child being treated at the BC Children’s Hospital. This house has created a culture of care and support for one another that even long-time families welcome the new families in. Learn that you are not in this alone. Join your host Douglas Nelson as he talks to  Richard Pass  on his career in fundraisin...

Working between two large entities - academia and the healthcare system - is a complex role to play. In this episode, Douglas Nelson’s guest is Dr. Jodi Abbott , the President and CEO of the University Hospital Foundation. Dr. Jodi talks about how being in the middle ground can be a flexible advantage. You can move mountains that people in academia or the healthcare system couldn’t.   On that...

The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity  is home to some of Canada’s finest in the realm of arts and culture. With nearly a hundred years of excellence in the arts, The Banff Centre is prepared to continue inspiring people towards creativity. In this episode, Douglas Nelson sits down with the President and CEO of the Banff Centre Foundation, Janice Price , for a look at the foundation and it...

How can you have a good recruitment and retention program at your hospital? You need to provide your physicians and surgeons with the most modern and technologically advanced tools. Douglas Nelson introduces Stephanie Beck, the Executive Director of Peace Arch Hospital  & Community Health Foundation (PAH Foundation). The Peace Arch Hospital Foundation serves the communities of White Rock...

Having a leadership mindset could be developed overtime. You just have to be committed to recognizing opportunities, solving problems and delivering value to the company as a whole. The CEO of the  YMCA of Greater Vancouver  and the CEO of Canada West YMCA Regional Development Center,  Stephen Butz  joins Douglas Nelson to tell us more. In this conversation, Stephen shares how...