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 to treating Type 1 Diabetes. Jessica talks about what it takes to lead a distributed team of a global organization and how to maintain a strong community of donors. She also discusses how COVID-19 vastly changed their revenue sources and how she guides her team in staying open to constant change.

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 Spotlight, we sit down with Vanessa Abaya, Senior Vice President for Philanthropy and Campaign, to discuss the foundation's culture, its expansive impact, and the pivotal responsibilities of this "air traffic controller" position. Discover how you can leverage your strategic vision and operational excellence to bridge fundraising strategy with tactical execution, working across all teams (from Major Gifts to IT) to drive success for a campaign that will redefine healthcare in British Columbia. If you thrive on complexity, collaboration, and the chance to leave a legacy, this is the deep dive you need to read.

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 also explores her collaborative leadership style built on trust, as well as some compelling reasons why a seasoned leader should join their foundation.

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 forward-thinking approach allowed them to scale from 1.9 million interactions to over 22.5 million, maintain quality care during explosive growth, and prepare for challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. Katherine also shares lessons from key missteps, why investing in people is critical, and how partnerships—not competition—drive impact. If you want to learn how strategic innovation can future-proof your organization, this conversation delivers powerful insights.

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 institution.

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 global South, Geoffrey reveals the strategies that sustain impact even amid shrinking donor markets and operational challenges. Learn how Asante Africa Foundation measures success through lives transformed, not just numbers reached, and why their long-term vision focuses on local ownership, data-driven decisions, and strategic partnerships.

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 integration into the healthcare system. Drawing from her own leadership journey, she explains how people-centred strategies, clear priorities, and member engagement can turn challenges into opportunities and build a vibrant future for midwifery.

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 housing for marginalized women, children, and gender-diverse individuals fleeing violence. Donna-Lynn shares the organization’s person-centered approach—where nearly 80% of staff bring lived experience—and its dual focus on providing immediate services and driving systemic change. She also reflects on her leadership philosophy, showing how pausing, listening, and modeling wellness are key to sustaining both people and mission while tackling gender-based violence and advocating for a safer future.

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 allow their organization to create philanthropic and humanitarian efforts that span across the globe. Lauren also details how their grassroots partnerships, feminist identity, and diverse team shape their unique approach in raising alarm on the world’s most critical issues. This conversation is truly an eye-opener on how tiny efforts, when collaborated and connected the right way, can create huge waves of social change.

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 social profit roles, and why women are increasingly influential in philanthropy and leadership. She also underscores the importance of storytelling, quality over quantity in building meaningful conversations, and the role of peer support in mid-career growth. Plus, Heather offers a glimpse into North of Now, her upcoming international event with Virgin Unite, designed to spotlight new leadership styles and social impact.