The Discovery Pod

Transformational change within the social profit sector is not an overnight success story. It requires a strategic plan, deep internal alignment, and courageous preparation long before the public celebration begins. In this episode, host Douglas Nelson joins senior Discovery Group team members Jen Rose, Christoph Clodius, and Ainsley Dowle to unpack key insights from their recent Discovery Dialogues. They explore the critical role of listening, the necessity of repeating the vision, and why effective leadership is often about empowering your people to execute. Whether you are leading a large organization or a small team, this discussion provides the framework you need to move from ambition to action.

Katherine Pui, the Associate Vice-President of Philanthropy at the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, shares her transition from a medical background to full-time healthcare fundraising. She highlights the strategic importance of major gifts and how they drive innovation within the provincial hospital network. Katherine explains the player-coach model of her new leadership role and why it is critical for meeting ambitious campaign goals. She offers a look into the foundation’s collaborative culture and why this position represents a rare, historic opportunity for a fundraising leader. Listeners get a clear picture of what success looks like in this high-impact, donor-focused environment.

Achieving transformational change is a universal goal for nonprofit leaders, but it requires more than just scaling programs or ambitious growth plans. In this episode, we dive into what it actually takes to navigate organizational shifts, build alignment, and sustain momentum. Join us as we sit down with Kelly Cole, President and CEO of Sunnybrook Foundation, and Aaron Sanderson, CEO of Kids Help Phone Foundation. They share their candid insights on leading through transformation, managing board expectations, and the discipline required to move big ideas forward. Whether you are leading a community-based nonprofit or a national organization, discover how to avoid the “trap of more” and stay grounded in your mission while evolving your impact.

It is quite ironic to use AI tools to help human skills, but one company out there is doing exactly just that. Douglas Nelson sits down with Tadzio Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Rapport, where they tap into the human side of AI to increase the emotional intelligence and people skills within organizations. He explains how technology can help build more timely and effective human interaction to prevent burnout, improve collaboration, and boost productivity. Discover why humans still have a great place to work in today’s highly digital world because of their authenticity and clarity.

Traditional philanthropy in Canada has long been defined by transactions, KPIs, and metrics. But what happens when we shift the focus toward relationships, reciprocity, and the long-term stewardship of the next seven generations?

Today, we sit down with Emily Cabrera, Executive Director of RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs), to explore what it truly means to be a “philanthropy-forward” leader in the Indigenous-led sector. As we navigate the complex, often clunky systems of charitable giving, Cabrera offers a roadmap for moving beyond the transactional—advocating for a model rooted in accountability, trust, and shared values.

Join us as we bridge the gap between conventional giving and Indigenous worldviews. We dive into:

• The power of relational philanthropy
• The indigenous-led legal frontier
• Moving the needle

Whether you are a donor, a leader, or an advocate, it is time to rethink how we mobilize resources. Discover how Indigenous organizations are building a future grounded in justice—and how you can extend your hand to support that movement.

Closing the systemic healthcare gap for First Nations communities requires more than government support; it demands a radical shift toward self-determined, community-led philanthropy. In this conversation, we are joined by Nathania Fung, inaugural CEO, and Dr. Ruth Williams, Board Chair of the First Nations Health Foundation, to explore how they are bridging critical funding and knowledge gaps across British Columbia. By grounding their work in holistic wellness, cultural wisdom, and trust-based relationships, they illustrate how a community-driven approach can accelerate infrastructure development and empower Indigenous leadership. Listeners will gain insights into the necessity of moving beyond traditional funding models, the importance of social determinants in holistic health, and the transformative potential of donor partnerships that honor the unique needs and autonomy of First Nations peoples.

Building a just future requires commitment, not just a single moment. In this special episode, we sit down with Sarah Midanik, President and CEO of The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, to explore the crucial work of reconciliation in Canada. As a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Sarah is deeply committed to bridging cultural understanding. She discusses the legacy of The Secret Path, the non-linear nature of this work, and how her organization continues building momentum for reconciliation—from classrooms to boardrooms—by providing vital educational tools and fostering “reconcili-actions”. Tune in for a powerful exercise in optimism, hope, and systemic change.

The Canadian Mental Health Association BC (CMHA BC) is at a pivotal moment, having grown into a $65 million powerhouse of community care. Now, they are seeking a highly strategic and mission-driven leader to step into the brand-new Chief Programs Officer (CPO) role.

In this exclusive interview, CMHA BC CEO Jonny Morris opens up about the organization’s transformative impact—from innovative, community-led crisis teams that avoid police involvement to provincial-wide employment services. He details why the CPO role is critical, describing it as the “engine of our programs and services,” requiring an agile, strategic collaborator ready to look 7 to 10 years ahead. Discover what it takes to join this leading-edge organization that “does not settle for the status quo.”

In the social profit sector, solving the world’s “knottiest problems” requires more than just good intentions—it demands true social profit innovation. But what happens when proven, life-saving solutions exist, yet never reach the millions who need them most?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Karlee Silver, President and CEO of Grand Challenges Canada, an organization that has marshaled over $500 million to support game-changing ideas, touching 100 million lives globally. Dr. Silver challenges the conventional view of innovation, defining it as a broad spectrum that includes social and business ingenuity—not just technology.

Discover their unique platform approach, which focuses on identifying critical barriers and mastering the discipline of making the best next investment to move an innovation along. From attracting “unusual suspects” like an Argentine car mechanic who developed a life-saving birth tool, to building a nationally owned “Uber ambulance” system in Tanzania, learn how Grand Challenges Canada systematically de-risks bold ideas so they can achieve massive, sustainable impact at scale.

The advice and conversation can be applied to social profit organizations across the country and the globe, offering a blueprint for redefining what social profit innovation looks like.

Are you looking to transform your organization’s financial future and embed philanthropy into its DNA?

Today, we sit down with Chad Holtum, Head of School at Glenlyon Norfolk School (GNS), to uncover the secrets behind their monumental fundraising success. Chad shares the journey of transforming GNS’s parent participation in annual giving from a modest 10% to over 60%, culminating in the successful completion of a $27 million capital campaign.

Whether you are starting a fundraising program or planning your next multi-million-dollar initiative—like GNS’s forthcoming $30 million Momentum Campaign—you will gain actionable lessons, centered on three core elements: purpose first, person by person, and projects that benefit everyone.

Discover how a clear “why” and a commitment to authenticity can turn fundraising into a celebration of community pride and a powerful mechanism for lasting transformation.