The Discovery Pod

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 her major takeaways as a second-time CEO, the importance of showing up consistently, and how she leads United Way in becoming a greater force for good in the Greater Toronto Area.

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 within a team and the most productive ways to engage with business boards.

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 in transforming mental health care across British Columbia. Jonny highlights the immense impact this role will have, building on the success of initiatives like their community-led crisis response that has handled over 10,000 calls, and shaping the future of mental health services.

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 exceptional boards during a campaign and shares how to activate them effectively. From centering philanthropy in your plan to avoiding campaign-case detachment and Venn diagram confusion, this episode is a masterclass in bridging purpose and fundraising with clarity.

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 narrative that embraces purpose, theory of change, and donor engagement simultaneously. Discover strategies for driving progress with those willing to move forward, and learn how to leverage your organization’s unique assets to create lasting impact.

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 groundbreaking partnership came together and how it could potentially elevate cancer care and research. She also explores their recent fundraising campaigns and the importance of aligning stakeholders and donors with a single, purpose-driven goal.

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 Link, fostering deep community trust, and igniting province-wide impact. Michael shares why the perfect candidate will dive into a world where collaboration isn’t just encouraged, it’s essential, and where every day offers the chance to transform lives. This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to be at the forefront of a movement, pushing a 95-year-old institution into a bold new era and asking, what could charity truly achieve with the right leader at the helm?

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—without ever compromising its values.

We explore the tension between frontline service and systemic reform, celebrate community resilience, and dig into how their legal advocacy led to groundbreaking housing legislation in BC. Plus, Amanda unpacks how deep-rooted integrity builds bridges with donors and fuels their powerful partnerships in the fight against poverty.

Tune in to hear how one organization blends compassion, courage, and conviction to make meaningful impact—generation after generation.

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-government funder of indigenous education in Canada. Mike talks about their efforts to vastly improve their reach and overcome their biggest financial barriers by partnering with the right organizations. He also discusses the importance of indigenizing universities, creating indigenous student centers, and boosting student’s intellectual capacity for economic development and self-determination.

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 and other technological platforms. She explains why bringing your fundraising projects online is highly attractive to the younger generation, who desire transparency and speed above anything else. Wen-Chih also discusses how to overcome barriers to fundraising digitization and make online giving smoother and safer than ever before.