The Discovery Pod

Douglas Nelson
  • 5.0 (40)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Discovery Pod features conversations with leaders in non-profit/social sector. Join former CEO Douglas Nelson as he talks with CEOs, Board Chairs, Founders and other senior leaders about how they got started in the sector, how they work with their boards, and what remains to be done. As Managing Director of The Discovery Group, a philanthropy and governance consulting firm based in Vancouver, BC., Doug understands the complexity of leading organizations and institutions and the challenges of aligning governance and philanthropic performance. Doug has been called a ‘fundraising phenom’ by the Vancouver Sun and ‘a true innovator for a sector that can do so much more.’ Learn from the brightest and the best in the industry so you can accomplish what is most important by tuning in to The Discovery Pod today.

  1. Preparing For Transformation: What It Takes To Get Big Things Done – The Discovery Dialogues Vancouver With Angela Chapman, President & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation And Deb Lester, CEO, Covenant House Vancouver

    5 HRS AGO

    Preparing For Transformation: What It Takes To Get Big Things Done – The Discovery Dialogues Vancouver With Angela Chapman, President & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation And Deb Lester, CEO, Covenant House Vancouver

    Is your organization truly ready for the big leap? While every leader desires transformation, many are unprepared for the complex commitment it truly demands. In this powerful conversation, two top-tier leaders who have successfully navigated monumental change—Angela Chapman, President and CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, and Deb Lester, CEO of Covenant House Vancouver—share their candid stories. They delve into the distinction between simply wanting change and being strategically prepared to get big things done. From spearheading a $65 million capital expansion and doubling bed space to leading major institutional development and fundraising for new institutes, Angela and Deb reveal the essential ingredients for long-term momentum. Discover the crucial steps: having a clear “why,” aligning your entire organization to a “North Star” strategy, and balancing necessary urgency with the often-whispered P-word: patience. Tune in to discover what it takes to get big things done and set your team up for genuine, lasting transformation.

    42 min
  2. Quiet Champions: A Way Forward For Mentors In Turbulent Times With Ian Chisholm, Author

    APR 29

    Quiet Champions: A Way Forward For Mentors In Turbulent Times With Ian Chisholm, Author

    In today’s fast-paced world full of unnecessary noise and grind, mentors are expected to give the breather everyone desperately needs. Douglas Nelson is joined by coach, social entrepreneur, and leadership practitioner Ian Chisholm, who explains why mentorship requires silence and calmness. He discusses why mentors should create spaces where everyone can learn with intention, purpose, and gratitude. Ian also talks about the service-first mentality, the Cinderella moment, the Athena signature, Zugunruhe, and other powerful concepts that make mentorship an essential stepping stone towards becoming a more empowered version of yourself.

    34 min
  3. Opportunity Spotlight: Coast Mental Health With Keir Macdonald, CEO

    APR 24

    Opportunity Spotlight: Coast Mental Health With Keir Macdonald, CEO

    The role of a Campaign Director is a rare opportunity to move beyond traditional fundraising and lead a transformative shift in how a community addresses mental health and housing stability. Keir Macdonald, CEO of Coast Mental Health, joins the conversation to detail how this specific leadership position will bridge the gap between provincial support and philanthropic vision to create a first of its kind integrated care model. This position is designed for a collaborative strategist ready to move past reactionary crisis response and toward a legacy of prevention and long term recovery. It is a call for someone who values deep connection and innovation to help build a foundation that will serve the community for decades to come.

    19 min
  4. Connecting Donors To Healthcare Innovation With Paul Rossmann, President & CEO, Calgary Health Foundation

    APR 22

    Connecting Donors To Healthcare Innovation With Paul Rossmann, President & CEO, Calgary Health Foundation

    In a world where public funding for healthcare often covers the essentials but leaves a gap for transformative growth, how can philanthropy become the true catalyst for change? Today, we connect with Paul Rossmann, President and CEO of the Calgary Health Foundation. Paul leads one of Alberta’s most significant healthcare fundraising organizations. He reveals how his team is strategically bringing together donors and clinicians to drive profound improvements in patient care and outcomes. Paul discusses his journey from financial services to post-secondary, and now into the rewarding, high-impact world of major gift fundraising in health. He shares the secrets to fostering a culture of giving—one grounded not in transactional asks, but in genuine, long-term relationship-building. Learn how the Foundation is prioritizing opportunities based on where they can achieve the biggest impact and why donations are essential for funding the innovation that goes ‘beyond the daily operation of the healthcare system.’ If you’re interested in building a successful social profit organization, or if you simply want to understand the powerful link between community support and cutting-edge health delivery, you won’t want to miss Paul’s candid insights on leadership, collaboration, and his ambitious plans for growing the Calgary Health Foundation to secure a better future for healthcare in Calgary and beyond.

    28 min
  5. Transforming Healthcare Philanthropy With Mary McPherson, CEO, Oakville Hospital Foundation

    APR 15

    Transforming Healthcare Philanthropy With Mary McPherson, CEO, Oakville Hospital Foundation

    In an era where healthcare demands are outpacing traditional capital and public funding, philanthropic organizations must evolve—and fast. The Oakville Hospital Foundation is doing just that. Join us as CEO Mary McPherson shares the blueprint for their massive revenue growth, transforming from a post-campaign slump of $8-9 million to nearly $23 million annually. Discover how a strategic pivot to Major Gifts and innovative approaches to Planned Giving became the engine of their success. Mary discusses the vital importance of authentic donor conversations, a “no BS” team culture, and a pioneering method of “unlocking assets” to build sustainable, long-term funding for clinical excellence, research, and technology, proving that a margin of excellence is always within reach.

    31 min
  6. Shaping The Future Of Mental Health Leadership With Akela Peoples, CEO, Mental Health Research Canada

    APR 8

    Shaping The Future Of Mental Health Leadership With Akela Peoples, CEO, Mental Health Research Canada

    The current landscape of mental health support in Canada is more critical and complex than ever, with Canadians continuing to struggle under economic pressures and global uncertainty. To explore the path forward, we’re joined by Akela Peoples, CEO of Mental Health Research Canada and a leader twice recognized as one of Canada’s most powerful women. In this essential conversation about the future of mental health leadership, Akela shares her insights on transforming the national approach to mental health. She emphasizes the urgency of collaboration among organizations, advocating for “authentic points of intersection” to achieve collective impact. Akela also discusses how leaders can foster a resilient workforce by embracing flexibility as a key element of mental wellness, drawing on MHRC’s experience of going fully decentralized in 2025, and the critical role of data and evidence-based digital solutions in meeting the country’s rising mental health needs.

    39 min
  7. Leading Through Global Crisis And Funding Disruption With Sana Bég, Executive Director, MSF Canada

    APR 1

    Leading Through Global Crisis And Funding Disruption With Sana Bég, Executive Director, MSF Canada

    The global landscape of humanitarian aid is facing unprecedented challenges, marked by increasingly complex, protracted crises and massive funding disruptions. How do organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, navigate this new reality, especially when core principles like neutrality are tested and government support is pulled? In this powerful conversation, Sana Bég, Executive Director of MSF Canada, offers a compelling perspective on leading through global crisis and funding disruption. She details the profound ripple effects of crises and cuts—such as the disruption in USAID funding—even on independently funded organizations like MSF. Sana shares her insights on: The critical mission to “bear witness” to suffering, balancing impartiality with the responsibility to speak out.The moral hazards of having to stretch resources to fill gaps left by others, and challenging the assumption that “growth equals impact”.The role of “hopeful optimism” in leadership, and the urgent need to disrupt entrenched mindsets to ignite a new era of truly equitable humanitarianism. Dive into this essential discussion about strategic leadership, maintaining integrity under pressure, and how MSF Canada is mobilizing global action in a world that is attempting to normalize the removal of humanitarian norms.

    35 min
  8. Building Social Capital At Scale With Tonya Surman, CEO, Centre For Social Innovation

    MAR 25

    Building Social Capital At Scale With Tonya Surman, CEO, Centre For Social Innovation

    Tired of working in silos? For over two decades, the Center for Social Innovation (CSI) has shown that collaboration—and the power of social capital—is the engine of change. In this deep-dive conversation, CSI Co-founder and CEO Tonya Surman shares the journey of building one of the world’s first co-working spaces—a home for changemakers where “the chaos is everywhere” and “the forks do not match.” Discover how CSI evolved from a simple idea about shared space into a pioneering Collaborative Infrastructure Organization (CIO), designed to build the trust, relationships, and social capital needed to tackle the world’s biggest challenges. Learn why Tonya believes the future of social impact lies in moving beyond convening to true collective action—and why investing in long-term infrastructure is key to creating regenerative, movement-building solutions. If you’re a leader, social innovator, or simply someone trying to make a difference, explore the power of intentional community design—and how strengthening social capital can shift the sector from scarcity to abundance.

    40 min
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Trailer

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About

The Discovery Pod features conversations with leaders in non-profit/social sector. Join former CEO Douglas Nelson as he talks with CEOs, Board Chairs, Founders and other senior leaders about how they got started in the sector, how they work with their boards, and what remains to be done. As Managing Director of The Discovery Group, a philanthropy and governance consulting firm based in Vancouver, BC., Doug understands the complexity of leading organizations and institutions and the challenges of aligning governance and philanthropic performance. Doug has been called a ‘fundraising phenom’ by the Vancouver Sun and ‘a true innovator for a sector that can do so much more.’ Learn from the brightest and the best in the industry so you can accomplish what is most important by tuning in to The Discovery Pod today.

Information

  • Creator
    Douglas Nelson
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    322
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019-2025 Douglas Nelson, The Discovery Group
  • Show Website
    The Discovery Pod

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