The Discovery Pod

Douglas Nelson
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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. HACE 22 H

    Opportunity Spotlight: Canadian Society Of Landscape Architects With Matthew Mills & Teri Cantin, Board Members

    The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) is searching for its next Executive Director—a pivotal role that goes far beyond traditional association management. Are you ready to join a passionate, "fun, nerdy, quirky, cool" team of professionals dedicated to solving some of Canada's most pressing challenges? In this spotlight episode, CSLA President Matthew Mills and Board Member Terry Cantin peel back the layers on the profession and the association, revealing why this is a unique leadership opportunity. Discover how the new Executive Director will: Lead a Profession in Demand: Navigate rapid growth and the urgent need to train the next generation of Landscape Architects.Drive National Impact: Spearhead initiatives touching on climate change, urban health, reconciliation, and social equity.Embrace Volunteer Addiction: Work with a high-functioning, nationally collaborative board characterized by high passion and low ego. If you are a collaborative leader eager to leverage a strong organizational foundation to "springboard into the next echelon" and make a tangible difference in the built and natural environments, your time is now.  Listen to our full interview with Matthew Mills and Terry Cantin to hear more about the CSLA’s exciting strategic vision, the importance of culture alignment, and why the time for landscape architecture in Canada is now. undefined

    24 min
  2. Balancing Climate Research, Advocacy, And Funding With Chris Severson-Baker, Executive Director, Pembina Institute

    HACE 1 DÍA

    Balancing Climate Research, Advocacy, And Funding With Chris Severson-Baker, Executive Director, Pembina Institute

    In the complex, high-stakes arena of environmental action, how do leaders sustain momentum when public attention shifts and funding remains a challenge? We sat down with Chris Severson-Baker, Executive Director of the Pembina Institute, a leading Canadian clean energy think tank, to explore the critical tension between deep, foundational research and the sustained, repetitive advocacy needed to drive policy change. For decades, Pembina has shaped Canada’s energy landscape, moving from proving the viability of clean tech to actively dismantling the barriers to a net-zero economy. Chris shares his candid insights on navigating the political headwinds, the necessity of integrated fundraising—especially in a competitive philanthropic space—and the surprising discipline required to repeat a message until it finally sticks. Whether you’re a non-profit leader, an advocate for change, or simply interested in how big-picture environmental goals translate into real-world progress, this conversation offers invaluable lessons on strategy, focus, and the art of leading with both science and conviction.

    35 min
  3. Aligning Purpose, ESG, And Partnerships With Sarah Saso, VP, ESG & Social Impact, Meridian Credit Union

    4 MAR

    Aligning Purpose, ESG, And Partnerships With Sarah Saso, VP, ESG & Social Impact, Meridian Credit Union

    What does it take to build the right social impact partnerships? Douglas Nelson talks all about it with Sarah Saso, VP of ESG & Social Impact at Meridian Credit Union. She explains the importance of strategically aligning core business interests and maintaining open communication at all times in developing fruitful partnerships in the social profit sector. Sarah also talks about Meridian’s innovative programs focused on helping professionals build financial confidence and overcome economic barriers. Discover the right way to secure meaningful and long-term partnerships in order to move the needle on community impact.

    32 min
  4. Delivering Mission At A National Scale With Meaghan Stovel McKnight, Chief Executive Officer, Make-A-Wish Canada

    25 FEB

    Delivering Mission At A National Scale With Meaghan Stovel McKnight, Chief Executive Officer, Make-A-Wish Canada

    A wish is far more than a fleeting moment of joy; it is a scientifically-backed medical intervention that can fundamentally alter a child’s healing journey. Meaghan Stovel McKnight, Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish Canada, joins the conversation to dismantle the “last wish” myth and replace it with the Wishes are Medicine framework, which highlights the measurable clinical impact of hope on critical illness. Beyond the mission, she offers a candid look at leading a national transformation—moving the organization from a post-pandemic scarcity mindset to a culture of abundance by investing in technology, talent, and a “constellation of leaders.” From the logistical challenge of granting wishes in nearly 700 unique communities to the vulnerability required to lead from the C-suite, this discussion bridges the gap between high-level operational strategy and the raw, emotional heart of the social profit sector.

    35 min
  5. Fundraising For Human Rights: Leading With Trust With Mena Gainpaulsingh, CEO, Friends Of The Canadian Museum For Human Rights

    18 FEB

    Fundraising For Human Rights: Leading With Trust With Mena Gainpaulsingh, CEO, Friends Of The Canadian Museum For Human Rights

    Nearly one in three Canadians reported having their human rights violated in 2024. Because of this alarming reality, the mission of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has never been more important. Douglas Nelson sits down with Mena Gainpaulsingh, CEO of the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, to share their fundraising efforts for this national institution fighting for survivors and bravely advancing women’s rights. Discover how they bridge the tension of raising money for a sensitive topic like human rights by grounding conversations in the fundamental principle that “everyone is born free and equal in dignity and rights”.

    29 min
  6. Local Philanthropy And Social Change With Dan Clement, President & CEO, United Way Centraide

    11 FEB

    Local Philanthropy And Social Change With Dan Clement, President & CEO, United Way Centraide

    The landscape of local philanthropy and social change is constantly evolving, requiring organizations to innovate and adapt. Douglas Nelson has a great conversation with Dan Clement, President & CEO of United Way Centraide Canada, about the organization’s unique role as a “local impact, national platform” backbone for social good. Dan shares the three core pillars of their work—engaging Canadians, investing in frontline services, and community planning—and discusses how the movement is strategically renewing its business model to meet current challenges like the national housing crisis and shifting philanthropic trends. He also emphasizes the critical need for an “abundance mindset” within the social profit sector to drive resilient and long-term positive change across the country.

    36 min
  7. Fundraising Leadership In A Changing Donor Landscape With Roger D. Ali, AFP Global Chair

    4 FEB

    Fundraising Leadership In A Changing Donor Landscape With Roger D. Ali, AFP Global Chair

    Navigating the complexities of fundraising leadership in a changing donor landscape requires both unparalleled expertise and a dedication to constant evolution. We sit down with Roger D. Ali, the second Canadian and current AFP Global Chair, to discuss his remarkable career and the key insights he’s gathered from the sector. Roger shares the biggest concerns he’s heard from AFP members, including the critical challenge of donor retention, the role of technology in a relationship-based field, and how to best equip the new generation of fundraisers. We also dive deep into the perils of transactional matching campaigns versus long-term stewardship, what it takes for a fundraiser to successfully transition into a CEO role, and Roger’s powerful leadership concept for uncertain times: “Leading Lightly.”

    28 min
  8. Organizational Readiness & Strategic Ambition With Anne-Marie Newton, President & CEO, CAMH Foundation

    28 ENE

    Organizational Readiness & Strategic Ambition With Anne-Marie Newton, President & CEO, CAMH Foundation

    How do you maintain momentum after the record-setting success of a $600 million campaign? Learn the critical role of organizational readiness and strategic ambition in this master class on philanthropic leadership. Douglas Nelson sits down with Anne-Marie Newton, President & CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation, who openly shares her experience navigating the transition from Chief Philanthropy Officer to CEO. She discusses how to successfully lead a team through the crucial “retool and refuel” phase that follows a major campaign, the importance of consistent, authentic donor stewardship, and how the Foundation partners with the hospital to drive system-wide advancements in mental health—the defining public health challenge of our time.

    30 min
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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.

Información

  • Creador
    Douglas Nelson
  • Años de actividad
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodios
    311
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © 2019-2025 Douglas Nelson, The Discovery Group
  • Mostrar sitio web
    The Discovery Pod

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