In this episode, Cherry sits down with Steven Heckbert, the Executive Director of the Canadian Pork Council. Steven’s journey is nothing short of inspiring—he’s got over 15 years of teaching experience and 20 years working in communications. We talk about how he made the leap from being a professor to leading in the nonprofit world and why he believes communication and genuine connections are at the heart of making a real difference.

Steven shares some amazing insights on how the Canadian Pork Council drives an economic impact of $11.2 billion and supports over 100,000 jobs in rural communities. He talks about the creative ways they’ve been getting the government’s attention, like recently holding 30+ meetings in a single day to make sure pork producers’ voices are heard.

One of the standout stories he shared was about partnering with Rib Fest on Spark Street in Ottawa. They drew in 250 attendees—all while building stronger connections with lawmakers in a really fun, engaging way. He also opens up about how they’re preparing for challenges like African swine fever and working closely with the government to protect the industry.

Steven’s genuine and down-to-earth approach is truly refreshing. We chat about the power of simply saying thank you, valuing your team, and keeping your messaging simple and honest. This conversation is packed with great advice for anyone looking to make a real impact in the nonprofit world.

On this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry Chan dives into a candid conversation with Peter Braid, CEO of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC). Peter didn’t always lead a nonprofit—he actually started in politics, winning his first election by a nail-biting 17 votes! That experience taught him a lot about persistence and connecting with people, lessons he’s carried into his work with IBAC, where he’s been the CEO for the past seven years.

Peter shared how, over the last 35 years, IBAC has built a strong voice for Canada’s insurance brokers by showing up in Ottawa and advocating for things like consumer protection and fair competition. Each year, they host “Hill Day” so that brokers from across the country can meet with MPs, building bridges that help when big issues pop up. With small business owners in every town, insurance brokers bring a relatable, hometown voice to Ottawa, which Peter believes has been key to IBAC’s long-term success.

But managing a national nonprofit isn’t without challenges. Peter explained how he keeps IBAC’s 11 provincial members working together, even when their interests don’t always align. A new national survey has helped everyone stay on the same page, and Peter says open communication has been essential for IBAC’s advocacy work.

Peter wrapped up by sharing his approach to managing stress, a reality for any leader today. From listening to live music to getting out of town, Peter’s all about finding those moments to disconnect and recharge. His journey from Parliament to nonprofit leadership is a reminder that resilience and relationship-building go a long way in making a difference.

In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, I'm sitting down with Krista Gionet, the Chief Executive Officer at the helm of the Windsor-Essex County Association of Realtors. Having been with this organization for more than 35 years, Krista will share an amazing career path—from age 18 in the MLS Department to over 21 years as CEO. Her story is one of hard work, adaptability, and giving back to the community.

She talks about some of the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry and the big decision to leave her union job to advance her career. She credits her success to her work ethic and the people who supported her along the way.

One of the major highlights of her career was leading the 100-Mile Peninsula Initiative, which positioned Windsor-Essex as a top choice for retirees and boosted the local economy. This 11-year initiative shows Krista's long-term focus on making a real difference in the community.

Throughout the episode, Krista shares how she empowers her team and fosters respect in the workplace. She notes that her entire staff has been with her long-term, and she attributes her leadership success to treating everyone equally and creating a space where people enjoy coming to work. Her leadership style is inspiring and offers valuable lessons for anyone stepping into the nonprofit world. Whether you're curious about building a successful nonprofit or leading and motivating a team for the long haul, this episode is packed with insights from Krista's years of experience. Tune in for practical advice to inspire your own nonprofit journey.