In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, we sat down with Tim Hudak, the former CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). After spending over 20 years in politics and even leading Ontario's Progressive Conservative Party, he made a big leap into nonprofit leadership. Making a major career shift can be daunting, and Tim’s journey is full of insights that could help anyone facing similar challenges.

When Tim took over at OREA, he walked straight into a big challenge—losing their role as the certification body for real estate agents in Ontario. This wasn’t just a small bump in the road; it meant losing 60% of their revenue. For any nonprofit leader, that’s a nightmare scenario. But instead of letting this crisis knock them down, Tim guided OREA through a careful and resourceful transformation. They had to make tough decisions, including downsizing, but they also refocused on what really mattered. Today, OREA is stronger and more effective than ever. If you’ve ever had to make hard choices to keep your organization afloat, Tim’s experience is both relatable and inspiring.

We also talked about OREA’s new insurance program, which has been a hot topic lately. Many real estate agents didn’t have any health or life insurance—a situation a lot of small nonprofits and independent workers can relate to. While there’s been some pushback, Tim is focused on the bigger picture: helping those who really need it. If you’ve ever rolled out a new initiative that didn’t sit well with everyone, you’ll understand the balancing act Tim is doing here. His dedication to doing what’s best for the members, even when it’s tough, really stood out to us.

This episode is full of down-to-earth advice and real-world examples of how to turn setbacks into opportunities. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit through challenging times or trying to introduce new programs while dealing with pushback, there’s a lot you can take away from our chat with Tim.