Get ready for an insightful and inspiring episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast! This week we are sitting down with Paul Lansbergen, a Certified Association Executive and seasoned nonprofit leader with over 30 years of experience in public policy, association management, and advocacy. Paul’s journey is proof that with the right mindset, challenges can turn into opportunities.

Paul shares how volunteering kick-started his career, opening doors to his first major role on Parliament Hill and teaching him the power of building strong networks. He also takes us behind the scenes of his transformative work with the Fisheries Council of Canada, where he revitalized their annual conference—rebranding it, boosting sponsorships, and turning it into a significant revenue driver that grew profits to $50,000. Paul’s strategic decisions also doubled the organization’s budget and increased reserves by 50%, showcasing his ability to balance financial growth with mission-driven work.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Paul opens up about navigating career setbacks, staying resilient through tough transitions, and the lessons he’s learned about persistence and adaptability in nonprofit leadership. He emphasizes the importance of aligning decisions with a clear strategic plan and finding creative ways to make a lasting impact, no matter the resources at hand.

Packed with practical tips, personal stories, and a touch of humor, this episode is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders, executive directors, or anyone passionate about leadership and making a difference. Whether you’re looking to grow your organization, sharpen your leadership skills, or just hear an inspiring career journey, you won’t want to miss this episode.

In this episode of The Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, we sit down with Lori Prospero, the CEO of Rising Oaks Early Learning Ontario. Lori’s career didn’t exactly follow a straight line—she started out thinking she’d be a chemist, but a few twists and turns later, she found herself leading a nonprofit that serves 15,500 families. Along the way, she picked up her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation and a treasure trove of lessons on leadership and governance.

Lori shares how she’s helped transform Rising Oaks into a stronger, more focused organization. One of her coolest tricks? A board color card system that keeps meetings on track. Here’s how it works: everyone gets green, yellow, and red cards. If the conversation starts creeping into operations, someone quietly flashes a yellow card. If things get way off track, out comes the red card. It’s like a governance traffic light, and it’s been a total game-changer for fostering trust and keeping everyone in their lane.

We also get into one of Lori’s most stressful moments as a leader—a governance session that went sideways and led to a confidence vote on her leadership. Yep, it was intense. But Lori pushed through, leaned on her champions, and came out the other side with a stronger board and a clearer vision for the future. Her story is proof that tough times can lead to amazing results if you’re willing to stick with it.

If you’ve ever wrestled with governance challenges, struggled to engage your board, or wondered how to balance the big picture with day-to-day operations, this episode is for you. Lori’s got practical tips, relatable stories, and a whole lot of heart. Don’t miss it!

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.