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.

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.

In this episode of the Unfiltered Non-Profit Podcast, we chat with Cheryl Farrow, CEO of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).

Cheryl talks about how she guided the association through a big shift in how they operate, focusing on making things more open and getting members more involved. One of the things she’s most proud of is launching “fireside chats,” where OACETT members can ask questions directly. These started small with just over 100 people, but in a few months, they grew to over 800—proof that their new, open approach was really working.

Cheryl also shares how they tackled a tough financial challenge in 2022. When the stock market took a hit, it led to some unexpected losses in their investment portfolio. The association had been depending on those returns to balance the budget, so Cheryl and her team moved quickly to make adjustments. They raised membership dues by about 30%. Although they were bracing for some members to leave, the response was surprisingly positive, and they managed to balance the budget without major losses.

From handling financial bumps in the road to boosting member engagement, Cheryl’s leadership shows how associations can adapt and thrive when things change. Tune in to hear how she’s leading OACETT with openness and a clear vision.

In this episode of the Unfiltered Non-Profit Podcast, we’re joined by Jean-François Champagne, President of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA). JF opens up about a major challenge his team faced while trying to launch a certification program for collision repair shops. Despite the support they received and the huge investment—both in time and money—the program struggled due to competition from car manufacturers offering their own certifications. Ultimately, JF made the tough call to shut it down, teaching him a valuable lesson about understanding the market and adapting when things don’t go as planned.

JF also shared how embracing technology helped AIA Canada during the pandemic. The organization had already started using remote work tools, which made the shift to fully virtual work much smoother for their 30-person team. This forward-thinking approach not only kept the team productive but also helped them attract and keep top talent during a time when many companies were struggling.

A big part of the conversation was JF’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. He shared stories about how AIA Canada’s culture has helped team members, like their VP of Finance, step into leadership roles. For JF, diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s about making sure everyone has a chance to succeed.

From dealing with tough advocacy challenges to building a strong team, JF’s leadership journey is packed with valuable insights for anyone working in the nonprofit world. Tune in to hear more about how he handles setbacks and leads with purpose.

In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Elizabeth Fowler, the Executive Director of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS). For Elizabeth, running is more than just a way to stay in shape—it’s her go-to for clearing her mind, reflecting on decisions, and thinking through the big stuff. It’s no surprise she compares leadership to long-distance running: both require endurance, focus, and the grit to push through challenging moments.

Elizabeth’s journey to nonprofit leadership wasn’t a straight path. She started out in exercise science before moving into health policy consulting. A pivotal moment came when she chose to walk away from a role she loved because the leadership there wasn’t open to feedback. That experience shifted her approach—now, as a leader, she makes it a point to listen and collaborate. For her, it’s about creating harmony within the team, much like finding your rhythm during a long run.

At COS, Elizabeth has led initiatives that extend far beyond day-to-day operations. She’s launched a health fund aimed at supporting employees' physical and mental well-being, working to make COS one of the top places to work in Ottawa. But, like running, leadership has its tough moments—Elizabeth has had to make difficult calls that affect the future of the organization, all while keeping her team motivated and supported.

In this episode, we explore how Elizabeth juggles the demands of leading a national nonprofit while staying grounded, both through her running and through the deliberate, thoughtful decisions that help move her organization forward. It’s a conversation packed with insights for anyone trying to find their rhythm in leadership—or in life.