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The Discovery Pod: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Douglas Nelson
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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 3 days ago30 min
Leading Purpose Through Ambiguity With Danny Glenwright, President & CEO Of Save The Children Canada
In a rapidly changing global landscape marked by shifting geopolitical priorities and reductions in international aid, protecting vulnerable children requires bold leadership and authentic storytelling. Danny Glenwright, President and CEO of Save the Children Canada, shares how his organization centers child rights and empowers youth-led initiatives in crisis zones across the globe. In this conversation, Danny discusses balancing long-term community development with rapid emergency response, navigating aid cuts through localization, and communicating complex humanitarian challenges with clarity and empathy.
- 1 weeks ago41 min
The CEO-Physician Partnership: Avery Brohman, CEO Of Victoria Hospitals Foundation, & Dr. Jeff McCracken, Head Of Robotics At Royal Jubilee And Victoria General Hospitals
A successful healthcare foundation relies on strong trust between clinical leaders and executive visionaries. Establishing an effective CEO-physician partnership can transform how hospitals engage donors and elevate patient care across an entire region. In this episode, host Douglas Nelson welcomes Avery Brohman, Chief Executive Officer at Victoria Hospitals Foundation, and Dr. Jeff McCracken, Chief Urologist and Head of Robotics at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General Hospitals. Together, they discuss how their close collaboration became the strategic catalyst behind raising tens of millions of dollars for surgical innovation. From breaking down administrative silos to uniting physicians, executives, and donors around a shared vision, Avery and Dr. McCracken share practical insights on how healthcare leaders can build lasting partnerships that redefine medical excellence.
- 2 weeks ago37 min
Trust Before Dollars: Leadership Lessons With Allison Young, CEO, KGH Foundation
Healthcare is changing rapidly, demanding that organizations look past traditional fundraising to build deep, trust-based community relationships. At the forefront of this shift is the KGH Foundation, an organization redefining how healthcare philanthropy operates both inside and outside hospital walls. In this conversation, host Douglas Nelson sits down with Allison Young, the outgoing CEO of KGH Foundation, to explore her decade of transformative leadership. Allison shares her insights on challenging long-held assumptions about hospital foundations and how to lead with courage when pioneering new collaborative models. She also discusses the creation of Thrive Okanagan and the revolutionary Jim Pattison Centre for Health Systems Learning and Innovation, demonstrating what is possible when community generosity meets bold system change.
- 3 weeks ago37 min
From Charity To Change With Hilary Pearson, Author And Founding President Of Philanthropic Foundations Canada
How do we move from simple, transactional giving to creating real, lasting change in our communities? The answer lies in the shift toward relational philanthropy, a concept that is redefining how modern foundations operate and support their partners. Host Douglas Nelson is joined by Hilary Pearson, the founding president of Philanthropic Foundations Canada and author of the 2022 book From Charity to Change: Inside the World of Canadian Foundations. In this episode, Hilary unpacks the transition from traditional, top-down funding models to a collaborative approach built on trust, shared learning, and deep community partnerships. They explore the unique role of foundations as catalysts and conveners, the generational shift in sector leadership, and how working together differently can solve complex social issues. Discover how shifting the focus to deeper relationships can elevate your organization’s impact.
- Oct 7, 202634 min
Advocacy, Data, And The Future Of The Sector With Angie Gélinas, President & CEO, The Nonprofit Chamber
How can we shift the perception of the social profit sector from being seen as a charitable afterthought to essential civic infrastructure? At the forefront of this movement is the Nonprofit Chamber, which is driving groundbreaking research and partnerships to demonstrate the indispensable role organizations play in community development. Host Douglas Nelson is joined by Angie Gélinas, the President and CEO of the Nonprofit Chamber, to explore how data and advocacy can transform public perception. In this episode, they discuss the innovative “Invisible Anchor” project, which models the economic and social impact of nonprofits on local real estate, and delve into a historic partnership with the Calgary mayor’s office. Tune in to learn why the future of community building relies on treating the social profit sector as vital civic infrastructure.
- Oct 1, 202615 min
Opportunity Spotlight: BC Cancer Foundation With Becky Yost, Executive Director, Development
Building an impactful philanthropic strategy requires visionary leadership at the intersection of donor insights and data science. Selecting the right leader to drive research and prospect analytics is essential for elevating fundraising pipelines and accelerating mission-critical initiatives. In this Opportunity Spotlight episode, Becky Yost, Executive Director of Development at the BC Cancer Foundation, breaks down the key priorities for the Associate Director, Research and Prospect Analytics role. She discusses how this reconfigured position will lead business intelligence initiatives, empower fundraising teams, and leverage modern donor analytics. Tune in to discover what makes this strategic leadership role an extraordinary opportunity for a data-driven philanthropy expert.
- Sep 30, 202630 min
Finding The Right Pace As A New CEO With Brian Torrance, President & CEO Of ParticipACTION
Stepping into a major leadership role is a thrilling milestone, but finding the right pace can be one of the greatest challenges for any incoming executive. Striking the balance between executing bold, decisive actions and taking the time to listen, learn, and absorb organizational history is crucial for long-term sustainability. In this episode, host Douglas Nelson sits down with Brian Torrance, the President and CEO of ParticipACTION, to discuss the delicate art of executive transition. Brian shares his personal reflections on taking the helm of an iconic Canadian national charity, managing board dynamics, and the critical importance of a “cadence check” to ensure the entire team is aligned. He also outlines how ParticipACTION is connecting with a new generation of Canadians through “new nostalgia” and family-centered physical activity initiatives.
- Sep 23, 202634 min
AI, Creativity, And The Future Of Art Education: Dr. Trish Kelly, President + Vice-Chancellor, Emily Carr University Of Art And Design
As post-secondary institutions navigate a rapidly changing landscape, leaders are called to think outside the box to secure a sustainable future. Leading Canada’s number-one art and design institution, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, requires a unique blend of creativity and strategic foresight. In this episode, host Douglas Nelson sits down with Dr. Trish Kelly, President and Vice Chancellor of Emily Carr University, to explore the intersection of practice-based education and organizational leadership. They discuss how the rise of artificial intelligence is shaping art and design education, the value of community-centered connection, and how institutions can preserve humanity in the digital age. Dr. Trish Kelly also shares invaluable advice for new presidents, highlighting why patience and trust are essential to driving meaningful change.
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About The Discovery Pod
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Discovery Pod as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
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The Discovery Pod publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
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The Discovery Pod covers topics including News, Business, Management, Non-Profit. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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