Introduction

The Cause Leadership Podcast with host Dave Hutchinson. In this episode, Dave is joined by Duke Chang, President and CEO of CanadaHelps.

Duke is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in financial services and technology, transforming businesses through innovation and product-led growth. Before joining CanadaHelps, Duke served as the Worldwide Head of Product, Business Development, and Customer Experience for Lenovo Solutions and Services Group where he built and scaled the broad solution portfolio to support Lenovo's $3 billion business.

Duke He has endless enthusiasm to diversify the impact of CanadaHelps’ technologies and drive innovation. He focuses his priorities at CanadaHelps on enhancements that will empower Canadians to easily support their favourite causes and delivering real value in particular to small- and medium-sized charities, allowing them to grow their fundraising results and advance on their digital transformation journeys.

Summary

Our guest, Duke Chang, President and CEO of CanadaHelps, discusses his transition from the corporate space to the charitable sector and the challenges and opportunities he has encountered.

Dave and Duke speak about the need for collaboration and centralization in the charitable sector, and the goal of CanadaHelps to assist with economies of scale for charities. Duke also highlights the importance of digital skills and capabilities in the sector, particularly in terms of cybersecurity.

Dave and Duke discuss the talent pool in the charitable sector and the need for organizations to offer meaning, purpose, and work-life balance to attract and retain talent. They also address the leadership transition from Boomers to Millennials and the role of mentorship in developing emerging leaders.

In this conversation, Duke discusses the challenges and opportunities in the charitable sector. He emphasizes the importance of leadership during times of adversity and highlights the need for leaders to have a clear North Star for their teams.

Dave and Duke also review the key elements of success for fundraisers, including the ability to communicate the impact of donations and the importance of diversifying revenue streams. They explore the value of corporate partnerships and the alignment between sustainability and the charitable sector.

Duke concludes by sharing his excitement about CanadaHelps' mission to build generosity in Canada and make the sector more operationally efficient.

Canadahelps.org

Canadahelps LinkedIn

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the Transition: Corporate Space to Charitable Sector

02:25 Challenges and Opportunities in the Charitable Sector

06:15 The Impact of Technology and Digital Skills

12:40 Talent Market Dynamics in the Charitable Sector

25:30 Navigating Adversity: Leading Teams Through Tough Times

29:00 The Future of Fundraising: Key Elements of Success

30:30 Corporate Partnerships: Building True Alliances

35:15 Revenue Diversification and Talent Development in the Charitable Sector

Introduction

The Cause Leadership Podcast with host, Dave Hutchinson. In this episode, Dave is joined by Jeff Beach, the CEO of Asthma Canada.

Jeff is a seasoned leader in the Canadian non-profit sector with over 25 years of experience in management, community, and fund development. Jeff has held prominent roles in various organizations, including the Canadian Spondyloarthritis Association and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. He has also contributed significantly to causes like youth mentoring, arthritis support, breast cancer awareness, and cystic fibrosis advocacy.

Jeff is deeply committed to volunteering and sits on several boards, including the Women's Brain Health Initiative and Federated Health Charities. Known for his dedication to empowering individuals facing health and social challenges, Jeff is driven by a passion for helping others achieve their full potential.

Summary

Our guest, Jeff Beach, CEO of Asthma Canada, shares his leadership journey and insights into the charitable sector. He emphasizes the importance of having the right people in the right roles and prioritizing the organization's mission and values.

Jeff and Dave also discuss the evolving landscape of fundraising and the challenges faced by the sector, such as declining giving and increased demand for services. Jeff highlights the need for organizations to adapt to changing donor expectations and build strong relationships.

Jeff offers advice for emerging leaders, including being open to opportunities and investing in professional development.

Dave and Jeff consider the role of boards and the importance of succession planning. They discuss the need for adding new board members and succession planning in nonprofit organizations. Jeff suggests bringing people onto committees as a way to get to know them and assess their leadership skills before considering them for a board role.

Jeff and Dave emphasize the need for organizations to consider talent from outside the charitable sector and the potential benefits of mergers and amalgamations. Additionally, they address the issue of sector compensation and the importance of fair compensation for nonprofit professionals.

Finally, Jeff shares insights into the work of Asthma Canada, including their focus on patient education, advocacy, and research.

Support

If you would like to follow or support Asthma Canada:

https://asthma.ca

https://www.linkedin.com/company/asthma-society-of-canada/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Jeff Beach

01:45 Embracing Opportunities and Challenges in Your Leadership Journey

06:23 Navigating the Changing Landscape of Fundraising

08:08 Building Strong Relationships with Donors and Volunteers

09:10 Transitioning into Leadership in Today’s Environment

13:45 Advice for Emerging Leaders

21:58 The Importance of Succession Planning in the Charitable Sector

30:15 Succession Planning and Talent Acquisition

32:19 Exploring Mergers and Amalgamations

38:19 Compensation in the Charitable Sector

44:41 Asthma Canada: Patient Education, Advocacy, and Research

Introduction

The Cause Leadership Podcast with host Dave Hutchinson. In this episode, Dave is joined by Sandra Hawken, the CEO of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation.

Sandra is a values-based leader, who is dedicated to inclusivity and empowerment. Since joining Holland Bloorview in 2015, Sandra together with her team has spearheaded remarkable growth, increasing the supporter base by over 1000% and doubling annual fundraising.

Her visionary leadership launched ground-breaking initiatives like the Capes for Kids program, raising over $7 million dollars and inspiring a national movement for disability inclusion.

With a track record of raising over $150 million for equity-focused charities, Sandra's impact resonates beyond her role at Holland Bloorview.

If you would like to support Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, visit Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation

Summary

Sandra shares her career progression from the private sector to the charitable sector, specifically in feminist organizations and the transition into healthcare philanthropy. She discusses the challenges she faced in transitioning to the healthcare sector and the importance of diversity and inclusion in leadership.

We asked Sandra to share about her hiring practices, including the focus on values alignment and creating growth opportunities for younger talent. She emphasizes the need for organizations to invest in their employees' careers and cultivate a culture of belonging. Sandra shares her perspective on leadership in the charitable space today and the complexities it entails.

We discuss the importance of building a strong organizational culture and investing in leadership development. Sandra emphasizes the value of open communication, mentorship programs, and continuous learning opportunities. We also address the challenge of compensation in the charitable sector and learn how Holland Bloorview addresses it through transparency and non-monetary benefits.

Hear about Holland Bloorview’s mission to increase disability inclusion and reduce stigma, and the impact they make through healthcare, research, and community programs. Sandra's leadership and collaborative approach contribute to the success of Holland Bloorview and the sector as a whole.

Chapters

05:50 - What is it like to lead in the charitable space today?

09:20 - Advice for those looking to make the shift into senior executive roles in the charitable sector.

10:50 - Perspectives & practices for growing talent & hiring from within.

15:20 - Attracting younger talent and helping them transition to this space.

23:20 - Addressing the limiting factor of charity budgets.

26:37 - Non-monetary incentives for employees.

Mentioned in this Show

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation

Cause Leadership Inc.