From Digital to Intelligent: The AI-Driven Future of Transformation
Release Date: 01/03/2025
The Giving Report 2024: Exploring the Latest Trends in Charitable Giving
Cause Leadership Podcast
Summary In this episode of the Cause Leadership Podcast, David Hutchinson engages with Julie Fiorini, General Manager, Donor Services & Brand at CanadaHelps, and Allen Davidov, Senior Vice President & Practice Leader of Environics Analytics. They discuss the recently published 2024 Giving Report and explore unexpected trends in charitable giving, the impact of economic factors on donor behavior, and the significant shift towards local giving. The conversation also highlights the importance of digital fundraising, geographic patterns in philanthropy, and strategies for...
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Authentic Leadership in Action: From Bargains to Big Impact
Cause Leadership Podcast
Introduction As President and CBO (Chief Bargain Officer) of the Bargains Group, Jody Steinhauer has mobilized her award-winning discount wholesale and promotional products company to revolutionize the business landscape. As a Canadian female entrepreneur, Jody uses her network of resources and leveraged buying power to aid every company and not-for-profit agency that she touches to maximize their buying dollar. Since 1988, Jody has grown Bargains Group from her apartment to a multi-million-dollar-a-year business. She is also often sought out for speaking engagements due to...
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Navigating Leadership and Change: A Conversation with Michael Braithwaite
Cause Leadership Podcast
Introduction Michael Braithwaite has over 30 years of experience creating innovative solutions to better support vulnerable people. Michael joined Blue Door in March of 2019 as CEO and has since helped launch Blue Door’s first employment social enterprise called Construct, three supportive housing programs including the first safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in York Region, a national housing and homelessness podcast, a merger with Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold, and is currently executing a Solutions Lab in collaboration with SHS Consulting and Habitat for Humanity to explore the journey...
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Leadership for Impact: A Conversation with David Kay
Cause Leadership Podcast
Summary: Hosted on March 27, 2025, the purpose of The Charity Leader Summit was to provide charity leaders with examples of the best mindsets for overcoming leadership challenges. At Cause leadership, we have helped 100s of charities find their next senior leader, and we have learned firsthand how the right leadership mindsets help shape the strongest team cultures and dynamic. In this episode, Dave Hutchinson speaks with David Kay, Managing Partner of ProVenture Advisors on the topic of Mission-Driven Thinking – Leading with a relentless focus on impact. In...
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Passing the CEO Baton: The Value of a Succession Plan
Cause Leadership Podcast
Summary: Hosted on March 27, 2025, the purpose of The Charity Leader Summit was to provide charity leaders with examples of the best mindsets for overcoming leadership challenges. At Cause leadership, we have helped 100s of charities find their next senior leader, and we have learned firsthand how the right leadership mindsets help shape the strongest team cultures and dynamic. In this episode, Dave Hutchinson speaks with Dave Prowten, Former CEO of Junior Diabetes Research Foundation Canada on the topic of Legacy & Succession – Building a leadership pipeline for the...
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Partnerships in Elder Care: Christie Gardens and U of T's Collaborative Approach
Cause Leadership Podcast
Summary: Hosted on March 27, 2025, the purpose of The Charity Leader Summit was to provide charity leaders with examples of the best mindsets for overcoming leadership challenges. At Cause leadership, we have helped 100s of charities find their next senior leader, and we have learned firsthand how the right leadership mindsets help shape the strongest team cultures and dynamic. In this episode, Dave Hutchinson speaks with Heather Janes, CEO of Christie Gardens Apartments & Care Community on the topic of Partnership & Influence - Expanding impact through collaboration...
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Health Partners: A Model for Collaboration & Collective Success
Cause Leadership Podcast
Summary: Hosted on March 27, 2025, the purpose of The Charity Leader Summit was to provide charity leaders with examples of the best mindsets for overcoming leadership challenges. At Cause leadership, we have helped 100s of charities find their next senior leader, and we have learned firsthand how the right leadership mindsets help shape the strongest team cultures and dynamic. In this episode, Dave Hutchinson speaks with Kimberley Hanson, CEO of Health Partners on the topic of Partnership & Influence - Expanding impact through collaboration without losing mission focus....
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Financial Stewardship in Action: Leading Food Banks through Crisis
Cause Leadership Podcast
Summary: Hosted on March 27, 2025, the purpose of The Charity Leader Summit was to provide charity leaders with examples of the best mindsets for overcoming leadership challenges. At Cause leadership, we have helped 100s of charities find their next senior leader, and we have learned firsthand how the right leadership mindsets help shape the strongest team cultures and dynamic. In this episode, Dave Hutchinson speaks with Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga on the topic of Financial Stewardship – Navigating funding and sustainability wisely. In this...
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Thriving in Uncertainty: The Key to Transformational Leadership
Cause Leadership Podcast
https://causeleadership.com/leadership-podcast/Hosted on March 27, 2025, the purpose of The Charity Leader Summit was to provide charity leaders with examples of the best mindsets for overcoming leadership challenges. At Cause leadership, we have helped 100s of charities find their next senior leader, and we have learned firsthand how the right leadership mindsets help shape the strongest team cultures and dynamic. In this episode, Dave Hutchinson speaks with Fred Witteveen, CEO of Children Believe on the topic of Adaptive Resilience – Thriving through change and leading...
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Adaptive Resilience in Charity Leadership
Cause Leadership Podcast
Summary: Hosted on March 27, 2025, the purpose of The Charity Leader Summit was to provide charity leaders with examples of the best mindsets for overcoming leadership challenges. At Cause leadership, we have helped 100s of charities find their next senior leader, and we have learned firsthand how the right leadership mindsets help shape the strongest team cultures and dynamic. In this episode, Dave Hutchinson speaks with Stacey Palmer, President & CEO of Prison Fellowship Canada on the topic of Adaptive Resilience – Thriving through change and uncertainty and overcoming team conflict....
info_outlineIntroduction:
Welcome to the Cause Leadership Podcast with host Dave Hutchinson. In this episode, Dave is joined by Smita Challu Tulsani.
Smita is a purpose-driven accomplished executive leader with 20 years of global corporate experience, specializing in data-driven transformative consulting, strategic marketing, and human-centered customer experience. With a sharp focus on digital-first, data-led methodologies, Smita stands out for her proficiency in advising c-suite executives on revenue generation, business strategy, and sustainable business outcomes.
As a Global MarTech Leader, she drives the integration of AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics to revolutionize customer experiences and operational efficiency.
With a diverse background spanning sectors like social impact, telecom, manufacturing, and media, Smita's commitment to inclusivity and community engagement shines through her involvement in various boards such as the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation and industry bodies like the Canadian Marketing Association, Women in AI, and the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce. Recognized for her contributions, she has received multiple industry awards and was shortlisted for the Women of the Year award by Women in IT.
Smita holds a Chartered Marketer designation, in addition to her bachelor's degree in engineering and MBA, adding to her well-rounded skillset and dedication to continuous growth.
Summary
In this conversation, David Hutchinson and Smita Challu Tulsani discuss the critical role of digital transformation in the charitable sector. Smita shares her journey from technology to social impact, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology for fundraising and communication. They explore the integration of AI in nonprofits, the challenges of cybersecurity, and the need for effective change management. Smita also highlights the importance of talent acquisition and the evolving landscape of skills required in the sector. The discussion concludes with advice for smaller organizations on how to navigate digital transformation effectively.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Digital Transformation in Charities
03:11 Smita's Journey from Technology to Nonprofit
05:38 The Blurring Lines Between CTOs & CMOs
08:53 The Role of AI in the Charitable Sector
11:41 Governance and Ethical Use of AI
14:27 Cybersecurity Concerns in Nonprofits
17:08 Questions for C-Suite and Board Members
24:01 Embracing AI in the Charitable Sector
27:27 Talent Acquisition Challenges in Nonprofits
30:28 Building a Data-Driven Culture
33:43 Competing for MarTech Talent
38:44 Navigating Change Management
41:50 Strategies for Smaller Organizations
Connect with Smita
https://www.linkedin.com/company/linkloop-ai/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/smitachallutulsani/