Impact Conversations

Impact Conversations is a show about change makers getting things done. Sally Fazal and Lynn Fergusson of Social Impact Advisors talk to NGO leaders, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs and environmental innovators about their goals and how they're reaching them.

Doris Buffett's Legacy: doubling impact by empowering young philanthropists, with Amy Kingman 08/22/2019

Doris Buffett's Legacy: doubling impact by empowering young philanthropists, with Amy Kingman In this episode, Lynn chats with Amy Kingman, Executive Director of the Learning by Giving Foundation (LxG) about experiential philanthropy. Founded by Doris Buffett, LxG teaches and empowers students to make wise grants of Buffett's capital to community-based nonprofits. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/10960991

A model for engaging the next generation in philanthropy, with Aneil Gokhale 08/09/2019

A model for engaging the next generation in philanthropy, with Aneil Gokhale Lynn and Aneil discuss the Toronto Foundation's Vision 2020, likened to a philanthropic and co-op MBA program. This popular program breaks the Community Foundation mold, enabling a younger generation of philanthropists to identify and support the causes that matter to them. Lynn and Aneil also discuss the social impact of fundraising and philanthropy. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/10837199

Building bridges for women and children, with Shawn Bayes of EFry 07/25/2019

Building bridges for women and children, with Shawn Bayes of EFry In this episode, Sally speaks with Shawn Bayes, the Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver. EFry provides support services to women and children affected by the justice system. They discuss risk factors that lead women into conflict with the law, and the many effects of incarceration on women and their families. We also hear how Efry benefited from Innoweave's Impact & Strategic Clarity coaching module, and the changes born out of their Theory of Change. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/10657715

Strategy and Relationships at L'Arche Canada, with Lori Vaanholt & Stephanie Garrow 07/11/2019

Strategy and Relationships at L'Arche Canada, with Lori Vaanholt & Stephanie Garrow This episode features a deep dive into L'Arche Canada, and how they have built a strategy for impact across a federated organization. Sally speaks with Lori Vaanholt, Director of Strategic Development and Innovation at L'Arche and Stephanie Garrow, of GarrowEvoy. They discuss L'Arche as an organization, and the benefits of building relationships and developing their Theory of Change. We also chat about the advantages of a coaching relationship versus traditional consulting. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/10486115

Tides Canada’s Impact Focus, with Todd Jacques and Wendy Cooper 06/27/2019

Tides Canada’s Impact Focus, with Todd Jacques and Wendy Cooper Todd Jacques and Wendy Cooper from Tides Canada join Lynn to discuss the ways in which, through an impact lens, Tides supports philanthropists and changemakers to better their communities. The conversation focuses on the importance of local involvement in place-based initiatives, and the foundation offering both an impact investing opportunity and a shared platform that allows community-led initiatives to focus on their mission while the foundation does the rest. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/10309319

Charitable Corporate Partnerships, with Brad Offman 06/13/2019

Charitable Corporate Partnerships, with Brad Offman Brad Offman, from Spire Philanthropy presents the case for charitable corporate partnerships: how they work and how they are changing. His conversation with Sally also delves into engaging employees, identifying assets, community investments and choosing the right partners. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/10131683

Social Innovation, with Allyson Hewitt 05/30/2019

Social Innovation, with Allyson Hewitt What is social innovation? Tune in to our chat with Allyson Hewitt, McConnell Foundation Senior Fellow of Social Innovation at MaRS Discovery District. Allyson tells us about several made-in-Canada social innovations, the importance of systems thinking, and shares the business case for social innovation. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/9980972

Tackling Youth Homelessness, a Collective Impact approach with Bhavana Varma 05/16/2019

Tackling Youth Homelessness, a Collective Impact approach with Bhavana Varma Are you trying to address youth homelessness in your community? Have a listen to this episode with Bhavana Varma, CEO of the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (in Ontario). She shares the role and challenges of being the backbone organization for a collective impact project, explains the strategies they used to tackle youth homelessness in their communities, and shares advice on when to include private-sector partners in social impact projects. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/9799856

What is Innoweave? with Ryan Conway (episode 2 bonus re-run) 05/09/2019

What is Innoweave? with Ryan Conway (episode 2 bonus re-run) In this re-run of our second episode, we speak with Ryan Conway, Program Director at Innoweave. Innoweave is a project of the McConnell Foundation. Ryan explains Innoweave: how it empowers community sector leaders, and how Innoweave’s thinking has evolved. Together they also discuss the meaning and importance of direct and indirect impact in complex systems. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/9672050

Root causes and sustainable futures, with Wendy Rinella 05/02/2019

Root causes and sustainable futures, with Wendy Rinella Wendy Rinella thinks of impact as moving people from a place where they are unsustainable, to sustainable. She shares with Lynn how the Oakville Community Foundation uses data to target solutions where they are needed most. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/9614768

Hamilton Healthy Birth Weights Coalition, with Vanessa Parlette 04/18/2019

Hamilton Healthy Birth Weights Coalition, with Vanessa Parlette Vanessa Parlette reflects on the successes of the Hamilton Healthy Birth Weights Coalition. She and Sally discuss the broad community engagement in the work and how they engaged meaningfully with young people and other stakeholders. The collective’s work has been operationalized in the community- and has achieved measurable impact. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/9445316

Innovating value, with Glenn Smith 04/04/2019

Innovating value, with Glenn Smith Glenn Smith is our guest this week, discussing innovation. Glenn, whose affiliations include B.D. Smith Partners, Communitech and Blue Sea Philanthropy, defines innovation as thinking differently to create value. Tune in to this episode, as we discuss the meaning of innovation in for-profit and not-for-profit contexts alike. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/9271496

The Together Project, with Anna Hill and Andrew Lusztyk 03/21/2019

The Together Project, with Anna Hill and Andrew Lusztyk In this episode, we speak with Anna Hill & Andrew Lusztyk. They are co-directors and co-founders of the Together Project: a community-led project that connects refugee newcomers and Canadians, to build stronger, more integrated communities. We discuss the evolution of this grassroots citizens' initiative, including their fit in the broader network of settlement and integration services, and how their volunteers are supporting newcomers' own self-defined goals. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/9092054

The B Corp Movement, with Kasha Huk 03/07/2019

The B Corp Movement, with Kasha Huk In this special episode, we speak with Kasha Huk, Country Manager for Canada at B Lab. Kasha shares with us the purpose of the global B Corp movement, and how they are changing what it means to be a good business. Our conversation includes examples from organizations you may be familiar with, tips on how to recognize products and services from B Corps. B Corps have benefits for businesses and consumers alike, tune in to find out more! /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/8909762

Community Bonds, with David Cork 02/21/2019

Community Bonds, with David Cork David Cork, Executive Director of Tapestry Community Capital, is an expert on community bonds. He tells us how Tapestry supports other not-for-profit organizations and co-ops to issue and manage community bonds, when a community bond is appropriate, and the three ingredients of a bond-worthy project. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/8723018

B Corps and the Value of Relationships, with Jonathan Bennett 02/07/2019

B Corps and the Value of Relationships, with Jonathan Bennett Jonathan Bennett of Laridae Communications speaks with Sally about his firm's values. He tells us the ways in which Laridae's mission and culture are aligned with B Corp principles, and he explains why consulting is about listening and relationships. Jonathan and Sally also discuss Laridae’s experiences learning from first nations. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/8385938

Educating Donors, with Julie Werry 01/25/2019

Educating Donors, with Julie Werry Sally chats with Julie Werry, an expert fundraiser and consultant advising nonprofits and philanthropists. Julie shares the power of storytelling to educate donors, and the importance of trusting organizations to achieve their intended impact. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/8381213

Funding for Impact at the United Way of Halton & Hamilton, with Mike Mikulak 01/10/2019

Funding for Impact at the United Way of Halton & Hamilton, with Mike Mikulak Lynn interviews Mike Mikulak from the United Way of Halton & Hamilton. Their conversation delves into the responsibilities of funder organizations and the benefits of collective impact projects. Mike speaks candidly about the tensions amongst the United Way's funding priorities. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/8211830

Season's Greetings, from Social Impact Advisors 12/13/2018

Season's Greetings, from Social Impact Advisors In this brief episode, Sally, Lynn and Cameron reflect on their experiences in podcasting. We also discuss the intention behind our podcast, and what's to come in 2019. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/7902503

Bringing Strategy to Life, with Shelley Zuckerman 11/29/2018

Bringing Strategy to Life, with Shelley Zuckerman Sally interviews Shelley Zuckerman of the North York Community House, an organization that supports its community members to settle, thrive and lead. They discuss the process of defining NYCH's intended impact and aligning the organization to its impact in the broader community. Shelley also tells us about NYCH's continuous effort to measure its impact, revise its Theory of Change and maintain alignment as internal and external circumstances change. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/7703132

Impact Strategy, with Robin Cory 11/15/2018

Impact Strategy, with Robin Cory Sally interviews Robin Cory, of Colbeck Strategic Advisors. They talk about how organizations which focus on impact, and align their financial resources and organizational capabilities, can build strong strategy that achieves results. They talk about how to decide what not to do and why that is often difficult in the not-for-profit sector. They also talk about the importance of funding organizational competencies like measurement- so that organizations can adapt and build their impact. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/7567247

Funder Perspectives, with Ryan Conway 10/31/2018

Funder Perspectives, with Ryan Conway Sally interviews Ryan Conway, Program Director at Innoweave. Innoweave is a project of the McConnell Foundation. Together they discuss the meaning and importance of direct and indirect impact in complex systems. Ryan tells us how Innoweave empowers community sector leaders, and how Innoweave’s thinking has evolved. Ryan also praises collaboration, explaining how coaches and consultants act as a mechanism to share issues and experiences across sectors and regions. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/7233716

Why Impact Matters 10/15/2018

Why Impact Matters In this episode, Sally and Lynn discuss what impact is and why it's important in developing strategy. Social impact is the effect an organization's actions has on its community. /episode/index/show/socialimpact/id/6324874

Impact Conversations

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