What happens when a leader finally gives themselves permission to show up as their whole, honest, human self?

In this Faces of Atlantic episode, Terri-Ann sits down with Colum Connolly, Founder of Bloom Funding, an organization helping companies access funding, measure what matters, and create meaningful social impact across Atlantic Canada.

Together, they unpack identity, leadership, and the emotional weight of building something that truly reflects who you are — not just what you do.

In this episode:

→ How Colum’s path from medical genetics to entrepreneurship reshaped his understanding of leadership, hard work, and purpose

→ Bloom Funding’s journey to returning $26M to clients — and how their work is strengthening communities through nonprofit fundraising, impact measurement, and initiatives like youth housing and urban heat resilience

→ The shift that changed everything: embracing authenticity, queerness, and the courage to show up fully in professional spaces

→ What Colum had to unlearn about leadership — including the instinct to overanalyze and assume negative intent

→ Why he believes Atlantic Canada is uniquely positioned to lead the world in empathetic AI

Links and Resources:

Follow Colum Connolly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colum-connolly-phd-bloom-funding/

Follow Bloom Funding: www.bloomfunding.ca

Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards

Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic

If this episode encouraged you to embrace more of who you are — at work, at home, or in leadership — share it with someone who needs that same reminder.

Subscribe, leave a review, and give yourself a moment today to consider:
What part of you have you been leaving at the door — and what would change if you brought it with you?

Let’s keep showing up with honesty, courage, and humanity, one conversation at a time.

• (00:00:00) - Faces of Atlantic
• (00:00:44) - The Search for Who Is Your Real Self
• (00:02:24) - What does Bloom Funding do for Canadians?
• (00:04:24) - St. John's First Aid
• (00:04:53) - Ontario Wealth Management's focus on nonprofits
• (00:05:20) - Local Business Leader
• (00:07:57) - The quest for leadership in the world
• (00:12:43) - In the Elevator With Leaders
• (00:13:57) - How to manage stress in the workplace?
• (00:18:21) - Bring Your Whole Self to Work
• (00:22:03) - Atlantic Canada's growth potential
• (00:24:38) - A Legacy of One Person