What does real leadership look like when the goal is not just delivering services, but building a community where people feel seen and supported?

In the debut season of Leader Talks Podcast with Sartaj Sarkaria, we sit down with Marina Boulos-Winton to discuss nonprofit leadership and the systems that shape opportunities. Marina shares how early experiences with social injustice influenced her career path, what she learned through crisis-line and youth support work and how those lessons inform her leadership today.

Marina explains what it means to design services with dignity and why representation and strong community partnerships matter when working with youth and families. Marina also explores the barriers nonprofits face, the value of relationship-building and the kind of leadership mindset that helps teams deliver meaningful outcomes.

Tune in to hear how community-centred leadership can move beyond intent and create meaningful change with Marina Boulos-Winton. Download the Unity toolkit here https://new-api.ccdi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Unity_Workplace-Toolkit_EN.pdf, and take your first step toward a safer, more supportive workplace.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Marina’s path into nonprofit leadership and how social injustice shaped her direction.
• Learn how her career journey and experience inform her work in her current role.
• Her vision for connecting complementary organisations around shared goals.
• Common misconceptions around poverty relief and what it actually involves.
• The progress of equity and inclusion initiatives, and where the gaps still exist.
• Examples of how Sun Youth provides meaningful support to people in need.
• Why culturally grounded mentorship builds resilience for youth who lack support.
• Explore the funding hurdles that limit support for nonprofits and the issues they cause.
• Advice for emerging nonprofit leaders and what it takes to be successful.
• Tips on overcoming resistance to equity and inclusion, and Marina’s leadership habit for 2026.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Marina Boulos-Winton on LinkedIn
• Sun Youth
• Government of Canada
• Government of Canada: Suicide Crisis Helpline
• Covenant House
• Unity
• Unity Toolkit
• Chez Doris
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• Sartaj Sarkaria
• Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham

This special episode marks a turning point for Leader Talks as host Anne-Marie Pham reflects on what the podcast has built over four seasons before she hands the mic to Sartaj Sarkaria, who will take over hosting duties. Joined by colleagues Amelie Gagnon and Pangus Kung, Anne-Marie looks back on the highs, the behind-the-scenes work, and the real-world impact CCDI has made alongside employer and community partners. They discuss the importance of shared wisdom and diverse voices, the value of DEI initiatives, and why organisations should embrace humility, openness to learning, and resilience to navigate challenges and foster growth. They also talk about the realities of DEI work, from making mistakes, constant learning, staying resilient through pushback, to meeting people where they are without abandoning the mission. Join the conversation for a clear sense of what Leader Talks has stood for, and a glimpse into the next chapter of CCDI’s work, and the conversations to come. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What this January episode represents as Anne-Marie Pham’s final installment.
• Background about Pangus, his role, and his six-year career journey at the CCDI.
• Amelie’s role in operations and how internal processes keep teams aligned with the mission.
• Anne-Marie’s highlights, the various partnerships formed, and her favourite guests.
• Learn about the behind-the-scenes moments that reshaped the organisation.
• Discover why humility, constant learning, and resilience are part of DEI work.
• Explore how criticism of DEI initiatives can be beneficial and strengthen processes.
• Hear each guest share their main message regarding the CCDI’s mission.
• Unpack why DEI is foundational to building a productive and inclusive Canada for all.
• Find out about the next chapter for both Anne-Marie Pham and the podcast.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sartaj Sarkaria on LinkedIn

Pangus Kung on LinkedIn

Amelie Gagnon on LinkedIn

Anne-Marie Pham on LinkedIn

Whiteboard Collective

UN Global Compact Network Canada

Indigenous Works

Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham

As we close out another impactful year at Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham, we take a moment to pause to and reflect on the conversations, challenges, and progress that have shaped 2025. It’s a time to look back on what we’ve learned, acknowledge how the landscape of leadership continues to evolve, and consider how these insights will inform our work ahead.

In this new podcast episode, we are joined by two of CCDI's senior leaders, Marni Panas, Chair of the board of directors, and our recently appointed President and CEO, Sartaj Sarkaria, for a candid conversation on what drives their work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). They offer a clear look at CCDI’s impact and ambitions and speak about navigating leadership amid increasingly polarized conversations around DEIA. They also explore CCDI’s top priorities for the next three years, and wrap up with a powerful one-word vision from each leader on the future role of our organization.

Tune in for an honest, energizing, forward-looking conversation!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming Marni Panas and Sartaj Sarkaria to the show.
• Sartaj tells us about her role in CCDI and what drives her in the world of DEIA.
• Marni’s personal journey as a trans woman and how it’s inspired her work.
• What CCDI has done in 2025 and what we look forward to doing in the future.
• How CCDI is handling negative rhetoric surrounding DEIA in the political spheres.
• A breakdown of the top priorities for CCDI over the next few years.
• How they describe their organization’s roles in one sentence/word and why.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Marni Panas
• Marni Panas on LinkedIn
• Sartaj Sarkaria on LinkedIn
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• Leader Talks with Anne-Marie Pham