What does it take to go from Project Coordinator to Executive Director in just 10 months?

In this episode of the Unfiltered Non-Profit Podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Crilly, Executive Director of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), to explore her remarkable leadership journey, the challenges of nonprofit management, and the systems that help a small team create a big impact.

Stephanie shares how years of experience prepared her for an unexpected leadership opportunity, what she learned stepping into an executive role, and how EDCO has successfully grown its membership, increased conference attendance, and built an engaged network of volunteers across Ontario.

We also discuss:

• Transitioning from staff member to Executive Director• Building strong relationships with your board of directors• Managing governance, strategy, and organizational growth• Leveraging volunteers to create a thriving nonprofit community• The power of mentorship programs and member engagement• Growing events from hundreds to nearly 600 attendees• How nonprofit leaders can avoid burnout and maintain work-life balance• Why family, boundaries, and mental health matter in leadership roles

One of the most fascinating parts of this conversation is Stephanie's insight into leading an organization with just two staff members while supporting an extensive network of committees, volunteers, mentorship programs, and professional development initiatives.

Whether you're an Executive Director, nonprofit CEO, board member, association leader, or someone aspiring to a leadership role, you'll walk away with practical lessons on leadership, governance, engagement, and sustainable growth.

🎧 Tune in to hear how the right opportunity, strong relationships, and a commitment to continuous learning can transform a career and an organization.

What does it take to lead a nonprofit through a global shutdown, a membership rollercoaster, and a $17 million investment in the future of an industry?

In this episode of Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Joe Salemi, Executive Director of Landscape Ontario, one of the largest and most influential trade associations in North America. With more than 2,600 member companies, a $7M+ operating budget, 35 staff, 10 regional chapters, and over 160 events each year, Joe shares what it takes to lead a complex organization while keeping people, purpose, and strategy at the center.

When membership surged by nearly 1,000 companies during the pandemic, then later dropped significantly as market conditions changed, how did Landscape Ontario respond? Did they panic, cut staff, or pull back? Joe walks through the leadership decisions that helped the organization stay strong, find new revenue sources, and continue growing despite uncertainty. If your organization has ever faced fluctuating revenue, changing member needs, or pressure from your board, you'll relate to this conversation.

You'll also hear the story behind one of the boldest projects in the sector: a $17 million workforce training centre that is set to transform landscape and horticulture education in Ontario. What gives a nonprofit leader the confidence to place a bet that big? And how do you balance long-term vision with day-to-day operations?

This episode is packed with practical insights on succession planning, revenue diversification, leadership development, event strategy, and leading through change. If you're an association or nonprofit leader thinking about growth, sustainability, or what the future could look like for your organization, this is one you'll want to watch all the way through.

"What would you do if 30% of your organization's revenue disappeared?"

That was not a hypothetical question for Christine Nielsen, CEO of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). In her conversation with Cherry Chan, she shares what it's like to lead an association through the loss of a major revenue stream that had been part of the organization for decades. The surprising part? Christine isn't panicking. In fact, she's remarkably optimistic about what comes next.

Cherry and Christine talk about the realities of nonprofit leadership when the path forward isn't entirely clear. How do you prepare your board for a major shift before it happens? How do you help staff navigate uncertainty? And how do you keep moving forward when you're grieving a loss while also trying to lead through it? Christine is refreshingly honest about feeling betrayed when the decision was first made, but she also shares why dwelling there wasn't an option. The conversation also explores board governance, long-term planning, and the challenge of working with a constantly changing group of volunteer leaders. Christine jokes that after 16 years as CEO she's had 16 different bosses, and if you've ever worked with a board, you'll appreciate her perspective on onboarding, governance, and setting everyone up for success before problems arise.

What really stood out to us was Christine's belief that change doesn't have to be a crisis. Sometimes it's an opportunity to refocus on what members truly need. As she puts it, CSMLS is currently in "containment mode," but fully expects to move into "flourish mode." It's a conversation about resilience, leadership, and finding opportunity in the middle of uncertainty, something every nonprofit and association leader can relate to.

This episode might leave you wondering: if your organization had to reinvent 30% of its business model tomorrow, would you be ready? And what investments should you be making today to prepare for the changes you can't yet see coming?