What does it really take to build a community where people don’t just sign up, but actually participate and feel like they belong?

In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Tasha Van Vlack, founder of The Nonprofit Hive, to explore a different approach to community building in the nonprofit sector. Tasha Van Vlack shares how The Nonprofit Hive grew from a simple idea for connecting nonprofit professionals into a global community centered around curated one-to-one conversations.

They dive into why community is an action, the role email plays in keeping people engaged, and how The Nonprofit Hive has been able to keep its community free through partnerships and sponsorships. Tasha Van Vlack also shares practical lessons on co-creating with your community, experimenting with new ideas, and why adding another platform, forum, or piece of content isn’t necessarily the answer to stronger engagement.

If you’re a nonprofit leader, association professional, or community builder looking for ways to create stronger connections, increase engagement, and deliver meaningful value to your members, this conversation is packed with ideas to consider.

🐝 Learn more and join The Nonprofit Hivethenonprofithive.com

🔗Contact with Tasha: Linkedin

🐝Join Community Hives: communityhives.com

In this episode of the Unfiltered Non Profit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Karen Craft, CEO and Founder of CRAFTXECS and IHR Advisory Services, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing nonprofits and associations today: turning strategy into action.

Karen shares the critical role of operational planning, and how change management helps organizations successfully execute their vision. Learn practical strategies for assessing team readiness, managing organizational change, avoiding burnout, and creating plans that actually drive results.

Important Timestamps:

03:26 – Karen’s background in HR, cybersecurity, and change management.

04:22 – Why project success often fails without proper change management.

06:41 – The biggest gap between strategic planning and operational execution.

07:50 – The three key drivers organizations should assess before committing to major initiatives.

10:55 – How culture, trust, and readiness for change impact organizational performance.

18:50 – Why three- and five-year strategic plans may no longer be realistic in today’s fast-changing environment.

28:28 – Karen’s practical framework: 10-year vision, 3-year milestones, and 1-year execution plans.

🔗Contact with iHR Advisory Services: info@ihradvisoryservices.ca🔗Contact with CraftXecs:info@craftxecs.com🔔 Follow for more conversations with nonprofit leaders, association executives, and experts who are helping organizations grow and thrive.

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.