How a Nonprofit CEO Created an Unstoppable Culture of Belonging with Tracy Folkes Hanson

How a Nonprofit CEO Created an Unstoppable Culture of Belonging with Tracy Folkes Hanson

Author: Cherry Chan June 11, 2024 Duration: 1:08:55

In this inaugural episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, we welcome Tracy Folkes Hanson, President and CEO of the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE). Tracy, a visionary leader with extensive experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors, shares her journey from a marketing communications background to her current role in nonprofit leadership. Her diverse career path includes roles at MasterCard International and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce before taking the helm at CSAE in 2017.

We dive into Tracy's leadership experiences, the challenges of transitioning from corporate to nonprofit sectors, and the importance of maintaining corporate culture in a virtual environment. Tracy discusses CSAE's adaptation to virtual operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the innovative strategies they have implemented to foster collaboration and inclusivity. She also highlights a new policy at CSAE allowing employees to swap statutory holidays for ones of personal significance, reflecting the organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Listen to gain valuable insights into effective nonprofit leadership and the significance of creating a supportive work culture. Tracy's emphasis on embracing change, recognizing the importance of mental health, and leveraging technology to maintain team cohesion in a virtual setting provides practical takeaways for leaders in the nonprofit sector. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills and drive positive organizational change.

Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyfolkeshanson/

Learn more about CSAE Here: https://csae.com/

 


Hosted by Cherry Chan, The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to run a mission-driven organization. This isn't a series of polished success stories; instead, each conversation goes deep into the operational realities that leaders grapple with daily. You'll hear about budget crises that threatened to shut doors, the complexities of team dynamics under pressure, and the strategic pivots that saved programs. Chan guides these discussions with a focus on practical management and the less-glamorous, behind-the-scenes work that sustains impact. The result is a candid resource for anyone involved in the business of change, from seasoned executives to board members and aspiring founders. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a private roundtable where honesty is the only policy, offering lessons that are immediately applicable. It captures the full, unfiltered journey of non-profit leadership-the setbacks, the hard-won victories, and the relentless pursuit of making a difference.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 39

The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All
Podcast Episodes
Nonprofit Revenue Diversification with Rob Henderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:51
In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, host Cherry Chan sits down with Rob Henderson, President & CEO of BioTalent Canada, to discuss how he successfully transitioned his nonprofit from government dependenc…
How This ED Navigates Advocacy in Times of Leadership Shifts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:10
What does it take to advocate for 65,000 grain farmers across Canada? In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of Grain Growers of Canada, to explore the reali…
How this ED Turned $500 Sponsorships into $50,000 Wins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:14
Get ready for an insightful and inspiring episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast! This week we are sitting down with Paul Lansbergen, a Certified Association Executive and seasoned nonprofit leader with over 30 year…