Running for Change – A CEO's Take on Nonprofit Leadership and Advocacy with Heather Norris

Running for Change – A CEO's Take on Nonprofit Leadership and Advocacy with Heather Norris

Author: Cherry Chan June 27, 2024 Duration: 41:14

We are thrilled to feature Heather Norris, President and CEO of the Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE). Heather is a visionary leader known for her significant contributions to the nonprofit sector. In this episode, she shares her diverse career journey, which spans healthcare management and community impact, leading to her current role at ONFE. Heather discusses various ONFE programs, such as the school breakfast program, indoor classroom garden towers, and initiatives supporting financial literacy and youth facing substance use issues.

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic inflation, ONFE continues to serve over 177,000 meals daily, demonstrating resilience and dedication to student welfare. Heather recounts her advocacy efforts, including running 200 laps on Parliament Hill to raise awareness for a national school food program, which led to a historic federal funding commitment.

Heather also offers valuable insights into nonprofit leadership, strategic career moves, and the importance of seeking feedback. She discusses transitioning to a hybrid work environment and maintaining organizational culture and collaboration among a diverse team.

Connect with Heather Norris on LinkedIn: Heather Norris Learn more about ONFE here: ONFE

 


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…