The Most Human Organization Wins

The Most Human Organization Wins

Author: Cherry Chan June 19, 2026 Duration: 15:08

With AI shaping how we work, many nonprofit leaders are asking: what does this mean for the future?

At the OTUS Nonprofit Exchange, Cherry Chan shared a grounded perspective—starting with a simple but powerful question from her 12-year-old daughter: “If AI is doing all of this… what am I going to do?”

Her answer? We don’t have all the answers—but AI isn’t here to replace us. It’s here to change how we work.

From automating repetitive tasks to supporting proposals and communications, AI is expanding what teams can do—not replacing them. At OTUS, team members are already experimenting with AI tools to increase capacity.

But the real value of human work remains in three areas AI can’t replace: judgment, storytelling, and relationships.

In a time of uncertainty, Cherry’s message is clear: we’re not behind, and we’re not being replaced. The organizations that thrive won’t be the most technological—they’ll be the most human.


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: 45

The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All
Podcast Episodes
What would you do if 30% of your organization's revenue disappeared? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:34
"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 wi…
Supporting the People Behind the Mission [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:11
In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Lana Hann, Executive Director of Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka, for a deeply personal conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it r…
Why Fundraising Isn’t Enough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:32
$30 million raised—and Krystal Valencia still says fundraising isn’t the answer. Krystal is the founder and CEO of Rental Rescue, a nonprofit that steps in when affordable rental buildings are at risk of being lost. Inst…
What Sustainable Nonprofit Revenue Really Looks Like [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:16
In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry sits down with Melissa Ray, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Concord in the City Community Ability Initiative. Melissa shares how the organization supp…
5 Things Nonprofits Need Before Fundraising Actually Works [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:33
What actually makes fundraising work? Is it hiring one strong fundraiser? Is it a better gala? Is it sending more emails? In this episode of The Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry sits down with Sam Laprade, a fundrais…
How an 83% Grant Approval Rate Actually Happens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, we're joined by Deepa Chaudhary, founder of Grant Orb AI, to talk about what really drives grant success — and why so many nonprofit leaders feel stuck in an endless c…