BeCause & Effect

Joan Blight has spent an entire career learning and understanding the importance of strategy in Philanthropy. 

As president, founder, and managing consultant at her consulting firm Strategic Philanthropy, Joan is one of the leading minds in the philanthropic sector and has an entire career in organizational support, guidance, and fund development across North America.

Joan has many accolades and awards for her work with the charitable and non-profit sector, including the 2018 Manitoba Philanthropy Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional.

I sat down with Joan to talk about humble beginnings, the importance of community, and the methodology of philanthropy in our modern world.

Bruce MacDonald has devoted his life and career to social good for over 30 years. Formerly the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada, Bruce has been working with all aspects of the philanthropic sector throughout his career.

With Imagine Canada, Bruce works with non-profits and charities to help answer questions and inform the public about the sector through programming and partnerships across the country.

I sat down with Bruce to talk about the role of philanthropy in society, trends and strategies in the charitable and non-profit sector, and the culture of philanthropy on a national scale.

Sister Lesley Sacouman has list of community accomplishments and accolades too long to name. She’s the founder of so many programs and organizations in Winnipeg - Holy Names House of Peace, Eagle’s Circle, and Roosbrook House to name just a few. She’s served on boards for many organizations as well, including Esther House, Anishinabe Oway-Ishi, and the Winnipeg Foundation. She also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the University of Winnipeg.

But she’s most well- known for her devotion to making life better for children, women, and any person in need of a helping hand.

As a former teacher for more than 17 years, she has made it her life’s work to teach, to help, and to lead.

I sat down with Sister Lesley to talk about the power of empathy, the generosity of community and acknowledging the struggle and inequity in our world.

30 years is a long time. Steven Schipper took the reins of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre as their Artistic Director back in 1989, and announced his retirement following the 2019 season.

Steven is a thoughtful and measured man, and though we started talking about the legacy of Royal MTC under his leadership and how that evolved, the conversation eventually led to the value of art and artistry to society, and the power of theatre to change lives, and even the time he Directed Keanu Reeves back in 1995.

My conversation with Steven further cemented his credentials as a master storyteller, and it’s an honor to have him on the BeCause & Effect Podcast

Cynthia Drebot was one of the winners of the Winnipeg Foundation’s Fast Pitch 2018 competition, where she shared her story of losing her husband to cancer in just five short months. 

She has worked in the world of social services for nearly 25 years, and fought for social justice for pretty much her entire life. She is a leader in the not-for-profit sector and is currently Executive Director of the North End Women’s Centre in Winnipeg. 

Ace Burpee is a busy man. You can hear him on the radio nearly every morning and you can see him supporting various causes around the city nearly every night. He’s known for his work ethic and he’s known for supporting people and causes that need help.

He’s been a staunch supporter and vocal proponent for Mental health since before it was even a part of the public lexicon.

Kal Barteski is a philanthropist, author, activist, tactical urbanist, and artist, perhaps best known for her beautiful script as well as her incredible wildlife and polar bear paintings.

Kal has been fighting for wildlife, sea ice, and environmental health for years and is an avid supporter of conservation through The Polar Bear Fund. The Fund advocates understanding, management, research, and ultimate conservation of the species.

Scott Oake is an award-winning CBC broadcaster, host of After Hours on Hockey Night in Canada, and has covered 12 different Olympic Games. Scott’s oldest of two sons, Bruce Oake, passed away due to a heroin overdose in 2011.

Scott, his wife Anne, and his other son Darcy, have been working toward honouring Bruce’s legacy through the Bruce Oake Foundation and in doing so, created the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre, a long-term addictions treatment centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

A 1 minute trailer for BeCause & Effect, launching April 23, 2019.