In our first episode, Megan and Daniel sat down with Linsey Sherman-Zekulin—a dynamic nonprofit leader and philanthropist based in Ottawa. Linsey is the co-founder of Happy Roots Foundation and formerly of Sororal, a femme-focused travel and advocacy brand committed to advancing gender equality and fighting gender-based violence. At Happy Roots Foundation, a private charitable foundation based in Ottawa, she's championing a trust-based approach to philanthropy and grant-making.

Whether you're deep in the nonprofit world, passionate about making change, or just curious about how giving shapes our communities - trust us, you'll want to tune in!

Join us as we uncover the insights and stories behind impactful change.

Takeaways

• Happy Roots focuses on children’s mental health, using a finite, strategic funding model to make a difference in the community.

• Trust-based philanthropy, rooted in collaboration and transparency, challenges traditional power imbalances.

• Innovative, entrepreneurial strategies are key for supporting high-risk, early-stage projects.

• Embracing curiosity, humility, and learning from mistakes is vital for evolving philanthropy to meet today’s needs.

  
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership

01:13 Lindsay's Journey into Philanthropy

05:26 The Birth of Happy Roots Foundation

10:13 Strategic Philanthropy and Community Impact

15:24 Reflections on Challenges and Joy in Philanthropy

23:11 Women in Philanthropy and Gender Equity

26:23 Trust-Based Philanthropy: Building Relationships

35:29 Entrepreneurial Mindset in Philanthropy

43:53 Advice to Younger Self and Future Reflections

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Host and Co-hosts

Megan Skyvington

Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganskyvington/

Fengwen Yu

Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fengwen-yu-891504131/

Emily Goodwin

Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-goodwin-/

Daniel H. Lanteigne

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhlanteigne

Production

Keenlii

• Website: www.keenlii.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/

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Help us bring more insightful stories to you by sharing this episode with fellow nonprofit enthusiasts and changemakers.

About PhilanthroThink

PhilanthroThink is a new podcast series that complements our existing discussion series from Carleton University’s Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program. In each episode, we sit down with wealth creators, philanthropic leaders, and innovative thinkers to dig into the real challenges, opportunities, and strategies shaping the sector both at home and abroad.