PhilanthroThink

In this episode, we speak with Eric Peterson, co-founder and co-director of the Tula Foundation and founder of the Hakai Institute. Eric reflects on selling his medical imaging company, Mitra, and choosing to mobilize nearly all of the proceeds into science-driven initiatives focused on coastal research in British Columbia and public health programs in Guatemala.

He shares why he sees himself as an operator rather than a philanthropist, why he believes wealth should be put to work rather than preserved, and how long-term relationships with local communities and First Nations have shaped his approach.
A thoughtful conversation on wealth mobilization, leadership, and building public impact in an unpredictable world.
This episode also marks the beginning of a new chapter for the podcast, with Jonathan Harline, Titilayo Adedeji, Mandy Pui, and Mekayla Dionne joining as new hosts for the season.

TAKEAWAYS
-Eric Peterson transitioned from a tech entrepreneur to philanthropy
-He emphasizes the importance of personal involvement
-Building relationships with communities is crucial for lasting results
-Collaboration with Indigenous Nations strengthens project success
-Wealth mobilization can create more impact than wealth preservation
-Philanthropy is about putting resources to work efficiently
-Collaboration plays a central role in addressing global challenges
-Planning for the future is complex in an unpredictable world
-People are central to successful initiatives
-Work should be meaningful and enjoyable

CHAPTERS

00:00 Journey from Tech to Philanthropy
02:44 Transitioning from Donor to Operator
05:29 The Importance of People in Philanthropy
08:10 Building Relationships with First Nations
10:50 Collaborative Science and Community Engagement
19:28 Empowering Organizations Through Modern Techniques
20:27 The Philosophy of Spending Down
23:28 Investment vs Philanthropy: Understanding the Ecosystem
26:01 Rejecting Labels: The True Nature of Philanthropy
29:33 Reflections on Life Choices and Future Generations

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

MPNL Website: https://www.carleton.ca/mpnl/
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: https://x.com/mpnlcarleton
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carletonmpnl/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpnlcarleton
CREDITS

Guest: Eric Peterson
Co-founder and Co-director of the Tula Foundation and Founder of the Hakai Institute

Tula Website: https://tula.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-peterson-a0672826b
Foundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tula-foundation
HOSTS

Jonathan Harline
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankharline/
Mandy Pui
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-pui-2259617b/
Titilayo Adedeji
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/titilayoadedeji/
Mekayla Dionne
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekayla-dionne-57b091234/

PRODUCTION

Keenlii
Website: www.keenlii.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/

SUBSCRIBE AND ENGAGE

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube and leave a review. Let us know what topics you would like us to explore next.

SUPPORT OUR PODCAST

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

ABOUT PHILANTHROTHINK

PhilanthroThink complements Carleton University’s Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program. In each episode, we sit down with wealth creators, philanthropic leaders, and innovative thinkers to explore the real challenges, opportunities, and strategies shaping the sector at home and abroad.

In this episode of PhilanthroThink, Megan Skivington and Fengwen Yu speak with Raksha Bhayana, CEO and co-founder of the Bhayana Family Foundation, about recognition in the nonprofit sector and why it matters. Raksha reflects on her early career in social work, her family’s values, and how those experiences shaped the Foundation’s focus on celebrating frontline nonprofit workers across Canada through partnerships with United Way. She also discusses the advocacy behind nonprofit appreciation initiatives in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and British Columbia, and how the next generation is helping guide new priorities, including awards recognizing entire emergency department teams in Toronto hospitals.

A grounded conversation on advocacy, leadership, and sustaining family philanthropy over time.

TAKEAWAYS
Frontline nonprofit workers often carry invisible pressure and limited recognition
Awards can serve as catalysts for broader awareness and change
Advocacy for the nonprofit sector requires persistence and collaboration
Family foundations evolve when leadership is shared across generations
Whole-team recognition strengthens healthcare and community systems

CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome to PhilanthroThink
00:40 Introducing Raksha Bhayana
02:30 Family roots and values in giving
05:00 Frontline experience and recognition gaps
07:10 Awards with United Way across Canada
09:15 Next-generation involvement
11:45 Emergency department recognition
15:20 Advocacy and nonprofit appreciation initiatives
19:45 Leadership and future priorities
29:55 Advice for emerging changemakers
32:10 Closing thoughts

GUEST
Raksha Bhayana
CEO and Co-Founder, Bhayana Family Foundation

Website: https://bhayanafoundation.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmb1/
Foundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bhayana-family-foundation/posts/?feedView=all
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
https://www.carleton.ca/mpnl/

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: https://x.com/mpnlcarleton
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carletonmpnl/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpnlcarleton/

CREDITS
Hosts:
Megan Skyvington
Emily Goodwin
Fengwen Yu
Daniel H. Lanteigne

Production:
Keenlii
Website: https://www.keenlii.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/

Producer: Barry Keegan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykeegan/

SUBSCRIBE AND ENGAGE
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube and leave a review. Let us know what topics you would like us to explore next.

SUPPORT OUR PODCAST
To help us bring more thoughtful conversations to the sector, please consider sharing this episode with friends, peers, and changemakers.

ABOUT PHILANTHROTHINK
PhilanthroThink is a podcast series from Carleton University’s Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program. Each episode features conversations with philanthropic leaders and changemakers exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector in Canada and beyond.

In this episode, we speak with entrepreneur, CEO, podcaster and changemaker Cherry Chan, founder of Nonprofit CFO and CEO of OTUS Financial Solutions. Cherry shares how her background in real estate, accounting and community work shaped her commitment to helping nonprofits build financial stability.
She talks about her goal to help organizations raise 50 million dollars over the next decade, why revenue planning matters, and how leaders can move beyond constant funding stress to create stronger long-term models.
A thoughtful conversation on money, mission and what financial sustainability can look like in the nonprofit sector.
TAKEAWAYS
-Cherry's cultural background influences her approach to finance and philanthropy.
-Raising funds for nonprofits is often more challenging than expected.
-Maximizing impact is essential for nonprofit sustainability.
-Nonprofits can generate profit in unique ways to support their missions.
-Adapting to market changes is important for long term success.
-Diversifying revenue streams helps organizations stay stable.
-Starting with small, manageable projects can open the door to bigger ideas.
-Sharing stories consistently can strengthen community engagement.
-Creative fundraising can lead to major sponsorship opportunities.
-Future nonprofit leaders will need courage to make necessary changes.

CHAPTERS

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

MPNL website: https://www.carleton.ca/mpnl/
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter: https://x.com/mpnlcarleton
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carletonmpnl/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpnlcarleton

CREDITS
HOSTS
Megan Skyvington
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganskyvington/
Fengwen Yu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fengwen-yu-891504131/
Emily Goodwin
LinkedIn: 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/
SPONSOR
IG Private Wealth Management
For more information, visit: www.igprivatewealth.com

SUBSCRIBE AND ENGAGE
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube and leave a review. Let us know what topics you want us to explore next.

SUPPORT OUR PODCAST
Share this episode with colleagues, friends and anyone interested in nonprofit work.

ABOUT PHILANTHROTHINK
PhilanthroThink is a podcast series from Carleton University’s Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program. Each episode features wealth creators, philanthropic leaders and innovative thinkers sharing practical insights on the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector in Canada and beyond.

In this episode of PhilanthroThink, we sit down with Wanda Brascoupé, a leader in Indigenous philanthropy whose work has reshaped how giving happens in Canada.
Wanda shares how she was invited into this work by her community, and how the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund was built on trust, relationships, and plain language—rather than traditional grantmaking.
We talk about power, humility, and the importance of rethinking who decides what’s valuable. It’s a generous conversation with clear takeaways for funders, community leaders, and anyone looking to do better work.
TAKEAWAYS
Land acknowledgments are a crucial starting point for meaningful giving

Wanda Brascoupé’s journey shows how change begins in community

Decolonizing philanthropy means rethinking who holds power—and who defines value

Indigenous-led models shift how generosity and impact are understood

Trust-based philanthropy prioritizes relationships, not money

Two-eyed seeing bridges Indigenous and Western ways of working

Philanthropy must adapt to better serve communities on the ground

Safe, respectful processes build lasting trust

Non-Indigenous organizations can be better partners by listening and showing up

More Indigenous leadership in philanthropy isn’t just hopeful—it’s essential

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to PhilanthroThink and Land Acknowledgment
02:25 Wanda Brascoupé’s Journey into Philanthropy
05:23 Decolonizing Philanthropy: Rethinking Power
07:09 Indigenous-Led Models: Shifting the Landscape
12:54 Building the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund
20:09 Trust-Based Philanthropy: Relationships Over Money
24:40 Staying Grounded in Community
27:23 Daily Reflections and Philanthropic Practice
29:56 Saying No with Care and Accountability
31:51 Working with Indigenous Communities
34:07 Humility and Institutional Change
36:34 What Gives Wanda Hope
38:43 Inviting a Trust-Based Approach
40:17 Learning, Unlearning, and Showing Up
44:13 Looking Ahead: A Question for Future Generations
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
https://carleton.ca/mpnl
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: https://x.com/mpnlcarleton
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carletonmpnl/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpnlcarleton/
CREDITS
Hosts:
Megan Skyvington – https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganskyvington/
Emily Goodwin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-goodwin-/
Fengwen Yu – https://www.linkedin.com/in/fengwen-yu-891504131/
Daniel H. Lanteigne – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhlanteigne
Production: Keenlii – https://keenlii.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/
Producer: Barry Keegan – https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykeegan

SUBSCRIBE AND ENGAGE
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you listen—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube—and leave a review. Let us know what topics you’d like us to explore next.
SUPPORT OUR PODCAST
Help us bring more thoughtful conversations to the sector by sharing this episode with friends, peers, and changemakers.
ABOUT PHILANTHROTHINK
PhilanthroThink is a podcast series from Carleton University’s Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program. In each episode, we sit down with philanthropic leaders, wealth creators, and changemakers to explore the real challenges and opportunities shaping the sector in Canada and beyond.

In this episode of PhilanthroThink, Manjit Basi shares her unique perspective on philanthropy, offering insights from her journey across Ottawa’s business, public, and nonprofit sectors. Manjit reflects on a defining moment early in her career when she was first called a philanthropist and how she wrestled with the label. She also discusses the idea of expanding the classic “three-legged stool” of time, treasure, and talent to include a fourth leg. Tune in to hear how Manjit’s approach to giving back challenges traditional views and why anyone can be a philanthropist—no label needed.Takeaways-Manjit’s journey into philanthropy began with influential mentors.-The term 'philanthropist' can carry heavy connotations that need unpacking.-Understanding the root meaning of philanthropy as 'love of humanity' can provide clarity.-Personal accountability drives commitment to community work.-Small acts of kindness can have a significant ripple effect.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Manjeet Bassey and Her Impact01:04 The Journey to Philanthropy: Early Influences04:54 Reckoning with the Term 'Philanthropist'07:28 Personal Accountability and Commitment to Community09:12 Cultural Background and Early Lessons in Generosity12:55 The Role of Business in Community Engagement18:30 Taking Risks in Philanthropy and Business21:26 Founding Synapsity: Creating Spaces for Change24:57 Empowering Civic Engagement through Boot Camps27:10 The Power of Community Ownership28:51 Creating Spaces for Generosity and Connection30:47 A Personal Story of Connection and Generosity33:17 Shaping Philanthropy for Systemic Change37:28 Encouraging Action and Community Involvement40:20 The Balance of Time, Talent, and Treasure46:44 Tethering Philanthropy to Future Generations
MPNL Website
Follow Us on Social Media
Twitter | LinkedIn | InstagramCredits
Host and Co-hostsMegan Skyvington - LinkedInFengwen Yu - LinkedIn Emily Goodwin -LinkedIn Daniel H. Lanteigne - LinkedIn
Production:Keenlii
www.keenlii.comInstagramSubscribe and EngageIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you listen—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube—and leave us a review. Let us know what topics you’d like us to explore next.Support Our PodcastHelp us bring more insightful stories to you by sharing this episode with fellow nonprofit enthusiasts and changemakers.About PhilanthroThinkPhilanthroThink 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.

Investment Group Wealth Management - Disclaimer for Mini-EpisodeTimestamp: 19:25-21:26This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice, and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. For more information on this topic or any other financial matter, please contact an IG Wealth Management Advisor. The IG Wealth Management Charitable Giving Program is offered together with the Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation, which operates independently from IG Wealth Management. Donations are irrevocable and vest with the Foundation. This information is general in nature and not intended to be professional tax advice. Please read the Program Guide for complete details, including fees and expenses.