Summary

In this episode of the Cause Leadership Podcast, host David Hutchinson sits down with Ellen Graf-Martin, Founder and President of Graf-Martin Communications, for an inspiring conversation about insights on trends in the charitable sector, leadership transitions, branding, crisis management, and the importance of community building. Discover how her agency supports organizations in growth, crisis, and innovation.

Key topics

• Trends in the charitable sector
• Leadership transition and talent development
• Branding and marketing strategies for nonprofits
• Crisis communication and risk management
• Community building and donor engagement
  

Sound bites

• "Engage the right community, not just donors."
• "Clarity on mission and brand unites the team."
• "Crisis plans reduce risk and build trust."
  

Guest Bio: Ellen Graf-Martin, Founder & President, Graf-Martin Communications - Marketing for Good

Ellen Graf-Martin is the founder and President of Graf-Martin Communications, a creative agency specializing in integrated brand strategy, marketing, public relations and crisis communications.

With over two decades of experience, Ellen has taken her strategic insight and passion for empowering organizations to help guide respected brands and organizations like THE CHOSEN, Compassion Canada, Bible League Canada, Open Doors Canada, Children's Health Foundation and Karis Disability Services. Ellen and her team at Graf-Martin excel at providing clients with innovative and tailored approaches to not only meet their needs but increase their impact.

Ellen's induction into the Canadian Marketing, Advertising, PR, and Communications Hall of Fame in 2023 is a testament to her contributions. Her pursuit of excellence and understanding of the non-profit sector positions her as a visionary leader and champion for leveraging exceptional marketing for social good.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Trends in the Charitable Sector

03:04 Challenges Facing Charitable Organizations

05:45 Leadership Transitions and the Next Generation

08:18 The Role of Coaching and Mentorship

11:09 Ellen's Journey to the Marketing Hall of Fame

16:45 Diversity in Leadership and Agency Ownership

21:44 The Impact of The Chosen and Co-Designing Solutions

30:02 Strengthening Organizations Through Tailored Solutions

32:33 Crisis Management and Communication Strategies

37:46 The Importance of Preparedness in Crisis Situations

38:16 Building Community and Leadership Among Women

40:54 Self-Care and Sustainability in Leadership

44:31 Talent Challenges in the Charitable Sector

52:45 The Future of Fundraising and Community Building

Connecting with Ellen:

Email: ellen@grafmartin.com

website: www.grafmartin.com

linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/graf-martin-communications-inc/

Personal linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-graf-martin-1857999/

Summary:

In this episode of the Cause Leadership Podcast, Dave Hutchinson is joined by Tim Cestnick—one of Canada's leading voices in tax and personal finance— who shares his insights on strategic philanthropy, the importance of understanding family values, and how philanthropists can maximize their impact through thoughtful giving. They also explore the evolving landscape of charitable giving in Canada, from policy shifts to engaging the next generation of donors.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and guest background

04:15 - Foundations of strategic philanthropy and family legacy

06:39 - The purpose and definition of strategic philanthropy

09:40 - The seven faces of philanthropy and motivations

11:20 - How family values influence giving behavior

15:50 - Mistakes in giving: allocation, over-conservatism, and asset choices

19:00 - The future of philanthropy in Canada and risk considerations

21:00 - Trends in Canadian giving: the wealth transfer opportunity

23:00 - Policy environment: tax benefits, legislation, and advocacy

27:00 - The role of community vs. private foundations & donor advised funds (DAFs)

30:00 - Engaging the next generation: education, conversations, and values

36:00 - How younger donors are approaching giving differently

44:00 - Building relationships with professional advisors and charities

50:00 - Observing the impact of policy on charitable contributions

56:00 - Overcoming the "poverty mentality" and encouraging giving

Guest Bio: Tim Cestnick

Tim Cestnick enjoys a reputation as one of Canada's most respected experts and public speakers in the areas of tax and personal finance. Tim is Co-Founder & CEO of Our Family Office Inc., one of Canada's leading wealth advisory firms to affluent families.

Tim consults and speaks in all areas of personal finance. In addition to his CA designation, he is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Accountant (Illinois), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP).

Tim's national speaking profile is confirmed by his position as a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail's Report on Business, Canada's national newspaper. He has authored 18 best-selling books, and is a regular contributor and on-air personality on radio and television. He appears regularly on CTV, CBC Newsworld, BNN, and the best-known money programs in the country.

Tim and his wife Carolyn have three children and two dogs. All are hockey fanatics – especially his dog.

Connecting with Tim:

website: www.ourfamilyoffice.ca

podcast: https://ourfamilyoffice.transistor.fm

linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ourfamilyoffice

Personal linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timcestnick/

Join us as Jason Hildebrand, visionary leader of Presence Creative Arts, shares his inspiring journey of integrating faith and the arts to transform culture. Discover how storytelling, authentic leadership, and spiritual practices are shaping the future of faith-based arts and community engagement.

In this episode:

• Jason details the transition from acting to faith-driven arts, emphasizing collaborative projects and cultural influence

• He shares insights on fundraising as a faith-led journey, trusting divine timing and building donor relationships

• The story behind "The Shepherd and the Sound," a film exploring King David's life and its message of healing

• Creating space for authenticity and silence in a culture overwhelmed by noise

• Tips for leaders and artists to stay creatively and emotionally healthy through spiritual rhythms and practices

• The importance of storytelling in shaping culture and rewriting language around faith for a modern context

• Church, arts education, and mentorship: nurturing the next generation of faith-based creators

Guest Bio: Jason Hildebrand

Creative Principal

Part storyteller, part creative catalyst — Jason leads the team at Presence Creative Arts where he serves as a performer, communication and storytelling coach, theatre and film producer, and writer. For close to 25 years, Jason has partnered with faith-based organizations, film and theatre companies, and educational institutions as an artist/coach around the world. He recently completed a Master of Fine Arts in Performance Creation from York University in Toronto.

Jason is most recognized for his acclaimed solo and duo theatre performances and coaching of leaders and artists in areas of authentic performance, storytelling, and communication. He and his team have brought artistic direction to multiple The Alliance in Canada's National Assemblies, Hear the Music Ministries' Levite Summit events, as well as numerous Canadian events. Jason has overseen the development and production of many films and a multi-cast radio play. His film THE PRODIGAL TRILOGY has won multiple awards around the globe. His film BREATHE… was developed in partnership with The Salvation Army in Canada, Bermuda and Australia. Through the craft of Spirit-led performance and communication, Jason is passionate about "drawing out the gold" in individuals and groups. He is excited to see them step into the fullness of who they are created to be and significantly impact the world in their care. Jason lives in Toronto, Canada with his wife and four children.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jason Hildebrand and Presence Creative Arts

01:13 The Journey of Presence Creative Arts

05:52 Fundraising Challenges and Lessons Learned

09:31 Transformative Storytelling in Leadership

12:16 Coaching Executives and Leaders

15:50 The Shepherd and the Sound: A New Film Project

16:20 The Genesis of The Shepherd and the Sound

21:16 The Impact of the Psalms and Community Engagement

31:14 Navigating Chaos: Seeking Peace in a Turbulent World

32:34 Transformative Experiences: Audience Reactions to the Film

35:24 Generational Engagement: Connecting Across Age Groups

37:20 Creative Practices: Staying Emotionally Healthy and Inspired

40:58 Legacy and Impact: Building a Future for the Arts

46:37 Crowdfunding Success: The Chosen and New Storytelling

51:23 Nourishing the Soul: The Future of Faith-Based Arts

Connecting with Jason:

The Shepherd & The Sound Film Project: https://theshepherdandthesoundfilm.com/

Website: https://www.presencecreativearts.com/

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

E-mail: jason@presencecreativearts.com