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
Visit Our Website
MPNL Website
https://www.carleton.ca/mpnl/
Follow Us on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/mpnlcarleton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpnlcarleton
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/
Subscribe and Engage
If 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.
Help us bring more insightful stories to you by sharing this episode with fellow nonprofit enthusiasts and changemakers.
Support Our Podcast
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.
