Leading a Nonprofit with Just 2 Staff and 80+ Volunteers | Stephanie Crilly Interview

What does it take to run a successful organization with just two staff members and more than 80 active volunteers?

In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Crilly, Executive Director of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), to discuss her remarkable career journey, leadership philosophy, and the systems that help her organization thrive.

Stephanie shares how she moved from a project coordinator role into the executive director position, the challenges of stepping into leadership, and the lessons she’s learned while managing a member-driven organization serving more than 1,500 professionals across Ontario.

We explore the realities of nonprofit leadership, including board governance, strategic planning, volunteer engagement, membership growth, and leading a highly effective organization with limited staffing resources.

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is the power of volunteer engagement. Stephanie explains how EDCO leverages committees, mentorship programs, leadership opportunities, and member participation to create a strong, sustainable organization without relying on a large staff team.

The discussion also covers board relationships, governance best practices, event strategy, and the importance of creating boundaries that support long-term work-life balance.

Whether you’re an executive director, CEO, board member, or nonprofit leader trying to do more with limited resources, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately.

In This Episode

  • Stephanie Crilly’s leadership journey
  • Moving from coordinator to executive director
  • Managing an organization with only two staff members
  • Building and supporting 80+ volunteers
  • Board governance and board relationships
  • Strategic planning for nonprofit growth
  • Growing membership and event participation
  • Volunteer engagement strategies that work
  • Leadership development and professional growth
  • Work-life balance for nonprofit leaders
  • Creating sustainable nonprofit operations

Key Takeaway

You don’t need a large staff to create a large impact. With engaged volunteers, a strong board, clear governance practices, and intentional leadership, small teams can accomplish extraordinary things.

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Leading a Nonprofit with Just 2 Staff and 80+ Volunteers | Stephanie Crilly Interview

Suggested YouTube Description

How do you manage more than 80 volunteers, multiple committees, board meetings, conferences, mentorship programs, and a membership of 1,500+ people with only two staff members?

In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Stephanie Crilly shares how she leads the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), builds volunteer engagement, strengthens board relationships, and creates sustainable growth through strategic leadership.

If you’re an executive director, nonprofit CEO, association leader, or board member, you’ll take away practical lessons on governance, volunteer management, leadership development, and organizational growth.

#NonprofitLeadership #ExecutiveDirector #VolunteerManagement #BoardGovernance #NonprofitPodcast #AssociationManagement #StephanieCrilly #VolunteerEngagement #NonprofitGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unfiltered-non-profit-leaders-share-it-all/id1749147957

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WWo0Z3gBCRriDr8g172SU?si=sR0LTaV6QpGo5Wo3NqaGmQ

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/247b628f-f9df-42eb-84ef-ae1471ae24e3/the-unfiltered-non-profit-leaders-share-it-all

Audible: https://www.audible.ca/podcast/The-Unfiltered-Non-Profit-Leaders-Share-It-All/B0D5JP698Z

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Jsmm8oVgvVg

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