In this episode of the Unfiltered Nonprofit Podcast, Cherry Chan speaks with Hailey Hechtman, Executive Director of Unsinkable, a national nonprofit mental health organization founded by Olympian Silken Laumann.
Hailey shares how Unsinkable launched a national campaign, Fragments: Stories That Heal, using in-kind contributions and partnerships instead of large funding. The campaign featured:
- 25 billboards across the GTA, including Dundas Square
- Audio stories broadcasted via radio, podcasts, and digital ads
- A 45% increase in direct website traffic in a single month
This conversation is packed with ideas for nonprofit leaders who are navigating lean budgets, trying to grow their audience, or build partnerships.
What You’ll Learn:
- How a nonprofit mental health leader built a crisis line in the Yukon from scratch
- How to use in-kind donations and local partnerships to create national impact
- Why storytelling is a critical tool for advocacy, fundraising, and brand-building
- Why it’s okay if your career path isn’t linear—and how to lead through uncertainty
Hailey’s Quote to Remember:
“Some of our biggest wins came from someone we met at a conference or a LinkedIn post we followed up on.”
If you’re leading a nonprofit mental health organization or any nonprofit with a powerful story, this episode is full of practical, creative takeaways.
About OTUS Nonprofit CFOs
At OTUS NonProfit CFO, we specialize in general accounting and CFO services for nonprofits and associations. With over 20 years of experience, we provide tailored solutions that help your organization grow and stay sustainable. We offer everything from day-to-day bookkeeping to big-picture financial planning, all designed to meet the unique needs of nonprofits like yours.
If you want to learn more about how we can support your nonprofit’s financial journey, visit our website or book a no-obligation 20-minute consultation with us today. Let’s make your accounting easier and help you reach your goals.
Click below to listen to the episode now!
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unfiltered-non-profit-leaders-share-it-all/id1749147957
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3JNb1VTvPIncILczhZCgzQ
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/dUNo8t8gQ_Y
Download: https://sites.libsyn.com/521798/from-crisis-lines-to-billboards-how-unsinkable-is-changing-mental-health-narratives