Episode Overview
Passion drives the nonprofit sector forward. It inspires people to serve communities, champion causes, and create meaningful change. But when passion is left unchecked, it can also lead to one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: burnout.
In this episode of The Shared Brain Podcast, Theresa Bolton and Derek Rolstone explore the hidden cost of passion and the growing impact of burnout on nonprofit professionals and leaders. Together, they discuss why burnout is so prevalent in mission-driven organizations, how it often gets mistaken for performance issues, and what leaders can do to protect the people behind the mission.
Drawing from decades of experience in recruitment, human resources, and organizational leadership, Theresa and Derek share practical insights on recognizing the signs of burnout, fostering healthier workplace cultures, encouraging healthy boundaries, and creating sustainable organizations where employees can thrive.
In this episode, Theresa and Derek cover:
• Why burnout is especially common in nonprofit organizations
• The connection between passion, empathy, and overwork
• Key emotional, physical, and workplace signs of burnout
• How leaders can identify burnout in themselves and their teams
• The importance of vacations, boundaries, and recovery
• Why recovery is more than rest and requires intentional recharging
• The role of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and external support
• Practical strategies for building healthier, more resilient workplace cultures
• How organizations can support employee wellbeing without compromising their mission
Whether you are a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, executive director, HR professional, board member, or team member, this episode offers actionable takeaways for creating sustainable impact while protecting the people who make that impact possible.
Featured Speakers
Theresa Bolton
Founder, Customized Recruitment
Theresa Bolton is the Founder and President of Customized Recruitment Ltd., a Canadian talent acquisition management firm. She launched the company in November 2020 after identifying a gap between in-house human resources departments and traditional search firms that left many organizations without affordable recruitment support.
Based in the Greater Winnipeg Metropolitan Area, Customized Recruitment provides flexible, project-based talent acquisition solutions tailored to small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, and associations across Canada.
Theresa began her recruiting career in 2009, specializing in sales, marketing, insurance, and agriculture recruitment. She quickly established herself as a top recruiter in Winnipeg before moving into corporate leadership. In 2015, she joined Parrish & Heimbecker Limited, where she built the company’s recruitment division from the ground up and ultimately served as Corporate Director of Recruiting.
Through Customized Recruitment, Theresa collaborates with organizations and HR consulting firms, including Stone HR Strategies, to deliver comprehensive talent acquisition and fractional HR solutions.
Board and Volunteer Leadership
• Chair of the Board, Canadian Association of Agri Retailers
• Vice President, Ag in the Classroom
• Board Member, MS Society of Manitoba
Derek Rolstone
CEO & Founder, Stone HR Strategies
Derek Rolstone is the Founder and President of Stone HR Strategies, a full-service human resources consulting firm headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Since launching the firm in 2014, Derek has helped organizations across North America strengthen their workforce through strategic HR solutions focused on Attraction, Retention, and Engagement.
With nearly 30 years of experience in human resources and industrial relations, Derek has held senior leadership roles with organizations including Suncor Energy, Bell Canada, Nygard, TransX, and Pepsi.
Stone HR Strategies serves more than 200 organizations through a network of specialized consultants, providing expertise in compliance, workforce planning, employee relations, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness.
Derek holds a Bachelor of Arts from Western University and an MBA from the University of Victoria. He has also taught in the Faculty of Business at Red River College and the University of Manitoba.
Areas of Expertise
• Human Resources Strategy
• Executive Coaching
• Career Transition Support
• Compliance Management
• Leadership Development
• Strategic Workforce Planning
Listen to Episode 3 here: https://globalphilanthropic.ca/the-hidden-cost-…nonprofit-sector/
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The Shared Brain Podcast™ from Global Philanthropic Canada features conversations on Canadian philanthropy, fundraising strategy, and nonprofit leadership. Episodes share practical insights, real-world success stories, and best practices to help mission-driven organizations grow their impact.
