Episode Overview
What does it take to build a workplace where people don’t just stay—but truly thrive?
In this episode of the Shared Brain Podcast, Corrie Fortner, Vice President at Global Philanthropic Canada, sits down with Lauren Wheeler, Strategic Services Director at the Alberta Museums Association, for an insightful conversation on creating human-centred organizations that empower people and strengthen mission impact.
Together, they explore the growing challenges facing nonprofit organizations, including staff burnout, employee retention, workplace culture, and succession planning. Lauren shares practical lessons from the Alberta Museums Association’s people-first approach, demonstrating how intentional leadership, flexible workplace practices, professional development, and thoughtful HR policies can build healthier, more resilient organizations.
The discussion highlights innovative practices such as Focus Fridays, investing in future leaders through continuous learning, recognizing burnout before it escalates, and creating workplace cultures where employees feel valued as whole people—not just for the roles they perform.
Whether you’re an executive leader, board member, HR professional, manager, or nonprofit practitioner, this episode offers practical insights and actionable strategies to help your organization move beyond simply surviving to truly flourishing.
In This Episode, Corrie Fortner and Lauren Wheeler Discuss:
- Why leadership can exist at every level of an organization—not just in senior management
- How human-centred workplace cultures improve staff engagement and retention
- Recognizing the early warning signs of employee burnout and supporting wellbeing
- Why compensation goes beyond salary to include flexibility, wellness, and professional growth
- The impact of initiatives like Focus Fridays in creating space for meaningful work
- Building succession plans before leadership transitions become urgent
- Investing in professional development to prepare future leaders
- Hiring for cultural fit, shared values, and long-term organizational success
- Creating resilient nonprofit organizations by putting people first
Featured Speakers
Corrie Fortner
Vice President, Global Philanthropic Canada
With more than 35 years of experience across healthcare, arts and culture, community and social services, and Indigenous-led initiatives throughout Canada’s Prairies and Territories, Corrie Fortner is a strategic and relationship-driven fundraising consultant dedicated to strengthening the nonprofit sector.
As Vice President at Global Philanthropic Canada, Corrie partners with executive leaders, Boards, and fundraising teams to build organizational capacity, strengthen governance, and advance long-term sustainability through ethical, donor-centred fundraising practices.
Throughout her career, Corrie has led complex fundraising initiatives, including capital campaigns, major gifts, strategic planning, governance development, and organizational assessments. She has held senior leadership roles with Alberta Health Services, United Way, women’s shelters, Indigenous-led organizations, member-serving associations, and community-based nonprofits across Canada.
Her consulting expertise includes:
- Annual Giving
- Audits & Assessments
- Board Development & Governance
- Campaign Planning Studies
- Coaching & Training
- Fund Development Planning
- Major Gift Development
- Small Shop Fundraising
- Stewardship & Donor Relations
- Strategic Planning
Corrie’s sector experience includes:
- Arts & Culture
- Community & Social Services
- Environment
- Faith-Based Organizations
- Healthcare
- Hospice & Palliative Care
- Indigenous-led Initiatives
Beyond consulting, Corrie is a dedicated volunteer, educator, mentor, and community leader. She has served on numerous Boards, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where she has helped shape fundraising leadership across the sector.
Fun Fact: Corrie apprenticed as an electrician before beginning her career in fundraising.
Lauren Wheeler
Strategic Services Director, Alberta Museums Association
Lauren Wheeler is a public historian with more than 20 years of experience working in and alongside Canada’s museum community. She is recognized for her expertise in nonprofit leadership, museum accreditation, governance, organizational development, and workplace culture.
For the past 13 years, Lauren has served with the Alberta Museums Association, first as Program Lead for the Recognized Museum Program and, since 2022, as Strategic Services Director. Her work spans museum best practices, accreditation, nonprofit governance, operations and finance, deaccessioning and repatriation, visitor experience, and emergency and disaster planning.
Throughout her leadership journey, Lauren has championed people-first workplace practices that prioritize employee wellbeing, collaboration, leadership development, and organizational resilience. Her thoughtful approach to human-centred leadership has helped shape healthier workplace cultures while supporting the long-term sustainability of nonprofit organizations.
Lauren believes museums play a vital role in creating safe, accessible spaces that encourage curiosity, foster community, and deepen our understanding of our shared responsibility to one another and the environment.
She holds a Master of Arts in Public History from Carleton University and is looking forward to returning to Ottawa with her family as she continues serving Canada’s museum sector in a national leadership capacity.
Listen to Episode 14 here: https://globalphilanthropic.ca/the-human-centre…draising-podcast/
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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.
