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.