Show notes
In this episode of PhilanthroThink, Megan Skivington and Fengwen Yu speak with Raksha Bhayana, CEO and co-founder of the Bhayana Family Foundation, about recognition in the nonprofit sector and why it matters. Raksha reflects on her early career in social work, her family’s values, and how those experiences shaped the Foundation’s focus on celebrating frontline nonprofit workers across Canada through partnerships with United Way. She also discusses the advocacy behind nonprofit appreciation initiatives in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and British Columbia, and how the next generation is helping guide new priorities, including awards recognizing entire emergency department teams in Toronto hospitals.A grounded conversation on advocacy, leadership, and sustaining family philanthropy over time.TAKEAWAYSFrontline nonprofit workers often carry invisible pressure and limited recognition Awards can serve as catalysts for broader awareness and change Advocacy for the nonprofit sector requires persistence and collaboration Family foundations evolve when leadership is shared across generations Whole-team recognition strengthens healthcare and community systemsCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome to PhilanthroThink 00:40 Introducing Raksha Bhayana 02:30 Family roots and values in giving 05:00 Frontline experience and recognition gaps 07:10 Awards with United Way across Canada 09:15 Next-generation involvement 11:45 Emergency department recognition 15:20 Advocacy and nonprofit appreciation initiatives 19:45 Leadership and future priorities 29:55 Advice for emerging changemakers 32:10 Closing thoughtsGUESTRaksha BhayanaCEO and Co-Founder, Bhayana Family FoundationWebsite: https://bhayanafoundation.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmb1/Foundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bhayana-family-foundation/posts/?feedView=allVISIT OUR WEBSITEhttps://www.carleton.ca/mpnl/FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIATwitter: https://x.com/mpnlcarleton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carletonmpnl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpnlcarleton/CREDITSHosts: Megan Skyvington Emily Goodwin Fengwen Yu Daniel H. LanteigneProduction: Keenlii Website: https://www.keenlii.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/Producer: Barry Keegan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykeegan/SUBSCRIBE AND ENGAGEIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube and leave a review. Let us know what topics you would like us to explore next.SUPPORT OUR PODCASTTo help us bring more thoughtful conversations to the sector, please consider sharing this episode with friends, peers, and changemakers.ABOUT PHILANTHROTHINKPhilanthroThink is a podcast series from Carleton University’s Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program. Each episode features conversations with philanthropic leaders and changemakers exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector in Canada and beyond.