From Crisis Lines to Billboards: How Unsinkable is Changing Mental Health Narratives
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.
The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All
Dive into the real world of non-profit leadership. Hear inspiring stories and experiences of leaders, with a focus on examining their operations. Get a candid look at the challenges they face in managing successful non-profits. This podcast is all about the unfiltered journey of leading a non-profit and making a difference.
- No. of episodes: 25
- Latest episode: 2025-07-17
- Business Management Non-Profit
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