Client Spotlight

BC Cancer Foundation: Building Confidence Through Communication

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Executive Summary-2

BC Cancer Foundation partnered with The Humphrey Group to help its people communicate with greater clarity and confidence in every setting, empowering them to bring the Foundation’s mission to life. The program delivered measurable impact:

  • Confidence in managing difficult or emotionally charged conversations rose from 18% to 80%.

  • 100% of participants said they will be more effective in their roles as a result of the training.

  • Confidence in impromptu communication rose from 47% to 80%.

BC Cancer

Non-Profit | 100+ Employees

The BC Cancer Foundation is the fundraising partner of BC Cancer, dedicated to advancing cancer research, care, and innovation across British Columbia. As the largest funder of cancer research in British Columbia, the Foundation supports life-saving initiatives, including groundbreaking research, early detection, and personalized treatment programs.

Challenge

At the BC Cancer Foundation, every conversation is an opportunity to make a difference. Whether it’s a donor meeting, a fundraising presentation, or an internal discussion about advancing care, the ability to communicate with authenticity and conviction is essential to achieving the Foundation’s mission.

The organization wanted to strengthen how its people show up in these moments — ensuring every team member could speak with clarity, empathy, and purpose, even in the most sensitive situations. By investing in communication development, BC Cancer aimed to deepen trust with donors, strengthen collaboration across teams, and amplify the impact of its work across the province.




Solution

To strengthen the communication skills of their leaders, BC Cancer Foundation partnered with The Humphrey Group to deliver Speaking as a Leader® — an interactive learning experience designed to strengthen how its people communicate in moments that matter most.

A central focus of the program was helping participants navigate difficult conversations. These moments often carry emotional weight but also create opportunities to strengthen relationships and build trust. Through hands-on practice and feedback, participants learned to stay composed under pressure, listen with empathy, and communicate messages that balance compassion with clarity.

To extend the learning, the Foundation incorporated our Storytelling Spark, where employees learned to craft message-driven stories that inspire action and deepen connection. Together, these experiences equipped teams with the confidence, skill, and shared language to communicate BC Cancer’s mission with authenticity and impact.

 

 



Success

The training led to measurable growth in how participants communicate as leaders. One of the most valuable outcomes has been the ability to handle difficult conversations with confidence and empathy. Given the sensitive nature of the Foundation’s work, employees frequently engage in difficult discussions, and this program provided them with the frameworks and skills to do so effectively. Across other skill areas, confidence and capability also rose significantly.

Key outcomes included:

  • Confidence in handling difficult or emotionally charged conversations rose from 18% to 80%.

  • Confidence in impromptu communication rose from 47% to 80%.

  • 80% of participants advanced their skill level in creating powerful, message-driven communication.

  • Confidence in concluding conversations with a clear call to action rose from 47% to 80%.

Beyond the numbers, participants described a lasting shift in how they communicate day to day. They now approach conversations with greater clarity, empathy, and intention, strengthening collaboration and connection across teams. As one participant shared, “I now feel better prepared to lean into difficult conversations with curiosity and intention.”

100%

Of participants reported that they gained the information and tools necessary to immediately apply the new skills and knowledge from this training. 

100%

of participants reported they would be more effective in their roles after attending the training. 

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