Episodes

129: How to Retain Talent Through a Dynamic Nonprofit Organization (Keith Fishburne) SUMMARY Are you struggling as a nonprofit leader to retain your best talent? Keith Fishburne, whose career spans over 30 years at Special Olympics North Carolina, shares his best practices to recognize, develop, and ultimately retain quality employees. Many of Keith’s senior staff have been with him for over a decade, unheard of in the nonprofit sector. The experiences we discuss in episode #129 of th...

128: Leading Your Organization Through Strategic Execution (Logan Herring) SUMMARY Should you stop calling your organization a nonprofit? That was one of many intriguing topics Logan Herring and I discussed during our conversation in episode #128 of the Path Podcast. Logan is the dynamic leader of The WRK Group in Wilmington, Delaware, and is not only transforming his community, but also offers a unique organizational model for communities around the world to consider. We discuss ...

127: 5 Priorities of the Best Nonprofit Leaders (Patton McDowell) SUMMARY Ever wonder on what the best nonprofit leaders are focused? After working with nearly 250 nonprofit organizations, and having interviewed over 120 talented nonprofit leaders from around the world on the podcast, Patton has narrowed his list to these five priorities which distinguish the best leaders from the rest in episode #127 of the Path Podcast. Are you able to articulate a clear vision for your...

126: Finding the Resources You Need as a Nonprofit Leader (Stephanie Minor) SUMMARY The best nonprofit leaders embrace the concept of life-long learning because they know they must stay on top of the issues that face their organization and the sector in which it operates. Managing issues of fundraising and philanthropy, human resources, mental health, diversity, equity & inclusion, strategic planning, finance, human resources and countless other topics can easily become overwhelmi...

125: The Surprising Gift of Doubt for Nonprofit Leaders (Marc Pitman) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader, you constantly face new challenges for which none of your training and previous experience can prepare you. Under such circumstances, it’s easy to lose confidence and succumb to those feelings of doubt, and wonder where leadership solutions might come from. As a long-time leadership coach and fundraiser in the nonprofit sector, Marc Pitman understands these feelings of insecurity, and ha...

124: How to Make Yourself an Outstanding Candidate for Nonprofit Leadership (Shana Plott) SUMMARY As a nonprofit leader, you’ve likely encountered both sides of the talent development equation: seeking a new opportunity for yourself, or finding the perfect person to fill your nonprofit’s most important vacancy. Regardless of whether you’re looking yourself or trying to hire a rock star, Shana Plott is the perfect guest to help you on your quest. Shana has spent most of her career helpin...

123: 4 Steps to Breakthrough Marketing for Nonprofit Leaders (Cheryl Williams) SUMMARY In an environment when the term “hybrid” represents a new layer of complexity for nonprofit programming, fundraising and communications, it’s easy to get lost in a flurry of activity without effectively marketing your nonprofit organization. As a nonprofit leader, how do you best determine what effective marketing and communication even looks like for your organization? Fortunately, Cheryl Hudg...

122: How Nonprofit Leaders Can Jumpstart the Funder Partnership (Kelly Chopus) SUMMARY The partnership between nonprofit leaders and their counterparts at grant-making organizations is a critical one, and Kelly Chopus understands both sides of this collaborative dynamic. In episode #122 of the Path Podcast, Kelly and I discuss what makes a nonprofit more attractive to funders, and what nonprofit leaders can do to better demonstrate their ability to maximize investments in their communities. K...

121: New Nonprofit CEO? 5 Keys to Success (Ken Fuquay) SUMMARY Have you wondered what it would be like to lead a nonprofit organization? Many talented professionals, both within and outside of our sector, are considering a move into senior leadership at a charitable organization, but are not exactly sure what to expect. Ken Fuquay is a great example of a talented professional who made a move later in his career to embrace nonprofit leadership. Thankfully, he’s not only embraced the chal...

120: Is Your Nonprofit Board Leading with Intent? (Jim Taylor) SUMMARY As Jim Taylor shared on episode #35 of the Path Podcast, conversations around race and inclusion are more prevalent than ever in nonprofit meeting rooms around the world. But are these discussions leading to significant change in the recruitment, make-up and leadership style for these same board leaders? That’s exactly what BoardSource’s latest Leading With Intent report set out to explore, and the results are fascin...

119: Building A Career in Nonprofit Leadership (Elizabeth Abel) SUMMARY As more talented professionals enter the nonprofit sector, they are looking for ways to develop their skills, find the best professional development opportunities, and better navigate the personal and professional challenges that can inhibit success. Elizabeth Abel not only works with nonprofit leaders across the country as they manage all of these issues, she’s also teaching the next generation of talent through her work...

118: Embracing the Power of Philanthropy as a Nonprofit Leader SUMMARY Philanthropy is the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations, but the acquisition of charitable dollars can be a motivational barrier for many nonprofit leaders. We all have hang-ups about money, and that can hurt our enthusiasm to actually ask for funds for the causes we care deeply about. Charles Thomas has been on both sides of philanthropy, as an executive director of two organizations, and now the Program Director f...

117: 3 Keys to Effective Nonprofit Leadership (John Bennett) SUMMARY The study of nonprofit leadership requires the review of a wide array of topics, skills and experiences, especially as you try to identify the keys to success in the philanthropic sector. Where can you turn for advice on ways to improve your leadership skills? Well, to assure a deeper dive into these sometimes intangible leadership factors, John Bennett proved to be the perfect guest on episode #117 of the Path Podcast...

116: Is It Time for a Capital Campaign? (Cindy Clark) SUMMARY As we move through the pandemic, numerous factors are influencing nonprofit leaders to consider whether now is the time to launch a capital campaign. Pent up demand, relatively good economic conditions, competition from other nonprofits - and just a restlessness from staff and board - may all be pushing you to what feels like an inevitable fundraising effort. But are you and your nonprofit really ready? My colleag...

115: Need to Recharge Your Nonprofit Career Plan? (Patton McDowell) SUMMARY While the new year gets most of the attention as the time for personal resolutions and career planning, the summer may be an even better time for personal and professional reflection, and a great time to re-evaluate your path to nonprofit leadership. In episode #115 of the Path Podcast, Patton offers a solo summary of two key planning instruments that can help with your nonprofit career planning. You’ll...

114: Leadership, Track Record & Sustainability: How Does Your Nonprofit Stack Up? (Tom Lawrence) SUMMARY It’s common for a nonprofit leader to wonder what a prospective funder is thinking as he or she evaluates your organization for a potential investment. Fortunately, Tom Lawrence is happy to share the framework The Leon Levine Foundation uses to evaluate hundreds of grant applications it receives every year. Tom serves as the President of the Foundation, and he and his team ...

113: How to Balance the Mission and the Business as a Nonprofit Leader (Jim Warren) SUMMARY Many nonprofit leaders struggle to maintain their passion for the organization’s mission as they grapple with the management realities required to run a complex nonprofit business. If you’re wrestling with that “mission versus business” tug-of-war, Jim Warren is the perfect person to know. Jim is the Executive Director of the Carolina Raptor Center, and brings his energy and wisdom from 40 ...

112: How to Shift the Nonprofit Narrative on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Samara Hakim) SUMMARY Most nonprofit leaders are saying the right things about their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion, but making genuine progress on difficult issues of difference is easier said than done. Samara Hakim proved to be the perfect guest to discuss these challenges - and opportunities - as she equips leaders to better work with those different than themselves. Samara leads an in...

111: The Importance of Strategic Visioning as a Nonprofit Leader (Chris Jackson) SUMMARY There are many essential elements to successful nonprofit leadership, but perhaps none more important than an ability to conceive and implement a strategic vision. Chris Jackson has demonstrated that exact skill, and shares it with our listeners on episode #111 of the Path Podcast. Chris leads Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, one of the largest nonprofits in the Southeastern United States. He...

110: 3 Challenges All Nonprofit Leaders Will Face (Sheryl Aikman) SUMMARY While moving out of the pandemic provides a sigh of relief for nonprofit leaders everywhere - as well as a host of strategic opportunities - there are also some key challenges that must be addressed. Fortunately, the national perspective Sheryl Aikman brings to episode #110 of the Path Podcast will help you identify these potential challenges that could inhibit your nonprofit’s success. In particular, Sheryl and I discu...

109: Next Generation Talent: Does Your Nonprofit Have a Plan? (Righteous Keitt) SUMMARY Success as a nonprofit leader does not necessarily require years of experience. Inspiration can occur at any age, and the question simply becomes doing something about it. In episode #109 of the Path Podcast, I was fortunate to speak with exactly the kind of young nonprofit leader that has much to offer our sector, and someone who did not “wait for his turn” to make a difference. Righteous Keitt was ...

108: What is Giving Done Right? (Phil Buchanan) SUMMARY What are the critical issues facing nonprofit leaders right now, and how do they impact the funders that support their efforts? That’s exactly the question I posed in this bonus episode #108 of the Path to Phil Buchanan, who has led the Center for Effective Philanthropy for nearly 20 years. CEP has studied many of the key issues facing our sector, and Phil is uniquely qualified to identify the key trends that will affect nonprofit leader...

107: How To Engage The 3 Distinct Types of Funders (Sybil Ackerman-Munson) SUMMARY Every nonprofit leader rehearses their perfect case for support in anticipation of a donor meeting. And while the ability to deliver a clear and compelling vision for your organization is critical, an often-overlooked part of your preparation is considering exactly what type of major donor you are about to encounter. Sybil Ackerman-Munson offers a fascinating assessment of the three types of donors you’re...

106: Failure is What It’s All About (Steven Lavine) SUMMARY When Steven Lavine took the role of President at CalArts in 1988, the school - an experimental arts institution located just north of Los Angeles - was in danger of going bankrupt. In 1994, the Northridge earthquake rendered the campus uninhabitable. But Lavine piloted the school through those stormy waters, and today CalArts is thriving, with an endowment of $152 million and a ranking that places it among the top 10 fine arts school...