Episodes

033: Adapting to Short-Term Challenges with Long-Term Benefits (Carrie Bhada) SUMMARY Carrie Bhada’s journey in nonprofit leadership has led her to outstanding higher education and healthcare institutions, but it has also given her the experience of dealing with internal and external challenges. While nothing compares to the unique complexities of the COVID-19 situation, she has utilized previous experiences to adapt and lead her team at North Carolina State University as they navigate this unch...

032: Community Leadership in the Philanthropic Sector (Michael Marsicano) SUMMARY Michael Marsicano leads one of the largest community foundations in the United States. He is passionate about bringing communities together to maximize philanthropy and improve all aspects of society. Like nonprofit leaders around the world, he was faced with an unprecedented challenge – and opportunity – with the arrival of COVID-19. What did he do? He mobilized his team and collaborative partners throughout the r...

031: Making the Jump: Corporate America to Nonprofit Executive (Kristin Beck) SUMMARY After twenty years of success in the for-profit arena, Kristin Beck could have easily continued on her upward trajectory. But her inner voice confirmed something was missing and she knew a change might be warranted. She then began a thoughtful process to evaluate her options and make sure she was prepared for the eventual nonprofit leadership opportunity that could take advantage of the skills and experience sh...

030: Nonprofit Leadership in Uncertain Times (Angela Woods) SUMMARY As the COVID-19 situation descended on her organization with stunning speed, Angela Woods knew she would have to make critical strategic decisions without the luxury of time to thoroughly evaluate options or wait for additional data. Like so many nonprofit leaders right now, she had to rely on her instincts and experience to best “triage” an evolving situation. How she’s managed these circumstances so far is a great study in lea...

029: Agile Nonprofit Leadership During the COVID-19 Crisis (Mike Blackwelder) SUMMARY Uncertainty abounds in the charitable sector, but leadership is needed now more than ever. My colleague Mike Blackwelder and I tackle five critical areas of leadership, and lift up examples, suggestions and resources to better address each of them. Whether you’re a current nonprofit leader or aspire to be one, these are the types of circumstances you must be ready to manage. How do you work with your staff and ...

028: 5 Questions to Answer Before Using A Nonprofit Consultant (Heather Yandow) SUMMARY As you move into senior leadership in the nonprofit sector, the opportunity to explore external contractors and consultants will likely present itself. How do you evaluate such an option? What are the factors you should consider before engaging such a resource? These are exactly the questions Heather Yandow and I explore in this episode of the Path. Through her experience founding Nonprofit.ist, she is the pe...

027: Building A Culture of Philanthropy at Your Nonprofit (Stamie Despo) SUMMARY Despite her successful fundraising experience, Stamie Despo knew as a new Executive Director she would need the entire organization to embrace philanthropy for it to achieve the kind of mission success she knew was possible. That’s exactly what Stamie and I discussed during this episode. What exactly is a culture of philanthropy? What did she find when she began her role as Executive Director at the Susan G. Komen a...

026: 3 Essential Skills for Nonprofit Leadership (Hal Lewis) SUMMARY Dr. Hal Lewis was the perfect person to illustrate three critical skills that nonprofit leaders must develop. As a nonprofit executive himself, a scholar published on a variety of leadership topics, and a consultant working with leaders across the country, he was well-positioned to provide the practical advice and resources you need on your nonprofit path. Hal and I discussed the ability to attract and retain top-notch talent, ...

025: Utilizing A Coach to Strengthen Your Nonprofit Leadership (Nancy Beard) SUMMARY Nancy Beard offers great perspectives on the value of finding good mentors as well as the potential a coach can have on your personal and professional journey. Her path to nonprofit leadership was shaped by early volunteer roles, both as a board member and a volunteer, and she continued to hear a calling for social justice causes that began during her childhood. We had a great conversation about what she is seei...

SUMMARY Chris Delisio’s career in higher education has led him to a leadership role in one of the largest comprehensive campaigns in the country, as the Time and Change Campaign at Ohio State targets one million donors and a fundraising goal of $4.5 billion. While justifiably proud of his current leadership position, Chris is quick to point to the resources and advice that helped him move along the path to nonprofit success. Chris and I had a great conversation about the skills and experiences ...

023: Driving from the Backseat: Nonprofit Leadership Lessons (Ronnie Bryant) SUMMARY The title of Ronnie Bryant’s nonprofit leadership book says it all: Driving from the Backseat. It’s a wonderful illustration of the skill and finesse required by Executive Directors as they steer their organization along but allow a whole group of board members to sit in the front seat and “drive.” My conversation with Ronnie was just as enjoyable as reading his book, full of insight, experience and practical ad...

022: Essential Skills for Nonprofit Fundraising Success (Joanne Beam) SUMMARY Like many of us, Joanne O’Brien Beam did not aspire to nonprofit leadership following her undergraduate days, but the lure of her alma mater and the skills she developed in the for-profit sector combined to make her a very successful fundraiser and a highly sought-after consultant and coach. Joanne and I had a great conversation about the wonderfully practical advice she received during her journey along the leadership...

021: 3 Keys to Maximizing Your Nonprofit Leadership Opportunities (Justin Dionne) SUMMARY Justin Dionne knew he had a great opportunity on his hands when he arrived at the Cain Center for the Arts. As a relatively new executive director, he also knew he needed to maximize all of his productivity and professional development resources to get this new organization off the ground as well as navigate its very aspirational campaign of $25 million to build a new performing arts center. Justin and I ha...

020: BONUS: A Dozen Resources for the Nonprofit Professional (Leighton Fogan) SUMMARY Leighton Fogan has not only enjoyed a successful career in the nonprofit sector, but she’s also a dedicated student of professional development resources! Her career path includes hands-on experience at several nonprofits, many successful consulting engagements, and coursework through Columbia University and Duke’s Nonprofit Management program. Episode #20 of The Path features our conversation on three categori...

019: Hiring Talent and Sharpening Your Nonprofit Leadership Skills (Tiffany Capers) SUMMARY Tiffany Capers did not plan to go into nonprofit leadership, and in fact, she thought her graduate degree would take her into a corporate environment. But after opportunities in government and in a community foundation, she found a calling that led to leadership in our sector. She now serves as the Executive Director of the CrossRoads Corporation, which creatively partners with the residents of the Grier...

018: How Do You Blend For-Profit and Nonprofit Leadership Lessons? (Will Jones) SUMMARY Like many in the nonprofit sector, Will Jones gained leadership experience from other arenas, including the social service and for-profit sectors. He now serves as the President and CEO of Thompson, a leading provider of clinical and prevention services for children and families across the Carolinas. Will and I dive into many topics related to the blend of best practices he’s gained from his experience, and w...

017: How Do You Move from Manager to Senior Leader at Your Nonprofit? (Katherine Lambert) SUMMARY Katherine Lambert is passionate about professional development in the nonprofit sector and is a champion for internal candidates who can serve as senior leaders. Her advice provides great insight for other senior leaders who want to better develop their talent, but also provides many clues for those pursuing a new job in the charitable sector. Katherine talks about how she allocates professional dev...

016: 4 Writing Practices for Nonprofit Success (Clay Hodges) SUMMARY The concept of writing might not be an activity that brings back pleasant memories (late-night term papers anyone?), but as attorney Clay Hodges illustrates, it is a powerful tool to activate in your productivity toolbox. In this episode of the Path, Clay and I explore four different writing rituals and routines that can help you build skills for professional development and more effective communication. How can you utilize jou...

015: Personal Branding for the Nonprofit Professional (Yvonne Levine) SUMMARY What is Personal Branding, and why is it important for you as a nonprofit professional? That’s exactly what Yvonne Levine and I discussed in this episode of the Path. Yvonne’s great coaching and consulting experience with different organizations - and their senior leaders - provides many useful take-aways for current and aspiring nonprofit leaders who want to engage in genuine activities to build their positive brand. ...

014: Finding Your Nonprofit Leadership Shadow (Will Sparks) SUMMARY What is your leadership shadow, and why should you worry about it? That’s exactly what Dr. Will Sparks and I discuss on this episode of The Path. He’s spent 20 years researching the characteristics of great leaders, and also the “shadow” side of their leadership styles which often hold them back in ways they’re not even aware. Will and I explore the practical aspects of his studies, and how nonprofit leaders can amplify their po...

#013: Build A 2020 Personal Strategic Plan That Works (Patton McDowell) Summary While the start of a new year often inspires well-intentioned efforts to put a new professional development plan in place, too often the result is a set of vague goals that don’t survive very far into the Spring season. This episode offers multiple ways you can make your plan more actionable and productive for 2020 and beyond. This is the third of three episodes in a year-end series that first covered the keys to an ...

#012: 7 Professional Development Books for Your 2020 Reading List (Patton McDowell) This is the second episode in a three-part series focused on an effective year-end review and an actionable personal strategic plan for the year ahead. Many goal setting exercises include an effort to read more on professional development topics, and this episode recommends seven books that correspond with each “stop” on Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership. Listen to hear summaries of the following outstanding reso...

#011: Planning for 2020? Start With These 4 Year-End Exercises to Close Out 2019 First (Patton McDowell) Summary While it’s hard not to look ahead to a new year (and a new decade) in 2020, this episode of the Path reminds us that a good annual review process helps clarify and sharpen your focus for the year ahead. Patton outlines four distinct exercises that will help guide your review in a way that goes further than simply answering whether you achieved your goals or not. This special episode -...

010: Overcoming 3 Barriers to Nonprofit Leadership Success (Karen Mitchell) SUMMARY Dr. Karen Mitchell has seen too many talented professionals who, despite great potential, do not achieve the kind of leadership success they deserve. What are the barriers that prevent this ultimate success? That is exactly what Karen and I discuss on this episode, particularly the three skills in particular that if mastered, can help accelerate leadership opportunities. The first thing we discuss is the ability ...