164: Building an Organizational Culture of Advocacy (Eric Mitchell)

164: Building an Organizational Culture of Advocacy (Eric Mitchell)

SUMMARY

You likely bring a passion for change to your leadership role, but are you channeling that passion in the most effective way possible? Are you the advocate for the societal change you aspire to see? In episode #164 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, one time Capitol Hill congressional staffer turned executive director Eric Mitchell explains the missing component to senior nonprofit leadership: advocacy. You may know policies and regulations that can impact your organization, but Eric explains the importance of advocating for policy change that would better affect the community you’re there to serve. Don’t go it alone. Learn how to build a coalition of many to lobby lawmakers. Eric discusses how to advocate for legislation, regulations and policies that get to the root causes which impact people’s daily lives and not just continuously treat the symptoms. You’ll also hear many lessons learned from someone who has crossed various sectors along his career journey.

ABOUT ERIC

Eric Mitchell is the Executive Director of the Alliance to End Hunger. In his role, he leads the Alliance’s strategic direction, including expanding and mobilizing its network of companies, nonprofit organizations, universities, foundations, and individuals. Prior to the Alliance, Eric served as Director of Global Government Relations for Adtalem Global Education, where he partnered with local government officials, businesses, and civic organizations in the United States and the Caribbean. He also served for six years as the Director of Government Relations at Bread for the World. Eric began his political career on Capitol Hill, serving as Policy Advisor to civil rights icon, U.S. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), and Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA).

In 2014, Eric was included in The Root 100 most influential African Americans under the age of 40. He was also recognized as a “Top Lobbyist” from 2014 to 2019 by The Hill newspaper.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• The End of Fundraising: Raise More Money by Selling Your Impact by Jason Saul
• Learn more about Eric and the work he’s doing at the Alliance to End Hunger here
• Check out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector