

The Nonprofit Show
American Nonprofit Academy
The Nonprofit Show is the nation’s daily broadcast for the business side of nonprofits — bringing you practical insights, expert interviews, and real-world strategies to help your organization run smarter, lead stronger, and fund better.Each weekday, our co-hosts and guests break down the most current topics in fundraising, board governance, leadership, staffing, technology, communications, and financial strategy — giving nonprofit professionals the tools they need to build sustainable, high-performing organizations.With more than 1,400 episodes and growing, our on-demand library is a trusted resource for executive directors, team members, fundraisers, board members, and sector leaders who are ready to move beyond inspiration and into implementation.🎥 Watch the daily show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3A0Dqlw
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 2, 2025 • 31min
Board vs. Executive: Who Really Leads During Transition?
When a nonprofit reaches a pivotal moment of transition, the question arises: who will guide it through the unknown? Jeffrey Wilcox, President of Interim Executives Academy, and Anne Wilson, Peer Advisor and Faculty Member, share the wisdom earned from years of navigating the space between permanent leadership.Jeffrey opens with a profound reminder: "The mission is the navigation piece. Our partnership delivers on that mission." His emphasis on 1) clarity, 2) culture, and 3)character forms the backbone of what makes the interim-board relationship not just functional—but transformative.Anne brings lived experience as both an interim and a mentor. "There’s a liberation in being an interim,” she says. “It’s not forever—and that gives you the freedom to recalibrate an organization with truth and transparency.” Her belief in candid communication, mutual accountability, and role integrity sets the stage for a purposeful engagement.The conversation turns toward common missteps—particularly the temptation for boards to see interims as tryouts. Both guests agree: this misses the opportunity to evolve, a word they purposefully use instead of “change.” Jeffrey explains, “Organizations that feel like they need to change create a different culture than those excited to evolve.”They also dive into the relationship between the interim executive and the board chair, revealing that this duo can either ignite or impair progress. Jeffrey argues that "a board chair must steward content, culture, and character" and if that role is undefined or misaligned, the interim shouldn’t accept the post. Anne reinforces the necessity for weekly check-ins, early engagement, and shared urgency.Both guests stress the unique modeling opportunity an interim provides—not just in delivering outcomes, but in demonstrating behaviors: listening deeply, planning incrementally, and celebrating progress. “We want data. We want truth. We want to speak with authenticity,” Jeffrey says, urging boards to shed fear and welcome honesty.Whether you're a seasoned board member, an interim executive, or a curious observer of nonprofit leadership, this elevating conversation offers a roadmap to rebuild, recalibrate, and evolve. It doesn’t just make the case for interim leadership—it makes the process feel both practical and full of possibility.Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

May 30, 2025 • 31min
Fear, Fatigue, and Fundraising: The Pressure No One Talks About
We take a no-fluff approach to unpacking the real, often unspoken stressors that nonprofit fundraisers face. Cohosts Julia C. Patrick and Tony Beall dissect why development teams are overwhelmed—and what can be done about it.This episode isn’t just a venting session—it’s a strategic reality check. It challenges nonprofit leaders to re-evaluate their expectations, timelines, and tech support, and to build internal systems that actually empower fundraisers.Tony kicks things off with clarity: “Goal setting has to be done around data, history, and trends. It’s about future forecasting that’s actually grounded in reality.” He and Julia tackle a shared frustration: goals imposed from the top down with no involvement from development professionals. The conversation drills into how unrealistic fundraising targets, particularly when arbitrarily increased by boards or leadership, can lead to burnout, disengagement, and even job insecurity.Julia adds, “We can’t just say, ‘Here’s the goal. OK, bye.’ We have to understand how to get there and why it matters.” From her candid recount of a story about a decades-long trust manager being asked to speak at clients’ funerals, Julia drives home that real donor relationships take time—and too often, organizations don’t allow that time.Another sharp critique centers on short fundraising timelines. Tony explains that when leadership procrastinates or underestimates the runway required, it places unfair and urgent pressure on development teams. He urges organizations to share that burden across leadership—not just pile it onto fundraisers’ shoulders.They also break down the communication chasm between marketing and development. As Tony states, “Marketing tells the story, but development and programs create it.” You’ll see how he argues that both departments should fall under the same leadership umbrella to ensure cohesive strategy and a united donor experience.A particularly powerful segment looks into the anxiety of job security when unrealistic goals are not met—something many fundraisers silently battle. Tony shares a story from South Florida where a seasoned fundraiser is facing impossible expectations with no organizational adjustment or empathy. Despite loving the mission, the fear of being let go is real.The fast-paced dialog concludes with a powerful call to action: invest in the tools that support development. Whether it's CRM systems, AI platforms, or community foundation grants, fundraisers need the infrastructure to succeed. Tony suggests “Don’t feel guilty about investing in tools. These are vital for serving your community better.”Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

May 29, 2025 • 29min
When Nonprofit Finance Meets Nonprofit Mission: Real Talk from the Frontlines
When finance and mission meet, it's often a delicate dance—but Terri Sorrentino, Director of Finance and Administration at Friends of Karen, shows that collaboration can be both powerful and transformative. In this candid and compassionate episode, Terri walks us through how her organization supports families of children facing life-threatening illnesses and how operational departments—often hidden from public view—become the engine behind meaningful impact.FriendsOfKaren.org serves over 1,200 children annually, most battling cancer. What sets them apart? A comprehensive approach that uplifts the entire family—from social workers who visit homes and hospitals to child life specialists focused on siblings, all delivered with empathy and financial relief. Yet behind this emotional mission is a finely tuned financial machine—and a finance leader who sees herself not as a gatekeeper, but a guide.Terri shares the often unseen tension between program needs and accounting rules, especially in emotionally charged scenarios. "Everyone has their role and every role is important...we're all trying to get to the same place, which is to help the families," she shares. Her approach centers on open communication, mutual respect, and ongoing staff education on budgeting and reporting.Terri also dives into the evolving demands of grant reporting, emphasizing that funders now want more than expense breakdowns. They seek data-driven impact narratives that quantify emotional and advocacy-based work—especially the cost of social workers, a vital but often overlooked pillar of the mission.This informative dialog explores how organizations can better prepare for audits without compromising compassion, and how relationships between finance, fundraising, and programming must be built on shared goals, not silos. Through storytelling and systems thinking, Terri exemplifies how to lead with heart and structure—ensuring that every dollar, spreadsheet, and report ultimately serves the mission.00:00:00 Welcome and guest introductions 00:02:29 Mission of Friends of Karen 00:03:35 Sibling support and family-centered care 00:05:11 How COVID strengthened operations 00:06:47 Finance’s role in a mission-driven nonprofit 00:07:40 Three pillars: fundraising, finance, programming 00:10:09 Managing stress across departments 00:12:27 Building comfort with budgeting and numbers 00:15:04 Balancing compassion with compliance 00:16:30 The growing demands of grant reporting 00:21:12 Fast vs. meaningful reporting 00:24:26 Defining true mission costs for donors #NonprofitLeadership #MissionDrivenImpactFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

May 28, 2025 • 31min
Innovation Meets Compassion: The Future of Food Pantries
Drew Moran, Chief Development Officer at Nourishing Hope, joins our cohosts,Julia Patrick and Sherry Quam Taylor, for a conversation that blends visionary thinking with practical strategies. From the moment the discussion begins, you’ll see that this is more than a typical food pantry story. Drew’s journey—from volunteer manager to a leader at a $20 million organization—illustrates how a commitment to innovation and compassion can drive exponential growth. You will be energized by the candid dialogue on marrying development and technology to better serve communities in need.At the heart of the conversation is the imperative for nonprofits to invest in smart technology. Drew provides data, making a clear point: digital tools are not a luxury but a necessity for modern service delivery. By integrating a CRM, electronic medical records, and online ordering, Nourishing Hope streamlines operations, attracts forward‑thinking funders, and reduces barriers, all while honoring the dignity of the clients it serves.Nourishing Hope, formerly Lakeview Pantry, has transformed over its 55‑year history, leveraging technology to expand its reach beyond Chicago’s north side. Under Drew’s leadership, the pantry launched the city’s first online market in 2019 and recently celebrated its 100,000th service. Combined with free mental healthcare and social services for over 55,000 individuals, the organization delivers more than 200,000 distinct services each year. This wrap‑around approach ensures every person who walks through its doors receives not just a meal, but respect and the tools needed to thrive.Sherry and Julia spotlight the importance of a values‑aligned team and trust‑based philanthropy in driving impact. Drew emphasizes that fostering a culture of flexibility and abundance enables volunteers, staff, and donors to become co‑creators of change. From recruiting 7,000 annual volunteers to partnering with visionary foundations, the organization’s success hinges on building authentic relationships. This fast paced episode offers an actionable blueprint for nonprofit leaders seeking to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset—one that invites risk, prioritizes client experience, and leverages strategic partnerships to achieve sustainable growth.Whether your mission is feeding families, providing mental health support, or reimagining service delivery in your community, this episode delivers the inspiration and insights needed to turn bold ideas into reality.00:00:00 Welcome and introduction 00:02:17 What is Nourishing Hope? Growth & mission 00:04:09 Bringing dignity through wrap‑around services 00:07:04 Why tech investments are essential 00:10:59 Meeting clients digitally & preserving privacy 00:14:15 Imagination as a fundraising advantage 00:17:09 Cultivating a flexible, values‑driven team 00:21:38 Tracking impact: metrics & storytelling 00:26:28 Shifting narratives in trust‑based philanthropy #TechForGood #DignityInService #NonprofitInnovationFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

May 27, 2025 • 30min
Spreadsheets Can Be Hell! Automate Your Grant Reporting!
We are joined by Srikar Chinam, CEO of KarmaSuite, for a conversation that flips conventional grant thinking on its head. While most nonprofit leaders pour their energy into winning grants, Srikar urges the sector to focus just as hard—if not more so—on what comes after the win: post-award grant management.Srikar explains that managing grants isn't just about compliance; it's about aligning multiple stakeholders, vocabulary sets, and reporting requirements—all while staying within highly specific timelines and budgetary restrictions. “It’s absolutely a spreadsheet nightmare out there,” he says, describing the all-too-familiar scenario of finance teams scrambling to reconcile expenses manually in donor-specific formats. For organizations juggling five to seven grants or more, the administrative load becomes unsustainable!The conversation digs into why nonprofits often find themselves underprepared for this reality. “If you leave money on the table, that means the donor has missed their impact goals because of you,” warns Srikar, pointing to how such gaps can erode credibility and diminish future funding opportunities.From federal grant freezes to the internal silos between development, finance, and programming, the conversation paints a vivid picture of a sector straining under outdated processes. Srikar shares that Karma Suite is designed not to replace accounting systems, but to sit atop them—removing 75% of the manual work currently managed through spreadsheets and late-night email chains.One of the most impactful observations in the episode? The disconnect in language between departments and between nonprofits and funders. “Programs control the spending, but they’re not finance experts—and finance teams don’t always have the program context,” says Srikar, emphasizing the importance of connective tools that unify these voices.From fiscal uncertainty to renewed donor expectations, the stakes have never been higher. But KarmaSuite’s tech-forward solution feels approachable, logical, and needed. With user-friendly integration and swift onboarding, it’s a promising answer to a huge overlooked problem.00:00:00 Welcome and guest introduction 00:01:49 What is Karma Suite? 00:03:03 Why grant management is more than getting the check 00:04:30 Restrictions, expiration dates, and manual allocation 00:06:38 Spreadsheet overload: why current tools fall short 00:11:02 Disconnect between finance, programming, and fundraising 00:13:51 Grant mismanagement: how common is it? 00:16:21 Understanding funder expectations and impact goals 00:19:01 Software, process, and people: what’s missing 00:22:23 Federal funding freezes and reimbursement delays 00:24:56 Accuracy in reporting matters more than ever#GrantManagement #NonprofitFinance #ImpactStrategy Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

May 23, 2025 • 30min
Major Gifts 101: Winning Over High Net Worth Donors
Our cohosts deliver a practical conversation on cultivating relationships with high net worth (HNW) donors. They explore how nonprofit organizations of all sizes can define what “high net worth” means in their context, identify aligned individuals, and thoughtfully steward them toward transformational giving.Tony Beall opens with a foundational point: “We need to define what high net worth means for our own organization—because it looks different depending on your size, mission, and goals.” This nuance sets the stage for a broader conversation that deconstructs common assumptions about wealth and reminds nonprofit professionals that big gifts are rooted in deep, intentional relationships—not cold outreach.Rather than chase only new wealth, Tony urges nonprofits to begin by mining existing donor data. “Let’s start with who already cares about our mission. We can often elevate those relationships before even casting a wider net,” he shares. The advice is practical and encouraging, especially for smaller teams with limited capacity.Julia Patrick and Tony also touch on the human side of fundraising—empathy, trust, and consistency. Julia shares a personal story about securing her first $1 million donation, which came not over a fancy lunch, but at a modest cafeteria. “He told me he had grown up without enough to eat, and seeing all that food reminded him of how far he’d come. For him, that was luxury,” she recounts. It’s a moving reminder that motivations are deeply personal—and often surprising.From prospecting strategies like leveraging SEC filings, Google Alerts, and local business journals to understanding the long timelines involved in major gift cultivation, the episode offers a balanced blend of emotional intelligence and tactical guidance.As Tony puts it, “Patience and consistency are what build trust—not just with donors, but with the broader community.” And that trust, over time, is what unlocks major gifts.00:00:00 Welcome to Fundraisers Friday00:00:20 Julia praises Tony's impact on the sector00:02:00 What does “high net worth” really mean?00:03:50 Why your organization needs its own HNW definition00:07:05 Start with your current donors00:10:15 Tools for identifying HNW prospects00:13:20 Using local journals and social registers00:18:10 Understanding donor motivations00:22:00 A powerful story about humility and generosity00:23:30 The two-year major gift timeline00:26:00 How trust drives long-term giving00:29:00 Closing thoughts and sponsor thank you#MajorGiftStrategy #DonorEngagement #NonprofitLeadershipFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

May 22, 2025 • 29min
Beyond Adoption: Rebuilding Child Welfare Systems
What does it take to reimagine child welfare on a global scale? Caroline Boudreaux, Founder of the Miracle Foundation, shares her extraordinary evolution from corporate life to global changemaker. Her journey began on a spontaneous trip to India where, on Mother’s Day in 2000, she met a group of orphaned children—and one moment changed her forever.“I put a hungry orphan on a wooden bed and heard her bones hit the wood. I’ve never been the same,” Boudreaux recalls.Originally launching Miracle Foundation as an international adoption agency, Caroline soon realized that adoption couldn’t scale fast enough to match the need. She pivoted. Then, another revelation: 80% of institutionalized children actually had living family. “We couldn’t just make orphanages better anymore—we had to help children go home,” she shares. That shift required a new model, a bold strategy, and a lot of resilience.The organization began empowering ‘kinship care’—supporting extended families to take children back in by addressing barriers like housing, education, or income. Then came Thrive Well: a transformative app that puts this care model into the hands of over 30,000 social workers, enabling systems change at scale.This inspiring discussion adds in the role of healthy board dynamics, founder self-awareness, and breaking through the myth that only “rich people” give. “You're not looking for donors with money,” Caroline says. “You’re looking for souls who want to do something bigger than themselves.”Her metaphor? “We’re all jumping into the river to save babies. But someone has to look upstream to stop them from falling in.”This conversation will challenge your assumptions, ignite your passion for systemic change, and offer inspiration for every nonprofit leader navigating evolving missions and growing impact.00:00:00 Welcome to Caroline Boudreaux 00:01:29 How a trip to India sparked a mission 00:04:14 The moment that changed everything on Mother’s Day 00:07:10 Founding the Miracle Foundation 00:08:50 Early struggles and pivot from adoption 00:11:18 Discovering most “orphans” had families 00:13:03 The kinship care model explained 00:16:19 Partnering with Indian government and local leaders 00:17:40 Launching the Thrive Well app 00:20:01 Founder syndrome and building a strong board 00:21:22 Metaphor: saving babies vs. stopping them from falling in 00:23:22 Finding the right donors: look for souls, not dollars 00:25:27 The journey of learning, pivoting, and systemic change 00:27:08 Vision for a world without orphanages by 2040#FamilyFirst #MiracleFoundation #SystemsChangeFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

May 21, 2025 • 30min
Calm, Clarity, Cash Flow: Nonprofit Financial Survival Tools for Today
Paul Preziotti, CPA and partner at Johnson Lambert, joins co-hosts Julia Patrick and Meico Marquette Whitlock to provide a grounded, real-time financial snapshot of the nonprofit sector in 2025. As Paul begins, “Each month, it’s like, oh, that happened… now that happened,” capturing the fast-moving nature of today’s funding landscape.The hosts and guest explore lessons learned from past crises and how nonprofits must evolve their planning models, including annual board and staff financial trainings, contingency-based budgets, and integrating cash flow analysis into strategic decision-making. Paul emphasizes that scenario planning is not a one-time task, but an organizational mindset: “You can’t do this overnight… you need to build in review time at all levels—starting with the board.”The conversation digs deep into scenario planning—why it’s essential, and how it gives nonprofits a flexible roadmap when the future is uncertain. Gone are the days of assuming government funding is reliable. Preziotti says, “Even if your agency isn’t one of the ones in the news, I think you have to think about a scenario in the future where that funding doesn’t exist.”The trio also address the communication gap between finance professionals and non-financial staff or board members. Paul and Meico discuss creating a budgeting culture that empowers all roles with the right knowledge and confidence to engage in financial discussions—without fear of judgment—adding that staying calm and building a supportive tone at the top helps organizations weather instability with resilience.Outsourcing is presented as a flexible and cost-efficient solution, especially for smaller nonprofits. Whether outsourcing payroll, the CFO role, or just the budget process, it’s all about customizing help where it's most needed e.g.tailoring financial communication for diverse board members, using dashboards, infographics, or narrative reporting as appropriate.00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:01:52 Meet Paul Preziotti from Johnson Lambert 00:03:14 Nonprofit Budget and Funding Uncertainty in 2025 00:05:22 Why Scenario Planning Matters for Nonprofits 00:07:18 Lessons Learned from COVID and Natural Disasters 00:08:54 What Non-Financial Board Members Should Know 00:11:14 How Smaller Nonprofits Can Manage Scenario Planning 00:12:00 Outsourcing Financial Roles as a Cost-Saving Strategy 00:14:50 Building a Culture of Budgeting and Communication 00:17:23 Training Financial Staff to Communicate Clearly 00:21:02 How to Communicate Finances to the Board 00:23:35 What Boards Should Really Focus On Financially 00:25:44 How to Stay Calm During Financial Uncertainty 00:28:16 Sector-Wide Warnings and Final Thoughts Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

May 20, 2025 • 31min
Cybersecurity for Nonprofits on a Budget
For many nonprofits, cybersecurity feels like a luxury they simply can’t afford. But according to Michael Nouguier, Partner of Cybersecurity Services at Richey May, ignoring cybersecurity can end up being far more expensive than proactively investing in it.Michael dismantles the myth that strong digital security comes with an unaffordable price tag. In fact, many nonprofits already have powerful security tools built into systems they’re already using—yet few take advantage of them. “What’s almost as good as free,” Michael explains, “is something that you’ve already been paying for and didn’t know that you could leverage.”From free services offered by federal agencies like CISA to deeply discounted nonprofit rates from companies like Microsoft and Google, this conversation uncovers a path to digital protection that doesn’t require massive budget increases. Michael urges nonprofits to start by auditing what they already use. Whether it’s Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, most platforms include underutilized features like multi-factor authentication, access control, and data encryption.These protections aren't just theoretical—they’re essential. As Michael points out, “You don’t know what to protect if you haven’t actually done an assessment to understand where those risks are.” He encourages leaders to seek out risk assessment tools—many of which are available at no cost—and build a strategy around known vulnerabilities, not guesswork.The conversation also takes a practical look at automation, which reduces labor costs by removing repetitive security tasks. Many nonprofits mistakenly believe they’re starting from scratch when in reality, they already have a baseline of protections in place—they just need to activate them. Michael shares examples of simple, low-cost ways to improve security posture, including free policy templates and vulnerability scans.Additionally, he challenges nonprofits to shift their mindset around vendor relationships. Too many organizations fail to ask whether vendors offer nonprofit pricing or security guarantees—questions that could drastically reduce both risk and cost. And when vendors are breached, it’s often the nonprofit that must explain the damage to stakeholders, regardless of fault.Throughout the session, with host Julia Patrick, the underlying message is clear: cybersecurity isn't about fear—it's about preparedness and resourcefulness. The greatest danger lies not in doing too little, but in assuming you’re too small or stretched to do anything at all. 00:00:00 Welcome and introduction of Michael Nouguier 00:01:30 Why cybersecurity is more expensive to ignore 00:03:10 How accounting firms became cybersecurity leaders 00:05:45 Budgeting vs risk: where to start 00:06:40 Leveraging existing tools like Microsoft and Google 00:08:20 Understanding identity and access integration 00:09:45 Why multi-factor authentication matters 00:11:30 Free services from CISA and others 00:14:10 Asking for nonprofit discounts on software 00:16:25 Why every nonprofit needs Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

May 19, 2025 • 30min
Why Cultural Humility Is a Leader's Superpower in Nonprofit Work
Dr. Pierre Berastaín, Regional Director at the Centre for Public Impact, invites us into a powerful conversation about leadership, cultural humility, and living with integrity across lines of difference. With warmth and depth, Dr. Berastaín shares how personal identity can be a source of strength in leadership—not something to minimize or check at the door."We all lead from a cultural lens, whether we name it or not," Dr. Berastaín explains. "The danger isn’t bringing your culture into leadership—the danger is bringing it in unconsciously and expecting it to be the norm for everyone."Dr. Berastaín’s personal journey fuels his systems change work. His role at CPI—a nonprofit incubated by Boston Consulting Group—blends macro strategy with community-rooted implementation. The goal: reimagine how governments and public institutions serve people, especially those pushed to the margins.At the heart of this discussion is an honest reckoning with cultural difference and a plea to bring one's full self into leadership. “Cultural humility isn’t about shrinking yourself,” he shares. “It’s about knowing yourself well enough to make room for others.”The conversation explores what it means to acknowledge culture without stereotyping, the impact of asking, “What are you?” and how silence—intended to be safe—can sometimes feel like erasure. Dr. Berastaín advocates for “relational warmth before analytical interest,” encouraging listeners to shift from tokenizing curiosity to reciprocal connection.He also offers practical tools for introspection: therapy, spiritual grounding, and forming a “personal board of directors” who challenge and support growth. These elements, he says, are vital in cultivating not only emotional intelligence but the capacity to lead with vision.By the end of the chat, with host Julia Patrick, it’s clear that Dr. Berastaín’s leadership is not performative—it is personal, deliberate, and anchored in truth. And he challenges all of us to ask: What are we carrying into the room?This episode is a must-watch for nonprofit professionals, board leaders, and changemakers looking to lead with depth and humanity in today’s increasingly complex world.00:00:00 Guest intro: Dr. Pierre Berastaín00:01:30 What is the Center for Public Impact?00:03:45 Pierre’s story: identity, ancestry, and lived experience00:05:15 From direct service to systems change00:07:00 Cultural humility and leadership lens00:09:20 The beauty and burden of collectivist values00:11:00 Personal growth through therapy and accountability00:13:30 Aligning personal and organizational values00:16:00 When to acknowledge cultural differences00:18:00 The problem with silent observation00:20:00 “What are you?”—Responding to coded curiosity00:25:00 Stories, lineage, and reclaiming culture00:27:45 Wrapping up: Leadership with integrityFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show


