Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

Patton McDowell
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Feb 2, 2023 • 50min

195: Leading a Nonprofit in a Post-Pandemic Environment (Katherine Lambert)

195: Leading a Nonprofit in a Post Pandemic Working Environment (Katherine Lambert)SUMMARYThe pandemic put a unique pressure on nonprofit organizations and its leaders to do more with less, and adapt to new technologies and structures. As we usher in a post Covid-19 future, what will the new normal in the nonprofit sector look like? In episode #195 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we speak with veteran philanthropic leader, Katherine Lambert, about finding balance post-pandemic and moving from surviving to thriving. While the sector sometimes lags in innovation, the pandemic has forced organizations to adapt which has brought positive transformation to how they communicate, engage donors and volunteers, and raise funds. A philanthropic organization’s work is as effective as the people who perform it, and Katherine shares how they have revamped work culture, hours and practices to find and retain quality talent. ABOUT KATHERINEKatherine Lambert joined the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter in April, 2014 as its Chief Executive Officer. She works with a volunteer and staff team across the 49 counties in Central and Western North Carolina to achieve the Association’s mission to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. In January, 2017 Katherine’s role with the Association expanded to serving as the Regional Leader for all chapters in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Prior to leading the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, Katherine served as Executive Vice President for Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council for five years and as Chief Development Officer for an additional three years. She also founded and led The Lambert Group for four years providing strategic planning, fund development and training resources for non-profit organizations. Preceding her non-profit career, Katherine spent six years in the financial services and headhunting industries. A native of Charlotte, Katherine earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a Certificate in Marketing and Management from Duke University and has achieved her CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation. Currently, she is an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and Women Executives. She has served on the Board of Directors and as chair for two non-profit organizations, Sharon Towers and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESYour Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector by Patton McDowell Katherine's previous guest appearance on the Path, Episode #17Learn more about the Alzheimer's Association hereTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!
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Jan 26, 2023 • 50min

194: 3 Essential Characteristics for Nonprofit Leaders (Jama Campbell)

194: 3 Essential Characteristics for Nonprofit Leaders (Jama Campbell)SUMMARYAs a nonprofit leader looking for specific program funding, are you aware of all your opportunities and what those potential funders are specifically looking for when considering where to invest? In episode #194 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we talk with SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell about key leadership attributes they look for when choosing projects and programs to fund. She shares the projects which can be replicated and the impact they have on both in their community and extended region they look for. Jama discusses their Mission Development Conference, which brings nonprofit leaders together, creating opportunities for collaboration and the four key areas of need they look to fund. Jama shares their key leadership components she looks for in each organization they consider. Learn how to build a better request from one expert.   ABOUT JAMAJama Campbell is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For over twenty-five years, Jama has worked for SECU in various positions throughout the state. Jama served as loan officer, operations auditor, Branch Vice President and later Senior Vice President in the branch network before taking on the role of Executive Director of SECU Foundation in 2015. She brings her experience in serving members to her role as Executive Director of the SECU Foundation and helps guide the Foundation in furthering its commitment to the citizens of North Carolina. Jama states “The member funded SECU Foundation serves as an incredible resource to North Carolina by supporting high impact projects in the areas of education, healthcare, housing and human services. We strive to represent the credit union philosophy of 'People Helping People' and embrace the opportunity to serve the citizenry of our state by ensuring our footprint is felt in all 100 North Carolina counties.”EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESHarvard University Leadership CoursesLearn more about Jama and SECU Foundation hereTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!Check out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector
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Jan 19, 2023 • 51min

193: Social Impact Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders (Jacob Harold)

193: Social Impact Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders (Jacob Harold)SUMMARYMany nonprofit leaders have social impact amongst their chief objectives, but do you know what social impact truly means and how to measure the impact you’re having? In episode #193 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, social change strategist Jacob Harold shares his tools to help you transform your corner of the world. A former GuideStar and Candid executive, Jacob talks about the importance of collaboration, transparency, communication and comprehensive storytelling to assure a nonprofit’s success. He discusses his two laws of nonprofit communication: no story without numbers and no numbers without stories. Jacob shares his book, The Toolbox: Strategies for Crafting Social Impact where he identifies 9 different ways of thinking about social change and the essential lessons of each.ABOUT JACOBJacob Harold is a social change strategist, author, and executive. His story parallels the intellectual arc of The Toolbox: he’s traveled from farm to monastery to jail to laboratory to boardroom, all in search of the best ways to do good. From 2012 to 2021, Harold served as President & CEO of GuideStar and co-founder of Candid. Fast Company called Candid “the definitive nonprofit transparency organization.” Each year, over 20 million people use its data on nonprofits, grants, and social sector practice. The merger of GuideStar and Foundation Center formed candid in 2019. Harold co-led the $45 million capital campaign to launch Candid, wrote Candid’s guiding strategy document, Candid 2030, and served as EVP during post-merger integration. During his tenure leading GuideStar, Harold oversaw a financial turnaround, a tripling of GuideStar’s reach, and major partnerships with organizations ranging from Google to the Gates Foundation. In 2013, Harold launched the Overhead Myth campaign to shift attention from nonprofits’ financial ratios to their programmatic results. Since then, over 200,000 nonprofits have used GuideStar’s Profile Program to tell their full story to the world.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Ministry for the Future: A Novel by Kim Stanley Robinson​​​​​​​Learn more about Jacob, his book, and related Field Guide here​​​​​​​Check out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector
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Jan 12, 2023 • 47min

192: Everything You Think About Board Development Is Wrong (Sabrina Walker Hernandez)

192: Everything You Think About Board Development Is Wrong (Sabrina Walker Hernandez)SUMMARYWhat is the biggest misconception about board development that many nonprofit leaders face? Do you have the right members on your board and do they know exactly why they've been invited to join? Sabrina Walker Hernandez, who has over 25 years’ experience in nonprofit management, answers these questions and more in episode #192 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership. She shares key advice for effective board engagement from recruitment and orientation through development and successful management. Sabrina discusses the board and staff partnership and how to motivate your board members to fundraise. Do you have board champions? Learn what they are and why they’re a vital complement to your leadership.  ABOUT SABRINAWith over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and leadership, Sabrina Walker Hernandez, President/CEO of Supporting World Hope (SWH), provides consulting services and project-based leadership in helping organizations in the areas of building and managing development programs, capital campaigns, major gift fundraising, board development, marketing, annual fundraising efforts and public relations. Sabrina has a reputation for transformational leadership through staffing and mission alignment, fundraising, expanding programming and community partnerships. Prior to starting Supporting World Hope (SWH), Sabrina served as the Chief Executive Officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV. One of Sabrina’s greatest successes is that she increased operating revenue from $750,000 to 2.5 million over an 8-year period as well, being responsible for the planning and operations of the largest campaign in organization’s history, a $12 million comprehensive capital campaign. In addition to her CEO experience, Sabrina also held the position of Vice President of Operations. She also serves as a master national trainer for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which allows her to facilitate workshops and training at clubs across the country. She has served on the Board of Directors for Edinburg Rotary and the Texas Partnership for Out of School Time. She recently earned her Certification of Nonprofit Management from Harvard Business School. Sabrina earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas-Pan American and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES You’re in Charge–Now What? by Thomas Neff & James CitrinLearn more about Sabrina and the work she’s doing hereCheck out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector
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Jan 5, 2023 • 52min

191: Managing Turnover as a Nonprofit Leader (Bert Armstrong)

119: Managing Turnover as a Nonprofit Leader (Bert Armstrong)SUMMARYAs turnover affects every level of our nonprofit organizations, leaders are asking themselves “how do I attract and retain the talented people we need?” In episode #191 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we speak with Bert Armstrong, who has served more than three decades in the philanthropic sector, about navigating turnover. He discusses how to avoid turnover in the first place, the best approach to a search process when it’s necessary, and how to better develop emerging leaders when change occurs. It’s clear that nonprofit leaders can’t afford to take a “wait and see” attitude toward turnover in the sector, but by being proactive in ways that address compensation, wellness, culture and advancement opportunities will help attract and retain the talent you need.    ABOUT BERTBert Armstrong found his career mojo as a nonprofit leader and fundraiser. The teachings of his faith shaped his passion for the work and by the examples of servant leadership and generosity by people across all stations in life. His joy is reinforced daily working among brilliant leaders, talented professionals, passionate philanthropists, and frontline staff and volunteer heroes dedicated to making the lives of others a little better every day. Bert has served the nonprofit and philanthropic community as a fundraising professional, senior administrator, consultant, volunteer, and board member for over three decades. As co-founder and principal of Armstrong McGuire, he has spent the past 18 years leading searches for nonprofit and philanthropic executives and professionals, facilitating dynamic planning efforts, and helping Armstrong McGuire clients raise tens of millions of dollars. Today, Bert leads a talented team that is dedicated to helping Armstrong McGuire’s clients reach their potential for doing great things in their communities. Prior to co-founding Armstrong McGuire, Bert served as the Vice President for Advancement for the Methodist Home for Children in Raleigh, NC. Earlier in his career he held individual and corporate fundraising roles in the faith community, the arts, and in higher education, as well as working for a statewide gubernatorial campaign. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brene BrownAtomic Habits by James ClearLearn more about Armstrong McGuire 
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Dec 29, 2022 • 25min

190: 22 Resources from 2022: Fundraising, Finance & Future Focus

190: 22 Resources from 2022: Fundraising, Finance & Future FocusFundraisingRhea Wong’s Developing the Right Mindset to be an Effective FundraiserDeepa Naik’s 3 Ways Your Nonprofit Can Inspire Greater InvestmentAutumn Keck’s Elevating Your Grants Program as a Nonprofit LeaderHolly Rustick’s Why Diversification is Vital to Your Fundraising PlanJay Frost’s Horror Stories of Fundraising: What Would You Do?Finance & TechnologyBill Connors’ 3 Technology Traps All Nonprofit Leaders Must AvoidStu Manewith’s Navigating Data for Nonprofit LeadersAlex Romero’s Can You Manage the Finances as a Nonprofit Leader?Kevin Briscoe’s Mastering Your Financial Acumen as a Nonprofit LeaderFuture FocusBoardLea Williams’ A Nonprofit Leader’s Guide to Boosting Board EngagementLisa Cook’s Does Your Nonprofit Board Have the Sills to Thrive?Hardy Smith’s Why Don’t Board Members Do What They’re Supposed to Do?TeamStamie Despo & Tom LaFalce’s Creating a People-First EnvironmentLiz Brigham’s Excelling at Team Development as a Nonprofit LeaderAndrew Olsen’s Tackling Toxic Leadership in the Nonprofit SectorYourselfMike St. Pierre's 5 Key Productivity Moves for Nonprofit LeadersYour Next Five MovesThe Psychology of Money Be Your Future Self NowLeading with HeartBuild for TomorrowTalk Like Ted
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Dec 22, 2022 • 52min

189: Maximizing Community Relationships as a Nonprofit Leader (Kathy Rogers)

189: Maximizing Community Relationships as a Nonprofit Leader (Kathy Rogers)SUMMARYCommunity partnerships can be an effective way to accomplish shared goals. What are the factors that make some partnerships more effective than others? In episode #189 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Mental Health America of Central Carolinas Executive Director Kathy Rogers outlines the importance of building intentional and strategic community relationships that maximizes collaboration, funding, and will move your mission forward. She shares key aspects for cultivating stronger relationships with local governments. Community-based nonprofit organizations offer unique and important insights into the challenges and opportunities facing residents in their area and can help local officials improve their ability to communicate and connect with a wide range of community members. This type of collaboration is vital to the organization and the community. Passionate about creating a culture of communication, she describes her recently formed workplace culture committee, its goals and progress, and lessons learned through the pandemic all nonprofit leaders will benefit from hearing. ABOUT KATHYKathy Rogers has been the Executive Director of Mental Health America of Central Carolinas (MHA) since October 2017. She has more than 20 years of executive nonprofit management experience, including 12 years as the Executive Director of United Way of Henry County and Martinsville, VA, where she was instrumental in starting an early childhood initiative, a faith-based crisis network, and a nonprofit capacity building initiative. Prior to joining MHA, Rogers was the Executive Director of Piedmont Arts, a nationally accredited arts organization in Martinsville, VA. Before moving into the nonprofit sector, she was Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations for a large textile manufacturer. She is a member of the North Carolina Mental Health Coalition, Mental Health America National’s Affiliate Relations Committee, Mecklenburg County’s Community Wellness Task Force, and the UCity Family Zone Community of Health Committee. She is also a certified QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Instructor.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim ScottLearn more about MHA and Kathy RogersCheck out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector 
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Dec 15, 2022 • 44min

188: How Can You Be More Effective as a Nonprofit Leader? (Grace Nicolette)

188: How Can You Be More Effective as a Nonprofit Leader? (Grace Nicolette)SUMMARYBeing effective in the philanthropic sector is uniquely challenging. To make every dollar count, you must continually assess performance, learn from data, and adapt in ways that are consistent with effectiveness. Grace Nicolette, co-host of the widely acclaimed Giving Done Right Podcast and Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) executive, joins us in episode #188 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership to share her expertise on how to be more effective as a nonprofit leader. Grace sets realistic expectations for someone considering a move to this sector and shares advice for nonprofit leaders as they move into more senior leadership and how they can better understand important aspects of the donor relationship. Grace discusses the CEP report on the impact of Mackenzie Scott’s giving and the careful strategic planning involved with receiving such unrestricted gifts.ABOUT GRACEGrace Chiang Nicolette, Vice President of Programming and External Relations, oversees the organization’s partnerships, outreach efforts, fundraising, communications, and innovative programming. She is a co-host with CEP’s President Phil Buchanan of the widely acclaimed Giving Done Right podcast. Grace was formerly a client lead on CEP’s Assessment team, where she led the marketing, creation, and presentation of CEP’s benchmarking assessments for individual foundations. She is a frequent speaker to foundation staff and boards on topics of philanthropic effectiveness and philanthropy in China. Prior to joining CEP, Grace co-founded a philanthropy advisory firm in Shanghai that identifies investments in high potential nonprofits and social enterprises in China. The World Economic Forum named her a Young Global Leader in 2011. Grace has an executive education certificate from Harvard’s Kennedy School in Global Leadership and Public Policy and graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania as a Benjamin Franklin Scholar. She resides with her husband and two children in Cambridge, and they are active members of their church.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESFlex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences by Jane Hyun and Audrey S. LeeLearn more about Grace and the Center for Effective Philanthropy hereCheck out Phil Buchanan’s episode108: What is Giving Done Right?Have you read Patton’s Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector
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Dec 8, 2022 • 50min

187: Managing A Nonprofit Merger: Would You Be Ready? (Dr. Monique Perry-Graves)

187: Managing A Nonprofit Merger: Would You Be Ready? (Dr. Monique Perry-Graves)SUMMARYAs nonprofits consider strategies for the future, its leadership may explore the possibility of re-aligning resources, collaborating to increase efficiencies, or even entering a formal strategic alliance or merger with another nonprofit. In episode #187 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Dr. Monique Perry-Graves shares key considerations nonprofit leaders can follow to guide their organization through the merger process. She discusses her career journey, valuable lessons learned from transitioning sectors, and the most defining moments that prepared her for senior leadership. Monique breaks down her 70/20/10 concept for individual learning, development and elevation to leadership. You’ll hear some challenges, benefits and unique opportunities inherent to being a chapter of a national organization as Monique talks about her approach to such things as fundraising, board engagement and talent acquisition and retention.ABOUT MONIQUEDr. Monique Perry-Graves is an award-winning social impact leader with a deep commitment to expanding educational equity and access. For over twenty years, she has aligned her personal and professional life to this commitment, born from her lived experience and generational family commitment to education. Dr. Perry-Graves serves as Teach for America’s first statewide Executive Director for its North Carolina regions. In this role, she leads multiple teams spanning Charlotte, the Piedmont-Triad, Triangle, and Eastern North Carolina, to support Teach For America’s mission to find, develop, and support a diverse network of leaders working together to end educational inequity. As chief executive for the state, Dr. Perry-Graves’ leadership portfolio includes corps member and alumni programming, communications, public affairs, government relations, operations, fundraising, and two regional advisory boards. In her first year, she successfully led North Carolina's transition from a multi-region portfolio to unified statewide model, forged new statewide and national partnerships, and amplified the impact of the TFA NC network of educators and alumni amid unprecedented challenges during the secondary stages of COVID-19 as districts returned to in-person learning. She continues to share insights and magnify the voices of others with the broader NC community through monthly columns published by EducationNC. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESDare to Lead by Brene BrownLearn more about Teach for America hereFollow Dr. Monique Perry-Graves hereTake our Podcast Survey!
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Dec 1, 2022 • 1h 3min

186: Why Don’t Board Members Do What They’re Supposed to Do? (Hardy Smith)

186: Why Don’t Board Members Do What They’re Supposed to Do? (Hardy Smith)SUMMARYAre your nonprofit board members as engaged as they should be? Do they micromanage or are they completely disengaged? In episode #186 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, author of Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame Game, Hardy Smith, discusses what an effective board really means. He details actions to avoid board member relationship mistakes, keys to recruiting and retaining productive board members, and why board members aren’t passionate about fundraising. You’ll hear some fundamental problems nonprofit staff face when interacting with their boards and what you can do to improve the relationship to achieve more effective results. Hardy also offers advice to board members so they can be the kind of intentional, effective and productive volunteer your organization needs.ABOUTHardy Smith is author of Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame Game. As a consultant and speaker, he works with organizations who want to benefit from a fully engaged board. Through board retreats, workshops, keynotes, and planning sessions Hardy provides solutions to board engagement challenges. Hardy’s results-oriented approach was developed during a longtime career in the high-performance world of NASCAR racing. He has had wide-ranging personal and professional involvement with nonprofits, associations, chambers of commerce, and community groups nationwide. He is a member of the National Speakers Association, ASAE, Association of Fundraising Professionals, BoardSource, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and Florida Society of Association Executives. He is a faculty member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Institute for Organization Management.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESCreativity, Inc. Overcoming the Unseen Forces that Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed CatmullThink Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam GrantHardy’s book Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame GameLearn more about Hardy by visiting his website: www.hardysmith.comTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!Have you purchased Patton’s book 

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