Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

211: Is Philanthropy in a State of Crisis? (Nathan Chappell & Brain Crimmins)SUMMARYIs philanthropy in a state of crisis? In episode #211 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Nathan Chappell and Brian Crimmins, co-authors of the book, The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges, offer a wake-up call to nonprofit leaders everywhere, but also suggest solutions to the downturn they see, and will help you re-establish the interconnection that drives generosity. Learn from the fascinating research they did, and implement their recommendations to spark the generosity of your organization’s donors.  ABOUT BRIANBrian Crimmins is a global leader in social impact, a popular public speaker with the world’s foremost speaking agency, the Washington Speakers Bureau, and Chief Executive Officer of Changing Our World. He is a frequent contributor to publications covering the sector and has been invited to speak around the world on topics touching corporate social responsibility, purpose, and social impact, emphasizing not just what mission-driven organizations can and should do in the nonprofit and CSR spaces, but how leaders might organize their inner and personal lives to expand the edges of their own potential. His expertise is tapped in service to some of the world’s largest and most influential corporations as they define their core reason for being and translate theory into action. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science from St. John’s University and an MBA in Marketing Management from St. John’s Tobin School of Business.ABOUT NATHANNathan Chappell, MBA, MNA, CFRE is an entrepreneur, inventor, thought leader, author, and considered one of the world's foremost experts on the intersection between Artificial Intelligence and philanthropy. As a pioneer in the philanthropy sector, he has launched multiple start-ups that have revolutionized fundraising practices. Nathan’s subject expertise has been nationally recognized by organizations including Fast Company, Forbes, Citi Bank Global Insights, AWS, Microsoft, SalesForce, The Chronicle of Philanthropy and the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy. Nathan is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and holds a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA from the University of Redlands, a certificate in International Economics from the University of Cambridge and a certificate in Artificial Intelligence from MIT.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESTrillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell by Eric SchmidtPower and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence by Ajay Agarwal

210: Leading Through Failure as a Nonprofit Leader (Amy Burkett)SUMMARYDo failures knock you back more than they should? Failure shouldn’t be debilitating and Amy Burkett says it’s actually the secret to your success! In episode #210 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, two-time author, executive, and leadership expert Amy Burkett shares why you shouldn’t fear failure, and instead make it your friend. She shares how you can weave the lessons from failures into success and not become paralyzed with the fear of failure. Nowhere else can that fear be more prevalent than in the mission driven nonprofit sector. Learn skills that equip you with strategies enabling you to change our world for the better. She advocates that the way you react to failure can set you up for success. Do you know your ROF? Amy knows that failure’s enemy is tenacity.  ABOUT AMYAfter 30 years in broadcasting, Amy still loves the business of connecting through media. She’s thrilled to lead the renaissance of WTVI PBS Charlotte as general manager since June of 2013.  Before that she spent 14 years at WLVT PBS39 in Bethlehem, PA as executive vice president.  She began her career in commercial television working at network affiliates as a reporter/anchor for nine years. Over the last two decades Amy’s studied the art of leadership and received her John Maxwell certification as a trainer, speaker and coach in 2012.  Amy is the founder/CEO of Amy Burkett Consulting (ABC) her executive coaching, leadership training and professional speaking company. She published her first book The 7D’s to your Destiny in 2020 and her second book The Dirty F-Word: Lessons from our Failures in 2023. She’s led teams to five national PBS awards and 10 regional Emmys. Amy is originally from Ohio and holds a bachelor’s of science degree in broadcast journalism from Bowling Green State University.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive: A Leadership Fable by Patrick LencioniLearn more about Amy and her books hereCheck out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

209: Looking for Leadership as a Nonprofit Funder (Robb Webb)SUMMARYDoes your nonprofit embody the leadership qualities for which major funders are looking? Nonprofit leaders who are best prepared when applying for grant funding can save themselves precious time and set their organization up for success if they seek to understand what philanthropic leaders are evaluating. But how do you know what funders are actually looking for? In episode #209 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Robb Webb, Director of Rural Church at The Duke Endowment, shares how they address community needs and what they’re looking for when considering funding. We examine what Robb identifies as three key topics funders look for; budget and financial help, community need, and distributed leadership. As a nonprofit leader himself, Robb shares his 70/20/10 framework for managing teams and setting attainable goals.    ABOUT ROBBRobb Webb serves as Director of the Rural Church program area of The Duke Endowment. Webb joined the Endowment in January 2006 as a program officer after serving as a management consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Healthcare Resource Associates. He is a member of the Board of Visitors for Duke Divinity School and the Parish Ministry Fund. He serves on advisory boards for the National Fund for Sacred Places, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and the North Carolina Council of Churches. He is also consulting faculty at Duke Divinity School, teaching a class on leadership in the rural church. Webb holds degrees from Davidson College and Duke University and is an ordained deacon in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has served the Western North Carolina Conference on the Board of Ordained Ministry and as vice-chair of the Council on Campus Ministry. Through the Rural Church Division of the Endowment, Webb has engaged in North Carolina food initiatives such as hunger relief through rural United Methodist churches, community partnership development through Come to the Table (with RAFI), and most recently, the development of the World Food Policy Center at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. He believes churches can serve as catalysts in their communities, contributing to human, community and economic advancement.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking by Roger L. MartinLearn more about The Duke Endowment and Robb hereCheck out Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

208: Managing People Problems as a Nonprofit Leader (Beth Napleton)SUMMARYHow do you manage your toughest people problems? A good leader solves problems. A great one anticipates them. In episode #208 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Beth Napleton shares why managing and leading people is one of the biggest and most important responsibilities nonprofit leaders have, but it’s also the hardest. She explains why earning trust is an essential component to building an environment where people can feel nurtured, supported, and mentored while working together in a highly productive, collaborative culture. Even though aligning people to work towards a common mission is critically important, it is not something that processes alone can automate. Learn how to conquer uncertainty, improve employee well-being, support diversity and inclusion in your workplace, and use the right strategies and tools to take on challenges with confidence.  ABOUT BETHChicago-based Beth Napleton is an executive leadership coach, consultant and the owner and founder of Beth Napleton Consulting. She offers senior leaders in education and at mission-driven organizations a clear path to excellence through individual, executive and group coaching experiences. She offers busy leaders a container and her expertise so they can expand their capacity in all areas. Beth leverages her extensive experience in education to work with senior leaders in education and mission-driven organizations to help them clear out the “adult problems” that impede student success. Beth is a national award-winning teacher and has been in the education field for over 20 years, having trained over 1,800 teachers and leaders to succeed. She is an alumnus of Columbia University, Building Excellent Schools, and Teach For America. Most recently, she served as Founder and CEO of a small charter school network on the South Side of Chicago that opened in 2013. All graduates of her schools – most of them first-generation students – were accepted to at least two four-year colleges, changing their paths forever. Beth took her leadership skills a step further and became a certified Clifton Gallup Strengths Coach so she can offer leaders the opportunity to lean into their own strengths and succeed. Beth completed the National Principal Supervisors Academy at Relay, and is a former member of the Far South Side Community Action Council. Beth has been a guest on The EJT Show and the Teacher Renewed: What's Possible in Education podcasts, and hosted her own podcast Live on Leadership with Beth Napleton. She is a solo parent who lives in Chicago with her three amazing kids.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESRadical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim ScottLearn more about Beth hereHave you picked up your copy of Patton’s book, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

207: Embracing the Art & Science of a Capital Campaign (Bob Pierce)SUMMARYWill you be ready when it’s time to conduct a fundraising campaign at your organization? Nearly every nonprofit is in some stage of campaign planning: thinking about one, implementing one or recovering from one!  As a leader, you will likely have to manage a campaign at some point in your career. In episode #207 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we turned to the leader of the University of Alabama’s highly successful Rising Tide Capital Campaign, Bob Pierce, for his best advice. Bob shares straightforward strategies that you can implement today in the planning and execution of your next campaign.   ABOUT BOBBob Pierce assumed the role of Vice President for Advancement for The University of Alabama in September 2015 and immediately began laying the groundwork for a $1 billion+ capital campaign. In his over seven years at UA, the Advancement Division staff, which now includes 110 members, has grown by 40 percent. In September 2021, UA announced the public phase of The Rising Tide Capital Campaign with the goal of generating $1.5 billion in charitable gift commitments by September 2026. More than $940 million had been secured at the time of the announcement, and by March 2023, The Rising Tide was approaching $1.127 billion (84 percent of the Campaign goal) with over three years remaining. Prior to returning to UA where he earned his master’s degree, Pierce spent 17 years at The University of Southern Mississippi including 12 as Executive Director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association and five as Vice President for Advancement. Pierce is a 2003 graduate of the Capstone with a Master of Arts degree in Advertising and Public Relations. Pierce earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with an emphasis in sales management from Southern Miss in 1991. He was inducted into the Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018, and he and Kristi are Life Members of the Southern Miss Alumni Association as well as President’s Circle level donors to the USM Foundation. Pierce has also been inducted into the Order of Constantine recognizing lifetime service to Sigma Chi Fraternity.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES J-B Leadership Challenge: Kouzers/Posner (6 book) by James M. Kouzes et al.Learn more about Bob and UA hereCheck out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

206: Staffing Your Grants Program: Employee or Consultant? (Holly Rustick)SUMMARYGrant writing is more than just a process, it’s a skill. And like any skill, we must perfect it with time and practice. So how do you evaluate if you should outsource this aspect of your fundraising program or invest internally? In episode #206 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we speak with funding and grant writing expert Holly Rustick to help determine which is worth more to your organization – the time you’ll have to spend working on grant writing, or the money you’ll spend on the expert? Between juggling your regular responsibilities and the work you do for your nonprofit, you might not be able to polish your skill to the level needed to apply for grants, especially the most competitive ones.  ABOUT HOLLYWorld-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author Holly Rustick coaches thousands of people every week through her top-ranking podcast, Grant Writing & Funding, books on grant writing, and via the Hub Haven on taking actionable steps in grant writing. Having secured millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations around the world throughout the past 16+ years, Holly has a mission to train grant writers to simplify the process, grow capacity, and advance mission. Holly has an MA in International Political Economy, is past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and is an unapologetic feminist. Holly lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. If you are interested in advancing your grant writing skills or transitioning into freelance grant writing, be sure to check out Holly’s articles, books, and podcasts at www.grantwritingandfunding.com.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESUnicorns on Fire: A Collection of NonprofitAF Posts, Finally Edited for Spelling and Grammar by Vu LeLearn more about Holly hereRevisit Holly’s previous episode on Your Path to Nonprofit LeadershipCheck out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

205: What Issues Will You Face as a New Nonprofit Leader? (Tom O’Toole)SUMMARYAre you on the path to nonprofit leadership? How prepared are you for the challenges you’ll face? In episode #205 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we speak with Tom O’Toole, Executive Director of Public Affairs Programming at Cornell University’s Brooks School of Public Policy about what skills aspiring leaders need to efficiently and effectively run a nonprofit organization. Tom shares serious concerns of burnout - not just work/life balance - but losing the sense of intrinsic motivation that drives many to nonprofit leaders face given the fact that the challenges they’re trying to confront may never be solved in their lifetimes. In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to be adaptable. Tom discusses how adaptability gives you the ability to face challenges and obstacles effectively, but it also makes you a better leader and team player.   ABOUT TOMThomas O’Toole is the Executive Director of Public Affairs Programming at Cornell’s  MPA Program. He teaches the MPA Program’s core course on “Issues in Public Administration,” a seminar on “Comparative Public Administration: The Case of Seoul, Korea,” and has collaborated on projects and educational programming with the White House, the United Nations Division of Public Administration and Development Management, the UN World Food Programme, and the International Food Policy Research Institute. He is also responsible for monitoring the strategic direction of the MPA Program, as well as providing ongoing oversight to ensure the achievement of the program’s educational and professional missions. As part of his responsibilities, Professor O’Toole oversees all student professional development activities related to the graduate field of public affairs at Cornell, including maintaining institutional relationships with organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors and facilitating job and internship placements for Brooks MPA students. He received his undergraduate degree at Bucknell University and master’s and Ph.D. from Cornell.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESDriving from the Backseat: Tips for Surviving as a Not-for-Profit CEO by Ronnie L. BryantThe Song of Spider-Man: Inside Story of the Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History by Glen BergerLearn more about Tom and the MPA program at Cornell hereWant to know why Tom recommends Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector? Pick up your copy today!

204: How Can Nonprofit Leaders Bring Innovation to Their Organization? (Leah Kral)SUMMARYHow can you foster sustainable innovation within your nonprofit? Between the pandemic and workforce shortages, many nonprofit leaders today are likely exhausted and running out of actionable ideas. It’s said that adversity drives innovation, but for many, that well is drying up too soon. So where are all the good ideas? In episode #204 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, nonprofit strategist and author, Leah Kral, explains that as leaders of nonprofits, we have the power to create the perfect formula for innovation within our organizations. While there are no quick fixes, the effort and energy you put into these solutions now will be the garden for future innovative abundance. Innovation and impact are not a gamble that might someday payoff, but with intentional mission drive, culture building and strategic planning, innovation and impact are within reach of any nonprofit organization.  ABOUT LEAHLeah Kral is an expert facilitator and author who helps nonprofits innovate and further social change. She is a sought-after speaker at nonprofit industry events and writes frequently about her research. Her new book is Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results (Wiley, 2022). Leah is the senior director of strategy and innovation at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, in Virginia. The Mercatus Center is the home of heterodox thinkers and economists who work to discover what aspects of institutions and culture help societies prosper. Leah has been with Mercatus since 2006, where she has been providing tailored workshops and consulting to internal teams and to a network of university research centers across the country. For decades, she has been helping teams to break out of the busy daily routine and draw out their best creative thinking. She helps teams to design pilots, program strategies and meaningful evaluation approaches, leading to better outcomes and more compelling stories for supporters. She has a passion for helping altruistic organizations achieve their missions and is an active volunteer in her community. She holds a Master of Arts in public policy from Duquesne University and is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Jamaica 2002-2004).EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESInnovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results by Leah KralThink Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam GrantLearn more about Leah and the work she’s doing hereTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!Check out Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

203: Finding Success as a New Nonprofit Leader (Aaron Randolph)SUMMARYHow do you find success as a new nonprofit leader? Starting any new business is difficult, and while similar, starting a nonprofit has a whole host of unique complexities. In Episode #203 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Aaron Randolph shares his best advice for others looking to start, fund and run a successful nonprofit organization. Aaron navigated the “big three” - new leader, new organization, new community – and thoughtfully recounts the lessons learned that can help you as well.  Specifically, we explore four key functions of successful senior leadership and the value of conducting a thorough community assessment.  ABOUT AARONAaron Randolph is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Carolina Youth Coalition (CYC), a nonprofit organization that nurtures and propels high-achieving, under-resourced students to and through college. Aaron earned his Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2013 and a B.A. from Cornell University in 2011. A native of Lake City, FL, he relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2017 with his wife, Lizzy, from Baton Rouge, LA. Driven by a fervent belief in the power of education to create lasting generational change, Aaron began his career in education as a City Year AmeriCorps member and social studies teacher before finding a passion for college access work through joining the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition staff in 2015. Since moving to Charlotte, Aaron has led Carolina Youth Coalition’s launch and growth from serving 40 students in 2018 to over 300 high school and college students this school year. Through CYC, students in the program have earned over $45 million in scholarships and grants and two-thirds are attending four-year universities across the state and across the country completely debt-free.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESDriving from the Backseat: Tips for Surviving as a Not-for-Profit CEO by Ronnie L. BryantWant to hear more from Ronnie Bryant? Listen to Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership episode #23Learn more about Aaron and Carolina Youth Coalition hereBefore His Time: The Untold Story of Harry T. Moore, America’s First Civil Rights Martyr by Ben GreenCheck out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

202: Turning Your Financials into a Nonprofit Leadership Tool (Melisa Galasso)SUMMARYAre you and your board members confident when it comes to the financials?  Many nonprofit leaders - staff and board - are not. In episode #202 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Melisa Galasso brings two decades of experience making complex accounting topics easy to understand, and will empower you with the financial acumen to better lead your nonprofit. She breaks down the sometimes complex world of accounting so that you and your board of directors will be better equipped to harness the power of your financial statements. ABOUT MELISAMelisa Galasso is the founder and CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC. A CPA with nearly 20 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting. She also supports essential professional development, audit level training, and train the trainer efforts. Melisa is a Certified Speaking Professional, a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), and has earned the Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. Her passion for instructional design and adult learning techniques is one differentiator that set her apart from other CPE providers. Within the industry, Melisa serves on the FASB’s Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC), AICPA Council and serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the Center for Plain English Accounting. She previously served on the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee (TIC), the VSCPA’s Board of Directors, and is a past-Chair of the NCACPA’s A&A committee. Melisa is the author of Money Matters for Nonprofits: How Board Members Can Harness the Power of Financial Statements by Understanding Basic AccountingEPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESMelisa’s book Money Matters for Nonprofits: How Board Members Can Harness the Power of Financial Statements by Understanding Basic AccountingThe Little Book of Boards: A Board Member’s Handbook for Small (and Very Small) Nonprofits by Erik HanbergLearn more about Melisa and the work she’s doing hereTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!Check out Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector