Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

What are you doing to actually move closer to your ideal leadership role in the nonprofit sector?  In this solo episode #185 of The Path Podcast, I offer seven specific ideas that can help you build your personal strategic plan for the year ahead.1. Declutter  2. Calendar Review 3. Aspirational Job Postings 4. Read A Book 5. Create a Guide List 6. Two Topic Curriculum 7. Coach and be Coached ABOUT PATTONPatton McDowell has enjoyed a successful 30-year career in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development. Prior to founding PMA Nonprofit Leadership in 2009, he served as Vice President for University Advancement at Queens University of Charlotte. Before Queens, Patton served as Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at UNC Wilmington, where he was the youngest vice chancellor in the 16-campus UNC system. He previously served as Program Director for Special Olympics North Carolina in Raleigh, following his tenure with Special Olympics International in Washington, D.C.  Patton is a native of Elizabeth City, NC, and received a bachelor's degree in English Education from UNC Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar. He received his MBA from the McColl School of Business at Queens, and his Doctorate in Education (Organizational Change and Leadership) from the Rossier School at the University of Southern California. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), a Master Trainer for AFP International, and a member of the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations. Patton is a former board President of AFP Charlotte, served as the Chapter Representative on the AFP International Board, and is the host of the weekly podcast Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership and author of the best-selling book also titled Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership. OTHER SOLO EPISODES BY PATTONEpisode #159 4 ways to Advance Your Nonprofit LeadershipEpisode #56 10 Essential Skills & Experiences for Nonprofit LeadershipEpisode #78 5 Ways to Build Your Professional Development PlanEpisode #13 Build A Personal Strategic Plan that WorksAre you ready for a Mastermind? Get your copy of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

184: Excelling at Team Development as a Nonprofit Leader (Liz Brigham)SUMMARYIs the synergy of your team firing on all cylinders? Do you make time for an intentional pause, to first look back at what got you to where you are and what it will take to get you to that next level? Liz Brigham of the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Davidson College answers these questions and more in episode #184 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership. Liz shares vast experience from her professional journey and work with students and entrepreneurs throughout the region. You’ll learn vital tips for proper self-care, time management, and organization that will keep you and your team at the top of their game. Liz also discusses three pillars for team development and growth: entrepreneurship, innovation and design thinking and how they affect the recruitment and retention of new and existing talent.ABOUT LIZElizabeth “Liz” Brigham serves as the Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Davidson College. Prior to taking this role she was the Head of Product, Morningstar Direct & Reporting Solutions Software, for Morningstar Inc. in Chicago. Before leading these commercial business lines, she scaled and led the Product Marketing organization for Morningstar’s roughly $400M global software portfolio. While in that role, she was recognized as the Product Marketing Leader of the Year in 2019 by the Global Product Marketing Alliance. Before joining Morningstar, Brigham led product management and marketing teams at enterprise technology start-ups in Chicago and at public companies, such as Jive Software and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Brigham is a self-proclaimed “Davidson College Groupie” and has served on the Board of Visitors, Alumni Association Board, was recognized with the Davidson Alumni Service award in 2019. She is also a mentor and board member for LaunchCLT, plays the piano and acoustic guitar, and dreams of building a family band with her young sons and husband. Brigham holds a B.A. in English, cum laude, from Davidson College and an MBA, with Distinction, in corporate strategy and marketing from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Culture Code: Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel CoyleLearn more about Liz and The HURT Hub @ DavidsonTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!SCORE, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, US Economic Development AdministrationMore on OKR’sGet your copy of Patton’s Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Secto

183: National Philanthropy Day: How Will You Celebrate? (Robert Touchstone)SUMMARYAs a nonprofit leader, how can you leverage National Philanthropy Day throughout the year? Learn why it’s celebrated across the nation and about some of the local winners worthy of recognition as we talk with AFP Charlotte President Robert Touchstone in episode #183 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership. Robert advocates for the benefits nonprofit leaders realize through an organization like AFP. He also discusses his journey to nonprofit leadership and the lessons he’s learned along the way. You’ll hear about trends and shifts in funding models, especially related to the United Arts funds that operate across the United States.    ABOUT ROBERTRobert Touchstone, CFRE, is a fundraising professional with over 15 years of experience at Charlotte-area nonprofits. He joined the Arts & Science Council team in November 2018 as Vice President of Philanthropy, where he oversees fundraising operations, major gifts and corporate giving. Prior to ASC, Robert worked at Carolina Raptor Center and Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. He currently serves as the Board President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Charlotte Chapter, and in his spare time, enjoys being a dog dad to Lily and Tucker, playing tennis, and fixing things around the house. Robert received his BA in Spanish and MBA from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. He is also a proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES The Checklist Manifesto by Atul GawandeLearn about the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the AFP Charlotte chapterLearn more about Arts & Science CouncilTake 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

182: Breaking Down Barriers as a Nonprofit Leader (Nyeisha Dewitt)SUMMARYHow do you blend your life experiences with a passion for change and actually do something about it? Dr. Nyeisha Dewitt is eminently qualified to answer this question. In episode #182 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Nyeisha shares her journey to nonprofit leadership, the lessons she’s learned, and the challenges she’s faced along the way. As a committed entrepreneur herself, she knows leaders can be mission-driven yet combine that with business acumen informed by experiences. Nyeisha discusses the value of community partnerships with varying missions who work together to break down barriers of those you serve to address their whole need. You’ll also hear her process for self-care, recruiting talent, and building an effective board. ABOUT NYEISHADr. Nyeisha DeWitt is an investor, serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Oakland Natives Give Back Fund, Inc., which she founded in 2008 to epitomize an evolved concept of philanthropy and raise awareness around the importance of daily attendance. Personally familiar with the outcomes associated with chronic absenteeism, Dr. Ny is the example of where you start not necessarily dictating where you finish. She dropped out of high school in the 10th grade, but since taking her GED, she has triumphed from graduation stage to graduation stage. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, her Master’s Degree in Teaching and Doctoral Degree in Organization and Leadership in Education, both from the University of San Francisco, and recently, she completed her Master degree in Management with a concentration in Advanced Entrepreneurial Leadership from Babson College in Massachusetts. Her experience as an educator and a mother of three children with unique learning abilities has provided immense value to her role as a funder who supports innovative + solutions to combat this national crisis. Since inception, ONGB has invested nearly $7.2M in resources toward that end.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Celestine Prophecy by James RedfieldLearn more about Nyeisha 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

181: What Are Your Donors Thinking?  (Derric Bakker)SUMMARYAfter record-level giving during Covid, what are your donors thinking with uncertain economic conditions ahead? In episode #181 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we talk with Derric Bakker, a 30+ year expert fundraiser and founder of the annual Donor Insight Study, about what donors are likely to do in the year ahead. After multiple years studying the economic indicators that affect philanthropic behavior, Derric shares his insight about what it all means for 2022 year-end giving as well as giving in 2023. Learn what needs are weighing on the minds of donors, how nonprofit leaders can benefit from these insights, and why now more than ever, leaders must clearly communicate the extent of need amongst those they serve.ABOUT DERRICDerric Bakker is one of those rare individuals who has been in fundraising for almost his entire career. In 1990, just a couple years out of college, Derric was offered his first fundraising position with a small local nonprofit. It soon became apparent that fundraising was a strong fit for his unique set of gifts and what started as a whim grew into a lifelong career. Over the next ten years he would hone his craft working at three different nonprofit organizations. Derric then segued into consulting in 2001. Over most of the next decade he worked as Vice President for two different firms providing capital campaign and major gift consulting services to dozens of different organizations. In 2010 Derric started his own consulting firm, which became DickersonBakker after a merger with Denver-based firm in 2012. Since then, he has served as President of DickersonBakker, which has grown to become a nationally recognized firm comprised of over 30 full-time professionals serving well over a hundred different nonprofit organizations each year.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESGrit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela DuckworthLearn more about Derric and the work he does at DickersonBakker hereDownload a copy of the 2022 Donor Insight StudyTake 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

180: How Can You Use Technology to Amplify Good? (Ray Gary)SUMMARYToday’s donors have become empowered consumers conditioned by predictive technology experiences. As a nonprofit leader, do you truly embrace the donor experience? Is your technology more convenient for the organization than it is for your donors? In episode #180 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership technology expert, Ray Gary explains how nonprofit leaders who embrace current advances in digital platforms successfully engage, cultivate, and grow donors to become sustainable advocates of your organization's mission. Learn why you should “beware of shiny objects” and not chase the latest tech features and functionalities, but fully maximize the technology you already have cohesively within all your departments. Ray also explains what he sees as the “mid-level donor dilemma” and how technology can address this growing vital group of donors. Are you ready to test your technology acumen?  ABOUT RAYRay Gary has 30+ years of product development, professional service, domestic and international business development, and early-stage business building. As the CEO of iDonate, he leads a company that provides nonprofits with technology solutions to do more good in the world. His experience in launching, building and helping businesses succeed spans nearly three decades, including various leadership positions in technology companies. Previously, he’s served as President of the Venture Capital group of Koch Industries, one of the nation’s largest private companies, where he oversaw numerous technology investments. Ray currently serves as an Advisory Board member of the Highland Park chapter of KLIFE–a faith-based ministry for students and also sits on the Board of the greater Baton Rouge/LSU area Young Life ministry. Ray and his wife, Gina, live in Park Cities, Texas and have three kids and one grandchild.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESBlue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space & Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim et al.Learn more about iDonate and Ray GaryTake 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

179: Transition Across Sectors: Are You Ready to Lead a Nonprofit? (Beth Reaves)SUMMARYAre you considering a career move to a mission based nonprofit and wonder how your corporate skills will transfer to the philanthropic sector? In episode #179 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, one time fortune 50 company executive, Beth Reaves shares what to expect for a successful transition. Having developed an “Entry Plan” for new nonprofit leaders, she explains why it’s important to have one that outlines the 30/60/90-day goals new nonprofit leaders should look to accomplish. She outlines skills and experiences essential to nonprofit leadership and what she looks for in new talent. Beth discusses creating strong bonds with your constituent groups, the value of clear communication, and key elements for a strong and productive relationship with your board of directors.  ABOUT BETHDr. Beth Reaves is the President of the Washington School for Girls, a private, Catholic school, which provides 100% scholarship support for girls in grades 3-8. She has served in this role since 2017, having previously worked as a school leader and administrator in the Philadelphia area. Prior to working in education, Beth spent a decade working in Corporate Marketing for a Fortune 50 company. She believes in educational equity for young girls of color and works to provide a school environment where every girl can thrive and flourish. In her role, she focuses on external relations, fundraising and leadership to ensure the school provides a strong academic program for its students and is sustainable into the future. Beth holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in accounting from Drexel University, an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate in Business from the University of Phoenix. She is a Klingenstein Fellow in the Heads of Schools Program at the Teachers’ College, Columbia University, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Independent Schools Greater Washington, the Nativity Miguel Coalition and the DC Public Library Foundation. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESMindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. DweckLearn more about Beth and the work she’s doing at the Washington School for Girls hereTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!Ready to advance your nonprofit leadership? Check out Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

178: Building a Diverse and Talented Team at Your Nonprofit (Julie Kratz)SUMMARYAs a nonprofit leader, are you creating a more inclusive and diverse culture at your organization, especially at the leadership level? In episode #178 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we talk with an inclusivity expert, Julie Kratz, about developing the framework for building a diverse and talented leadership team. DEI can be a complex topic in the workplace, and Julie introduces the basic terms leaders should know to engage in candid conversations about diversity and inclusion. She also outlines her 3D’s model to hold team members accountable, and how using the model in conversation cultivates greater inclusion. Learn exactly what nonprofit leaders  having success with DEI are doing, and how they have built and retained diverse leadership teams.  ABOUT JULIEJulie Kratz is a highly acclaimed TEDx speaker and inclusive leadership trainer who led teams and produced results in corporate America. After experiencing many career “pivot points” of her own, she started her own speaking business with the goal of helping leaders be more inclusive. Promoting diversity, inclusion, and allyship in the workplace, Julie helps organizations foster more inclusive environments. She is a frequent keynote speaker, podcast host, and executive coach. She holds an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, is a Certified Master Coach, and is a certified unconscious bias trainer. Her books include Pivot Point: How to Build a Winning Career Game Plan, ONE: How Male Allies Support Women for Gender Equality, and Lead Like an Ally: A Journey Through Corporate America with Strategies to Facilitate Inclusion, children’s book Little Allies, and her newest Allyship in Action: 10 Strategies for Living Inclusively.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESHow to Raise an Antiracist by Ibram X KendiAllyship In Action: 10 Practices for Living Inclusively by Julie KratzLearn more about Julie and the work she’s doing at NextPiviotPoint.comTake 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

Kevin Briscoe177: Mastering Your Financial Acumen as a Nonprofit Leader (Kevin Briscoe)SUMMARYIs your organization positioned to navigate the unique strategic and financial challenges inherent in nonprofit settings? As a nonprofit leader, do you need more financial expertise but don’t know if you can afford it? In episode #177 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, financial expert Kevin Briscoe helps today’s nonprofit leaders address their overall accounting needs and financial literacy. He defines what a fractional CFO is and how this model can benefit your nonprofit. Kevin breaks down the various accounting roles, the distinctions between them, and their place in the philanthropic sector. We discuss how to reduce expenses and increase cash flow projections to maximize funding opportunities.ABOUT KEVINKevin Briscoe is the Managing Partner of CFO Selections®, and stewards the culture and core values of the organization, including supporting the firm's philanthropic work through the CFOS Foundation. Throughout his career, Kevin has held ownership and management positions, providing effective leadership in increasing profitable growth. His professional career includes nearly 30 years in finance, accounting, and operations from Fortune 100, publicly traded corporations to small, closely held settings. Before joining CFO Selections® in 2007, Kevin was part owner of a successful lighting representative business, helping drive their growth from $30 to $70 million. He has also served as a financial member of South End Equities, where he was responsible for the purchase and management of a commercial real estate portfolio. His extensive experience in business strategy, management, and operations assists him in leading the firm. Kevin earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Gonzaga University. He currently serves as Board Advisor for The Linehan Institute, and has served as a past Board member of the Electric League of the Pacific Northwest Charitable Foundation, as Co-Chair for the American Cancer Society ‘Race for a Cure’ benefiting Breast Cancer research, and also enjoys playing softball in Kent, where he lives with his wife and enjoys spending time with his four children and many grandchildren.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESFire Doesn’t Innovate: The Executives Practical Guide to Thriving in the Face of Evolving Cyber Risks by Kip BoyleLearn more about Kevin and the work he does 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

176: Does Your Nonprofit Board Have the Skills to Thrive? (Lisa Cook)SUMMARYIf leadership begins at the top, does your board ensure everyone is performing at their best at the work they pledged to do? In episode #176 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, board governance expert Lisa Cook shares how to identify, cultivate, train and engage your board for long-term success. She discusses why such skills as governance, strategic planning and financial acumen are necessary for success, and things new and aspiring board members must develop. Clear communication of expectations is a vital component at every level of nonprofit leadership, and none more important than between the CEO and Board Chair. Lisa shares how to engage in intentional communication of expectations, and how it provides a mutual understanding of needs, support, resources, and goals.  ABOUTLisa Cook is the Founder and Managing Director of Get on Board Australia, supporting aspiring, new and existing board members and boards to thrive. She has thirteen years of experience serving on boards from a range of organizations in the private, public, and not for profit sectors in Adelaide, Sydney, and across Australia, including Shooting Australia, Inclusive Sport SA, West Beach Community Bendigo Bank, and Australian College of Professionals. Along with writing and commenting regularly on governance, board members, and boards, Lisa hosts the Board Shorts Podcast; sharing insights, lessons, and advice from her experience in the boardroom and from subject matter experts across the world. Lisa holds a degree from Charles Sturt University in business management and marketing, has completed the Foundations of Directorship program through AICD, and is currently studying a Master of Business Law at the University of Adelaide.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESFierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time by Susan ScottHow to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale CarnegiePlays Well with Others by Eric BarkerLearn more about Lisa and her work with Boards hereCheck out Patton’s best-selling book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector