Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

136: Maximizing Volunteer Engagement as a Nonprofit Leader (Lauren Kaufman)SUMMARYAre you utilizing the full abilities of your best volunteers?  As the leader of an all-volunteer organization that has seen a 40% growth in the past six months, Lauren Kaufman discusses strategic actions to attract, activate, grow, and retain diverse young professional volunteer talent. Connecting the individual volunteer’s skills and experiences with specific organizational roles and committee opportunities strengthens not only the individual’s resume, but the relationship they have with the organization as a whole.  In episode #136 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, you’ll hear tips every nonprofit leader can implement to improve their volunteer experience.  Lauren also discusses the value of building alliances, one of Patton’s Five Keys to a successful nonprofit, with like-minded similar organizations, as well as organizational skills from which every nonprofit leader can learn.ABOUT LAURENBy day, Lauren works at Dimensional Fund Advisors where she provides the tools financial advisors need to strategically manage and grow their business. She also oversees Dimensional’s global philanthropic program. By night (and weekends), she is president of the Young Women’s Alliance, an Austin non-profit dedicated to empowering the next generation of women leaders. As president, Lauren oversees 500 members, 16 Board of Directors, and 80+ chair positions. As an entirely volunteer run organization, Lauren ensures that YWA is meeting and exceeding all parts of its mission by developing KPI’s, strategically planning for the future of the organization and ensuring that YWA continues to be an organization that connects and supports women in Austin. Through Lauren’s leadership, YWA remains committed to being a diverse and inclusive organization where women in Austin feel welcomed and empowered. Most recently, Lauren added an additional role to the Board of Directors: VP of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her partner Aaron and their two French bulldogs, Tater Tot and Queso (@theloadedtots). Lauren speaks Chinese, German, and Spanish and holds her Series 7 and 66.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESCy Wakeman’s book Reality based Leadership Learn more about the Young Women’s Alliance & (YWA Instagram)Austin Under 40 WebsiteHeristic website (DEI consultant)Ready for a Mastermind?  Apply Today!

135: Sharpening Your Vision as a Nonprofit Leader (Pat Millen)SUMMARYMost well-intentioned ideas never become a viable nonprofit organization.  But after Pat Millen’s daughter Franny raised the issue of the digital divide after school one day, the family decided to do something about it.  Less than 10 years later, one family’s inspiration has evolved into E2D (Eliminate the Digital Divide), and Pat has elevated the organization to state and national prominence.  Not only is his story fascinating, but his thoughtful reflection about the efforts to start and grow a nonprofit are full of valuable advice for any nonprofit leader. In episode 135 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Pat and I discuss the strategic focus necessary to achieve organizational expansion, the critical importance of community research, and the discipline necessary to network strategically.  ABOUT PATIn 2012, Pat Millen Co-Founded E2D with his family to address societal imbalances associated with digital exclusion affecting low-income families and students. In 2017, he founded the Re-Image CLT Labs, of which he is now the executive director. Prior to his work at E2D, he was the Founder, President, and CEO of Integrity Sport Marketing, Media, and Management, from 1993 to 2014. IS3M was a sports management agency specializing in the creation, marketing and execution of strategic initiatives for companies and organizations with an emphasis on soccer and the convergence of sports and education. From 1990 to 1993, Pat worked as the Director of Athletics Marketing at his alma mater, Davidson College. He graduated from Davidson in 1986 with a BA in History. Over the course of his career, he has received the Davidson College Omicron Delta Kappa Service Award and, most recently, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.  He has been named one of the “25 Most Influential People in American Soccer” by Soccer America Magazine in 1996 and a “Gamechanger” by Davidson College in honor of his social justice work in 2018. He is a member of the Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance, NC Digital Equity and Inclusion Collaborative and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, the Charlotte Council of Agency Executives, the Ne Ultra Society/Founders Roundtable at Davidson College and the Charlotte Rotary Club. Pat lives in Davidson, NC with his wife Eileen Keeley and his children, Paddy, Franny and Sam. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESRon Rash book In the ValleyGet involved with E2DLearn more through the National Digital Inclusion AllianceReady for a Mastermind? Apply Today to join the Spring 2022 Cohort!

134: Why Corporations Should Look at Philanthropy in a New Way (Holly Welch Stubbing)SUMMARYNonprofit organizations worldwide study ways to capitalize on corporate relationships in their fundraising efforts.  Having been on both sides of this equation, Holly Welch Stubbing, the President & CEO of E4E Relief, identifies specific challenges she sees as nonprofits try to connect with corporate leaders. She shares her thoughts on how corporations can look at philanthropy differently given the competing agendas they are constantly having to manage. In episode 134 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we’ll explore how to better align the mission of both the corporation and your nonprofit, and how implementing a plan around relationship building will improve that partnership.  As a strong nonprofit leader, educating yourself on corporate practices, governances, and structure will enable a better understanding when developing community philanthropic campaigns.ABOUT HOLLYHolly Welch Stubbing serves as President & CEO of E4E Relief, an international nonprofit organization that provides disaster and hardship grants to individuals worldwide and is a leading provider of employee relief programs for multinational corporations headquartered in the U.S.  Holly previously worked for Foundation For The Carolinas for over 20 years in advancement, investment and legal affairs and is a nationally recognized leader in charitable tax matters and serves or has served on key public policy committees representing nonprofits and philanthropy on the Hill and in the state of North Carolina. She is a past Strategy leader for the Alliance for Charitable Reform and serves professionally on the Merrill Lynch Bledsoe/Cathcart Group Advisory Council and the Seymour Legacy Trust Board of Trustees. She also serves on nonprofit boards for Wake Forest University Charlotte, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation and Trinity Episcopal School.  Holly is a German Marshall Fund Marshall Memorial Fellow and is a recipient of the Charlotte Business Journal’s Women in Business Award and 40 Under 40 recognitions. She was the Charlotte AFP’s Fundraiser of the Year Award winner in 2013, and holds a Global Executive MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law and a B.A. in Speech Communications and International Studies from Wake Forest University.  Holly is a member of the North Carolina and Tennessee Bar Associations.  EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESReed Hoffman’s book Masters of Scale Learn more about E4E ReliefReady for a Mastermind?  Apply Today!

133:  How to Improve Your Nonprofit Leadership Experience (Patton McDowell)SUMMARYAre you thankful for your current nonprofit leadership role?  The sector should be thankful for talented individuals like you who are dedicated to a vital cause in your community, but I know you may not feel that gratitude as you do even more for an organization that needs your every contribution.  In this special Thanksgiving Day episode, I offer some ideas that may help you be an even better leader, but more importantly, help you enjoy a more rewarding experience as you move toward your goals. In this solo episode #133 of the Path Podcast, I offer five specific ways you can improve your nonprofit leadership experience, as well as a sneak peek at my new book, also titled Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership.ABOUT PATTONPatton McDowell has enjoyed a successful 30-year career in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development. His consulting practice has allowed him to work with more than 240 organizations throughout the Southeast, including nonprofits focused on healthcare, education, arts & culture, and human services. Prior to founding PMA Consulting in 2009, he served as Vice President for University Advancement at Queens University of Charlotte where he was responsible for all fundraising, communications, and alumni programs for the university.  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.EPISODE RESOURCESEpisode #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?

132: The Power of Donor Stewardship as a Nonprofit Leader (Caitlin Donley)SUMMARYFundraising is more than simply communicating your mission effectively to your donors and asking for support. The real magic happens after the gift is received, and doing more than just saying “thank you” means a nonprofit leader has an intentional strategic plan around donor stewardship. In episode #132 of The Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Caitlin Donley introduces us to three distinct categories nonprofit leaders need to consider as they maximize the potential for donor stewardship.  As President of AFP Charlotte, Caitlin discusses National Philanthropy Day and many other ways to celebrate philanthropy and increase your donor retention. Having an annual advancement plan enables natural touch points for stewardship and also cultivation for the future.ABOUT CAITLINCaitlin Donley is the Chief Advancement & Finance Officer for Safe Alliance, overseeing resource development, financial operations, and community engagement for Mecklenburg County, NC's largest domestic violence and sexual assault nonprofit. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years with fundraising positions in higher education, the arts and in the animal welfare areas. She has a Master's in Public Administration from UNC Charlotte and a BA in Music/French from Bishop's University. She has also completed the Nonprofit Executive Leadership program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Caitlin is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and currently serves at the President for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Charlotte Chapter.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Book by Ingrid Bens - Facilitation at a Glance Learn more about Safe Alliance or donate nowCheck out Association of Fundraising ProfessionalsBe a part of AFP Charlotte and National Philanthropy DayReady for a Mastermind?  Apply Today!

131: Paying it Forward as a Nonprofit Leader (Michael DeVaul)SUMMARYPassion is often found in young leaders, while wisdom and experience are words associated with successful senior nonprofit leaders. Where are you on your journey of nonprofit leadership?  Do you realize the value of self-assessment? Michael DeVaul has been on both sides of that bridge for more than three decades in the nonprofit sector and reflects on leading by example through action.  In episode #131 of The Path Podcast, Michael shares his five steps to go from being a transactional leader to a transformational leader.  Patton and Michael discuss harnessing personal and professional experiences to be a more impactful nonprofit leader.  As a man of action, Michael is a role model for change, but he believes you must take action to make change.ABOUT MICHAELMichael is a seasoned veteran with 38+ years in the nonprofit sector. From Evanston, Illinois, he was a member of the Emerson Street YMCA and Ebenezer A.M.E. Church two strong black institutions which along with his extended family, helped seed his potential. In 2019, Michael was awarded the YMCA of the USA Carlos Sanvee award for his work strengthening emerging young leaders.  However, his highest honor remains the Champions of Change award given by the Obama White House for his efforts in community building and global work in Senegal and Bangladesh. Today, Michael serves as the YMCA of the USA National Director for Boys and Young Men of Color with a focus to lead reimagining policies, practices, and procedures across 100+ cities to improve the outcomes, impact, and economic mobility of all young men of color. He believes that to effect change you must first understand and develop your personal brand.  Driving culture involves reinforcing beliefs and behaviors that determine how an organization's leaders and the community they serve interact.  Only then can you address inequities for the purposes of reimagining an important concept called belonging. Michael lives in Charlotte and is most proud of being a husband, brother, father, uncle, and friend. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESDavid Hawkins book Power vs. Force Learn more about building your own brand at BYOB TeamCheck out James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time“If you do not have a conscience, I cannot appeal to an absence of it” – Petra Hermans Ready for a Mastermind?  Apply Today!

130: How Do You Prepare for Nonprofit Leadership? (Manuel Campbell)SUMMARYWhen funders approach you and ask, “why do we need this organization?” are you able to answer with more than just passion?  Seasoned nonprofit leader, Manuel Campbell, shares what it takes to go from a passion project to a strategic case for support to benefit your community and maintain a sustainable, upwardly mobile, and fully-funded nonprofit organization. In episode #130 of the Path Podcast, we discuss key steps to organizational success, from recognizing an unmet need to successfully managing a nonprofit to serve the needs of your community.  Manuel shares strategies to successfully establish credibility through your board, staff, community relationships, funders, and vendors to make your nonprofit not only sustainable, but impactful.ABOUT MANUELManuel is the Founder and CEO of ASPIRE Community Capital, a nonprofit organization committed to empowering entrepreneurs from underserved communities through business training, coaching, development and access to capital. He is responsible for organizational growth through securing and activating community partnerships, fundraising strategies, board development and program development. Manuel is also a leading local voice on diversity, race and inclusion in entrepreneurship and a community advocate for low-to-moderate income business owners through participation on panels and partnerships with a diverse range of for-profit and nonprofit organizations. He is often asked to share his perspective regarding the issues that challenge small businesses and the effects of these challenges on economic and social development. Manuel held the positions of senior risk manager, financial analyst and investment banking analyst for Bank of America Securities and Wachovia Corporation and is the founder of Anderson, Campbell and Associates, a consulting firm focused on assisting small business owners in accessing capital through private placement, SBA financing and private equity transactions.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESRonnie Bryant’s book Driving from the BackseatRonnie Bryant’s episode #23 on the Path PodcastLearn more about ASPIRE Community CapitalReady for a Mastermind?  Apply Today!

129: How to Retain Talent Through a Dynamic Nonprofit Organization (Keith Fishburne)SUMMARYAre you struggling as a nonprofit leader to retain your best talent?  Keith Fishburne, whose career spans over 30 years at Special Olympics North Carolina, shares his best practices to recognize, develop, and ultimately retain quality employees. Many of Keith’s senior staff have been with him for over a decade, unheard of in the nonprofit sector. The experiences we discuss in episode #129 of the Path Podcast will help you build and maintain stronger relationships between nonprofit leadership, staff, your board, and those all-important volunteers. Hear initiatives to improve equity and diversity in your organization. Cultivating the powerful connection between mission and passion will elevate your nonprofit organization.ABOUT KEITHKeith Fishburne, president and CEO of Special Olympics North Carolina since May 1997, is responsible for overall management of the organization, which serves nearly 40,000 registered athletes statewide, supported by a $6.5 million budget, a staff of 28, and more than 40,000 volunteers.  He was a member of the Board of Directors and executive committee for the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games, which brought more than 7,000 athletes from over 150 countries worldwide to North Carolina for 10 days of competition and events. He’s also served as chairman of the Special Olympics United States Leadership Council (USLC), a leadership body dedicated to the strategic quality growth of Special Olympics programming throughout the country. He has been recognized for his leadership and dedication to the community beyond Special Olympics, having received the William C. Friday Excellence in Leadership and Service Award for significant contributions to the betterment of the human condition presented by the Park Scholars of NC State University, Class of 2010. In 2020, he was named to the North Carolina Sports Leadership Council of the NC Sports Association, joining sports leaders across North Carolina in serving as a collective voice on issues impacting the sports event industry. He’s currently a member of the Special Olympics USLC, and chair of the SOI Integrated Direct Marketing Program. He is also a member of the USLC Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Task Force and the Return to Activities Task Force as part of the Special Olympics response to the pandemic.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Dan Pallotta’s book Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their PotentialLearn more about a Special Olympics program near youCheck out Jim Taylor’s episode #120 Is Your Nonprofit Board Leading with Intent?Ready for a Mastermind?  Apply Today!

128: Leading Your Organization Through Strategic Execution (Logan Herring)SUMMARYShould you stop calling your organization a nonprofit? That was one of many intriguing topics Logan Herring and I discussed during our conversation in episode #128 of the Path Podcast.  Logan is the dynamic leader of The WRK Group in Wilmington, Delaware, and is not only transforming his community, but also offers a unique organizational model for communities around the world to consider.  We discuss the key tenets of his leadership, from strategic planning (he doesn’t use that term either!), mergers and alliances, staff and board development, fundraising, and personal and professional development.  ABOUT LOGANLogan Herring is the CEO of The WRK Group (The Warehouse, REACH Riverside, and Kingswood Community Center). He started his work in the Riverside neighborhood of Wilmington as the Executive Director for Kingswood Community Center (KCC), which serves the young and old alike, including an early learning center, before and after care, and a senior center. REACH Riverside (Redevelopment Education and Community Health), is a non-profit community development corporation created to lead the $250 million revitalization of the Riverside neighborhood under the nationally acclaimed Purpose Built Communities model. REACH and KCC are working in partnership with The Warehouse, a co-working facility and network for teen-serving organizations designed to address violence, academic performance, and workforce readiness amongst Wilmington’s youth by providing them with access to more than 140 teen-focused program and service providers. Logan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Goucher College and a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Boston College. In 2018, Logan was recognized in the Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40, which pays tribute to ambitious professionals who are making a name for themselves through professional excellence and community involvement. Additionally, Logan was recognized as one of Delaware Online’s Most Influential Delawareans for 2021. Logan has also been named 2021 CEO of the Year for Large Nonprofits by Delaware Business Times.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESRichard Rothstein’s book The Color of LawCharles Koch’s book Believe in PeopleLearn more about Purpose Built CommunitiesReady for a Mastermind?  Apply Today!

127:  5 Priorities of the Best Nonprofit Leaders (Patton McDowell)SUMMARYEver wonder on what the best nonprofit leaders are focused?  After working with nearly 250 nonprofit organizations, and having interviewed over 120 talented nonprofit leaders from around the world on the podcast, Patton has narrowed his list to these five priorities which distinguish the best leaders from the rest in episode #127 of the Path Podcast.  Are you able to articulate a clear vision for your organization?  What specific methods are you utilizing to develop your talent?  How do you measure your outputs and your outcomes?  Do you attack all five phases of the relationship-building cycle?  Do you build upon existing alliances and seek new ones?  Lots of practical take-aways in this solo edition of the Path. ABOUT PATTONPatton McDowell has enjoyed a successful 30-year career in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development. His consulting practice has allowed him to work with more than 240 organizations throughout the Southeast, including nonprofits focused on healthcare, education, arts & culture, and human services. Prior to founding PMA Consulting in 2009, he served as Vice President for University Advancement at Queens University of Charlotte where he was responsible for all fundraising, communications, and alumni programs for the university.  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.EPISODE RESOURCESEpisode #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?