Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

111: The Importance of Strategic Visioning as a Nonprofit Leader (Chris Jackson)SUMMARYThere are many essential elements to successful nonprofit leadership, but perhaps none more important than an ability to conceive and implement a strategic vision. Chris Jackson has demonstrated that exact skill, and shares it with our listeners on episode #111 of the Path Podcast. Chris leads Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, one of the largest nonprofits in the Southeastern United States. He talks about how he’s incorporated different experiences throughout his leadership journey, and how they now apply to his staff and board development, his focus on organizational culture, and how he continues to manage a large organization with agility and focus.ABOUT CHRISChris Jackson is President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont; he has held this position since June 2017. Chris joined Goodwill in November 2010 as VP of Strategic Planning & Organizational Development. Later, as Executive VP of Workforce Services & Organizational Development, Chris implemented a bold strategic plan resulting in a redesign of client services, increased partnerships with other agencies, improved team member engagement, and new, dynamic partnerships at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus. At Goodwill, Chris leads with purpose and a commitment to creating a culture of support for all individuals to see possibilities, seize opportunities and prosper. A commitment to partner with people in a way that promotes dignity and builds on the inherent strengths everyone possesses. A commitment to serve others with excellence regardless of their background, circumstance, or color of their skin. Chris is actively involved in the community as a member of the Board of Directors for Charlotte Works Charlotte Rotary, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership. He is chair of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Workforce Development Providers Council, a member of the Greenlight Fund Selection Advisory Council, Mecklenburg Executive Collaborative Steering Committee, and the City of Charlotte’s Public-Private Partnership on Racial Equity. Chris enjoys riding motorcycles, working on home projects and attending jazz concerts. He and his wife Renee live in Charlotte, and have three adult children and four grandchildren.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESMichael Abrashoff’s book It’s Your ShipJim Collins’ book Good to GreatW. Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne’s book Blue Ocean StrategyReady for a Mastermind?  Check it out here

110: 3 Challenges All Nonprofit Leaders Will Face (Sheryl Aikman)SUMMARYWhile moving out of the pandemic provides a sigh of relief for nonprofit leaders everywhere - as well as a host of strategic opportunities - there are also some key challenges that must be addressed. Fortunately, the national perspective Sheryl Aikman brings to episode #110 of the Path Podcast will help you identify these potential challenges that could inhibit your nonprofit’s success. In particular, Sheryl and I discuss the potential blind spots about which nonprofit leaders must be aware, including issues of alignment, assets and access.  Sheryl also has invaluable advice about the risks nonprofit leaders will face in addressing these challenges – caution, complexity and co-creation - and more importantly, what to do about them.ABOUT SHERYLSheryl Aikman is the Principal for Alenda Consulting LLC, and an accomplished nonprofit professional with expertise in philanthropic advising and structures, asset development, gift planning and operations. During a five-year period ending on June 30, 2020, she led community foundation fund development, planned gift and nonprofit relationships resulting in $136 million in contributions and the creation of over 400 charitable funds, gift annuity, trust and expectancy agreements for the Community Foundation for Western North Carolina. She has significant experience cultivating, facilitating and closing major and deferred gifts from $10,000 to $5+ million, using variety of gift structures, assets and gift vehicles. Sheryl received her Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio), and her B.A. in English from Davidson College (Davidson, NC). EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESLisa Napoli’s book The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPRNneka Allen’s book Collecting Courage: Joy, Pain, Freedom, LoveCheck out the FEG Investment Advisor Survey The Trust-Based Philanthropy ProjectNational Philanthropic Trust article Looking Ahead: 2021 Philanthropy TrendsReady for a Mastermind?  Check it out here

109: Next Generation Talent: Does Your Nonprofit Have a Plan? (Righteous Keitt)SUMMARYSuccess as a nonprofit leader does not necessarily require years of experience. Inspiration can occur at any age, and the question simply becomes doing something about it. In episode #109 of the Path Podcast, I was fortunate to speak with exactly the kind of young nonprofit leader that has much to offer our sector, and someone who did not “wait for his turn” to make a difference.  Righteous Keitt was drawn to philanthropy at an early age, and started his first 501c3 at age 15 to help the homeless population in Charlotte, NC. After honing his skills through volunteer and internship opportunities with Generation Nation and Profound Gentlemen, he’s continued his organizational leadership and community activism as a full-time student at UNC Chapel Hill.  Righteous and I discuss many of the lessons he’s learned as a young nonprofit leader, and the great opportunities he sees for nonprofits to better attract and retain talented future leaders just like him.  ABOUT RIGHTEOUSRighteous Keitt is a community activist and a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was awarded a full Pogue Scholarship. Keitt realized his passion for community service at a young age, and in high school started a non-profit to help the homeless in Charlotte gain access to daily toiletries. He has mentored over three hundred students, and in 2019, was the youngest recipient of a North Carolina Heritage Award alongside trailblazers like former Charlotte Mayor Harvey B. Gantt. Last year Righteous was featured as part of Men’s Health Magazine’s The 2020 Project, which recognized the “Top 20 Twenty-Year Olds of 2020.”  Keitt now serves as a Board member for the nonprofit Generation Nation, and in the future, wants to continue his non-profiteering and activism while also giving back to the Carolinas, the place that has given him many opportunities and a chance to explore his potential.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESAdmiral William McRaven’s book Make Your BedAmy Farrell from Generation NationJason Terrell and Mario Jovan Shaw from Profound GentlemenCharlotte's Mayor’s Youth Employment ProgramLearn more about the We Are More FoundationReady for a Mastermind?  Check it out here

108: What is Giving Done Right? (Phil Buchanan)SUMMARYWhat are the critical issues facing nonprofit leaders right now, and how do they impact the funders that support their efforts? That’s exactly the question I posed in this bonus episode #108 of the Path to Phil Buchanan, who has led the Center for Effective Philanthropy for nearly 20 years. CEP has studied many of the key issues facing our sector, and Phil is uniquely qualified to identify the key trends that will affect nonprofit leadership as we move through the pandemic and try to determine what, if anything, will be different going forward.  He is optimistic that some of the creative leadership tactics demonstrated over the last year will be further rewarded by funders, and helps illustrate how nonprofit leaders can best position themselves for future success. ABOUT PHILPhil Buchanan, president of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, is a passionate advocate for the importance of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector and deeply committed to the cause of helping foundations and individual donors to maximize their impact. Hired in 2001 as the organization’s first chief executive, Phil has led the growth of CEP into the leading provider of data and insight on philanthropic effectiveness. Phil is author of Giving Done Right: Effective Philanthropy and Making Every Dollar Count, published in 2019 by Public Affairs and named the “Best Philanthropy Book of the Year” by Inside Philanthropy. He is co-host of a podcast, also called Giving Done Right, with CEP’s Grace Nicolette. Phil is a frequent blogger for the CEP Blog, author of op-eds that have appeared in publications such as The Financial Times and The Boston Globe, and a frequent commentator on philanthropy in the media. Phil is co-founder of YouthTruth, an initiative of CEP’s designed to harness student perceptions to help educators and funders accelerate improvements in K–12 schools and classrooms. In 2016, he was named the Nonprofit Times “influencer of the year” and he has been named nine times to that publication’s “Power and Influence Top 50” list. Phil serves on the boards of directors of Philanthropy Massachusetts and the National Council on Aging. Phil lives in Concord, Massachusetts with his wife and their two daughters.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESLearn more about the Fund for Shared InsightJennifer Eberhardt’s book BiasedIbram X. Kendi’s book How to be An AntiracistJohn Kotter’s book Leading ChangeReady for a Mastermind?  Check it out here

107: How To Engage The 3 Distinct Types of Funders (Sybil Ackerman-Munson)SUMMARYEvery nonprofit leader rehearses their perfect case for support in anticipation of a donor meeting.  And while the ability to deliver a clear and compelling vision for your organization is critical, an often-overlooked part of your preparation is considering exactly what type of major donor you are about to encounter. Sybil Ackerman-Munson offers a fascinating assessment of the three types of donors you’re likely to face in episode #107 the Path, and as she makes clear, their motivations are very different. Having worked with many major donors and foundations to give away millions, she knows if you approach them with a one-size-fits-all appeal, your chance of success diminishes dramatically. What are the differences between a Sustainer, Campaigner and Launcher donor?  You’ll not only understand the differences after listening to our conversation, but also come away with practical strategies to approach any of the three.ABOUT SYBILSybil Ackerman-Munson is the President of Do Your Good ™ LLC, and has over twenty years of experience as a nonprofit professional and foundation advisor. She taps into the vast experience and knowledge she has acquired from helping donors give away over $45 million in donations large and small. Sybil offers step-by-step guides through on-line courses, a podcast series with inspiring interviews called Do your Good, and resources so that her students can jump to the front of the line and waste no time in making a true and lasting positive contribution to the world. Her website describes all Sybil is about at www.doyourgood.com. Her course, Crack the Code: Sybil’s Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Philanthropy, is now available for a limited time to a small number of students, link https://www.doyourgood.com/crack-the-code.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESCheck out the resources at Trust Based Philanthropy Malcom Gladwell’s book OutliersSybil’s Crack the Code course offering opens 6/7/21 (and there is an early bird special) Check out Sybil’s podcast on Apple or Spotify Find Sybil on Facebook @doyourgood and Instagram @doyourgoodReady for a Mastermind?  Check it out here

106: Failure is What It’s All About (Steven Lavine)SUMMARYWhen Steven Lavine took the role of President at CalArts in 1988, the school - an experimental arts institution located just north of Los Angeles - was in danger of going bankrupt. In 1994, the Northridge earthquake rendered the campus uninhabitable. But Lavine piloted the school through those stormy waters, and today CalArts is thriving, with an endowment of $152 million and a ranking that places it among the top 10 fine arts schools in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.  The school is the cradle of many Academy Award and Pulitzer Prize winners, of Mellon and Guggenheim Fellows, and a hotspot of American creativity. For all of the successes Steven could rightfully celebrate, our conversation was even better because he is quick to point out the failures he’s experienced, and more importantly, what he’s learned from them. We discuss these critical learnings in episode #106 the Path, and even better, you can learn these valuable nonprofit leadership lessons too.  ABOUT STEVENDr. Steven D. Lavine is the former president of the California Institute of the Arts. He was appointed its president in 1988 after serving as associate director for arts and humanities at the Rockefeller Foundation, and stepped down from that position and assumed the role President Emeritus in June 2017 after 29 years in the post.  As the third president of CalArts, Lavine oversaw the naming of The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, The Herb Alpert School of Music, and REDCAT, the Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater that opened in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. He is graduate of Stanford University (BA) and received a master's and doctorate in English and American literature from Harvard University. Lavine is married to writer and artist Janet Sternburg. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESJorn Jacob Rohwer’s book Steven Lavine – Failure is What It’s All AboutLearn more about the California Institute of the ArtsReady for a Mastermind?  Check it out here

105: The Nonprofit Leader’s Guide to Demystifying Donor Advised Funds (Catherine Warfield)SUMMARYWhile the knowledge required for successful nonprofit leadership is extensive, one area that can be challenging - and even intimidating - is legacy or planned giving.  Complicating this subject are the various philanthropic vehicles many donors are using, especially the increasingly popular Donor Advised Fund.  What are they? How do they work? How can your nonprofit better engage the donors who use them? These are exactly the questions Catherine Warfield and I discuss in episode #105 the Path, as she brings her expertise and practical insight to explain these important concepts. Catherine also provides great reminders about the partnership potential that is available at your local community foundation, and how you can better identify and utilize the resources you may not know exist.ABOUT CATHERINECatherine serves as Senior Vice President, Philanthropic Advancement at Foundation For The Carolinas, leading a team dedicated to business development and relationship management for the Foundation's three centers for giving: Center for Personal Philanthropy, Center for Nonprofit Sustainability and Center for Corporate Philanthropy. During her tenure at FFTC, most of her client work has been with individuals and families on current gifting strategies, legacy planning, and multi-generational family engagement and grantmaking. In addition to her management responsibilities, she maintains a portfolio of significant family and foundation relationships. Catherine has been with FFTC since late 2007 after previously working for RBC Bank in Charlotte in the Treasury Management and Mortgage departments. She is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and obtained her CFP certification in 2013. Catherine previously served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, the Board of Managers for the Childress Klein YMCA and the Board of Crisis Assistance Ministry.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESSteven Goldberg’s book Billions of Drops in Millions of BucketsSteven Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleCheck out Catherine’s FFTC colleague Michael Marsicano in Episode #99Ready for a Mastermind?  Check it out here

104: The 3 Dimensions of All Nonprofit Board Challenges (Mary Hiland)SUMMARYMaximizing the talent of your board of directors is an ongoing objective for a nonprofit executive, but creating a healthy engagement with the board is difficult if you are facing any number of issues, from micromanagement to apathy.  What are the underlying issues that create challenges for you and your board, and how do you address them?  That’s exactly what Dr. Mary Hiland and I discuss in episode #104 the Path, and she brings 40 years of nonprofit experience to help diagnose our board problems, and more importantly, determine how to fix them. Sharing a preview of her soon-to-be-released book Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Board Troubles and What to do About Them., Mary differentiates all board problems as the result of an issue of Capacity, Connection or Culture.  Listen and learn about how to identify these issues and work with your board to re-engage them, and get back to focusing on your mission.ABOUT MARYMary Hiland, Ph.D., guides nonprofit leaders to ignite and unleash the full potential of their boards. Mary has over 40 years of hands-on experience in the non-profit sector, as an executive director and consultant, bringing credibility and confidence to nonprofit leaders who know she understands because she’s “been there.”  Mary is a speaker, published author, and researcher. She has presented at numerous conferences, workshops, and taught at San Jose State University. Her podcast, Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, gives nonprofit leaders insights and inspiration to be even more effective. Learn more about Mary by visiting her website: www.HilandConsulting.orgEPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESGet your copy of Mary’s upcoming book: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Board Troubles and What to do About Them.Listen to Mary’s podcast Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Debra Pruitt’s book Group Alchemy

103: Effective Nonprofit Leadership in a Virtual World (Heather Burright)SUMMARYWhile nonprofit leaders are welcoming a gradual return to in-person meetings and events, the virtual access required during the pandemic will remain an operational reality going forward.  For many leaders, the prospect of more online meetings and trainings is frustrating, but how can you make the best of this reality and in fact leverage the technology to improve the effectiveness of your virtual platforms to increase the engagement of staff, board and volunteers?  That’s exactly what I discuss with Heather Burright in episode #103 the Path, as she brings her expertise in instructional design to help nonprofit leaders contemplate improvements to their staff and board meetings, reconsider how they do trainings for staff and volunteers, and how they can more effectively onboard new employees in a remote setting.  ABOUT HEATHERHeather Burright is the founder and CEO of Skill Masters Market, and specializes in creating dynamic, people-centric solutions that drive business goals and accelerate career development. With her comes expertise in strategies for diversity, equity, and inclusion; instructional design; and change management. She’s dedicated to identifying core competencies that are needed to see real results and to creating the strategies and solutions needed to develop those competencies. She helps nonprofits stand out, achieve their mission and goals, and build trust and credibility through learning - even in a virtual world.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESGet your free copy of Heather’s Virtual Facilitation FormulaLearn more about Heather and Skill Masters MarketJames Clear’s book Atomic Habits 

102: Leading A Nonprofit Through Dramatic Growth (Rob Harter)SUMMARYIt seems obvious that most nonprofit leaders hope to grow their impact and increase the numbers they serve, but are they really ready for dramatic growth?  Growth without planning can create all kinds of problems, which makes the thoughtful leadership of Rob Harter even more helpful as a guide to program growth and strategic expansion. Rob serves as the Executive Director of the Christian Center of Park City in Utah, and is active in multiple nonprofit associations. In episode #102 the Path, we discuss how he’s managed the dramatic growth at CCPC, including the focus on hiring talent, the evolution of his board of directors, his approach to fundraising and strategic planning, and how he’s positioning the organization as it approaches its 20th anniversary.ABOUT ROBRob Harter is an executive professional with over 24 years of experience in leading and building non-profit organizations, leveraging resources and managing organizational growth. In 2010, he became the Executive Director of CCPC (Christian Center of Park City), a humanitarian and community-focused non-profit organization with a bold vision to serve as a leading networker of community services to those in need. Rob is currently the Host of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, and he serves as the Chair of Utah's MLK Jr. Commission for Human Rights.  He also serves on the Board for the Utah Nonprofits Association, serves as a Ski Chaplain for the Park City Mountain Resort, coaches local youth basketball and soccer. Rob has also served as a board member for both locally and globally-focused non-profit organizations including serving on the board for Mountainlands Housing, and is a Park City Leadership Class Alumnus. In addition to playing College varsity basketball, he loves deep powder skiing, hiking 14-thousand-foot mountains, devouring great books, traveling to new places and coaching his children’s sports teams. Most of all, he loves spending quality time with his amazing wife and children.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESCheck out Rob’s show The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast Leslie Crutchfield & Heather Grant’s book Forces for GoodDavid O’Brien and Matthew Craig’s book Building Smart Nonprofits