Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

81: 3 Ways Nonprofit Leaders Get in Their Own Way (Kris Putnam-Walkerly)  SUMMARYAs a nonprofit leader, you have multiple responsibilities to manage and often limited time to adjust to changing circumstances (case in point: 2020!).  Complicating this leadership challenge are often self-imposed barriers that nonprofit leaders need to understand and avoid.  In episode #81 of the Path Podcast, Kris Putnam-Walkerly helps not only identify ways nonprofit leaders stop themselves, but offers solutions as to how to avoid them.  Kris also illustrates some of the mistakes philanthropists and institutional funders are making, which can help nonprofit leaders as they engage these community partners in strategic conversations.  ABOUT KRISKris Putnam-Walkerly is a trusted advisor to the world’s leading philanthropists. For more than 20 years, wealthy families, ultra-high net worth donors, foundations, Fortune 500 companies, and celebrity activists have sought and benefited from her advice to transform their giving and catapult their impact. As President of the Putnam Consulting Group, a philanthropy advisor, speaker, and award-winning author, she’s helped over 100 philanthropists strategically allocate over half a billion dollars in grants and gifts. Additionally, Kris works closely with estate planning attorneys, financial and wealth advisors, and family offices to serve wealthy families who wish to deepen their philanthropic commitments. Kris has been named one of America’s Top 25 Philanthropy Speakers for the past three years running. She is the author of the book, Delusional Altruism: Why Philanthropists Fail to Achieve Change and What They Can Do To Transform Giving (Wiley, 2020) and Confident Giving: Sage Advice for Funders, and is a Forbes.com contributor on philanthropyEPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESKris’ book Delusional AltruismKris’ website Putnam Consulting GroupKris’ free download 8 Things Every Philanthropist Can Do to Change the WorldBook recommendation: Alan Weiss’ Million Dollar ConsultingBook recommendation: Donald Miller’s Building A Story BrandMelissa Brown’s Episode #62 What Should We Learn from the Giving USA Report?

80: How to Attract Young Professional Talent to Your Nonprofit (Kamber Parker)  SUMMARYAs more young professionals look to the nonprofit sector as an attractive option for their career path, Executive Directors and other senior leaders are eager to recruit and retain the best and brightest to join their organizations. In episode #80 of the Path Podcast, I had a great conversation with Kamber Parker, who not only serves as the Development Director for the nonprofit Greenville Area Parkinson Society, but she has also created a platform for young professionals called The YoPro Know. She’s interviewed dozens of other young professionals and offers clear insights as to what attracts them to nonprofit organizations, and perhaps more importantly, what keeps them there.  Key advice for nonprofit leaders looking to maximize the talents of the Millennial and GenZ talent pool!ABOUT KAMBERKamber serves as the Development Director for the Greenville Area Parkinson Society, where she has been building relationships with partners in her community since 2018.  In addition to her work in the nonprofit sector, she started her company The YoPro Know in 2018 as well, which allows her to share stories through weekly interviews with young professionals across the country.  She initiated a women's business group called Six Degrees, named for the idea that we are all six degrees of separation from each other and spent an entire year in a mentorship program through her local chamber, ultimately serving as its chair in 2020.  Kamber earned a B.A. from Furman University, with a double major in Communication & Media Studies and Political Science.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESLearn more about The YoPro KnowLearn more about the Greenville Area Parkinson SocietyKamber’s book recommendation by Kevin Leman The Way of the ShepherdReady to move along your path to nonprofit leadership?  Check out episode #72 What Can a Mastermind Do for Your Nonprofit Leadership?Like this episode?  Check out Karen Geiger’s episode #9 Do You Have A Nonprofit Talent Strategy?

79: Is Co-Leadership Right for Your Nonprofit? (Alicia Winckler & Alan Mather)  SUMMARYWhat is Co-Leadership and how could it elevate your nonprofit to the proverbial next level?  In episode #79 of the Path Podcast, I had a great conversation with Alicia Winckler and Alan Mather, two talented individual leaders who have embarked on a co-leadership model for the Chicago-based Golden Apple Foundation.  By combining forces, they have not only strengthened a great organization addressing teacher shortages across their state, but are poised to expand well beyond Illinois.  How would your board, staff and community respond to such a structure at your nonprofit?  Alicia and Alan have great insight about how they got it started, why it works for them, and what characteristics are critical for an organization before it considers co-leadership. ABOUT ALICIA & ALANAlicia Winckler began consulting with The Golden Apple Foundation in late 2014, was selected as its first President and COO in 2017 and then selected as its President and CEO in late 2017. In 2018, she welcomed Alan to join her in co-leading the Foundation - with Alicia as CEO and Alan becoming President. Alicia led several substantial strategic initiatives at the Cabinet level of the nation’s third largest K-12 District - in Chicago Public Schools - and has been working in depth in education for more than a decade. She earned her M.A. in Industrial / Organizational Psychology from the University of Colorado at Denver and B.S. in Psychology and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies from the University of South Dakota. Alan joined Golden Apple to lead the education work of the organization. A native of rural Indiana, he came to Chicago in 1986 to teach high school English in the Chicago Public Schools. After more than twelve years of teaching in neighborhood high schools, he joined the district’s first Principal Preparation program and became the first Assistant Principal at Northside College Prep High School. After six years, Alan was named the founding principal of Lindblom Math & Science Academy, where he grew a school of 110 students to more than 1200. In his ten years at the school, Lindblom became the top performing majority African-American school in Illinois. In 2014, Alan was awarded the inaugural Stanley C. Golder Award from Golden Apple for School Leadership. Alan earned a Bachelor's in Arts in English/Secondary Education from the University of Evansville in Indiana, and a Master's in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESLearn more about The Golden Apple FoundationChicago’s Educators for ExcellenceMichael Pollan’s book Botany of Desire

78:  5 Ways to Build Your Nonprofit Leadership Plan (Patton McDowell)SUMMARYIn episode #78 of the Path Podcast, Patton offers a coaching session to help you find 5 Ways to Build Your Nonprofit Leadership Plan. How do you effectively conduct a personal annual review?  How do you build your personal board of directors?  How do you curate content given the volume of data coming at you? How do you better express yourself in professional settings that can help you get ahead?  And finally, how do you sharpen your vision while you still have questions about your professional path?  NONPROFIT SHOUT-OUTSAugustine Literacy Project, Charlotte, NCMLK Community Health Foundation, Los Angeles, CA (Lisa Baxter, episode #57)Autism Science Foundation, New York, NY (Alison Singer, episode #55)EPISODE RESOURCESPatton’s episode #13 Building A Personal Strategic Plan That WorksSabrina Dawson’s episode #66 Maximizing Partnerships for Nonprofit SuccessPenny Hawkins’ episode #69 NPD: 3 Lessons for Every Nonprofit LeaderMike Smith’s episode #68 The 3 “C’s” of Nonprofit LeadershipLeighton Fogan’s episode #20 A Dozen Resources for the Nonprofit ProfessionalArticle 7 Nonprofit Podcasts You Should Listen to in 2020Episode #12 7 Professional Development BooksArticle Need to Read? 2020’s Top Book RecommendationsClay Hodges’ episode #16 4 Writing Practices for Nonprofit SuccessDerek Sivers’ article Benefits of a Daily Diary and Topic JournalsCurtis Drafton’s episode #50 Elevating A Cause Through Nonprofit LeadershipChris Delisio’s episode #24 Leadership for the 3 Phases of Your Nonprofit CareerCheryl Richards' episode #46 New Opportunities Through Nonprofit LeadershipYAZWfovH3KGyYvCtWQem

77: How to Recruit and Engage Stellar Board Members (Karen Eber Davis)  SUMMARYAs a nonprofit leader, two topics are always on the top of your list of strategic priorities.  First, how do I recruit and engage great board members?  And second, how do I create a sustainable and dynamic fundraising that secures my nonprofit for the future?  In episode #77 of the Path Podcast, I had a great conversation with Karen Eber Davis, who proves she is the perfect person to answer both of these high-priority questions.  After discussing some of Karen’s productivity tips in this work-from-home environment, she dives into specific strategies to help you systematically recruit - and engage - stellar board members.  We then discussed specific fundraising strategies that she’s developed through her work with hundreds of nonprofit organizations and has shared in her book.ABOUT KARENToo many nonprofits struggle to obtain adequate revenue. Karen Eber Davis Consulting guides executive directors and CEOs to generate the resources they need to excel at creating mission results. For over twenty years, Karen has turned leaders like you into revenue heroes. She specializes in commonsense approaches to organizing organizations to maximize mission, grow a community, and inspire revenue. People hire Karen to increase their income by up to 300 percent. What they gain are strategies that improve their organizations forever. Karen is the author of Let’s Raise Nonprofit Millions Together and 7 Nonprofit Income Streams. On her website, you can sign-up to join her free community and read over 100 articles about nonprofit leadership.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESCheck out Karen’s book: Let’s Raise Nonprofit Millions TogetherKaren’s book recommendation: Linda Barry’s SyllabusKaren’s video: How to Recruit Stellar Board MembersTake the Podcast Survey! Check it out here

76: Fundraising During A Perfect Storm (Chris Carnie)  SUMMARYHow do you fundraise during a perfect storm?  Nonprofit leaders are challenged in numerous ways right now, and face uncharted territory in terms of the fundraising environment in which they must operate.  While Chris Carnie’s work originates primarily in the UK and Spain, he brings a global perspective to not only the elements of the storm we must understand, but also ways to better navigate through it. In episode #76 of the Path Podcast, Chris and I discuss how this “storm” is affecting the mindset of many philanthropists, why the concept of venture philanthropy is something we must learn, and specific ways nonprofit leaders can advance their careers using prospect research and strategy.ABOUT CHRISChris Carnie has worked in fundraising since 1980, initially with the Muscular Dystrophy Group, Voluntary Service Overseas and Kings College Hospital, London, and was a researcher in the House of Commons. In 1990 he co-founded Factary, Europe’s leading prospect research agency. In 1993 he became the first advancement researcher to be elected a Fellow of the Institute of Fundraising, and in 1999 the first to be appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). He was Founder Chair of Researchers in Fundraising, the Institute of Fundraising special interest group, and is a member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (USA) of the Association Française de Fundraisers (France) and of the Asociación de Profesionales de Fundraising (Spain). Chris has also been involved in the development of venture philanthropy in Europe since 2003, as a member of the Finance and Funding Group of the European Venture Philanthropy Association. He is the management level trainer in major gift fundraising at ESSEC for the Association Française de Fundraisers’ postgraduate course. Chris has written several books on fundraising and philanthropy, including Find the Funds – a New Approach to Fundraising Research, Fundraising from Europe, and his latest book, How Philanthropy is Changing Europe. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESChris’ book recommendation: Darren McGarvey’s Poverty SafariAnother global episode: #68 Mike Smith’s 3 “C’s” of Nonprofit LeadershipAND: #40 Andrew Hollo’s What Do I Do with My Nonprofit's Strategic Plan? 

75: How to Engage Your Community Through Nonprofit Leadership (Stacy Sumner Jesso) SUMMARYPerhaps you are considering a move between nonprofit sectors, or even moving to an entirely different community to advance your career.  As a nonprofit leader, these are transitions you’ll likely manage along your journey, and you may also be helping navigate such a transition for someone who joins your team.  My guest in episode #75 of the Path Podcast, Stacy Sumner Jesso, has managed all of these transitions, and shares great lessons and advice from her nonprofit career in healthcare philanthropy, human services, education and arts & culture.  She’s also navigated the move from for-profit to nonprofit, and has learned how to bring these skills – and her community connections – to best benefit her charitable causes and the communities she’s served.ABOUT STACY     Stacy Sumner Jesso is the Principal of SumnerMadison Consulting, LLC. She is an experienced non-profit leader with diverse background in the areas of strategic planning and facilitation, volunteer program development, organizational development, new business development, board relations, community relations, marketing and communications, fund development, and public relations. Stacy’s specialties include building productive teams and implementing growth strategies by moving individuals, teams, and organizations to their next level of functioning. Prior to her current consulting role, Stacy served as the Vice President/Chief Development Officer for Nash UNC Health Care for seven years in Rocky Mount, NC. Before moving to Rocky Mount, Stacy held several Director of Development/Executive Director roles at the Council for Children’s Rights, Mint Museum, Presbyterian Hospital Foundation, and St. Marks Foundation, all in Charlotte, NC.  EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESJohn Kotter’s book Leading ChangeAssociation for Fundraising ProfessionalsLearn more information about PMA’s Mastermind programsApply for the next Leadership Gift School cohortTake the Podcast Survey! 

74: 4 Ways to Make Your Virtual Fundraiser More Successful (Jenni Hargrove)SUMMARYEvery nonprofit is planning - or pondering - some sort of virtual fundraising event. Either adapting a previous live model, or trying something online for the first time. How confident are you in your design and potential for success?  If a virtual fundraising event is in your future, Episode #74 of the Path Podcast is the perfect resource to guide your thinking.  Jenni Hargrove brings her marketing, communication and special event expertise to a great discussion around four keys to drive better virtual engagement and short and long-term fundraising success.  We discuss how you can stand out amongst the competition, how you can simplify and streamline your event, how you can design a highly effective agenda, and how you can market your event successfully.  Check it out!ABOUT JENNI     Jenni Hargrove is a Charitable Marketing Coach and the Founder/CEO of Nonprofit Jenni. She provides coaching support and educational materials for social sector organizations acros the country, including nonprofits, social enterprises, and government agencies.  She offers individual support to clients through consulting or coaching. With a background in market research and corporate philanthropy, Jenni specializes in training nonprofit leaders in best practices for building a robust Marketing and Fundraising Strategy.  Jenni is also the host the Nonprofit Jenni Show podcast, available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Each podcast episode features nonprofit professionals discussing challenges faced in the sector.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESConnect with Jenni through her Nonprofit Jenni websiteCheck out the Nonprofit Jenni PodcastListen to Patton's appearance on Nonprofit JenniAdam Grant’s book OriginalsClick Here to Take the Podcast Survey

73: What Nonprofit Leaders Must Do to Support Their Teams (Valerie Williams)    SUMMARY The year 2020 has reminded nonprofit leaders of two significant issues they must manage to succeed: diversity, equity & inclusion and the mental health of their teams and themselves. This can be a tall order when combined with everything else leaders in the charitable sector must face.  Fortunately, our guest on Episode #73 of the Path, Valerie Williams, is exactly the person who can help us understand these issues and provide practical tools to integrate them into our nonprofit organizations.  Valerie helps us understand the distinct element of equity within our nonprofit in addition to diversity and inclusion, as well as provides practical advice to support the mental health and psychological safety of our teams.  Finally, we discuss effective communications both within and outside our organization. ABOUT VALERIE Valerie Miller Williams, LCMHCA, is an award-winning communications strategist and licensed psychotherapist who engages head and heart to support organizations in successfully managing change, building engagement, improving culture and delivering results. For over 20 years, she has led complex people-focused communications strategies for leading brands like Lowe’s and Wells Fargo. From large scale change and employee experience initiatives, to diversity and inclusion efforts, Valerie serves as a thought-leader and trusted advisor for her strategizing skills and solutions focused style. Valerie’s signature product is person-centric strategies built on data and insights. Her focus is always on understanding and addressing the unique needs and nuances of stakeholders necessary to move them to adoption or action. Valerie creates targeted, authentic and savvy audience experiences by integrating psychology (how key audiences think, feel, and therefore behave) and communications (how they are then engaged). Valerie has been recognized by Who’s Who in Black Charlotte and received multiple awards from organizations like PR Week and PR News. She is a board member of Thornhill Rites of Passage Foundation which focuses on empowering young men of color. Valerie resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband and two sons and enjoys traveling, concerts and entertaining family and friends. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESValerie’s website SELFSoulElaine Brown’s book The Little Black Book of Success Podcast recommendation: How I Built This with Guy RazPodcast recommendation: Hidden BrainPodcast recommendation: Adam Grant’s WorkLife

72:  What Can a Mastermind Do for Your Nonprofit Leadership? (Patton McDowell)SUMMARYWhat is a mastermind, and how could it help you on your nonprofit leadership journey?  In episode #72 of the Path Podcast, Patton provides some history on the mastermind concept, and explains how PMA has adapted the model to best serve nonprofit leaders. He explains the characteristics that best describe successful participants, and the philosophies and structure that went into the design and implementation of the program.  Patton also shares four key elements of the Mastermind that provide direct value to the individual members of each cohort: program design, methods of engagement, professional tools and strategic network.  ABOUT PATTONPatton has spent his entire 30-year career helping talented individuals raise more funds and effectively lead their nonprofit organizations.  Before starting PMA Consulting, he spent a decade in higher education as Vice President for Advancement at Queens University after serving in the same role at UNC Wilmington, where he was the youngest vice chancellor in the UNC system. Prior to his tenure in higher education, he worked with volunteers from 85 different counties as the state Program Director for Special Olympics North Carolina and as an Assistant for Education & Training for Special Olympics International in Washington DC, where he helped design coach and volunteer training curriculum used worldwide. Patton grew up in Elizabeth City, NC, and went to UNC Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar where he received a BA in English Education. He received his MBA from the McColl School of Business while working at Queens, and his Doctorate in Education (Organizational Change & Leadership) from the Rossier School at the University of Southern California. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and a Master Trainer for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International. He also serves as the Lead Faculty Member for the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership in Charlotte, where he works with aspiring nonprofit leaders through the New Development Directors program and coaches an annual cohort of Executive Directors and Chief Development Officers through Leadership Gift School. EPISODE RESOURCESPMA Masterminds FAQ’s and ApplicationNapoleon Hill’s book Think and Grow RichPatton’s episode #56 10 Essential Skills & Experiences for Nonprofit Leadership