Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

006: Navigating Your Nonprofit Career & Creating Positive Workplace Culture (Michelle Hamilton)SUMMARYMichelle and I had a great discussion on all three phases of a nonprofit career:  getting started and navigating your first nonprofit job; advancing into leadership as you move through your mid-career; and maximizing leadership opportunities once you achieve them.  Michelle also shares great resources and tips to stay organized amidst a busy nonprofit lifestyle and how to develop a positive workplace culture.ABOUT MICHELLEMichelle Hamilton, CFRE, is Interim President & CEO at the Charlotte Symphony, an orchestra bucking the trend of symphony orchestras serving a narrow slice of society in its belief that sharing music should be a right and not a privilege.  She has 28 years’ experience as a non-profit leader, including work with the Houston Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Michelle is a Lafayette, Louisiana native and holds a BA in communications from the University of Louisiana.  She is a past president of the Charlotte Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, an international organization inspiring global change and supporting efforts that generate billions of dollars in philanthropy.  She was recognized as Charlotte’s Outstanding Fundraising Professional by AFP Charlotte in 2013.  Learn more about Michelle on LinkedIn and her work at the symphony at Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESWhy choose a nonprofit career?Distinguishing between work at larger and smaller nonprofitsUsing post-it notes and Outlook to stay organizedCarson Tate at Working SimplyMaximizing a mentorWhen is it time to leave your nonprofit job?Main things she looks for when hiring, and best interview question she usesProfessional development resources she recommends for aspiring leaders3 ways to create a positive nonprofit cultureWhat she does to continue her professional development Strengths Based Leadership (Tom Rath)Donor Centered Leadership (Penelope Burk) More about their creative programming: CSO Website, Instagram

003: Maximizing the Talent of Women in the Nonprofit Sector (Penny Hawkins)SUMMARYWhile nearly 75% of nonprofit professionals are women, less than half of the CEO’s in the sector are female, and those in leadership are making 30% less than their male counterparts.  Penny and I had a great conversation about these and other important topics facing women in the nonprofit community, and topics that are equally important for their male colleagues.  She also shares great advice and resources for women on the path to nonprofit leadership!ABOUT PENNYPenny has enjoyed 15 years of professional experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She began her career in Private Equity with BlackHawk Capital Management where she focused on communications, investor relations, marketing and operations. After completing the Foundation for the Carolinas Impact Fund for Emerging Philanthropists in 2008, she combined her skill for investor relations with a desire to support growth in Charlotte’s vital philanthropic community and entered the path to nonprofit leadership. Prior to joining PMA Consulting as a Senior Consultant, Penny held leadership development positions at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation, KinderMourn, and the Council for Children’s Rights. In her most recent role with Novant Health, she served as the Development Program Manager of the Children’s and Women’s Service Lines. Penny has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication with a focus on Public Relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She’s obtained her CFRE (Certified FundRaising Executive) designation, obtained certification from the Wake Forest University’s Essentials of Business for Nonprofit Organizations, and is the incoming Board President for the Charlotte Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES·      Penny’s productivity: spreadsheets; “eating frogs”; 5am to 7am·      Eat That Frog (Brian Tracy)·      5am Miracle (Jeff Sanders), Miracle Morning (Hal Elrod)·      Five generations of women in the workforce ·      Sexual harassment protections for employees and donors ·      Utilizing mentors at all stages of your career ·      Beware the power dynamic of “the client is always right”·      What policies does your organization need?·      Female donors are increasingly leading family philanthropy ·      Penny’s Pick: Quiet by Susan Cain

005: New to Nonprofit?  5 Ways to Hit the Ground Running (Mike Blackwelder)SUMMARYOne of the challenges of starting a job in the nonprofit sector is the volume of information, skills and experiences you’re trying to learn and manage, often without adequate on-boarding support from your organization.  If that challenge is one you’re facing, or you want to do a better job helping develop your staff talent, this episode is for you.  Mike and I explore five ways you can accelerate your journey on the nonprofit path with practical tips, ideas and resources.ABOUT MIKEMike Blackwelder is a nonprofit and fundraising professional who has been on the leadership path for over a decade. He serves as Managing Director for PMA Consulting, and has extensive experience in fundraising, management, strategic planning, communications, and nonprofit administration. His nonprofit career includes positions at United Way of Central Carolinas, Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County, and Safe Alliance. In his most recent position as Chief Advancement Officer at Safe Alliance, Mike managed a team of development staff and led the agency's fundraising, marketing, volunteer, and advocacy efforts.  Mike received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Campbell University, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and an MBA from UNC-Charlotte, and recently became a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). Mike is also very involved with the Charlotte Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), where he currently serves as Board President.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES·      What questions should you ask in your first 90 days on the job?·      The First 90 Days (Michael Watkins)  ·      Identifying key goals and challenges of the organization ·      Mike’s keys to staying organized; to-do list and email management ·      Strategic networking: comparable and aspirational peers·      What skills and experiences should you master?·      Importance of self-care·      Creating of personal development plan·      Maximizing professional development organizations like AFP·      Mike’s Pick: Donor Centered Fundraising (Penelope Burk)·      Mike’s Pick:  Achieving Excellence In Fundraising (Hank Rosso)

#004: First Stop on the Nonprofit Path: Sharpen Your Vision (Patton McDowell)SummaryDr. Patton McDowell brings the best in professional development and productivity to Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, helping you find the perfect nonprofit job and guiding you along the path to leadership in the charitable sector.  Patton brings 30 years of nonprofit leadership, coaching and consulting experience, and shares best practices for individual and organizational success based on his work with over 220 nonprofits and their staff and board leaders.  You’ll learn how to assess and plan the nonprofit career that’s right for you, and how to maximize the 7 “stops” along the Path and the 10 skills and experiences necessary for nonprofit leadership.  The show features interviews with nonprofit leaders and productivity experts, as well as deep-dive solo episodes and other special editions.  Hit subscribe, and accelerate your journey on a nonprofit career path that can change your life.About PattonPrior to founding PMA Consulting in 2009, Patton 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.  He 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 Organizational Change and Leadership from the Rossier School of Education 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 and served as the Chapter Representative on the AFP International Board.  He also serves as the Lead Faculty Member for the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership and both of its signature programs: New Development Director Training and Leadership Gift School.  Patton and his wife Cindy have three adult children.

#002: The Story Behind the Podcast (Patton McDowell)SummaryDr. Patton McDowell brings the best in professional development and productivity to Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, helping you find the perfect nonprofit job and guiding you along the path to leadership in the charitable sector.  Patton brings 30 years of nonprofit leadership, coaching and consulting experience, and shares best practices for individual and organizational success based on his work with over 220 nonprofits and their staff and board leaders.  You’ll learn how to assess and plan the nonprofit career that’s right for you, and how to maximize the 7 “stops” along the Path and the 10 skills and experiences necessary for nonprofit leadership.  The show features interviews with nonprofit leaders and productivity experts, as well as deep-dive solo episodes and other special editions.  Hit subscribe, and accelerate your journey on a nonprofit career path that can change your life.About PattonPrior to founding PMA Consulting in 2009, Patton 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.  He 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 Organizational Change and Leadership from the Rossier School of Education 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 and served as the Chapter Representative on the AFP International Board.  He also serves as the Lead Faculty Member for the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership and both of its signature programs: New Development Director Training and Leadership Gift School.  Patton and his wife Cindy have three adult children.

#001 TrailerSummaryDr. Patton McDowell brings the best in professional development and productivity to Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, helping you find the perfect nonprofit job and guiding you along the path to leadership in the charitable sector.  Patton brings 30 years of nonprofit leadership, coaching and consulting experience, and shares best practices for individual and organizational success based on his work with over 220 nonprofits and their staff and board leaders.  You’ll learn how to assess and plan the nonprofit career that’s right for you, and how to maximize the 7 “stops” along the Path and the 10 skills and experiences necessary for nonprofit leadership.  The show features interviews with nonprofit leaders and productivity experts, as well as deep-dive solo episodes and other special editions.  Hit subscribe, and accelerate your journey on a nonprofit career path that can change your life. About PattonPrior to founding PMA Consulting in 2009, Patton 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.  He 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 Organizational Change and Leadership from the Rossier School of Education 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 and served as the Chapter Representative on the AFP International Board.  He also serves as the Lead Faculty Member for the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership and both of its signature programs: New Development Director Training and Leadership Gift School.  Patton and his wife Cindy have three adult children.