Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

285: Ready to Be a Nonprofit Consultant? (Julia Devine)SUMMARYAre you pondering a move into nonprofit consulting or wondering if your organization could benefit from hiring one? In episode 285 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, consultant Julia Devine offers valuable insights on why more professionals are transitioning to consulting and how nonprofits can leverage consultants to tackle staffing gaps and technological challenges. Julia shares her journey from nonprofit leadership to consulting and explains how consultants can bring senior-level expertise to organizations, often at a fraction of the cost of full-time staff. She also discusses her mentorship program, which helps seasoned professionals successfully navigate the transition into consulting. Whether you're seeking to expand your organization's capacity or considering making a career shift, this conversation is packed with practical advice on how to make the most of the consulting model in the nonprofit sector.ABOUT JULIAJulia Devine quit her well-paying nonprofit job to pursue a career in consulting in 2021. After building a successful business to serve nonprofits, she launched a program to teach other nonprofit professionals how they could do it too, using simple, high-quality, and consistent business practices. Julia graduated from American University with a degree in Political Science, and holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University. Besides running the business, Julia spends her free time taking daily walks, traveling with her husband and reading classic literature. Relatable Nonprofit empowers growth-driven professionals with nonprofit hearts to succeed in consulting. Motherly, Canvas Rebel, Bloomerang, Bonterra, Keela, Nonprofit Hub, Virtuous, and others have featured Relatable Nonprofit.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuireCrime and Punishment by Fyodor DostoyevskyHave you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on AudibleDon’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership

284: How Do You Scale Success as a Nonprofit Leader? (Erin McAleer)SUMMARYThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Armstrong McGuire & Associates. Check them out for your next career opportunity OR for help finding an interim executive or your next leader. How do you balance rapid growth and building a strong team to support your nonprofit’s long-term success? In episode 284 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Erin McAleer, President of Project Bread, dives into the complexities of scaling a nonprofit organization while staying true to its mission. She discusses the critical balance between growth and sustainability, sharing lessons from her leadership journey. Erin highlights the importance of creating a strong organizational infrastructure, building a resilient team, and maintaining a clear strategic intent during times of rapid expansion. ABOUT ERINErin McAleer, MSW, is the President and CEO of Project Bread, a statewide food security organization in Massachusetts that connects communities to reliable food sources while advocating for accessible food policies. With expertise in government affairs and nonprofit management, Erin has expanded Project Bread's annual budget from $6.2M to $14.5M since joining in 2017, leading a team of 80+ employees. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded programs, doubled staffing for its FoodSource Hotline, and introduced new departments focused on policy advocacy, research, and community engagement. Erin’s achievements include the passage of key state bills, such as Breakfast After the Bell and An Act Promoting Student Nutrition, and she played a pivotal role in making free school meals permanent for all K-12 students in Massachusetts. Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), Erin has prioritized DEIJ initiatives across Project Bread’s strategic plan, including recruiting a diverse board and leading the organization through inclusion dialogues. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuire The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Ready for a Mastermind Leadership Development program?  Learn more hereHave you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sec

283: How Do You Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame Game? (Hardy Smith)SUMMARYThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Armstrong McGuire & Associates. Check them out for your next career opportunity OR for help finding an interim executive or your next leader.Are you frustrated with your board's lack of engagement or feeling like they aren’t meeting expectations? Could the real issue be deeper than just pointing fingers? In episode 283 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, board expert Hardy Smith explores the critical importance of building intentional relationships between nonprofit executives and their board members. Drawing from his brand new course Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame Game, he explains that board dysfunction is a symptom of deeper issues stemming from unclear expectations, poor communication, and lack of proper orientation. ABOUT HARDYHardy Smith is author of Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame Game. As a consultant and speaker, he works with organizations who want to benefit from a fully engaged board. Through board retreats, workshops, keynotes, and planning sessions Hardy provides solutions to board engagement challenges. Hardy’s results-oriented approach was developed during a longtime career in the high-performance world of NASCAR racing. He has had wide-ranging personal and professional involvement with nonprofits, associations, chambers of commerce, and community groups nationwide. He is a member of the National Speakers Association, ASAE, Association of Fundraising Professionals, BoardSource, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and Florida Society of Association Executives. He is a faculty member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Institute for Organization Management.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuireCheck out Hardy's online course: Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame GameCreativity, Inc by Ed CatmullHave you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on Audible

282: How Can Strategic Planning Transform Your Nonprofit? (Nikki Stewart)SUMMARYThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Armstrong McGuire & Associates. Check them out for your next career opportunity OR for help finding an interim executive or your next leader. How do you transform a strategic plan from a daunting task into a powerful tool for leading your nonprofit? In episode 282 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we explore the transformative power of strategic planning with Nikki Stewart, Executive Director of Old North Illuminated. Nikki shares how the pandemic reshaped her organization’s approach to planning, from confronting drastic revenue losses to rebuilding with a focus on a more inclusive narrative around history. She emphasizes the importance of crafting a roadmap that balances innovation with operational needs, and how to engage both funders and staff. ABOUT NIKKINikki Stewart is a creative and collaborative leader with over 15 years of nonprofit management experience. She serves as the Executive Director of Old North Illuminated, which operates Old North Church & Historic Site, a role that blends her strategic leadership and fundraising expertise with her passion for connecting audiences to local history. Nikki previously served as the VP of Development at United South End Settlements (USES), where she led the organization’s fundraising and communications efforts through an ambitious growth phase that included the implementation of a five-year strategic plan and launch of a capital campaign. AFP Massachusetts named Nikki the 2019 Outstanding Fundraising Rising Star. She launched the Change Maker Dinner series, which was awarded the Get Konnected GK10 award in 2018, naming it one of the top 10 ideas advancing racial equity in the City of Boston. Nikki received a Juris Doctor and bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University. She is a graduate of the Course in Exponential Fundraising at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, as well as the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Ready for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuireFour Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 by Ibram X. Kendi  Have you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on AudibleDon’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership

281: Ask a Funder: Crucial Insights for Nonprofit Success (Cathryn Dhanatya)SUMMARYAre you struggling to secure the funding your nonprofit needs, unsure if your proposals are hitting the mark or if your leadership approach is holding you back? In episode 281 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Cathryn Dhanatya shares invaluable advice for nonprofit leaders navigating the complexities of fundraising and leadership. With experience on both sides of the funding process, Cathryn highlights the common mistakes organizations make when submitting proposals. She emphasizes the critical role of relationship-building, clear communication, and developing a strong team to secure large-scale donations. Cathryn also dives into strategies for demonstrating a "return on impact" to funders, showcasing how nonprofits can measure success and make a compelling case for support. For those aiming to lead with confidence, she also discusses the significance of inclusive leadership and servant leadership, offering practical insights for building an effective organizational culture. ABOUT CATHRYNCathryn is Co-founder and President/CEO of Growing Good Inc., a professional services firm that partners with non-profit organizations and companies who aim to do good in the world. Cathryn has previously held key C-suite executive positions and board director and advisory positions for organizations in the areas of research, higher education, and across the non-profit sector tackling complex social issues from healthcare, education, diversity and gender equity, microfinance, green technology, and food insecurity. She has lived and worked on five continents; earned her Ph.D. in Social Science and Comparative Education from UCLA; and has led and conducted research on media and technology as it relates to health issues around the globe. She has been a keynote speaker at several international and domestic conferences, events, trainings, and featured in numerous media outlets.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESGravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence by Lisa SunLearn more about Cathryn and the work done at Growing GoodHave you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on AudibleDon’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadershipReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuire

280: 3 Characteristics of a Great Nonprofit Leader (Jeffrey Abramowitz)SUMMARYAre you struggling to balance mission-driven leadership with the practical demands of scaling your nonprofit AND keeping your team motivated and engaged? In episode 280 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Jeffrey Abramowitz shares his powerful journey from trial lawyer and incarceration to nonprofit leadership, and explores the three essential characteristics that define great leadership in the sector: listening, learning, and engaging. Drawing from his personal experiences, including time spent in federal prison, Jeff illustrates how education and workforce development can create life-changing opportunities for marginalized individuals. ABOUT JEFFREYJeffrey Abramowitz, J.D is the CEO of the Petey Greene Program. He was previously the ED of Justice Partnerships and served as the ED Reentry Services for JEVS Human Services and the Program Director of Looking Forward Philadelphia Reentry Program. Prior to his tenure at JEVS, Jeff was the Director of Workforce Development for the Community Learning Center and successfully completed a fellowship with Justleadership USA. Jeff proudly sits on the Executive Board of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education, COABE, where he serves as Secretary, and chairs the State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship Program. Jeff was appointed to the Pennsylvania Reentry Council and serves as Chairman of the Employment Committee and Co-chairs the Reentry Committee for the PA Workforce Development Board. Jeff is the current Chair of the Philadelphia Reentry Coalition and was recently appointed to the Montgomery County Pennsylvania Public Defender’s Association Advisory Board. Jeff is a subject matter expert for the US Department of Education, is the Moderator for the US Department of Education LINCS (Literacy Information and Communication System, Resource Collection) Community of Practice on Correctional and Reentry Education and has worked on the Integrated Education and Training (IET) in Corrections Project.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Second Mountain: How People Move from the Prison of Self to the Joy of Commitment by David BrooksHave you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on AudibleDon’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadershipReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuire 

279: Digital Transformation: A New Era for Nonprofit Leaders (Beth Kanter)SUMMARYHow can nonprofit leaders embrace the opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI) while navigating the ethical challenges it presents, all without losing sight of the human-centered mission at the heart of their work? In episode 279 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Beth Kanter, a seasoned expert in nonprofit technology, delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. She offers a nuanced perspective on adopting AI in a way that enhances human-centered work, improves productivity, and upholds organizational values. Beth also shares her journey to becoming a leading voice in nonprofit tech, emphasizing the importance of empathetic leadership, ethical AI use, and maintaining workplace well-being. Whether you're leading a small nonprofit or a large organization, this conversation will provide valuable strategies for integrating technology without compromising the human touch that defines effective nonprofit work.ABOUT BETH Beth Kanter is an internationally recognized thought leader and trainer in digital transformation and well-being in the nonprofit workplace. She is the co-author of the award-winning Happy Healthy Nonprofit: Impact without Burnout and co-author with Allison Fine of The Smart Nonprofit.  Named one of the most influential women in technology by Fast Company and recipient of the NTEN Lifetime Achievement Award, she has over three decades of experience in designing and delivering training programs for nonprofits and foundations. As a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop leader, she has presented at nonprofit conferences around the world to thousands of nonprofits. Learn more about Beth at www.bethkanter.org.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESSlow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal NewportLearn more about Beth here at Beth Kanter.orgReady for a Mastermind Leadership Development program?  Learn more hereHave you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on AudibleDon’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadershipRe

278: 3 Barriers to Nonprofit Strategic Planning (Chris Wong)SUMMARYHow can nonprofit leaders shift from simply surviving to strategically thriving in an environment filled with resource constraints and external pressures? In episode 278 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Chris Wong delves into the intricacies of strategic planning for nonprofits, addressing common challenges and offering actionable solutions. Drawing from his extensive experience, Chris identifies the three biggest barriers nonprofit leaders face: resource constraints, lack of engagement and buy-in, and external pressures. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from a scarcity mindset to a strategic, long-term approach and highlights the need for inclusive planning processes that foster team alignment and commitment. Chris also shares insights on the critical role of leadership in championing strategic initiatives and offers practical tips for assessing and improving organizational culture. ABOUT CHRISChris is a certified executive coach, licensed therapist, and seasoned leadership development professional with a proven track record in the nonprofit sector. He specializes in guiding leaders through strategic prioritization, confident navigation of difficult conversations, and fostering high-performing cultures. As a facilitator and public speaker, Chris has trained hundreds of leaders and spearheaded successful organizational projects. His extensive experience spans nonprofit, health insurance, and government systems. Currently, he partners with human service nonprofit executives to execute strategic plans, addressing challenges such as conflict resolution, culture enhancement, productivity improvement, and fostering inclusive work environments. Chris' expertise encompasses leadership development, strategic planning, change management, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearReady for a Mastermind Leadership Development program?  Learn more hereHave you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on AudibleDon’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadershipLooking for more resources? Check out our new website, PMAnonprofit.comReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuire 

277: Unlocking Pay Equity as a Nonprofit Leader (Sally Loftis)SUMMARYAre you grappling with compensation issues in your nonprofit organization? In episode 272 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Sally Loftis returns to shed light on pay equity and its importance in the nonprofit sector. Sally, the author of The Pay Equity Guide for Nonprofit Organizations, delves into what pay equity means and why it matters for leaders striving for fairness and transparency. She emphasizes the need for updated pay models, especially considering current labor shortages and the shift towards hybrid work environments. Sally also shares practical advice on starting pay equity initiatives, engaging in cost-of-living studies, and building compensation philosophies. Listen in to gain insights on how to make your organization more attractive to talent and retain your valuable employees through equitable pay practices.ABOUT SALLYSally Loftis, a consultant specializing in human resources, organization development, and social justice, has made significant contributions in the realm of pay equity. She completed her Master of Science in Organization Development at Pepperdine University, where she focused her thesis on Pay Equity in Nonprofits. Sally’s mission is to co-create workplaces where humans feel valued through living wages and healthy human connections. Her work with Loftis Partners emphasizes racial and pay equity, appreciative inquiry, and building on human strengths within organizations. Sally’s commitment to ensuring people feel seen, heard, and represented is evident in her multifaceted career. She has worked with over 50 organizations across 15 states and 3 continents, including Fortune 50 companies, small boutique businesses, and nonprofits of varying sizes. Her approach centers on creating lasting impact, leaving a collective of individuals capable of advancing this work independently.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESElon Musk by Walter IsaacsonHear more from Sally in episode 64: How Can We Address Compensation Gaps in the Nonprofit Sector?Ready for a Mastermind Leadership Development program?  Learn more hereDon’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadershipReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuire

Andrew Olsen, a seasoned expert in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, shares insights from his 90-Day Leader's Journey course. He highlights the often-overlooked connection between leadership and fundraising success, emphasizing that organizations struggle not due to fundraising issues, but because of leadership challenges. Andrew discusses key components of effective leadership, such as character, culture, and competence, while offering strategies for developing these qualities. He also stresses the importance of cultivating a positive organizational culture to empower teams and drive impact.