Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

275: Fundraising Without Fear: Tips for Non-Fundraising Executives (Shannon Williams)SUMMARYAre you struggling with the complexities of fundraising as a senior leader at your nonprofit organization? In episode 275 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we delve into the insights and experiences of Shannon Williams from Armstrong McGuire, who offers valuable advice for nonprofit leaders. Shannon shares why fundraising often falls by the wayside and emphasizes the critical role executive directors must play in this essential task. Discover practical strategies to boost your confidence and effectiveness in fundraising, learn the importance of relationship-building, and explore how to engage your board members in the process. Shannon's journey from an accidental fundraiser to a mentor for nonprofit leaders provides inspiring lessons on cultivating donor relationships, asking for advice, and leveraging your executive title to its fullest potential. Tune in for actionable tips that can transform your approach to fundraising.ABOUT SHANNONAfter graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in journalism, Shannon stumbled into a fundraising position cloaked in a communications job and found her passion. For over 25 years, Shannon has focused on bringing fundraising systems, stories of impact, staff and volunteers together to help organizations change the trajectories of their clients and communities. Shannon leads the Armstrong McGuire team of advisors in helping boards find strategic direction, transforming vision into a clear, articulate case, maximizing fundraising potential, and matching talented leaders to exceptional organizations. When she is not partnering with nonprofits, you will find Shannon cheering on Furman Cross Country and Track, all things Tar Heels, and the Carolina Hurricanes. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESAsking: A 59-Minute Guide to Everything Board Members, Volunteers, and Staff Must Know to Secure the Gift by Jerold PanasReady for a Mastermind? Learn more here.Sign up for our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadershipReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuire 

274: Leading Through Adversity (Bruce Ham)SUMMARYHow can nonprofit leaders effectively balance daily challenges, organizational culture and strategic growth while staying true to their mission? In episode 274 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Bruce Ham brings nearly 40 years of experience and two pivotal lessons that shaped his leadership: tackling uncomfortable tasks first thing in the morning and adopting a holistic view of any challenge. He discusses the importance of mentors, strategic meeting management, and cultivating a positive organizational culture. Learn how Bruce navigated personal adversity and professional growth, emphasizing the significance of strategic planning, collaboration, and building strong board relationships. His candid reflections on fundraising reveal practical tips for developing confidence and competence in this essential skill. ABOUT BRUCEBruce Ham has been employed by the YMCA of the Triangle Area for thirty years. His experience has focused on supervision, team development, leadership, and volunteerism. For the past five years, Bruce has led successful fundraising efforts for the YMCA and the Strategic Planning and Board Development processes. Bruce lost his young wife to cancer in 2010 and spends his free time working with families as they navigate illness and loss. In addition, Bruce has had the opportunity to address medical staff members at multiple hospitals, helping them more fully understand how to honestly and simply work with critically ill patients and their families.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer & John Ortberg Read Bruce’s journey through loss in his book Laughter, Tears and BraidsReady 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 

273: How A Funding Collaborative Can Empower Your Nonprofit (Tara Townsend & Carlos Hernandez)SUMMARYHow can nonprofit leaders navigate the challenges of equitable collaboration and sustainable funding in a sector often marked by resource disparities and systemic barriers? In episode 273 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, two influential nonprofit leaders, Tara Townsend and Carlos Hernandez, discuss the intricacies of collaboration, sustainability, and access to capital within the nonprofit sector. Carlos shares his journey from founding an organization in his basement to navigating equitable collaborations with mainstream institutions and Tara emphasizes the importance of systems change and sustainable funding, particularly through their initiative focused on supporting Chicago's cultural treasures. ABOUT TARANamed President of IFF’s Social Impact Accelerator in June 2022, Dr. Tara Townsend leads IFF’s work to accelerate positive social impact and systems change by meeting nonprofit sector needs and addressing place-based challenges throughout the Midwest. Dr. Townsend previously served as Senior Vice President of IFF’s research and evaluation practice, which informs and guides strategic planning and the investment of resources to maximize the transformational impact on low-income and disabled communities. Townsend brings to her role over 20 years of applied research and evaluation experience in the nonprofit and public spheres within several sectors, including criminal justice, public health, and education. ABOUT CARLOSCarlos R. Hernandez is the founder executive director of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA), and has transformed the organization into one of Chicago's leading Latino arts institutions. PRAA offers a broad spectrum of cultural and academic enrichment programs for youth and children and is renowned for producing the annual Emmy Award-winning National Cuatro Festival. In 2021, PRAA, under Carlos’s guidance, was awarded $500,000 and named one of Chicago’s Cultural Treasurers.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESWorking with You is Killing Me: Freeing Yourself from Emotional Traps at Work by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster & 1776 by David McCulloughReady for a Mastermind?  Learn more here!Need more resources? Check out our website:

272: Cultivating Community and Compassion in the Digital Age (Andria Larson)SUMMARYHow can nonprofit leaders harness the power of technology to build meaningful relationships while driving organizational growth and maintaining a motivated volunteer base? In episode 272 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Andria Larson shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to nonprofit leadership. She discusses the unique challenges and opportunities technology brings to nonprofits, emphasizing the importance of turning instant impacts into long-term relationships. Andria highlights the critical role of surrounding oneself with a knowledgeable team and the significance of maintaining clear, simple communication with volunteers. She reveals how to grow an organization driven by a mission of kindness and community support and offers valuable insights into strategic planning and team motivation.ABOUT ANDRIAAndria Larson is the Executive Director of Lasagna Love, a spirited global initiative dedicated to combating hunger and overwhelm by spreading support through the heartfelt sharing of home-cooked meals. Andria has catalyzed the organization’s explosive growth from a heartfelt local project in San Diego to a globally celebrated emblem of hope and solidarity. Leveraging her extensive experience in operations management and visionary leadership across the retail, hospitality, and food service sectors, Andria's career highlights her versatility and fervent desire to make a tangible difference. Her earlier roles refined her skills in crisis management, strategic planning, and team motivation, which she now applies to empower a dedicated army of 52,000 volunteers at Lasagna Love. Under her passionate leadership, the organization has not only broadened its horizons but also fortified its operational frameworks, ensuring enduring and meaningful community impact.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Second CEO: Accelerating Scale When Following the Founder by Matt SharrersLearn more about Andria and Lasagna Love hereReady 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: the latest on nonprofit leadershipLooking for more resources? Check out our website, PMAnonprofit.comReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuire

271: Rethinking Time Management for Nonprofit Leaders (Hunter Corn)SUMMARYHow can nonprofit leaders break free from traditional time constraints and foster imaginative, value-driven leadership that drives impactful change? In episode 271 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Hunter Corn dives deep into the essence of time management and imaginative leadership within the nonprofit sector. He challenges conventional time constraints, encouraging leaders to reframe their approach by incorporating imaginative thinking and creative practices. Hunter shares his unique methods for maintaining an open mind, such as delving into fiction and magical realism, which he finds essential for innovative problem-solving. He emphasizes the importance of core values and inclusivity, drawing on personal experiences and diverse cultural references to inspire fresh perspectives. Hunter also discusses the significance of adaptability in organizational success, offering practical advice for nonprofit leaders to foster an environment where creativity and resilience thrive.ABOUT HUNTERHunter Corn is a proud North Carolinian with over twenty-five years of non-profit experience. Born and raised in rural Cleveland County, he worked in the Office of University Development while attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After living in the Washington, DC area serving two national non-profits, he returned to North Carolina working at the state’s second largest chamber of commerce for over a decade. He joined the small staff of Wildacres Leadership Initiative over six years ago, guiding the organization through two Friday Fellowship class cycles and the covid-19 pandemic. Besides staff roles in membership, operations, fundraising, and leadership, Hunter has served on several non-profit boards (including lead officer roles) throughout the years. Hunter’s core reflection is a constant reconsideration of the question “How will we be with each other?”EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESLet the Dead Bury Their Dead by Randall KenanStewardship: Choosing Service Over Self-Interest by Peter BlockReady 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 in Audible!Check out our new website, PMAnonprofit.com and don’t miss our weekly

270: Entrepreneurial Best Practices for Nonprofit Leadership Success (Katya Hancock)SUMMARYAs a nonprofit leader, how can you amplify your nonprofit’s impact through strategic funding and a clear organizational vision? In episode 270 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Katya Hancock, Executive Director of Young Futures, shares her innovative approach to strategic design and funding, and how she’s amplified impact across various themes like digital play and youth expression. By outlining an Entrepreneurial Operating System adapted for nonprofits, Katya emphasizes the importance of setting clear, ambitious goals and fostering accountability within teams. She underscores the significance of transparency in reporting to funders, sharing practical insights on maintaining open communication even during challenging times. Katya delves into effective storytelling, advocating for narratives that are both inspiring and consumer-friendly, essential for engaging stakeholders and donors alike.ABOUT KATYAKatya Hancock is a mission-driven executive, entrepreneur and public health champion with over two decades of impact leadership across healthcare, technology and philanthropic ventures. Leveraging all she has learned to help build startup ecosystems to solve health “moonshots”, she is dedicating the next chapter of her career to the urgent need of improving youth mental health in today’s rapidly evolving world. Katya is the founding Executive Director of Young Futures, a non-profit on a mission to make it easier to grow up in the digital world. Young Futures was founded to help young people and their families not just survive, but flourish as a team when meeting the uncertainties of this digital wilderness. Prior to Young Futures, Katya spent a decade as a founding team member and Chief Impact Officer of StartUp Health, an organization dedicated to achieving health moonshots: the world’s most pressing health challenges, including Mental Health, Health Equity, Access to Care, Children’s Health and Women's Health.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (and Adults are Missing) by Emily Weinstein and Carrie James 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 Sector – Now available in Audible! Check out our new website, PMAnonprofit.comDon’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership

269: Empowering Women in Nonprofit Leadership (Jenny Mitchell)SUMMARYHow can organizations better utilize coaching to support and retain their rising stars, rather than just addressing problem employees? In episode 269 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Jenny Mitchell delves into the nuances of nonprofit leadership, especially for women, sharing personal experiences and actionable strategies. From the challenges of transitioning from a manager to a leader to the importance of reflection and prioritization, she offers invaluable advice on maintaining productivity without sacrificing well-being. Learn about the significance of defining high-value tasks and the impact of leadership intentions on organizational culture. Jenny also highlights the necessity of self-care and energy management, urging leaders to recalibrate their routines for sustainability. She further explores the critical role of boards in supporting leaders, discussing systemic burnout and the potential benefits of sabbaticals. ABOUT JENNYJenny Mitchell, CFRE, DMA, CEC is the Chief Visionary Officer of Chavender, where she works closely with leaders to change the world one mission at a time. She is a dynamic speaker, executive coach, fundraising professional, and host of the Underdog Leadership podcast. She is also the author of Embracing Ambition: Empowering Women to Step Out, Be Seen, and Lead, uniting twelve exceptional women leaders from across North America with a simple goal: to share their leadership stories as a mentorship resource for the next generation of women leaders.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive by Kristin NeffLearn more about Jenny hereReady 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 Audible!Don’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership

268: Strategic Philanthropy: Navigating Choices and Building Impact (Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D.)SUMMARYHow can shifting from a need-based approach to an asset-based mindset transform your nonprofit’s impact and fundraising success? Discover transformative strategies to elevate your nonprofit’s impact in episode 268 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership featuring Dr. Steven Mayer, the Chief Strategist for Effective Communities. Drawing from his extensive experience, Steve shares practical advice from his book aimed at both individuals and organizations. He introduces a shift from the traditional need-based approach to an asset-based mindset, highlighting the importance of recognizing and leveraging community strengths. Steve outlines three key actions encouraging nonprofits to persuasively communicate their mission and progress. Through real-world examples and actionable tips, this episode offers nonprofit leaders’ invaluable guidance on enhancing their organizational effectiveness and fundraising success, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and impactful nonprofit sector.ABOUT STEVEAs an Adjunct Professor and Lecturer in Johns Hopkins University’s Master of Arts Program in Non-Governmental Organization Management, Steve Mayer for many years taught an online course in Nonprofit Program Development and Evaluation. This has allowed him to hone his perspective on evaluation and energize brilliant mid-career students with perspective and tools to pursue a more decent society. In 2019 he began work on his first eBook, How to Show Off Your Wicked Strong Sexy and Incredibly Effective Nonprofit. The book was tailored to nonprofit staff and board members, and incorporated work from his website, EffectiveCommunities.com – its main purpose was to help nonprofits demonstrate their effectiveness to key stakeholders. Now, 25 years after ECP’s founding, Steve is turning his lens to focus on individuals wanting to make the world a better place. This new direction is found in his recently launched book, How to Save the World: Evaluating Your Options.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES Crafting Effective Mission and Vision Statements, by Emil AngelicaCheck out Steve’s book How to Save the World: Evaluating Your OptionsHave you read Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector? You can now download the audiobook!Check out our new website, PMAnonprofit.com!

267: Recapture Time with Simplification, Strategic Focus, and Systems (Alexia Maas)SUMMARYHow can nonprofit leaders harness business strategies to enhance collaboration, strategic planning, and board dynamics for greater impact? In episode 267 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Alexia Maas shares her wealth of experience and practical advice tailored to leaders like you. She emphasizes the importance of integrating business strategies into nonprofit operations, particularly through collaboration and strategic partnerships. Alexia outlines a meticulous approach to strategic planning, highlighting the need for clear goals, focused priorities, and incremental steps to achieve success. She also addresses the critical elements of fundraising, stressing the importance of sustainability, diversification, and financial acumen. Alexia provides thought-provoking insights on board dynamics, advocating for smaller, more effective boards with diverse perspectives. Her mantra, "Do less, achieve more," encapsulates her advice to prioritize impactful initiatives and maintain strategic focus.ABOUT ALEXIAAlexia’s executive and legal career spans almost 30 years. A dual qualified lawyer (UK & US), she has lived & worked in several countries around the world. After 16 years in private practice, Alexia joined the Volvo Group in 2013 and became the Global GC for Volvo Financial Services in 2014. As a member of the C-Suite Executive Management Team, Alexia gained valuable experience in transformation & change management; Business Development & Growth Strategies; Compliance & Risk Management; Crisis Management and People & Talent Development. An accomplished strategist thought leader & mentor among peers, Alexia quickly became a valued and trusted business adviser and is renowned for her strong focus on execution and high impact & creative problem solving. Alexia now offers niche consultancy & mentoring services through her own firm, Stratevix. Despite her previous hectic schedule as a C-Suite Executive, Alexia mastered how to recapture her own time & value and not only found time to launch and run her own consulting business, write & publish articles, speak nationwide and–most importantly relax with friends & family, she still found time left over to combine her passion, philanthropy and community spirit as Co-Founder & Executive Director of a local nonprofit organization: Triad International Ballet.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESFree to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less by Michael HyattLearn more about Alexia hereReady for a Mastermind?  Learn more hereHave you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

266: Managing Overload as a Nonprofit Leader (Anton Skornyakov)SUMMARYHow do you lessen your load and effectively delegate while also fostering an environment of continuous learning and creativity at your nonprofit? In episode 266 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we dive into effective delegation strategies for nonprofit leaders with Anton Skornyakov, author of "The Art of Slicing Work." Anton shares invaluable insights on how to delegate results rather than activities, fostering both team creativity and growth. He explains the importance of setting clear, specific goals and providing regular feedback to ensure continuous learning. Anton also highlights the need to tackle high-risk tasks first to uncover potential challenges early on. By distinguishing between predictable and unpredictable projects and building a robust feedback infrastructure, nonprofit leaders can enhance their impact and adaptability. This episode offers a practical framework for managing projects and empowering teams, essential for anyone striving to lead a successful nonprofit organization.ABOUT ANTONAnton Skornyakov is partnering with organizations to support them on their path to becoming learning & adaptive environments that encourage everyone to contribute their full productive and creative potential. For this Anton gives ScrumMaster trainings and Product Owner trainings, mentor, coach and a builder of internal and public communities. Anton believes in Scrum being a fundamental ingredient that enables motivating ideas to become reality with an order of magnitude higher effectiveness. Today, many organizations with hundreds and thousands of people are looking for answers on how to apply Scrum and engage everyone's full potential in their product development. Having successfully applied it, Anton is a firm believer in the body of knowledge behind Large Scale Scrum (LeSS). Anton is a believer in the transformative power of communities. He consistently nurtures communities around topics he is passionate about such as Large-Scale Scrum, Liberating Structures and coaching. Anton has co-founded and lead several digital startups. Here he made own experiences in Lean Startup - applying empiricism on developing sustainable business models. He has worked as a product owner, Scrum master and developer.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESThe Lean Startup by Eric RiesLearn more about Anton hereReady for a Mastermind?