The PM Podcast

Roger Ali is Chair of the AFP Global Board and one of the most respected voices in nonprofit leadership. With more than two decades in the field, he has led teams that have raised over $150 million through transformative capital campaigns and major gift strategies, holding senior roles at Niagara Health Foundation, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, and The Bishop Strachan School Foundation. Today, Roger is an independent consultant specializing in governance, major gifts, campaign strategy, and staff development. He also serves as a Senior Associate with S. Sutton & Associates, advising nonprofits across sectors. A lifelong champion of ethical and inclusive philanthropy, Roger sits on the board of Imagine Canada and has held numerous leadership roles with AFP, including Past Chair of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy Canada and President of the AFP Golden Horseshoe Chapter. We spoke with him about his personal and professional journey and how it led to his role in chairing the world’s largest fundraising association today.  

Abby Trahan is the Associate Director of Philanthropy at MD Anderson Cancer Center and one of two recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Young Professional award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In just five years, Abby has delivered transformational fundraising results—from growing monthly giving at the Houston Food Bank to securing major gifts and endowed support at the University of Houston Law Center. Now at MD Anderson, she brings her passion for equity, mentorship, and community-driven impact to one of the nation’s leading cancer centers. We spoke with her live at ICON, the association’s international conference in Seattle, Washington.

Martha Schumacher is a global philanthropy strategist, leadership coach, and past chair of AFP International. As President of Hazen Consulting and founder of the Hazen Institute for Leadership Training, she’s spent over 25 years helping mission-driven organizations grow their impact—and their people. In this conversation, we explore the trails she has taken, both literally and figuratively, beginning with one near where she lives today. 

Professor Jen Shang is Co-Founder and Director of the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy, and the world’s only philanthropic psychologist. She was the first person to earn a PhD in Philanthropy, and her research on donor identity and meaning has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, and Chronicle of Philanthropy. In 2025, she received AFP’s prestigious Skystone Prize for Meaningful Philanthropy, co-authored with Dr. Adrian Sargeant—a book exploring how giving shapes the lives of high-net-worth donors. We spoke with her live at AFP ICON, the association’s international conference in Seattle.

Jeff Schreifels is Principal at Veritus Group and co-author of It’s Not JUST About the Donor. With over 35 years in nonprofit fundraising, he’s helped thousands of professionals create meaningful donor relationships and raise more money with integrity and heart. In this episode, we begin not in the office—but on the road—with Jeff’s 1,000-mile bike journey at the age of fourteen.

Jeremy Wells is the Senior Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. With more than twenty-five years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit leadership, he's been instrumental in advancing equity and community-led solutions through philanthropy. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Jeremy was named the 2025 Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Ashley Hufft is President and CEO of Unbound, an international nonprofit based in Kansas City that partners with families worldwide on their self-directed paths out of poverty. A Harvard-trained attorney and anthropologist, Ashley has built a distinguished career advancing sustainable solutions to poverty, food insecurity, education, and gender equity. In this conversation, we explore her journey from corporate law to global development, and now to leading an organization serving hundreds of thousands of families around the world.

Tom Ahern is one of the most influential voices in donor communications. The New York Times has called him “one of the country’s most sought-after creators of fundraising messages.” A self-described writer before he could write, he has authored multiple acclaimed books, trained thousands of fundraisers around the world, and most recently published Sim One—a powerful reflection on love and loss after the death of his wife and partner, Simone Joyaux. We begin the conversation exploring his earliest memories of writing.

Sabrina Walker Hernandez is a consultant, coach, and facilitator who helps small nonprofits grow leadership, strengthen boards, and raise more money. She began her career in 1996 and spent 20 years with the Boys & Girls Clubs, including 11 as CEO in Edinburg, Texas, where she led a $12 million capital campaign, built a $500,000 endowment, and tripled revenue in one of the nation’s poorest counties. Now, as President and CEO of Building Better Boards, Sabrina trains and advises nonprofits nationwide, drawing on her academic training, deep community roots, and belief that strong relationships drive lasting impact. Our conversation begins by asking about her early years growing up in a home rooted in faith and service, and how that prepared her for one of the biggest challenges any of us can face.

Rebecca van Bergen and Chris Van Bergen are the visionary leaders behind Nest, a nonprofit advancing gender equity and economic inclusion in the global artisan and maker economy. As Founder and Executive Director, Rebecca launched Nest in 2006 at just 24, building partnerships with brands like Etsy and Patagonia to support over 250,000 artisans across 120+ countries and pioneering global standards for home-based work. Chris, Nest’s Chief Financial and Operating Officer since 2011, has helped guide the organization through rapid growth, leading ethical compliance efforts and expanding programs that serve thousands of small businesses worldwide. Together, they’ve redefined the role of handmade craft in the global economy—empowering communities, promoting transparency, and shaping a more equitable future for workers everywhere. In this conversation, we talk about their journey together as partners in life and work, their challenges and joys, and what they imagine for the future.