The AI Dude

Cherian Koshy, a Certified Fund Raising Executive and Vice President of Product Strategy at KindSight, discusses the intersection of AI and philanthropy. He shares insights on a groundbreaking study revealing donor sentiments about AI, highlighting concerns around privacy and the need for human interaction. Cherian also elaborates on ethical frameworks for nonprofits in leveraging AI while maintaining transparency. The conversation balances lighthearted nostalgia over 80s films with profound implications for the future of fundraising and technology.

In this episode of The AI Dude podcast, host Josh Hirsch, MS sits down with Kat Landa, CFRE, CSD, Senior Vice President of Talent Solutions at Dickerson Bakker, to discuss how AI is revolutionizing the hiring process within nonprofit organizations. With over 15 years of experience in the sector, Kat shares invaluable insights on the integration of AI tools in recruitment, the psychology behind decision-making, and the future of talent acquisition for nonprofits. A key part of the discussion revolves around the candidate's perspective. Kat emphasizes the importance of having an optimized LinkedIn profile, sharing how AI-powered systems rely heavily on specific keywords to surface the best candidates. She provides practical tips on how professionals can ensure they are discoverable in these AI-driven searches and discusses how nonprofits can use AI to prepare better interview questions tailored to their specific needs. The conversation also explores the impact of AI on professional acumen, noting how AI can assist with more routine aspects of the recruitment process, such as note-taking and summarizing candidate interactions, freeing up human capital for more strategic work. Kat explains how AI tools are already being used to develop opportunity profiles more quickly and efficiently, allowing recruiters to focus on what makes a role truly unique. Josh and Kat also touch on the potential future of nonprofit recruitment, with Kat predicting that AI will continue to evolve and improve both the efficiency and quality of hiring decisions. However, she also acknowledges the need to remain cautious about the ethical implications of AI, particularly around bias in the recruitment process. Key Topics: The most daunting fundraising asks often involve board presentations. Transitioning from marketing to nonprofit work can be a smoother process if one is seeking meaningful engagement. AI is revolutionizing recruitment by filtering through large volumes of applicants efficiently. Using AI tools can significantly streamline note-taking and data collection processes. The future of recruitment will see a blend of human insight and AI efficiency. Candidates must optimize their online presence to be visible in AI-driven searches. AI can assist in generating interview questions for both candidates and nonprofits. Preparation and adding value are crucial in professional interactions. Ethical considerations in AI usage are paramount to avoid bias and discrimination. LinkedIn remains a vital platform for professional networking and recruitment. Guest Bio: Kat Landa, CFRE, CSD, is the Senior Vice President of Talent Solutions at Dickerson Bakker. Kat brings 22 years of nonprofit fundraising and marketing experience to her work of partnering with nonprofits to recruit the talented professionals and leaders they need. Kat has also been responsible for developing and executing multi-channel fundraising campaigns for 100+ charities across the U.S. and Canada, raising over $65 million dollars. Her clients across these disciplines have included Ikea, Nissan, Blackbaud's Kintera, World Vision, Mercy Ships, AARP, Jews For Jesus, and Dress For Success. Kat is also a Certified Fundraising Executive, a two-time technology start up alumna, and now a Certified Spiritual Director. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Daunting Fundraising Experiences 05:38 Transitioning from Marketing to Nonprofit Consulting 09:59 The Role of AI in Recruitment 14:55 Streamlining Processes with AI Tools 20:55 The Future of AI in Nonprofit Recruitment 29:38 Ethical Considerations in AI Usage Resources: Learn more about Dickerson Bakker: https://dickersonbakker.com/ Follow Kat Landa, CFRE, CSD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katlandacfre/ Connect with Josh Hirsch: Website: http://theaidude.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshahirsch/

In this episode of The AI Dude podcast, host Josh Hirsch sits down with Liz Peuster, the Chief Communications Officer of the South Carolina Association of CPAs (SCACPA). Liz brings over two decades of experience in association management, communications, and technology integration. The episode looks at the impact of AI tools on the nonprofit sector, particularly in associations, and highlights how Liz’s innovative approach has led her organization through successful AI adoption. Josh and Liz address the challenges and responsibilities that come with adopting AI, particularly around ethics and data privacy. Liz shares her straightforward approach to responsible AI use: treating AI like any other technology and ensuring sensitive data remains secure. She emphasizes the need for training and education, both for staff and association members, to demystify AI and create trust within the organization. According to Liz, education is the backbone of successful AI integration, and associations must invest in upskilling their teams to stay relevant in an increasingly digital world. The discussion further explores the potential of AI as a tool for building lasting member relationships and the shift in focus for associations away from commoditized content and education to the more human-centric aspects of advocacy and community support. Liz underscores the necessity of embracing AI not just for operational efficiency but as a strategy for remaining relevant and competitive. Liz offers practical advice for organizations looking to start their AI journey, emphasizing the importance of starting small and scaling up. She suggests identifying routine, repetitive tasks where AI can make an immediate impact and build from there. Throughout the episode, she remains optimistic about the future of AI in associations, stressing that with the right balance of human oversight and technological adoption, AI can become an invaluable partner in advancing an organization’s mission and delivering value to its members. Key Topics: How AI tools can boost operational efficiency in associations The role of Custom GPTs in improving member engagement and communication The human element and ethical considerations in AI adoption Education and training as vital aspects of AI integration Practical steps for associations to begin their AI journey The evolving landscape of AI in nonprofit organizations and its promising future Guest Bio: Liz Peuster, CAE, is an accomplished association professional with over 20 years of experience in communications, membership, and technology integration. As the Chief Communications Officer at SCACPA, she champions association initiatives, tells inspiring member stories, and plays a pivotal role in advocacy efforts. Liz has led SCACPA’s team through the adoption of AI tools aimed at boosting operational efficiency and delivering enhanced value to members. Her career is marked by notable achievements in membership growth, innovative tech initiatives, and strategic leadership across prominent associations. A Certified Association Executive (CAE), Liz is dedicated to driving organizational success through technology-driven advancements in the association sector. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to AI in Associations and Nonprofits 02:04 – Efficiency Gains from Adopting AI Tools 05:52 – Using Custom GPTs for Enhanced Member Engagement 10:11 – The Human Element in Technology Integration 14:08 – Ethical and Responsible AI Use 17:54 – The Slow Adoption of AI in the Association Space 21:48 – Importance of Education and Training for AI Integration 26:07 – Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Nonprofits 30:09 – Practical Tips for Associations Starting with AI Resources: Learn more about SCACPA: https://www.scacpa.org/ Follow Liz Peuster on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-peuster/ Connect with Josh Hirsch: Website: http://theaidude.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshahirsch/

Join Erik Tomalis, Chief Evangelist at Virtuous, a fundraising expert with over 20 years of experience. He discusses the transformative role of AI in nonprofit fundraising, emphasizing the importance of personal connections with donors. Erik highlights how AI can automate tasks, enabling fundraisers to focus on building relationships. He also shares insights on responsive strategies for small nonprofits and ethical considerations in utilizing AI, ensuring that technology enhances generosity and engagement without compromising values.

Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming the nonprofit sector, moving from data overload to impactful insights. Explore practical AI applications for data analysis and donor engagement. Learn about predictive analytics for enhancing fundraising and natural language processing to gauge public sentiment. Hear how AI can optimize operations and improve decision-making, enabling nonprofits to achieve more significant outcomes and deepen community impact.