In episode 109 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton discusses the critical components of nonprofit strategic planning, emphasizing that it's much more than just a retreat. She highlights the importance of preparation, comprehensive stakeholder involvement, and continuous adaptation to ensure the strategic plan remains relevant and actionable. Hamilton underscores that nonprofits should consider a strategic planning process that includes pre-retreat work, stakeholder engagement, and post-retreat follow-through, fostering alignment between board members, staff, and the overall mission. The episode concludes by reminding leaders that strategic planning is an ongoing, adaptive process aimed at maintaining the organization’s ability to respond to changing circumstances while staying focused on its mission.    Episode highlights: [00:00:00] Strategic Planning Beyond the Retreat Carol introduces the episode by discussing the common misconception that strategic planning is just about the retreat. She explains that a truly effective process requires more preparation and post-retreat follow-up for long-term success. [00:03:00] Why Do Strategic Planning? Strategic planning helps nonprofits step back to assess their current state, engage with stakeholders, and reconnect with the organization’s mission. The medium-term focus (3–5 years) creates a roadmap for growth and mission alignment. [00:05:00] Pre-Retreat Preparation: Data Gathering and Stakeholder Input Carol emphasizes the importance of gathering input from a diverse range of stakeholders before the retreat. This data gathering phase, often aided by an outside consultant, helps shape the strategic inquiry for a more informed and balanced planning process. [00:07:00] Involving Both Board and Staff in the Retreat Carol explains that involving both board members and staff (depending on the organization's size) leads to a more holistic understanding of the nonprofit and enhances buy-in for the resulting strategic plan. This inclusive approach ensures that the plan is grounded in reality and supported by key stakeholders. [00:08:20] Pitfalls of a Retreat-Only Approach If strategic planning retreats are conducted without adequate preparation, they risk creating disjointed goals that don’t align with the organization's actual capacity or needs. Carol cautions against generating “wish lists” that lack actionable steps for implementation. [00:09:00] Post-Retreat Follow-Through and Plan Implementation After the retreat, a smaller committee should refine the draft plan and ensure feedback from the larger group is integrated. Carol stresses the importance of setting shorter-term goals (quarterly, biannually) to ensure the organization remains agile and responsive to change. [00:11:00] The Dynamic Nature of Strategic Planning Strategic planning is not a static process. Carol advises that plans should be revisited regularly, with progress measured and adjustments made as new challenges arise. Having clear success indicators helps ensure the plan evolves along with the organization’s needs. [00:12:00] Embracing the Full Scope of Strategic Planning Carol concludes by reinforcing that the power of strategic planning lies in its ongoing nature, which allows nonprofits to remain adaptable and responsive while still focused on their mission. Leaders are encouraged to embrace this comprehensive process to boost both organizational impact and sustainability.   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show Find the books referred to on Mission: Impact 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 108 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton explores how nonprofit leaders can measure and map their organization’s impact through building out their theory of change and program logic models. I explain: That you already have a theory of change, even if it hasn’t been formalized.  how making these models explicit not only helps funders and stakeholders understand the value of an organization's work but also aligns teams and improves programs.  how organizations can better understand their programs, identify gaps, and articulate how their work drives meaningful change.  How to practically put this into action   Episode highlights: Every Organization Has a Theory of Change (Even If It’s Hidden) [00:02:32] - Hidden Theories of Change Carol emphasizes that every nonprofit already has a theory of change, even if it’s implicit. The challenge lies in making it explicit and shared across the organization to align efforts and strategy. [00:03:25] - Logic Models as Blueprints She explains how program-level logic models map out the necessary resources, activities, and expected outcomes, serving as blueprints for program implementation and evaluation. [00:04:49] - Building a Shared Vision Working together to create a Theory of Change and logic models not only reveals gaps in assumptions but also builds a shared understanding within the organization, strengthening cohesion. [00:07:12] - Practical Example: Watershed Organization Carol provides a concrete example of a local watershed organization, illustrating how they mapped out their programs in a logic model to address environmental education, citizen science, restoration, and policy work. [00:09:55] - Keeping Evaluation Simple She advises against overwhelming data collection, encouraging nonprofits to focus on a few key metrics that matter. This helps balance the workload and ensures meaningful learning from evaluations. [00:11:21] - Hypothesis Testing Carol describes the logic model as a hypothesis, where organizations can test assumptions and adjust programs based on data, making the process an opportunity for learning rather than a pass/fail exercise. [00:12:29] - Sharing Results with Stakeholders She highlights the importance of sharing results not only with funders but with all stakeholders, customizing communication based on the audience’s interests. [00:16:05] - Simplifying Program Evaluation Using the example of a peacebuilding nonprofit, Carol explains how she helped them streamline their evaluation process across different programs by designing a unified set of survey questions, enabling more effective data collection. [00:17:41] - Complexity of Systems Acknowledging the limitations of logic models, Carol encourages organizations to use them as tools to capture a slice of reality and proceed with realistic expectations. [00:18:56] - Encouragement to Invest in Evaluation Carol encourages nonprofits to invest time in building their Theory of Change and Logic Models, emphasizing that these tools help align strategies, reveal gaps, and strengthen program evaluation.   Related Episodes: Episode 17 Program evaluation Episode 76 Getting clear on your theory of change   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Follow Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 107 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Kim Romain discuss the intricacies of leadership in nonprofit organizations, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by executive teams. Romain emphasizes the importance of cultivating a collaborative, mission-driven leadership culture that avoids burnout and fosters a sense of belonging among team members. She highlights the critical role of self-awareness and the need for leaders to step back from day-to-day problem-solving to focus on visionary leadership.  The conversation also explores the dynamics of competition within teams, the impact of leadership behavior on organizational culture, and the importance of creating supportive systems that align with the needs of individual team members.   Episode highlights: The Role of Leadership Teams in Nonprofits [00:05:08 - 00:08:01]  The unique role of leadership teams in nonprofits, emphasizing how these teams set the tone for the entire organization and the importance of operating with ease to avoid dysfunction and burnout. Challenges of Siloed Leadership Teams [00:08:01 - 00:010:04]  The common challenge of leadership teams operating in silos, where department heads focus on their own areas without collaborating effectively as a team. This lack of collaboration can hinder the organization's overall impact. Benefits of Collaborative Leadership Teams [00:10:04 - 00:11:25]  The benefits of a well-functioning leadership team, where members support each other, share ideas, and allow executives to focus on visionary leadership rather than day-to-day problem-solving. Self-Awareness and Leadership [00:012:00 - 00:15:00]  The importance of self-awareness in leadership, encouraging leaders to understand their own strengths and challenges to better support their teams.  The Impact of Competition and Misalignment [00:19:34 - 00:21:26]  Competition within leadership teams, where department heads may compete for resources or recognition.  Returning to Mission as a Compass [00:21:26 - 00:22:32]  Leadership teams should consistently return to the organization's mission as a guiding compass to overcome competition and align their efforts with the organization's goals. Systemic Impact of Leadership Behavior [00:23:00 - 00:25:00]  The behavior of leadership teams can have a systemic impact on the organization, influencing everything from staff retention to constituent engagement. She highlights the importance of addressing dis-ease within the leadership team to prevent broader organizational issues. Characteristics of a Healthy Leadership Team [00:27:36 - 00:29:08]  What a healthy leadership team looks like, including collaboration, mutual support, and a shared commitment to the mission. She emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment where all team members feel valued. Cultivating a Healthier Leadership Culture [00:30:11 - 00:32:00]  Practical advice for executive directors on how to cultivate a healthier culture within their leadership teams, starting with self-reflection and creating systems that align with the team's needs.   Guest Bio: Kim Romain is a Life & Business Alchemist for visionaries, changemakers and paradigm shifters. With over 25 years of experience as an attorney, nonprofit executive, and artist, Kim is a catalyst for awakened leadership and creating a more just and equitable world from a place of centeredness and strategic alignment. As the founder of The Rising Visionaries and co-host of Kickass Career Conversations – now the Empowered and Embodied podcast, Kim fosters sustainable success and embodied leadership, inspiring purposeful action with ease, joy, and freedom. Important Links and Resources: Kim Romain Your Kickass Career Kim Romain - Life & Business Alchemist   Related Episodes: Episode 46: Generous nonprofit leadership Episode 54: Best of nonprofit leadership transitions Episode 92: Three stages of nonprofit leadership Episode 100: 10 things I have learned from 100 episodes   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 106 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton talks with Julia Patrick, a seasoned nonprofit leader and philanthropist. On the episode, Patrick shares her perspectives on the evolving challenges and opportunities in nonprofit board governance, emphasizing the importance of strategic board management, the integration of younger leaders, and the need for continuous training to foster board engagement and effectiveness.  The discussion also covers innovative solutions such as board liaisons and board portals to streamline operations and enhance transparency. Patrick advocates for intergenerational collaboration and the adoption of the 10-10-10 rule for decision-making, which helps leaders prioritize actions based on their impact over time.   Episode highlights: Challenges in Board Governance [00:05:45 The complexities of board service, the importance of mission achievement, and the uniquely American philanthropic spirit. Generational Shifts and Board Member Engagement [00:07:54]  The demographic shifts affecting board membership, including the "silver tsunami" and the rise of next-gen leaders. She describes how younger leaders, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, approach board service differently, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and digital proficiency. The Role of Board Liaisons and Technology in Governance [00:12:27]  The role of professional board liaisons and the use of board portals to manage documents and ensure transparency. She highlights the importance of these tools for efficient board operations, particularly for younger members.   Effective Board Management Practices [00:16:29]  The need for effective meeting management, and connecting board members to the organization's mission through ongoing training. Training and Development for Board Members [00:19:32]  The importance of training board members not only on governance but also on the specific mission and operations of the organization. She suggests shadowing staff members as a way for board members to gain deeper insights. Intergenerational Collaboration and Board Dynamics [00:24:20]  The conversation touches on the benefits of involving C-suite members in board meetings and the importance of intergenerational collaboration for the long-term health of nonprofit organizations. Recruiting and Retaining Younger Board Members [00:29:46 ]  Strategies for recruiting and retaining younger board members, including the buddy system, soft skills training, and institutional knowledge transfer. The 10-10-10 Rule for Decision-Making [00:34:10]  Patrick shares her "10-10-10" rule, a decision-making framework that considers the impact of actions over 10 weeks, 10 months, and 10 years, helping leaders prioritize and stay strategic. Guest Bio: Julia C. Patrick is the CEO of the American Nonprofit Academy and trains nonprofit leaders across the globe. At the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, Patrick launched The Nonprofit Show, the nation's only daily live broadcast. She and her team have produced more than 1,000 episodes and have been broadcasting now for 5 years!
 Important Links and Resources: Julia C. Patrick American Nonprofit Academy Building Board Champions: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Board-Champions-Activating-Impactful/dp/B0D58122XR   Related Episodes: Episode 61: Impactful boards Episode 81: Being a co-leader with your board Episode 99: Elevating nonprofit governance and leadership Episode 102: The Nonprofit board’s duty of foresight   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 105 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton continues to celebrate her four year podiversary by reflecting on how nonprofits can create healthier and more sustainable organizational cultures. Through a series of guest responses, the episode explores the necessity of fair compensation, flexible work environments, and the importance of mental and physical health for nonprofit staff. It also touches on the exploitation of passion in the sector, the need for diversity and inclusion on nonprofit boards, and the importance of strategic foresight in nonprofit governance. The episode underscores the collective responsibility of nonprofit leaders to foster environments where staff and volunteers can thrive, with a focus on stewardship, progress over perfection, and creating roles that align with both organizational needs and individual aspirations.   Episode highlights: [00:00:00] Imagining a healthier and more sustainable nonprofit sector Carol Hamilton reflects on the four-year anniversary of Mission Impact and introduces this curated episode series, focusing on how to envision a healthier nonprofit sector. She revisits questions from past episodes, asking how nonprofits can create a more humane and sustainable work environment. [00:04:00] The Importance of Staff Well-being Lauren Brownstein emphasizes the need for nonprofits to prioritize the health and well-being of their staff by providing fair compensation, benefits, and flexibility. She advocates for a culture that supports mental and physical health, starting from the leadership. [00:07:00] Passion Exploitation in Nonprofits Beth Sperber Ritchie uses the metaphor of a campfire to describe the exploitation of passion in the nonprofit sector, particularly among young professionals. She discusses the importance of organizational systems that allow staff to step back and avoid burnout. [00:12:00] Aligning Volunteer Roles with Mission Patton McDowell highlights the need to align volunteer roles with the mission and impact of the organization. He also stresses the importance of recognizing and appreciating volunteers, along with providing professional development opportunities. [00:15:00] Diversity and Inclusion on Nonprofit Boards Sabrina Walker Hernandez and Liz Scott discuss the ongoing challenges of diversity and inclusion in nonprofit leadership, particularly on boards. They call for accountability in creating inclusive cultures and emphasize the need for boards to reflect the communities they serve. [00:24:00] Strategic Foresight in Governance Jeff DeCagna challenges the traditional focus on leadership, advocating instead for stewardship and collective action. He argues for a shift from individualism to a shared sense of responsibility in guiding nonprofits into the future. [00:30:00] How to build a nonprofit sector we want Carol Hamilton concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to take intentional steps towards creating a healthier nonprofit sector. She urges leaders to model self-care, celebrate contributions, and prioritize progress over perfection. The episode ends with a call to action for nonprofit leaders to continue asking critical questions and challenging the status quo to build a thriving future.   Important Links and Resources: BoardSource’s Leading with Intent: https://leadingwithintent.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-findings/ Be Well, Do Good, Self Care and Renewal for Nonprofit Professionals and Other Do Gooders https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/be-well-do-good-lauren-brownstein/1142829280   Related Episodes: Episode 42: Building shared governance Episode 55: Helping nonprofit boards move toward greater equity Episode 62: Healthy nonprofit organizational culture highlights, part 1 Episode 63: Healthy nonprofit organizational culture highlights, part 2 Episode 72: Exploring passion exploitation in nonprofit organizations Episode 85: Building equitable compensation frameworks for nonprofit organizations Episode 102: Nonprofit board’s duty of foresight   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 📚Check out the books that have been mentioned on Mission: Impact 💻 Give us feedback on the show 👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend 🌟 Help more people learn about Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In this special episode of Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton celebrates four years of podcasting and reflects on the lessons learned from her 100+ episode journey. The podcast, aimed at nonprofit leaders striving to build a better world without martyrdom, offers practical advice, deep analysis, and engaging conversations. This episode gathers insights from various guest experts, focusing on key themes such as cultivating healthy organizational cultures, prioritizing progress over perfectionism, ensuring work-life balance, and infusing joy and creativity into the nonprofit sector. The discussion underscores the importance of aligning organizational values with actions, fostering inclusive and supportive environments, and advocating for the resources needed to achieve meaningful change.   Episode Highlights Key Lessons from 100 Episodes & Imagining a Healthier Nonprofit Sector 03:31 Carol shares ten essential lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures, the dangers of overwork, and the value of focusing on relationships and progress over perfection.   Progress Over Perfection 06:28  Pooya Pourak discusses the importance of favoring progress over perfectionism, embracing continuous improvement, and cultivating a growth mindset to drive meaningful social change.   Action Bias 09:15  Susan Kahan highlights why analysis paralysis is common in the sector. She describes the need to make decisions and take action, even if imperfect, and the value of celebrating small wins to foster progress and avoid burnout.   Setting Guardrails and Modeling 13:51  Dr. Orletta Caldwell offers practical steps for leaders to establish clear values in support of your nonprofit mission, support work-life balance, and create a culture where it's okay to be human while striving to do good work.   Planning Realistically 20:42 - 25:40 Sarah Olivieri advises on planning realistically, working within your nonprofit organization’s capacity, and using visual tools to manage workloads and avoid overcommitment.   Infusing Joy and Creativity into Nonprofit Work 25:41 - 33:18 Erin Allgood shares strategies for infusing joy and creativity into the nonprofit workplace, emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships and creating a culture of fun and innovation.   Advocating for the Resources Your Team Needs 33:19  Reva Patwardhan calls on nonprofit leaders to advocate for their organizations' needs, ensuring they have the resources necessary to meet goals without sacrificing well-being.   Important Links and Resources: Erin Allgood - https://www.allgoodstrategies.com/ Dr. Orletta Caldwell - https://beyondexisting.com/ Susan Kahan - https://sapphirefundraisingspecialists.com/ Sarah Olivieri - https://www.pivotground.com/ Reva Patwardhan - https://www.greatergoodcoaching.org/ Pooya Pourak - https://www.matchnice.org/ Liberating Structures - https://www.liberatingstructures.com/   Related Episodes: Episode 50 - Why more money and more staff isn’t always the answer for nonprofits Episode 62 - Healthy nonprofit organizational culture highlights, part 1 Episode 63: Healthy nonprofit organizational culture highlights part 2 Episode 78: Renegotiating our relationship with work Episode 98: Declining interest in nonprofit leadership Episode 100:  10 Lessons from 100 Episodes   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 103 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton, Tip Fallon, and Stephen Graves explore the nuances of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), exploring the differences between inclusive and equitable leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of not only representation but also the behavior and mindset of individuals within organizations, emphasizing the need for fairness and addressing power imbalances. This episode provides valuable insights for nonprofit leaders seeking to cultivate more equitable and inclusive organizations, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, systemic change, and embracing humanity in leadership.   Episode highlights: Defining DEI [00:8:08] Defining DEI: The conversation begins with an exploration of what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to each participant and how their understanding has evolved over time. Equitable Nonprofit Leadership [00:08:50] Inclusive vs. Equitable Leadership: Distinguishing between inclusive and equitable leadership, emphasizing the importance of fairness and addressing power imbalances. Equity's Challenges: The challenges of equity, particularly in recognizing and confronting one's own complicity in perpetuating inequitable systems. DEI is more than Representation  [00:13:44] Representation and Behavior: The disconnect between representation and actual behavior within organizations, noting that diverse representation does not guarantee equitable or inclusive practices. [00:21:30] - Practical Strategies for Equitable Leadership - Concrete examples to create more equitable hiring practices. - Piloting inclusive structures and the importance of leaders doing their own self-work to understand their privilege and responsibility.   00:28:30 - Hippy Dippy or Innovation - The resistance to DEI initiatives and the perception of these efforts as "soft" or "extra." - The financial implications of not addressing DEI, including lost productivity and customer base. - Questioning the fundamental purpose of organizations and the costs of maintaining exploitative practices.   00:38:30 - Embracing Humanity in Leadership - The cultural barriers to embracing emotions and humanity in the workplace. - The need for leaders to create psychologically safe environments and to see employees as whole human beings.   Guest Bios: Tip Fallon partners with leaders and teams to create effective and equitable organizations. He became interested in leadership and creating inclusive cultures at a young age, growing up in an area that had substantive racial, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity, and as the son of an immigrant in a multiracial family. Coming from a predominantly working class neighborhood, he also saw the impact any leader can have at all levels of society and particularly the effects leaders have on those who are most marginalized. These life experiences inform his philosophy that good leadership  is equitable leadership. Tip has worked with dozens of organizations ranging from community based nonprofits to organizations with international reach including the Federal Aviation Administration, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy. He has taught as an adjunct faculty member for ten years in Organization Development and DEI programs at American University and Georgetown University. He holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.), Organization Development (M.S.), and is a Certified Professional Diversity Coach (CPDC).   _____________________________________________   Stephen Graves Born in Greenwood, South Carolina to a pair of faith-driven educators, the values of service and lifelong learning were instilled in Stephen Graves from an early age. These values, coupled with spiritual lessons from an upbringing in the Black Baptist church, shaped Stephen’s social consciousness for understanding the inherent worth every person has in life and addressing the historical and present injustices inhibiting people from fully realizing their worth. With this awareness, Stephen pursued a mission-driven path, ensuring people have a sense of respect, dignity, and belonging to live and thrive in a multicultural world. For over a decade, Stephen has consulted and advised leaders and organizations of all sizes and sectors on focus areas such as People & Culture, Leadership & Professional Development, Language Access, Health Equity, and Patient Advocacy. Stephen earned his Master in Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina. He holds an Executive Certificate in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from Georgetown University.   Important Links and Resources: 🔗 Tip Fallon 🔗 Stephen Graves 🔗 All In Consulting Co. More Women work at Nonprofits so Why do Men end up Leading Them https://hbr.org/2024/04/more-women-work-in-nonprofits-so-why-do-men-end-up-leading-them   Jay Z - Feeling It: ​​ Feelin' It   Related Episodes: Episode 62: Highlights of healthy nonprofit organizational cultures, part 1 Episode 63: Highlights of healthy nonprofit organizational cultures, part 2 Episode 86: Building your cultural competence  Episode 92: Three stages of nonprofit leadership Episode 97: The business imperative of facing climate change Episode 102: The Nonprofit board’s duty of foresight   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 102 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Jeff De Cagna discuss the concept of the "duty of foresight," stressing the need for boards to prepare for future challenges. They critique traditional leadership paradigms and promote stewardship as a more inclusive and effective approach. The conversation covers various topics, including the evolution from VUCA to BANI and the need to challenge orthodox beliefs to create resilient and forward-thinking organizations.   Episode highlights: Duty of Foresight [00:07:00] - [00:010:00] - the concept of the "duty of foresight." - the importance of boards anticipating future challenges and preparing accordingly. Evolution from VUCA to BANI [00:14:00] - [00:17:30] - the shift from VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) to BANI (brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible). Challenging Orthodox Beliefs [00:19:00] - [00:24:00] -The need for nonprofit leaders to question and confront orthodox beliefs. - examples of outdated beliefs and suggests alternative approaches to foster innovation and resilience.  Leadership vs. Stewardship [00:30:00] - [00:37:00] - Critique of traditional leadership models, arguing that they often emphasize winning and greatness in unproductive ways. - Stewardship as a more collaborative and sustainable approach to governance.  Preparing for Future Challenges [00:37:00] - [00:23:00] the importance of collective responsibility on nonprofit boards and shared vulnerability in addressing complex issues.   Guest Bio: Jeff De Cagna FRSA FASAE, executive advisor for Foresight First LLC in Reston, Virginia is an association contrarian, foresight practitioner, governing designer, stakeholder/successor advocate, and stewardship catalyst. In August 2019, Jeff became the 32nd recipient of ASAE’s Academy of Leaders Award, the association’s highest individual honor given to consultants or industry partners in recognition of their support of ASAE and the association community.   Important Links and Resources: Jeff De Cagna Foresight First LLC VUCA https://www.mindtools.com/asnydwg/managing-in-a-vuca-world BANI https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeroenkraaijenbrink/2022/06/22/what-bani-really-means-and-how-it-corrects-your-world-view/ Reasons to be cheerful newsletter: https://reasonstobecheerful.world/ Threatening Thirties series: https://www.naylor.com/associationadviser/the-threatening-thirties-part-i/ https://www.naylor.com/associationadviser/the-threatening-thirties-part-ii/ https://www.naylor.com/associationadviser/the-threatening-thirties-part-iii/ Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/characteristics.html   Related Episodes: Episode 15: The Nonprofit Executive Director-Board Chair relationship Episode 42: Building shared governance Episode 55: Helping nonprofit boards move toward greater equity Episode 61: Impactful nonprofit boards Episode 97: The business imperative of facing climate change Episode 99: Elevating nonprofit governance   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 101 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Michael Randel discuss Michael’s research into nonprofit organizations that received significant funding from Mackenzie Scott’s trust-based philanthropy initiative.  The impact of these transformative gifts on nonprofits,  Six key areas of organizational preparedness and grant readiness  Good practices for handling substantial donations.    Episode highlights: [00:09:30] Mackenzie Scott's Trust-Based Philanthropy Philanthropy Approach - Mackenzie Scott’s “quiet giving” process. - Discussion on how Scott’s approach differs from traditional philanthropy with no application process and minimal reporting requirements. - The concept of trust-based philanthropy and its implications for recipient organizations. [00:13:30] Research on organization’s receiving Scott gifts - Michael’s initial hypothesis and surprising positive research findings  - Insights from interviewing CEOs of recipient organizations about managing large gifts.   [00:15:30] Patterns in Recipient Organizations - the characteristics and sectors of organizations that received funding. - The importance of organizational preparedness and strategic clarity.   [00:18:30] Organizational Preparedness - Key elements that made organizations ready for large donations:   - Clarity of purpose and identity.   - Strategic priorities.   - Proven approaches and evidence-based strategies.   - Aligned leadership and governance.   - Strengthened capacity and systems.   - Learning and adaptation capabilities.   [00:27:30] Organizational Development Lessons - Michael’s observations on the sustainability of organizations not centered around a charismatic leader. - Importance of multiple levels of system attention within an organization.   [00:30:30] Holistic Organizational Approach - Carol and Michael discuss the benefits of a holistic view in organizational development. - The shift in the consulting field towards addressing multiple aspects of organizational life.   [00:32:30] Taking a comprehensive approach - Emphasizing a comprehensive look at all organizational components, not just programmatic aspects. - The role of communication and visibility in securing funding.   [00:35:30] Practical Advice for Handling Large Gifts Five good practices for organizations receiving large donations:   - Advisor for the CEO.   - Thoughtful sharing of news about the gift.   - Strategic investment planning.   - Establishing a working group for decision-making.   - Effective communication with stakeholders.   Guest Bio: Michael Randel Michael Randel helps leaders and their teams move through Change and Growth with Calm and Confidence. He developed the RCA Seasons of GrowthTM framework to help people understand and move through the three common phases of change. This allows leaders to navigate the challenges of change and bring about transformational results.  With 30 years of experience, Michael works with philanthropic foundations, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and public sector agencies to help them navigate change with success and poise with his expertise in organizational change. The influence and impact of Michael’s work has been recognized with multiple global awards, and his clients include Amnesty International, AstraZeneca, NASA, United Nations, and the World Bank. Important Links and Resources: Yield Giving: https://yieldgiving.com/ Michael Randel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrandel/ https://rcachangeadvisors.com/ Gestalt approach to organization development https://www.gestaltosd.org/   Related Episodes: Episode 15 The Nonprofit executive director-board chair relationship Episode 17 Program evaluation Episode 67: Get that money honey Episode 69: Designing for strategy Episode 70: Values based strategic planning Episode 76: You don’t have to go it alone   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 100 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton goes solo to celebrate this special 100th episode. She reflects on the insights and lessons learned from her podcasting journey exploring nonprofit leadership and organizational health. Celebrating a significant milestone, she emphasizes the importance of creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures, addressing toxic organizational behaviors, and reimagining a healthier nonprofit sector. Through her conversations with various guests, she highlights the need for aligning mission and operations, valuing human-centric approaches, and fostering collaborative and supportive environments. The episode concludes with a call to action for nonprofit leaders to prioritize relationships, self-care, and a balanced, sustainable approach to their impactful work.   Episode highlights: 10 Lessons from 100 Episodes **[00:01:16]** Reflection on various aspects of nonprofit leadership, from organizational cultures to sector-wide health.    Lessons on Organizational Culture **[00:03:32]** Lesson 1: A healthy organizational culture cultivates diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming space by design.   **[00:04:28]** Lesson 2: Identifying and moving away from toxic organizational cultures characterized by lack of clarity, microaggressions, internal competition, and unaddressed conflicts.    Overwork and Martyrdom in Nonprofits **[00:06:13]** Lesson 3: Addressing overwork, perfectionism, and martyrdom, and understanding their prevalence in the sector.    Healthy Nonprofit Organizational Cultures **[00:12:00]** Lesson 4: Characteristics of healthy organizational cultures, including openness to mistakes, effective conflict management, clear roles, and strategic redundancy.    Importance of Relationships **[00:16:03]** Lesson 5: Emphasizing the importance of relationships in all aspects of nonprofit work and leadership.    Collaborative Support **[00:17:22]** Lesson 6: You Don’t have to go it alone! Encouraging leaders to seek support through coaching, peer groups, and collaborations.    Defining Unique Contributions **[00:18:27]** Lesson 7: Finding and claiming a unique niche based on strengths and contributions.    Grace and Cultural Humility **[00:21:00]** Lesson 8: Practicing grace, compassion, and cultural humility within organizational contexts.    Organizational Alignment **[00:21:22]** Lesson 9: Highlighting the power of alignment in organizational goals, strategies, and values.    Embracing Human Imperfection **[00:23:11]** Lesson 10: Emphasizing the importance of being human first in all things and embracing imperfection.    Reimaging the nonprofit sector **[00:23:49]** Carol poses important questions about redefining the nonprofit sector, making work sustainable, and promoting play, creativity, and thriving in the workplace.   Important Links and Resources: Laziness does not exist by Dr. Devon Price https://bookshop.org/p/books/laziness-does-not-exist-devon-price/14871468?ean=9781982140113 Start Finishing by Charlie Gilkie https://bookshop.org/p/books/start-finishing-how-to-go-from-idea-to-done-charlie-gilkey/9833426?ean=9781683648635   Related Episodes: My top 10 lessons from 100 episodes: In order to cultivate healthy organizational cultures, the culture has to be diverse, equitable, inclusive, welcoming by design. It has to center cultural competence and cultural humility.  Episode 56: Applying an equity lens to your work Episode 39: Equity highlights from 2020 and 2021 What a toxic organizational culture looks and feels like Episode 11: Nonprofit Organizational healing  Episode 36: Conflict and Nonprofit Organizational Culture  Why overwork, perfectionism and martyrdom are so prevalent in our sector Episode 5: Preventing burnout in the nonprofit sector  Episode 38: An invitation to do less Episode 50: Why more money and more staff are not always the answer What are we striving for instead? What a healthy organizational culture actually looks like Episode 62: Healthy organizational culture highlights Episode 63: Healthy organizational culture highlights It is all about relationships! Episode 45 Authentic marketing for your nonprofit Episode 65: Building a ladder of engagement Episode 67: Get that money honey You do not have to do it alone! Episode 4: Strategic partnering for nonprofits  Episode 21: Investing in the next generation of nonprofit leaders  Episode 42: Building shared nonprofit governance  Episode 76: You don’t have to go it alone Find your unique contribution Episode 99: Elevating nonprofit governance and leadership Give yourself and others grace and compassion with a healthy dose of cultural humility There is grace and power in organizational alignment Episode 94: Navigating power and conflict Episode 90: Five steps to a successful nonprofit strategic plan  Be human first in all things   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 99 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Mary Reeves, PhD discuss: the importance of effective governance in nonprofit organizations.  the transformational experiences board members often undergo the Japanese concept of Ikigai—finding purpose through what you love, are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.  Mary's reflections provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of nonprofit governance and the importance of continuous learning and integration for effective nonprofit organizational leadership. Episode highlights: Ethical Nonprofit Governance - [00:06:00] The importance of ethical and proper governance in educational organizations. The Concept of Ikigai - [00:07:20] The Japanese principle of Ikigai and its four components: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for. Building positive Nonprofit Board and Executive Director Relationships - [00:08:35] The importance of fostering positive relationships between the board and executive directors. Transformational nonprofit board experiences - [00:011:34] The transformational experience board members often undergo. Managing Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Responsibilities - [00:18:26] The inherent conflicts of interest in many association boards and the importance of understanding fiduciary responsibilities. Elevating Nonprofit Board Service - [00:22:20] The high stakes of decision-making in board service and how it can be a transformational experience by rising above personal experiences and biases in board service. Progress over perfection - [00:28:43] Leaders should recognize they cannot do it all and should focus on progress rather than perfection. Guest Bio: Mary H Reeves, PhD Mary Reeves is the retired executive director of the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), the current public member on the Council on Academic Accreditation of ASHA, and a member of the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Board of Directors Governance Committee. Her non-profit board experiences span 50 years, both on the board-side in local service organizations and national leadership positions in professional associations in English language and international education, and in staff-side associate and executive director positions. She now focuses on effective transitions, proactive mentoring, and how to maximize contributions of knowledge, experience, and passion while gracefully passing the torch. Mary holds a PhD in higher education policy studies with a primary focus in international education and a secondary focus in organizational behavior.  Important Links and Resources: Leadership without Easy answers by Ronald Heifetz   BoardSource   Related Episodes: Episode 15: The Nonprofit Executive director – Board chair leadership Episode 42: Building shared governance  Episode 55: Helping nonprofit boards move toward greater equity Episode 61: Impactful nonprofit boards   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 98 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton hosts Danielle Marshall for another learning out loud episode where we do a deep dive into a topic.  Today’s topic is leadership in the nonprofit sector, especially the declining interest in nonprofit leadership as highlighted by the "Push and Pull" report by the Building Movement Project. We explore the dual reactions of frustration and affirmation in response to the report, discuss the challenges and support needs of nonprofit leaders, particularly BIPOC leaders, and emphasize the importance of culturally relevant support, universal design, and sustainability in leadership roles.   Episode Highlights - [00:06:01] The "Push and Pull" report by the Building Movement Project, tracks the declining interest in nonprofit leadership roles, a persistent issue in the sector.   - [00:07:25] The importance of training, mentoring, and coaching, and reflects on her own experience of not knowing she could negotiate for executive coaching. - [00:08:41] The added challenges faced by BIPOC leaders, including gaps in board and staff support and heightened expectations for rapid change.   - [00:010:54] The unrealistic expectations placed on nonprofit leaders and the renegotiation of work-life balance. - [00:012:59] The additional pressure on BIPOC leaders who serve communities they identify with, dealing with systemic oppression and trauma patterns. - [00:15:00] Rethinking Leadership Roles with culturally relevant support and universal design and its potential benefits for creating more inclusive and supportive leadership roles. - [00:23:30] The trend of having co-executive directors. Potential and challenges.  - [00:28:30] The challenge of always adding new expectations and the importance of focusing on sustainability. - [00:31:01] The importance of boards and staff supporting executive directors in carving out time for development and peer support.   The conversation underscores the complexity of nonprofit leadership, the need for systemic changes to support leaders better, and the importance of culturally relevant and sustainable support systems to encourage more people to step into these critical roles.   Guest Bio: Danielle is an inclusive leader focused on strengthening collaboration among teams, leaders, and stakeholders to foster problem-solving, create solutions, and improve culture. She finds her inspiration in leading systemic change work that promotes equity and inclusion.  Danielle founded Culture Principles in response to a persistent need to operationalize Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion metrics, centering REDI goals and creating accountability systems. She supports clients through her Mapping Equity Framework focused on Unearthing Knowledge, Elevating Strategy, and Transforming Sustainability. She centers her work around organizational assessment, racial equity learning intensives, and the development of racial equity action plans. Understanding that each organization arrives at this work from different perspectives, she utilizes assessment in building a customized strategy for each unique partner. Previously Danielle served as a non-profit leader for 20+ years and today works on strategy development that enables nonprofits to achieve equitable mission-driven results. Danielle holds a Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University and draws on her background as an I/O psychologist in applying a racial equity lens to organizational policies, practices, and programs. She is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)/ Executive Coach (ACC). During her playtime, you can find Danielle traveling, knitting, and kayaking in all 50 states. Important Links and Resources: The Push and Pull: Declining Interest in Nonprofit Leadership   Related Episodes: E72: Exploring Passion Exploitation with Lauren Brownstein E78: Renegotiating our relationship with work with Carol Hamilton E92: Three stages of nonprofit leadership with Patton McDowell E95: Building shared nonprofit leadership with Emily Taylor   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 97 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton, Elizabeth Engel and Shelly Alcorn discuss Why addressing climate change has shifted from a moral imperative to a business imperative for associations and nonprofits How climate change is impacting all sectors and industries now how associations are uniquely positioned to address climate change by leveraging their influence Why shifting away from the single points of failure built into the traditional ways association services have been delivered is important Ways to reduce your organization’s carbon footprint    Episode highlights: [00:08:25] Shift from Moral to Business Imperative  The shift of climate change from a moral to a business imperative, driven by observable impacts like extreme weather events causing significant property and economic losses.   [00:10:15] Association's Role at COP27  The proactive participation of associations like the American Psychological Association and the American Institute of Architects in COP27, bringing attention to industry-specific impacts of climate change.   [00:13:17] Climate Impact on Association Operations  The direct impacts of climate change on associations, such as disruptions from extreme weather events and the carbon footprint of large gatherings like annual meetings.   [00:28:23] Strategic Adaptations for Climate Resilience  The need for associations to develop resilience by adopting proactive strategies like no single point of failure in operations, reflecting a shift towards decentralized and adaptable operational models.   Guest Bios: Shelly Alcorn Shelly is a Principal in Michelle Alcorn and Associates and specializes in non-profit trade associations and professional societies. Shelly stands at the intersection of technology, the education-to-employment system, and the association of the future. She conducts strategic, leadership and staff retreats, and speaks on critical issues faced by the association community and society including existential risks such as the rise of artificial intelligence and the coming impacts of climate change. Elizabeth Weaver Engel Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, is Chief Strategist at Spark Consulting. For more than 25 years, Elizabeth has helped associations grow in membership, marketing, communications, public presence, and especially revenue, which is what Spark is all about. She speaks and writes frequently on a variety of topics in association management. When she's not helping associations grow, Elizabeth loves to dance, listen to live music, cook, and garden. Important Links and Resources: Download the whitepaper at: http://ac3coalition.com   Join the Association Climate Action Coalition community at: https://ac3.breezio.com Not too Late: Changing the Climate Story from despair to Possibility, editor - Rebecca Solnit Crystal City example: https://ggwash.org/view/91781/take-note-downtowns-crystal-city-suffered-its-office-apocalypse-and-came-out-better   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 96 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Dr Victoria Boyd discuss The misconceptions about starting a nonprofit Why a program logic model is a better place to start for new organizations than a business plan Some of the key questions nonprofit founders need to ask themselves as they get started. Episode highlights:   07:34  - Common Misconceptions about Starting Nonprofits what to focus on instead   16:22- The Logic Model as the heart beat of the organization    25:29- **Defining your Unique Value Proposition    27:39 Building shared leadership intentionally    Guest Bio: Dr. Victoria Boyd Author, Trainer, Consultant, and founder of The Philantrepreneur Foundation. Host of the Nonprofit Corner Podcast.   Important Links and Resources: The Philantrepreneur Foundation - https://drvictoriaboyd.com/foundation/ Nonprofit Corner Podcast: https://nonprofitcorner.org/home Related Episodes: Episode 17: Program Evaluation with Wendy Wolfe   Be in Touch:   ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 95 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Emily Taylor discuss the challenges nonprofit CEOs face as they become victims of their own success.  how nonprofit leaders can become disconnected from their community as their organization grows how when an organization is overly associated with the CEO, this can result in a culture of dependence and bottleneck decision-making  Episode Highlights [11:15] Recognizing Organizational Dependence  how nonprofits become overly dependent on a charismatic CEO and how this can stifle organizational growth and sustainability.   [20:56] Strategic Reflection Before Planning  nonprofits should engage in reflective practices to understand their true challenges before embarking on strategic planning.   [23:03] Gaining Objective Insights  the benefit of having an outsider's perspective to identify common goals and values among staff that may be clouded by internal bias or jargon. [33:02] The Human Aspect of Leadership  leaders must view themselves as humans with limitations, which can foster a healthier organizational culture and enable growth beyond the capabilities of a single individual.   Guest Bio: Emily Taylor Emily Taylor works with nonprofit leaders who are ready to catapult their organizations into their next stage of growth by shifting their decision-making from intuitive to intentional. Leaders who seek Emily’s expertise are not only frustrated with the typical strategic planning process but don’t feel fully informed to make big, long-term decisions. Instead, she first grounds the organization in ‘who they are’ to help them prioritize the challenges that lie ahead. To achieve this, Emily applies her individualized strategic listening methodology with an organization's community, allowing teams to 'see their value' and align their decision-making as an organization, not just the CEO. She helps them find a planning process that fits their needs, not something that is out of the box, which is why most organizations get frustrated with strategic planning! Important Links and Resources: Emily Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-taylor-teenybig/   Paper on pre-strategic planning: https://mailchi.mp/teenybig/you-shouldnt-jump-into-your-next-strategic-plan   Related Episodes: Episode 21: Investing in the next generation of nonprofit leaders with Andy Robinson Episode 60: Why bother doing strategic planning? Episode 70 Values Based nonprofit strategic planning Episode 90 Five steps to successful nonprofit strategic planning with Carol Hamilton   Be In Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 94 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Rebecca Epstein discuss the article that Rebecca wrote with Mistinguette Smith published in the Nonprofit Quarterly in 2023. Paving a Better Way: What’s Driving Progressive Organizations Apart and How to Win by Coming Together. The conversation between Rebecca and Carol covers the intricacies and challenges of leadership and organizational dynamics within the nonprofit sector, particularly in the context of social justice work. Their discussion touches upon generational conflicts, power dynamics, organizational clarity, and strategies for effective leadership, especially in the recent crises we have all experienced over the past several years.   Episode highlights: Generational and Cultural Dynamics in Nonprofits [00:08:30] The recent increased conflict within organizations between leaders and staff, often on generational and racial lines. How these conflicts are similar and different to those of the past.  Addressing Internal Conflicts and Building Resilience [00:15:30] Conflicts within organizations, such as public call outs and accusations of racism as well as the push for structural changes.  Organizational Clarity and Strategy - [00:20:30] The importance of organizational clarity regarding power and decision-making, and how it should reflect an organization's values and strategies.  The Challenge of Aligning Strategy and Leadership - [00:25:30] The challenges organizations face in aligning their leadership style with their identity and mission as well as aligning expectations across segments of staff.  Addressing Trauma in Nonprofits - [00:35:30] Understanding and addressing trauma embedded in social justice work – the trauma that stems from the issue the organization is addressing, intergenerational trauma, personal and interpersonal trauma. How might trauma at all these levels be addressed responsibly?  Current Trends and Challenges   The dialogue offers nonprofit leaders a range of insights and considerations for fostering healthy, effective, and resilient organizations that can navigate the complexities of social change work.   Guest Bio: Becca Epstein is a coach and consultant to social justice organizations and their leaders with over 20 years of experience in community organizing, organizational development, and nonprofit leadership. Becca is a co-founder of The Management Center, a former Vice President at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and a convener of the “Paving a Better Way” working group. Her practice focuses on leaders, organizations, and movements confronting strategic challenges, seeking transformation, and advancing equity and justice. Becca holds an MPA in Nonprofit Management and Public Policy from NYU, a BA in Anthropology from Amherst College, and is a Certified Professional Coach. Important Links and Resources: Paving a Better Way: What’s Driving Progressive Organizations Apart and How to Win by Coming Together by Rebecca Epstein and Mistinguette Smith Building Resilient Organizations: Toward Joy and Durable Power in a Time of Crisis by Maurice Mitchell Learning From an Intergenerational Blowup Over Social Justice by Steve Kaagan & John Hagan  Rebecca Epstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-epstein-797aa75/ https://www.beccaepsteincoaching.com/ Internal Family Systems - No Bad Parts: https://bookshop.org/p/books/no-bad-parts-healing-trauma-and-restoring-wholeness-with-the-internal-family-systems-model-richard-schwartz/16396062?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q7ZNqD5nvZg5Rc0AW1G0doLAO72cWnAFeCHvmKdI5QkEjpu1QDdtWIaAtc-EALw_wcB Polarities - Polarity Partnerships: https://www.polaritypartnerships.com/   Related Episodes: These articles were also discussed on:  Episode 75: Co-creation with Carol Hamilton and Danielle Marshall  Nature of the employee-employer relationship/what is work: Episode 78: Renegotiating our relationship with work with Carol Hamilton Episode 85: Building equitable compensation frameworks with Mala Nagarajan   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 93 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Pooya Pourak discuss the importance of transparent, impact-centric fundraising, the use of technology for efficiency, and the necessity of fair compensation for nonprofit employees. They delve into the nuances of donor engagement, exploring how to shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance and collaboration. They also discuss the potential of AI in the sector, while maintaining the human element that is essential to nonprofit work.   Episode Highlights: 09:40 - Donor Engagement and Trust: Pooya presents statistics on donor engagement and trust, highlighting the disconnect between nonprofits and donors, and the strategies to improve transparency and communication.   12:00 Language and Fundraising: The conversation shifts to the language used in fundraising and how it affects donor relationships. They discuss the importance of genuine, mission-aligned connections over transactional interactions.   14:00 Shifting Status Quo Assumptions: Carol and Pooya discuss how nonprofits can break free from counterproductive practices and adopt strategies that promote long-term sustainability and diversified fundraising sources.   16:30 Nonprofit Ecosystem Complexity: Pooya reflects on the complexity of the nonprofit ecosystem, including the roles of various stakeholders, from other nonprofits to donors, foundations, and policy.   22:00 Testing Hypotheses in Fundraising: Pooya details the testing of two hypotheses aimed at increasing generosity and online giving, including the influence of unrestricted donations and the effectiveness of matching gifts.   31:00 The Future of the Nonprofit Sector: Looking ahead, Pooya anticipates the growing role of AI in the sector and emphasizes the need to balance technological advances with maintaining the sector's human-centered approach.   34:00  Fair Compensation The interview concludes with Pooya advocating for fair compensation in the nonprofit sector and encouraging a shift from competition to collaboration to enhance collective impact.   Guest Bio: Pooya Pourak Pooya is co-founder and CEO of MatchNice, a social impact tech startup on a mission to connect the nonprofit ecosystem and maximize social impact. His team is working on a new kind of impact-centric fundraising platform to increase transparency, engagement and accountability in digital fundraising. Pooya brings 15+ years of experience leading digital transformation across business, government, and now the nonprofit sector. He is the Host and Producer of The Nonprofit Lab, a podcast dedicated to the journey of discovery in the nonprofit sector with an aim to uncover and shake up the status quo. Pooya runs his own consulting practice where he helps our government listen to the needs of diverse stakeholders and put their feedback into action to inform large-scale systems delivery. Pooya holds a Bachelor of Science from Georgia Institute of Technology in Industrial & Systems Engineering and is also a certified yoga instructor. Important Links and Resources: https://www.matchnice.org/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/pooyapourak/   Charity Vest https://www.charityvest.org/   Google for Nonprofits https://www.google.com/nonprofits/   Be in touch! ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 92 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Patton McDowell explore the multi-generational nonprofit workforce, discussing the unique hurdles and opportunities that come with each stage of a non-profit career—from emerging leaders grappling with gaining practical experience to mid-career professionals encountering a plateau, and up to executive directors feeling isolated at the top. They underscore the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and the benefits of strategic personal planning.    Show highlights: Generational Workforce Challenges Generational Workforce Challenges - [00:07:00] Discussion on the challenges faced by different generations in the nonprofit sector. Opportunity and Experience for Emerging Leaders - [00:08:05] Patton talks about the emerging leader generation facing the issue of opportunity and joy market entry difficulties Mid-Career Plateau - [00:19:25] Patton introduces the idea of a "mid-career plateau" and how to overcome it. Non-Traditional Career Paths - [00:22:00] Carol discusses lateral moves and specialization as alternatives to traditional progression. Executive Leadership Loneliness - [00:24:22] Patton discusses the isolation felt by those in executive leadership roles. Co-Executive Director Model - [00:29:00] Carol asks Patton about shared leadership roles and his views on them. Predictable Turnover - [00:33:00] Carol reflects on predictable turnover and proactive recruitment approaches. Organizational Exchanges - [00:39:10] Patton and Carol discuss the benefits of organizational exchanges and site visits. Personal Retreat for Leaders - [00:42:20] Patton recommends nonprofit leaders take personal retreats for strategic planning and Carol speaks on her own practice of personal strategic planning.   Guest Bio: Patton is the Founder of PMA Nonprofit Leadership, a coaching and consulting firm specializing in leadership development, fundraising, and strategic planning for nonprofits. He led fundraising efforts at two universities after starting his career at Special Olympics International. He's a Master Trainer for AFP Global, hosts the podcast Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, and authored a best-selling book of the same name. He holds a bachelor's degree from UNC Chapel Hill, an MBA from Queens University of Charlotte, and a Doctorate from the University of Southern California. Patton currently serves as an Executive in Residence at the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University.   Important Links and Resources: Patton McDowell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattonmcdowell/ PMA Nonprofit https://www.pmanonprofit.com/ Charlie Gilkey - https://www.productiveflourishing.com/   Be in Touch! ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 91 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and George Weiner discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the nonprofit sector. They delve into the significance of AI in the sector, emphasizing the need for strategic adoption and policy development. The conversation then shifts to the integration of AI into everyday tools They cover practical applications of AI and discuss crafting AI policies as well as the potential for AI to enhance nonprofit operations, particularly in grant writing and reporting.  Episode highlights: [00:06:00] AI Adoption and Policy in Nonprofits [00:08:00] Hype Cycle of AI: [00:11:00] - AI in Everyday Life: [00:13:00] - AI for Nonprofit Content Creation [00:15:00]  Crafting Nonprofit AI Policies and Guidelines [00:16:00] - Integrating AI in Nonprofits: [00:20:00] - Avoiding Overextension with AI: [00:24:00] - Practical AI Tools for Nonprofits: [00:27:00] Time Saving vs. Time Reallocation with AI [00:29:00]  AI in Grant Writing: Guest Bio: George Weiner is the Chief Whaler, WholeWhale.com. He co-founded CTOs For Good, PowerPoetry.org. He is a Dad, and a nonprofit geek. Important Links and Resources: WholeWhale.com George Weiner Cause Writer AI https://causewriter.ai/ The Smart Nonprofit by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine https://www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Smart+Nonprofit:+Staying+Human+Centered+in+An+Automated+World-p-9781119818120 Be in touch! ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 90 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton goes solo and talks about: What strategic planning is and is not the five steps to a comprehensive strategic planning process Keys to ensuring your plan gets put into action and stays relevant The five steps are 1. kick off, 2. discovery or listening tour, 3. explore, 4. decide, 5. plan & act Strategic planning: Strategic planning is a structured process for setting priorities for the medium term (3-5 years). It involves gathering insights from stakeholders, identifying themes, exploring futures, and making decisions to focus the organization’s future in service of its mission. What it is NOT It’s not about predicting or controlling the future. Just the document, it's about conversations that build alignment and shared understanding. It is not just a retreat Kick Off Setting yourself up for success Let everyone know what is happening and what is coming Pull together a team  Equity considerations Discover Go on a listening tour Interviews, focus groups, surveys – what will work for you. How are you making participation accessible? Explore Share the current state as well as hopes and aspirations Explore the wider landscape and ecosystem for trends imagine new futures for the organization Decide Prioritize and decide on the future directions and goals: Where will you put your energy? Revisit your mission and vision – are they aligned with where you are going? Plan & Act Define action steps, success indicators, and feedback mechanisms.   Keeping the Plan Fresh  Agree on a process for reviewing and updating the plan Important Links and Resources: Common Mistakes Organizations Make in Strategic planning: https://www.gracesocialsector.com/store/p13/strategic_plan_mistakes.html Be in touch ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 89 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Miguel Guadalupe discuss issues of generational engagement in leadership, highlighting the frequent oversight of Generation X and stressing the unique adaptability and valuable perspective that this generation brings to the table. Miguel emphasizes the necessity for Generation X to advocate for recognition in leadership roles, reflecting on a LinkedIn post that sparked a broader conversation about the career stagnation felt by many in his generation.  Episode highlights: Don’t Forget GenX: underrepresentation and unique contributions of Generation X in leadership and decision-making processes. Adapting to change: how Generation X's experience with the evolution of technology equips and other big changes over their career equips them with adaptability, a valuable skill set for leadership. Perpetual Utility player: Many of the Gen Xers who commented on Miguel’s LinkedIn post shared the feeling of  being overlooked in their professional lives. Visibility and Advocacy: Miguel suggests that Generation X should take a lesson from Millenials and Gen Z and take a more assertive stance in advocating for their visibility and leadership opportunities.   Guest Bio: Miguel Guadalupe is Vice President of Donor and Community Relations at The Bowery Residents' Committee, or BRC in NYC. BRC helps over 10,000 individuals a year suffering from homelessness, mental illness, and addiction with the dignity and compassion they deserve. Miguel manages donor engagement, fundraising, and event planning, as well on service as BRC liaison to local elected officials, community organizations and businesses wherever a BRC program is located. He is also Vice Chair of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, and helps to produce America's largest cultural celebration, in NYC, while helping to raise and distribute over $200K annually to students attending higher education.   Important Links and Resources: Miguel’s viral LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7036817928465350656?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_feedUpdate%3A%28V2%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7036817928465350656%29   Miguel Guadalupe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguelguadalupe/ The Bowery Residents' Committee https://www.brc.org/   Be in Touch:  ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In this enlightening episode, Carol interviews Lisa Hazirjian, a historian turned advocate, as they delve into Lisa’s unexpected journey from academia to the forefront of nonprofit advocacy. Through a candid recount of personal challenges and professional transitions, Lisa shares her story, motivations, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.   Some of the conversation’s highlights:   Motivation for Advocacy: Personal emotions during times of loss and the desire to effect change in public policy were Lisa’s primary motivators to engage in advocacy work.   Nonprofit Misconceptions: Lisa corrects the common misconception that nonprofits cannot engage in policy advocacy, stressing that they can and should, as they often hold valuable expertise that can inform policymaking.   Strategic Advocacy: Despite political power dynamics, Lisa argues that effective advocacy is less about which party is in power and more about the ability to influence decision-makers through strategic engagement and communication.   Building Relationships: The importance of building relationships before needing to make an ask is highlighted, with suggestions to conduct surveys and use supporters as effective messengers to lawmakers.   Volunteer Engagement: Discussion of a “ladder of engagement” approach to progressively involve volunteers in advocacy work, starting with simple actions and building up to higher responsibilities.   Training and Responsibility: Emphasizing the need to train volunteers not just for tasks but also for understanding the bigger picture, the narrative includes a personal story demonstrating this practice.   Small Wins and Community: Acknowledging small victories and the value of creating a sense of community among advocates is presented as crucial for maintaining motivation and momentum in long-term policy campaigns.   Guest Bio: Lisa Hazirjian, PhD, founded Win Together Consulting to help progressive change makers develop strategy, build power, engage supporters, and leverage strengths to achieve their goals. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies, Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies, and Ph.D. in U.S. History from Duke University, and is working toward a Nonprofit Leadership Certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School. You can reach Lisa at [email protected]. Important Links and Resources: ●      Win Together Consulting ●      https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahazirjian/   Be in touch! ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 87 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and June Jimenez discuss: Making remote-work work for your organization Juggling the complex decisions facing nonprofit leaders regarding a potential return to physical offices Changing employee expectations We explore the experiences of organizations that are fully remote, emphasizing the heightened need for intentional connection, care, and frequent virtual interactions to maintain a sense of team and culture. Nonprofits are grappling with diverse approaches, from fully embracing remote work to dealing with financial considerations and strategic implications associated with maintaining physical office spaces. We unpack the myth of culture and innovation being dependent on co-location. We also explore the particular challenges of newer employees in understanding organizational culture when working remotely, and strategies for leaders to help integrate new staff in a virtual environment.    00:20:30: Decision-making driven by prior investments in physical office spaces 00:21:00 The myth of physical presence as a prerequisite for innovation and organizational culture 00:23:00:** Culture exists in both remote and co-located setups 00:24:30:** Younger employees challenges with integrating with organizational cultures 00:26:00:** Particular challenges for newer generations in navigating office culture remotely 00:28:30:** What leaders need to think about in terms of informal nature of information exchange in physical offices vs. remote settings. 00:29:30:** Strategies for helping new staff integrate,  00:33:30:** Training and development for managers successful adaptation to remote work   Guest Bio: June Jimenez  is an organizational development consultant to mission-focused organizations. June's work focuses on the people, systems, processes and technology needed to help organizations deliver their missions while experiencing tremendous change. June brings over 20 years of professional experience to each engagement gained through her work across the nonprofit, government and private sectors. June is a mother to a 10 year old rabble rouser, partner to a retired police and military professional and passionate about social justice. June received her Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and received her Executive MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   Important Links and Resources: June Jimenez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimenezjune/   Register for the Nonprofit Leadership Roundtable (12/14/23 at 1:00pm eastern): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/760734085127?aff=oddtdtcreator   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 86 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton joins with Danielle Marshall for another learning out loud episode where we do a deep dive into a topic. Today we focused on cultural competence or cultural humility and talked about ways for people to work on and enhance their cultural competence.  Danielle defines cultural competence as the ability to navigate interactions effectively across diverse cultures, emphasizing the importance of valuing differences and recognizing that no social identity is a monolith. While it is easy to think that finding the time to improve your cultural competence is too hard, Danielle offers a practical five-step approach: Assess your starting point,  Set your learning goals,  Creating a learning schedule,  Identify learning resources Continuously monitoring and adjusting the learning plan. Both discuss the significance of accountability partners and participating in both affinity and multicultural groups. They stress the need for ongoing self-monitoring and adaptability in the pursuit of cultural competency.   Highlights: - [00:07:16] Definition of Cultural Competence; Cultural Competence/Cultural Humility - [00:17:16 Five Actionable Steps for Nonprofit Leaders in Building Cultural Competence - [00:23:16] Cultural competence learning plan  - [00:33:16] Accountability partners and affinity groups  - [00:39:16] Continuous learning journey   Guest Bio: Danielle is an inclusive leader focused on strengthening collaboration among teams, leaders, and stakeholders to foster problem-solving, create solutions, and improve culture. She finds her inspiration in leading systemic change work that promotes equity and inclusion.  Danielle founded Culture Principles in response to a persistent need to operationalize Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion metrics, centering REDI goals and creating accountability systems. She supports clients through her Mapping Equity Framework focused on Unearthing Knowledge, Elevating Strategy, and Transforming Sustainability. She centers her work around organizational assessment, racial equity learning intensives, and the development of racial equity action plans. Understanding that each organization arrives at this work from different perspectives, she utilizes assessment in building a customized strategy for each unique partner. Previously Danielle served as a non-profit leader for 20+ years and today works on strategy development that enables nonprofits to achieve equitable mission-driven results. Danielle holds a Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University and draws on her background as an I/O psychologist in applying a racial equity lens to organizational policies, practices, and programs. She is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)/ Executive Coach (ACC). During her playtime, you can find Danielle traveling, knitting, and kayaking in all 50 states. Important Links and Resources: Register for the Nonprofit Leadership Roundtable - Thursday, December 14th from 1-2 PM Eastern: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nonprofit-leadership-roundtable-tickets-760734085127?aff=oddtdtcreator Intercultural Development Inventory: https://www.idiinventory.com/ Learning Plan template: https://www.gracesocialsector.com/store/p12/Professional_Learning_Plan.html The Farewell: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Farewell_(2019_film) Sitting Pretty: https://bookshop.org/p/books/sitting-pretty-the-view-from-my-ordinary-resilient-disabled-body-rebekah-taussig/15391717?ean=9780062936790&gclid=CjwKCAiA9ourBhAVEiwA3L5RFoeTeGjbEOkDEOnqdXtTtl-IKnlhB3booxq0JCsSWUxy2DPPN_zNRxoCJnEQAvD_BwE Code Switch: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch https://www.culture-principles.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/danimarshall/  ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 85 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Mala Nagarajan discuss organizational development, compensation structures, and critical discussions within nonprofit organizations. They explore the limitations of market-based compensation, the concept of a thriving wage, and the importance of aligning organizational values with employee compensation. Mala emphasizes the need for transparent and comprehensive approaches to compensation, touching on various factors such as areas of responsibility, risk assessment, and the significance of understanding one's relationship with money. In addition they explore how to integrate compensating for the emotional labor required in a role. They discuss the complexities of legal considerations and highlight the need for organizations to reevaluate traditional practices to foster a more equitable and holistic work environment. Highlights: 02:27: Creating equitable compensation models for organizations 04:50: Principles underpinning the work  08:16: The importance of interdependence  13:08- Transparency in compensation  16:21 Emotional labor and compensation 26:00 - Recognizing individual strengths and aligning them with organizational roles beyond just financial incentives 32:00 - Biases and values embedded in market-based compensation structures 37:00 - Implementing a thriving wage, distinct from a living wage  45:00 - The "conditions for readiness" necessary for successful implementation  53:00 - Assessing risk tolerance  Guest Bio: Mala Nagarajan is a senior HR consultant who works with nonprofit organizations rooted in racial and social justice values. She is driven by a vision of strong organizations working collaboratively toward a common purpose and approaches her HR work with a values-aligned, people-centered, and movement-oriented lens. Mala is a consultant with RoadMap, a national network of consultants who work with social justice organizations. She helped organize RoadMap’s HR/RJ (racial justice) working group. Mala has developed an innovative Compensation Equity Process and Calculator™ that reverse-engineers supremacy out and re-engineers equity in. It’s an evolving approach accompanied with a custom tool that organizations can use to shift from a market-based to an anti-racist compensation model that centers those living at the intersections of multiple marginalized communities. Important Links and Resources:   Mala Nagarajan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/malanagarajan/ Vega Mala Consulting | www.vegamala.com  Marilyn Waring TED talk on what the GDP misses -- https://www.tedxchristchurch.com/marilyn-waring Polarities: https://www.polaritypartnerships.com/ The MIT Living Wage Calculator: https://livingwage.mit.edu/ Hidden Brain episodes on budgets: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/money-2-0-why-we-bust-our-budgets/ Learn more about Mala’s compensation work here: Fund the People: Compensation Philosophy, NPQ-Compensation Equity: A Values-Based Framework & Implementation Guide, Top Tips to Stop Widening the Wealth Gap, Why Radical Human Resources is Critical for Movement Organizations, Equitable Compensation is a Risk Worth Taking, Brave Questions: Recalculating Pay Equity, Don't Put Metal in the Microwave and other Compensation Myths, Transforming the Workplace: HR Innovations, Pay Scale Equity Process and Calculator.     HR resources: RoadMap Consulting: Human Resources and Justice: Addressing Racism and Sexism in the Workplace. Washington Nonprofits: Workers in Nonprofits. The Management Center: Making Compensation More Equitable. ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 84 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Heather Burright discuss: how strategic planning, implementation and staff and volunteer skills development all fit together.  We delve into the critical aspects of strategic planning and its effective implementation. I highlight the importance of aligning the implementation plan with the organization's regular processes and cycles, emphasizing the need for a shorter time frame for implementation, typically six months to a year. I also talk about the significance of continuous evaluation, tracking progress, and making necessary adjustments to ensure the successful execution of the plan. The conversation underscores the pivotal role of understanding and addressing the skills gap within the organization. Heather discusses how to identify the skill gaps that will undermine the success of your strategic plan and then the essential elements of creating a training program, focusing on relevance, meaningfulness, and a touch of fun to engage employees effectively. She emphasizes the importance of custom competency models and the value of building cross-functional relationships and trust within the organization to facilitate successful change management.   Episode outline: (00:07:07) Strategies for Successful Strategic Planning Implementation Planning (00:11:09) Integrating implementation into your regular practices (00:12:36) Why training is a key piece to strategic plan implementation (00:16:11) Maximizing Impact Through Whole Organization Involvement (00:24:29) Listening to People: Key to Change Management   Guest Bio: Leveraging 15 years of experience, Heather Burright, founder and CEO of Skill Masters Market, specializes in creating dynamic, people-centric solutions that drive business goals.  With her comes expertise in strategies for diversity, equity, and inclusion; instructional design; and change management.  She’s dedicated to identifying core competencies that are needed to see real results and to creating the learning strategies and solutions needed to develop those competencies.   Important Links and Resources: Heather Burright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-burright/  Skills Masters Market: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/ Learning for Good podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-for-good-podcast-learning-and-development/id1621971310 Standards for Excellence Institute: https://standardsforexcellence.org/    Stay in touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 83 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Alexander Lapa delve into the benefits of using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system like Salesforce for nonprofits. These include improved data management and streamlined processes. Alexander shares his expertise in setting up and optimizing CRM tools for nonprofits. He explains why having a consultant to guide organizations through the complexities of finding the right tool to meet where they are in their stage of development is helpful. The conversation also explores challenges in fully utilizing a CRM system and the need for training and support to empower users as well executive sponsorship. Integration, AI, and organizational culture in nonprofit CRMs are also discussed.       Episode Outline:   (00:08:30) Benefits and Challenges of Using a CRM (00:13:36) Leveraging CRM for Effective Communication (00:18:28) Integration and AI in Nonprofit CRMs (00:23:40) Challenges with CRM Adoption   Guest Bio:   Alex is a Salesforce Architect & Advisor who helps nonprofits improve their social impact. He has 10 years of Salesforce and nonprofit experience and 20 years of CRM experience.   Aside from working on CRM projects, Alex is host of "Agents of Nonprofit". It's a weekly podcast that interviews guests about products and services which help nonprofits. It's often discusses the benefits of technology, and currently has nearly 70 published episodes.   Alex also shares his experience in a short daily email, helping junior Salesforce consultants level-up their knowledge, deal with challenging clients, and advocate for a digital nomadic lifestyle.     Episode Links:   https://dryadconsulting.com/welcome   https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderlapa   https://podcast.agentsofnonprofit.com/   ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 81 of Mission: Impact, Danielle Marshall and Carol Hamilton have another ‘learning out loud’ conversation where we delve into the evolving landscape of nonprofit work, focusing on key themes:   🔥 Burnout and Beyond: We kickstart the discussion by addressing the prevalent issue of burnout, which has long haunted the sector. Discover how it has been exacerbated by recent events and how individuals and organizations are tackling it head-on.   🌟 Redefining Success: We dive deep into the changing definitions of success. It's no longer just about productivity and traditional measures. Learn how individuals are crafting new narratives and aligning their actions with their values.   💡 Deepening Impact: Explore the shift from relentless scaling to strategic deepening. We uncover innovative approaches to maximize impact, even with limited resources.   💼 Resource Reallocation: Get insights into how nonprofits are rethinking resource allocation. It's not just about budgets but also about investing time, human resources, and energy more intentionally.   🎯 Mission Focus: Discover the power of niche specialization. What are you doing to hone your focus to prevent mission drift and build confidence in your abilities? Do you have time built into your day or week for intentional and quiet reflection and strategic thinking?   🤝 Collaboration and Partnerships: We explore the art of collaboration and how nonprofits are building meaningful partnerships, passing tasks, and referrals, all while fostering trust and growth.   🌈 Well-Being and Productivity: Learn about the importance of individual and team well-being. How are you incorporating joy and playfulness into your life – inside and outside of work?     Timestamped Outline: (00:03:47) Reevaluating values and redefining success during the pandemic (00:07:37) Fostering Internal Cohesion for Organizational Success (00:10:09) Redefining success through thoughtful resource allocation (00:14:19) Narrowing focus for increased impact and success (00:22:33) Creative thought organization with mind mapping (00:36:59) Redefining emergencies and prioritizing strategic thinking   Guest Bio: Danielle is an inclusive leader focused on strengthening collaboration among teams, leaders, and stakeholders to foster problem-solving, create solutions, and improve culture. She finds her inspiration in leading systemic change work that promotes equity and inclusion.   Danielle founded Culture Principles in response to a persistent need to operationalize Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion metrics, centering REDI goals and creating accountability systems. She supports clients through her Mapping Equity Framework focused on Unearthing Knowledge, Elevating Strategy, and Transforming Sustainability. She centers her work around organizational assessment, racial equity learning intensives, and the development of racial equity action plans. Understanding that each organization arrives at this work from different perspectives, she utilizes assessment in building a customized strategy for each unique partner.   Previously Danielle served as a non-profit leader for 20+ years and today works on strategy development that enables nonprofits to achieve equitable mission-driven results. Danielle holds a Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University and draws on her background as an I/O psychologist in applying a racial equity lens to organizational policies, practices, and programs. She is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)/ Executive Coach (ACC).   During her playtime, you can find Danielle traveling, knitting, and kayaking in all 50 states.   Episode Links:   ●      Reflection tools: o   Link to weekly review on Grace website o   Link to 6 month review on Grace website ●      https://www.culture-principles.com/ ●      https://www.linkedin.com/in/danimarshall/   ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In this podcast episode, Carol Hamilton and Mary Hiland discuss the challenges and strategies of nonprofit executive directors working with their boards. They explore the importance of leaving a legacy and sharing knowledge, and how it inspired Carol to start her podcast, Mission Impact. Mary's book, "Love Your Board," is also discussed, focusing on the primary sources of trouble for executive directors when working with their boards. The conversation delves into the dimensions of capacity, connection, and culture within a board. They highlight the significance of building trust in board relationships and challenging assumptions in board recruitment. Additionally, they emphasize the need for emotional connection and individual check-ins with board members.   Episode Outline:   (00:08:52) Dimensions of Board Challenges (00:15:11) Building Trust in Board Relationships (00:21:39) Challenging Assumptions in Board Recruitment (00:27:55) Board Member Engagement   Guest bio: Mary Hiland Ph.D. is a nonprofit governance expert and leadership development consultant dedicated to helping nonprofit leaders lead effectively. Mary has over forty years’ experience in the nonprofit sector – both as an executive and as a board member. She has been consulting and coaching nonprofit leaders for 20 years. Mary is a speaker, published author, researcher, and a business professor at her local community college. She is author of the #1 international best-seller: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and What to Do About Them (2021) And Mary is a contributing author to four other nonprofit leadership books. Mary is the founder and host of the podcast: Inspired Nonprofit Leadership     Episode Links:   Hiland Consulting: https://www.hilandconsulting.org/   Inspired Nonprofit Leadership: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inspired-nonprofit-leadership/id1446218521   Talk with Mary: talkwithmary.com   Alliance for Nonprofit Management: https://allianceonlinecommunity.org/     ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 80 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton goes solo to celebrate several of the nonprofits that support and enrich her life.   Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in enriching our lives and communities in various ways. Carol discusses:   Several organizations that support her brother who is deaf, autistic and developmentally disabled and help her and her family advocate for him, helping him live as fulfilling a life as possible. Organizations that have been part of making her local river, the Anacostia, less polluted and more fun to kayak. Organizations that make biking in DC better.    Important Links:   The Arc of Montgomery County: https://thearcmontgomerycounty.org/   By Their Side: https://www.bytheirside.org/   The Sibling Leadership Network: https://siblingleadership.org/   The Anacostia Watershed Society: https://www.anacostiaws.org/   The Anacostia Riverkeeper: https://www.anacostiariverkeeper.org/   Washington Area Bicyclist Association: https://waba.org/   Be in touch:   ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In this podcast episode, Carol Hamilton and Susan Kahan discuss the importance of donor trust and nonprofit accountability. They challenge misconceptions about fundraising, such as the focus on overhead costs and the belief that it is a necessary evil. They argue for reframing negative attitudes towards fundraising in order to build confidence. The conversation also addresses the "overhead myth" in the nonprofit sector and emphasizes the need to invest in staff and create a healthy organizational culture. They discuss the challenges of asking for larger donations and stress the value of building relationships and learning from others in the field. They also highlight the importance of building a culture of philanthropy within nonprofit organizations and using donor feedback to improve programs. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for effective fundraising strategies and the importance of transparency and accountability.   (00:00:01) Donor Trust and Nonprofit Accountability (00:06:05) The Overhead Myth (00:12:19) Building Confidence in Fundraising (00:18:07) Building Relationships in Fundraising (00:24:13) Building a Culture of Philanthropy (00:30:47) The Challenges of Nonprofit Fundraising  

In episode 78 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton celebrates Mission: Impact’s 3rd anniversary and goes solo to talk about: The rise of the “dream job” How people are reconsidering the role of work and career in their lives The shadow side to pursuing your passion Important Links and Resources: Work Won't Love You Back by Sarah Jaffee The Good Enough Job by Simone Stolzoff The Sum of Us: How Racism Hurts Everyone by Heather McGhee Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Petersen ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 77 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Devon Lawrence discuss How systems can benefit your fundraising work What you can do to make your donors feel appreciated The importance of small gestures in your fundraising strategy Guest Bio: Devon Lawrence is the Founder and Principal of Clark Lawrence Consulting, Inc. For 10+ years she has worked with non-profits of all sizes, both domestic and international, to advance their capabilities around development operations, fundraising events, project management and leadership. Her clients have praised her ability to be well attuned to the needs, opportunities, and challenges of non-profit organizations and her reliability as a source of guidance on fundraising and organizational development. Devon currently serves on the boards of the Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC) and Association of Nonprofit Specialists. She lives in New York City with her husband and two-year old son. Important Links and Resources: https://www.clarklawrenceconsulting.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/devon-lawrence-417750a/  ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn  

In episode 76 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Erin Allgood discuss What a theory of change is and the differences between theories of change and logic models How a theory of change can help you make decisions between the many options and directions you might go – and your many good ideas! How it’s not all on your shoulders to fix – even if it can feel that way sometimes.   Guest Bio: Erin Allgood helps organizations and individuals who give a damn create real impact. As the founder of Allgood Strategies, Erin helps socially-conscious organizations with strategic planning, organizational development, and leadership coaching. Her services focus on catalyzing social change at the systems, organizational, and individual levels. Important Links and Resources: Listen to Erin’s Podcast! https://www.allgoodstrategies.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinallgood/  https://www.instagram.com/allgoodstrategies/?hl=en  ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 75 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Danielle Marshall discuss Our meaning making brains and the stories we make up about each other Challenges that progressive organizations are having with the mismatch in expectations across generations Why a reflexive anti-leadership stance from front line staff misses much of the nuance and reality facing organization leaders   Guest Bio: Danielle is an inclusive leader focused on strengthening collaboration among teams, leaders, and stakeholders to foster problem-solving, create solutions, and improve culture. She finds her inspiration in leading systemic change work that promotes equity and inclusion.  Danielle founded Culture Principles in response to a persistent need to operationalize Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion metrics, centering REDI goals and creating accountability systems. She supports clients through her Mapping Equity Framework focused on Unearthing Knowledge, Elevating Strategy, and Transforming Sustainability. She centers her work around organizational assessment, racial equity learning intensives, and the development of racial equity action plans. Understanding that each organization arrives at this work from different perspectives, she utilizes assessment in building a customized strategy for each unique partner. Previously Danielle served as a non-profit leader for 20+ years and today works on strategy development that enables nonprofits to achieve equitable mission-driven results. Danielle holds a Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University and draws on her background as an I/O psychologist in applying a racial equity lens to organizational policies, practices, and programs. She is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)/ Executive Coach (ACC). During her playtime, you can find Danielle traveling, knitting, and kayaking in all 50 states. Important Links and Resources: Building Resilient Organizations: Toward Joy and Durable Power in a Time of Crisis Paving a Better Way: What’s Driving Progressive Organizations Apart and How to Win by Coming Together Ladder of Inference https://www.culture-principles.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/danimarshall/  ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 74 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and her guest, Veronica LaFemina discuss Why big change initiatives often fail  A map of how to get from A to B may not be sufficient The role of a key leader visibly supporting the change is so key  Why radio silence is a bad sign Guest Bio: Veronica LaFemina is Founder and CEO of LaFemina & Co., an advisory firm supporting nonprofits and social impact businesses at the intersection of strategy, culture, communications, and change management. Veronica partners with organizations and their leaders to go beyond what “looks good on paper” to focus on what works well in real life. She is a leader, strategist, facilitator, trusted advisor, and certified change management professional with nearly two decades of experience as a senior executive at national U.S. nonprofit organizations and a high-impact consultant. Her work has been featured by Inc. Magazine, the Today Show, NPR, CNN, Capterra, and in news outlets nationwide. Important Links and Resources: Innovation Curve (explanation) Innovation Curve (graphic) Success 2.0: The Obstacles You Don’t See - Hidden Brain https://lafemina.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/vlafemina/ Mission: Impact is a finalist for the Sonic Bloom awards!   ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn    

In episode 73 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and her guest, Cindy Wagman discuss: The impact social taboos around money have on fundraising Getting to know your donors as real people How to make your donors feel good about their giving   Guest Bio: Cindy Wagman is the President & CEO of The Good Partnership. She helps small nonprofits raise more money and reluctant fundraisers learn to love fundraising.   Important Links and Resources: https://www.thegoodpartnership.com/  https://cindywagman.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thegoodpartnership/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindywagman/?originalSubdomain=ca   ✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting 💻 Give us feedback on the show 🌟 Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review. 😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

In episode 72 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Lauren Brownstein discuss: How to be well while you are doing good  What passion exploitation is and why it is important to your organization Why self-care is an organization’s responsibility as much as an individual’s Guest Bio: Lauren Brownstein is the author of Be Well, Do Good: Self-Care and Renewal for Nonprofit Professionals and Other Do-Gooders. She has been working in philanthropy for more than 30 years as a fundraiser, educator, program manager, and administrator. She helps nonprofit organizations, philanthropists, and grant makers achieve their goals through PITCH, LLC, her fundraising and philanthropy consulting practice. As a reflection of her commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism, Lauren has served on the boards of several nonprofits and has volunteered extensively in the community. She was a certified foster parent before adopting a child from the foster care system. She earned a Masters in Teaching in Museum Education from the George Washington University and a Bachelors with High Distinction from the University of Virginia. She lives in the Washington, DC area. Important Links and Resources: Best Self Journal - Original Format pitchconsulting.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/pitchconsulting/ https://twitter.com/ljbrownstein  Best Self Icebreaker Deck  

In episode 71 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Dr. Orletta Caldwell discuss: The unique challenges facing African-American-led nonprofits Why no one owns a nonprofit The invisible history of African-American led nonprofits since 1693 Guest Bio: Dr. Caldwell is a passionate and qualified educator and nonprofit management specialist. Caldwell brings more than 30 years of administrative and leadership experience to the CEO of Beyond Existing Enterprises. Highlights of a stellar and diverse career include Executive Director, Camp Baber, and Assistant Professor at Grand Rapids Community College. She has served in many professional and volunteer capacities, including Tech Soup, the Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD), Metro Detroit Council of Christian Churches, Urban Renewal Commission for the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Board Member/Secretary, Association of Gospel Rescue Missions and the Southfield Downtown Development Authority for Southfield, Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Public Affairs from Wayne State University, Master of Science in Management from Cardinal Stritch, and Ph.D. in Public Policy & Administration specializing in Nonprofit Management from Walden University. Important Links and Resources: Albert Bandura social learning theory Black ED Network Beyond Existing Enterprises https://www.linkedin.com/in/ocaldwell/

In episode 70 of Mission: Impact, Carol goes solo to discuss: Keeping your strategic plan from just sitting on the shelf How approaching planning from a strengths-based perspective brings more joy 4 key questions to ask to keep your plan relevant   Important Links and Resources:  Common Mistakes Organizations Make with Strategic Planning http://www.gracesocialsector.com/design-your-organizations-future.html     

In episode 69 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Jeanne Bell discuss: Why internal culture needs to support your external strategy for success How to integrate organizational strategy into implementation How creating interdisciplinary spaces for strategy discussion enhance inclusion and leadership development Guest Bio: Jeanne Bell is co-founder of JustOrg Design. She has consulted on nonprofit strategy and organizational change for over 20 years. From 2018 to 2022, Jeanne curated Nonprofit Quarterly's Leading Edge Program, recruiting and presenting nonprofit practitioners advancing more equitable nonprofit leadership practices. Previously, Jeanne led CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, one of the country's premier leadership and capacity-building organizations. While serving as CEO, Jeanne also chaired the board of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management, a national association of nonprofit capacity builders and academics. She currently serves on the boards of Community Works and Borealis Philanthropy. She has a Masters in Nonprofit Management from the University of San Francisco. Jeanne loves living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Important Links and Resources: Process and Practice: Linking Organizational Strategy and Race Equity Work Natalie Diaz  https://www.justorgdesign.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanne-bell-a9498a1/  Turning Towards Each Other: A Conflict Handbook    

In episode 68 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Amanda Kaiser discuss: How to successfully engage members Why value is not the only variable you need to pay attention to How to more effectively set members and volunteers up for success at each stage of engagement Guest Bio: Amanda Kaiser is a member engagement strategist and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating Thriving Member Communities. As a researcher, author, and co-creator of the Incubator Series and the New Member Engagement Study, she is at the forefront of exploring how member and attendee engagement is rapidly changing within professional communities.  Important Links and Resources: Virtual Networking Incubator Report Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating Thriving Member Communities New Member Engagement Study https://amandaleakaiser.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandakaiser/  https://twitter.com/AmandaLeaKaiser   

In episode 67 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Rhea Wong discuss: Why mindset is so important for accidental fundraisers How to fundraise with your donor’s experience in mind  What letting go of your script and your pitch can do for your fundraising efforts Guest Bio: Rhea helps nonprofits raise more money. Though she has deep experience with institutional, corporate and event fund-raising, she is passionate about major individual donors and helping organizations to establish individual giving programs. She has raised millions of dollars in private philanthropy and is passionate about building the next generation of fundraising leaders. She has become a leader in the New York nonprofit community and is a frequent educational commentator in the media. She has been recognized with the SmartCEO Brava Award in 2015 and NY Nonprofit Media’s 40 under 40 in 2017. Rhea lives in Brooklyn with her husband. When she is not raising money for causes she loves, she can be found hosting her podcast, Nonprofit Lowdown, promoting her newest book Get that Money, Honey! or onstage as a newbie stand-up comedian in downtown Brooklyn. Important Links and Resources: https://www.rheawong.com/ https://www.rheawong.com/podcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rheawong/ https://twitter.com/consultingrhea?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/rheawongconsulting/?hl=en  https://www.facebook.com/rheawongconsulting/ 

In episode 66 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Katherine Turner discuss: The intersections between the fields of diversity, equity and inclusion and intercultural communications Some things to consider when working with a global group Moving folks from awareness to action Guest Bio: Katherine L. Turner, MPH (she/elle) is the founding President of Global Citizen, LLC consulting firm that strengthens inclusive leadership and effects organizational transformation and social impact by advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, public health, human rights, and global competence. As Adjunct Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, she teaches and mentors global leaders on leadership, global competence, and other topics. Katherine provides strategic leadership on global advisory committees, has founded and led boards of directors of nonprofit organizations, and won awards for excellence in leadership, teaching, public health, and advocacy. She is an internationally-recognized executive consultant, coach, thought leader, speaker, author, and change agent who has worked in English, French, and Dutch across all sectors in over 50 countries to deliver high-impact results for a better world. Important Links and Resources: What if Diversity Trainings are Doing More Harm Than Good? - NYT Opinion Are Workplace Diversity Programs Doing More Harm Than Good? - The Argument White Supremacy culture characteristics https://www.globalcitizenllc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherineturnergc/    Mission: Impact is brought to you by Grace Social Sector Consulting.  

In episode 65 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Lisa G. Hazirjian discuss: Some common mistakes and misconceptions nonprofits have about policy advocacy Simple steps to take to get to know policy makers better and build relationships How to build a ladder of engagement for your supporters and volunteers Guest Bio:Lisa Hazirjian, PhD, founded Win Together Consulting to help progressive change makers develop strategy, build power, engage supporters, and leverage strengths to achieve their goals. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies, Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies, and Ph.D. in U.S. History from Duke University, and is working toward a Nonprofit Leadership Certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School. You can reach Lisa at [email protected]. Important Links and Resources: Win Together Consulting https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahazirjian/

In episode 64 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Sarah Olivieri discuss: How systemizing your processes can free up time for staff to think bigger How to measure your capacity and be realistic about what is on your organizational docket How to have a productive team meeting Guest Bio:Sarah Olivieri is a nonprofit leader like you who used to spend days and nights asking questions like: “how do I get my board to work with me and not against me?”, “how can I raise more money for this important mission?” and, “how can I show up and love my job as much as I love this mission?”. Sarah has over 18 years of nonprofit leadership experience. She was the co-founder of the Open Center for Autism, the Executive Director of the Helping Children of War Foundation, and co-author of Lesson Plan a la Carte: Integrated Planning for Students with Special Needs. She holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz. As the founder and heart behind PivotGround, Sarah helps nonprofits become financially sustainable world changers.Important Links and Resources: A short guide to Kanban Kanban examples  https://www.pivotground.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-olivieri/ https://www.instagram.com/pivotground/?hl=en

In episode 63 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton focuses on healthy organizational cultures with past guests to discuss: why it is important for leaders to invest in themselves,  why paying attention to power dynamics and naming them is key,  and why it's important to realize that it takes time and investment to shift a culture away from less healthy practices. Important Links and Resources: Episode 36 Episode 40 Episode 53 Episode 56 Episode 58

In episode 62 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton looks back with past guests to discuss: What organizational culture is How good feedback contributes to a healthy organization The importance of putting your stated values into action Important Links and Resources: Elizabeth Scott, PhD Cooke and Lafferty of Human Synergistics International Anne Helen Petersen Episode 36 Episode 40 Episode 53 Episode 56 Episode 58

In episode 61 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Larry J. Robertson discuss: The fundamentals of nonprofit governance How to find balance between board and staff responsibilities How leading an emotionally intelligent organization contributes to thriving Guest Bio: Larry Robertson is an organizational development and certified governance consultant who specializes in helping nonprofit and state and local governments assess, plan, and improve organizational strategies, governance, leadership, and talent. His work includes organizational assessments, strategic planning, strategy coaching, nonprofit board development and transformation, and talent management. He tailors services to fit the needs and aspirations of each organization through an appropriate mix of analytic consulting, coaching, training, facilitation, and product development. Larry has extensive experience offering these services to organizations that range from small, startup nonprofits to large, mature state and municipal agencies. He has an M.A. in Human Development from the University of Maryland and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Miami. Important Links and Resources: Stages of Change Center for Nonprofit Advancement https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryrobertson001/ https://metro.catholic.edu/faculty/faculty-profiles/robertson-larry/index.html 

In episode 60 of Mission: Impact, Carol goes solo to discuss: The issues people have with strategic planning Why strategic planning is important What are some benefits of investing in strategic planning   Important Links and Resources: Register for the December 15, 2022 Nonprofit Leadership Roundtable Free Resource: Common Mistakes Organizations Make with Strategic Planning  

In episode 59 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Hugh Ballou discuss: How to improve the efficiency of your organization’s meetings Why influence is more important than direction when leading The importance of clarity in your communications Guest Bio:Hugh Ballou works with visionary leaders and their teams to develop a purpose-driven high-performance culture that significantly increases productivity, profits, and job satisfaction. through dramatically decreasing confusion, conflicts, and under-functioning. With 40 years as musical conductor, Ballou uses the leadership skills utilized daily by the conductor in teaching relevant leadership skills creating a culture that responds to the nuances of the leader as a skilled orchestra responds to the musical director while allowing each person to excel in their personal discipline while empowering the culture. Important Links and Resources: https://hughballou.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hballou/  https://twitter.com/hughballou?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor https://www.instagram.com/hughballou/?hl=en

In episode 58 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Deneisha Thompson discuss: The four pillars of culture change How our culture conditions people to avoid accountability for fear of overreaction What contributes to toxic cultures in nonprofits and how to address them to shift them to healthier outcomes Guest Bio:   A licensed social worker turned social entre/edupreneur, Deneisha Thompson is a consultant, facilitator and coach who specializes in change management, leadership development, group facilitation, and building strong teams. She is the founder of 4 Impact Consulting, a social impact firm, that provides culture-influencing organizational development services focused on building, repairing and positioning nonprofit teams for impact and growth. Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deneishathompson/  https://www.deneisha.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/4impact-consulting/?trk=public_jobs_jserp-result_job-search-card-subtitle  https://www.4impact.consulting/  https://twitter.com/4impact_consult

In episode 57 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Betina Pflug (Beh-tee-nuh Flug) discuss:  What makes relational intelligence unique  Polarities – what they are and how to manage them Building team dynamics in a virtual workplace Guest Bio:    Betina Pflug is an executive and life coach with over 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship, relational intelligence, strategic decision-making, nonprofits, facilitation & training, marketing, and CRM. Her international experience enables her to share best practices from a different perspective and allows her to communicate in several languages, such as Portuguese, German, Spanish, and English. With a personal motto of "leave every place you go, better than you found" and her organizational skills, Betina identifies problems and dreams up actionable solutions. Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betinapflug/  https://wity.tech/  https://www.instagram.com/betina_pflug/?hl=en https://hallos.com.br/relational-intelligence/

In episode 56 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Danielle Marshall discuss: Using an equity lens to integrate DEI into all aspects of your work The importance of sharing back next steps to community when you ask for feedback How to reframe resistance Guest Bios: Danielle is an inclusive leader focused on strengthening collaboration among teams, leaders, and stakeholders to foster problem-solving, create solutions, and improve culture. She finds inspiration in leading systemic change work that promotes equity and inclusion. Danielle has worked in the nonprofit sector for 20+ years most recently having served as the Executive Director for Playworks Mid-Atlantic. Danielle went on to found Culture Principles in response to a persistent need to move organizations beyond DEI statements to develop strategic and actionable equity goals. Danielle holds a Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University and draws on her background as an I/O psychologist in applying a racial equity lens to organizational policies, practices, and programs. She is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)/Executive Coach.Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danimarshall   https://www.culture-principles.com/  https://idiinventory.com/  Equity Alignment Lens PDF

In episode 55 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guests, Dr. Renee Rubin Ross and Christal Cherry discuss: The importance of stressing solutions when educating about DEI How white fragility can prevent the larger issue of a supremacist culture from being addressed Why it is important to see people for who they are while progressing into an equitable future Guest Bios:Dr. Renee Rubin Ross is a nationally recognized strategic planning and board development consultant. Committed to racial equity in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Ross supports organizations and individuals in practices that celebrate and amplify diverse voices and perspectives. Christal M. Cherry is a nationally recognized nonprofit executive and professionally trained fundraiser.  With over 20 years in the nonprofit sector, she has supported higher education institutions, human services organizations and faith-based missions.  Her career portfolio, as a full time professional and consultant includes American University, the United Negro College Fund, Spelman College, Nicholas House, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Florida A & M University, Action Ministries, and the GA Center for Nonprofits.  In each role, Christal has interfaced, guided and collaborated with diverse boards made up of college presidents, ministers and bishops, politicians, corporate CEO's, civic leaders, consultants, attorneys, stay at home moms and students.  With passion and a wide breadth of experience, Christal works today with clients to help them mark a clear path to success in board development.  Her style is electrifying, inspiring, and energizing.  Christal earned a MA in Counseling from Hampton University, a BA in Liberal Arts from Hofstra University and professional development certifications in nonprofit leadership, social media fundraising, and nonprofit management. She currently serves on the board of the Greater Atlanta chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Villages of Carver YMCA.  She is regular presenter with CANDID, Qgiv, Network for Good, Bloomerang, and the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy where she facilitates webinars and teaches courses in fundraising, board development and equity and inclusion.  Christal has been a guest on multiple podcasts and enjoy serving as a requested expert on board matters. She is contributing author in Collecting Courage, a documenting of racism and survival by 14 accomplished Black fundraisers working across North America.  She also enjoys her membership in the African American Development Officers Network, Toastmasters, and F3, Fabulous Female Fundraisers which she founded.Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christal-m-cherry  https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneerubinross  https://www.collectingcourage.org/ Heather McGee – The Sum of Us Reesma Menakem  RISE for Racial Justice

In episode 54 of Mission: Impact, Carol celebrates the podcast’s two year anniversary by doing a best of episode about executive leadership transitions. We talk about: the types of transitions that organizations experience, how different leaders approach those transitions,  why it is so important for leaders to make space and groom the next generation of leaders, whether or not having an interim executive director is a good idea,  how those exiting the leadership role and those entering as new leaders can prepare themselves for their new chapter. Guests and Resources: Elizabeth Woolfe (episode 12) https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethwoolfe  Andy Robinson (episode 21) https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-robinson-9a230b4  Carlyn Madden (episode 27) https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlynmadden  Don Tebbe (episode 32) https://www.linkedin.com/in/dontebbe  Will We Get There Hire by Hire? By Jeanne Bell, Paola Cubias, and Byron Johnson  https://www.compasspoint.org/sites/default/files/documents/Executive_Transition.pdf Don’s books

In episode 53 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Reva Patwardhan discuss: What leadership coaching entails, including what somatically grounded and trauma-informed coaching is Why leadership coaching is something that every nonprofit leader should consider as part of their professional development Why so many nonprofit leaders are unnecessarily suffering from imposter syndrome Guest Bio:Reva Patwardhan is the founder of Greater Good Coaching. She works with nonprofit leaders who’ve followed their hearts into careers of service and advocacy. She helps them discover their innate strength, resilience and confidence, so they can use their careers to make the impact they want in their lifetimes. She has 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector as a fundraiser, communications director, lobbyist, board member, facilitator, coach and diversity trainer. Reva co-facilitates small experiential learning groups with the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She chairs the Board of Directors at Rethink Media. She is a certified Integral Coach, and a member of the International Coaching Federation.Important Links and Resources: https://www.greatergoodcoaching.org/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/revapatwardhan  Article: Stop Telling Women they have imposter syndrome

In episode 52 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, David Pisarek discuss: How to use a website to grow your organization What calls to action to add to your website How to be consistent and modernize your online presence Guest Bio:David is an award-winning web and digital solutions architect, designer and project manager with extensive industry experience focusing on education, not-for-profit, politics, healthcare, and government. An expert in his field, David worked full-time at Durham College for 11 years (seven of those while working at UOIT too). It was in that role where David performed the redesigns and programming and ran training sessions for over 100 staff. As a result of those years, David understands the internal processes and functioning of post-secondary institutions. He also worked as a professor and guest lecturer at Seneca College and Durham College where he taught web design, graphic design, computer science, and web development. And he developed the Web Design curriculum at a private, corporate training facility.Important Links and Resources: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/pisarek  https://pisarek.com/  https://wowdigital.com/  Wow Digital’s Podcast Episode on CTAs

In episode 51 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Thomas Anderson discuss: How to approach vision development Why more people are working with founders Why it’s important to pay attention to those weak signals that could impact your organization in the future Guest Bio:Dr. Thomas E. Anderson, II is the founder of Teaiiano Leadership Solutions. He has over 20 years of experience leading high-performance teams in faith-based non-profits. As a coach, consultant, and workshop facilitator, Thomas helps founders, leaders, and managers to navigate the multi-loop (…and often elusive) process of vision development and realization. In fact, he measures results by how much he helps clients to move forward with their vision for the future. Thomas is a recurring presenter at Regent University's Annual Research Roundtables and has published academic articles in the Journal of Practical Consulting and Coaching (JPCC). Above all, Thomas enjoys being a devoted husband to his wife, Jamie, and dedicated father to his daughters, Arianna and Azalia.Important Links and Resources: https://www.teaiiano.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasandersonii   Brenda Zimmerman Visionary Leadership – Burt Nanus The Leadership Challenge – James Kouzes, Barry Posner The Essentials of Sociology – Jim Henslin Transcript:

In episode 50 of Mission: Impact, Carol went solo to discuss: How more staff and funding are not always the answer The misconceptions many nonprofits have around growth Why growth does not necessarily get you out of overwork and overcommitment Important Links and Resources: https://www.missionimpactpodcast.com/show-notes/an-invitation-to-do-less-with-carol-hamilton  https://www.thirdspacestudio.com/good-thinking-blog/what-if-you-did-less

In episode 49 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Lewis Flax discuss: How to construct sponsorships to better serve your organization The misconceptions many people have about sponsorships How to create a mutually beneficial organization-sponsor relationship   Guest Bio:Lewis Flax specializes in assisting nonprofits and associations generate additional revenue.  His hands-on approach has helped numerous organizations implement strategies and tactics to increase sponsorship, partnership, and other funding streams. His firm, Flax Associates, established in 2008, serves as a partner in driving revenue and results.    Lewis understands the challenges nonprofits face, both from an outside consultant's point of view and from the internal perspective of a nonprofit executive.  Previously, Lewis served as a Vice President for IEG (a sponsorship consulting firm) and served on the leadership team at Financial Executives International (FEI).  He is a certified instructor for Dale Carnegie Training (Winning with Relationship Selling) and an AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) Master Trainer. Important Links and Resources: https://www.flaxassociates.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewisflax  

In episode 48 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Chyla Graham discuss: Why it is key to understand context when you are looking at your organization’s context How to best connect your financial goals to your organizational goals What you need to be mindful of as a board member, even if you don’t consider yourself a financial expert. Guest Bio:Chyla Graham is a certified public accountant with over ten years of experience helping nonprofit organizations realign and thrive. Chyla started her company, CNRG Accounting Advisory, to empower more nonprofit organizations. To date, she has secured over $2 million in funding for several organizations and helped many more streamline to better serve their communities. Chyla credits flying trapeze for keeping her physically and mentally strong, and reminding her that you can’t succeed in life alone. Every trapeze artist needs someone to be “on line” holding the ropes. Chyla likes that metaphor for trapeze and for business, and her greatest pride is being “on line” for her clients. Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chylagcpa https://www.cnrgaccountingadvisory.com/ Webinars: https://cnrgaccounting.kartra.com/page/webinar-registration Course: https://cnrgaccounting.kartra.com/page/impactbasics 

In episode 47 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Julia Campbell discuss: How to effectively incorporate social media into your marketing Misconceptions that organizations have about social media The importance of prioritizing your owned marketing assets Guest Bio:Named as a top thought leader and one to follow by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell is a nonprofit digital consultant on a mission to make the digital world a better place. Host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast, she’s written two books for nonprofits on social media and storytelling, and her online courses, webinars, and talks have helped hundreds of nonprofits make the shift to digital thinking and raise more money online. You can learn more about Julia at www.jcsocialmarketing.com/blog Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliacampbell  https://jcsocialmarketing.com/  https://nonprofitnation.buzzsprout.com/ 

In episode 45 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Carolyn Mozell discuss: Why it is important for leaders and staff have to focus on their sphere of influence How to balance compassion, empathy and accountability How important personal self-care is for maintaining a healthy organization Guest Bio: Carolyn Mozell is the founder and CEO of Leaders Who Connect and Inspire LLC and knows firsthand how transformative it can be when leaders and employees treat each other with mutual respect, kindness, and a genuine desire to see each other succeed. Carolyn served in some of the highest levels of local government leadership for over 25 years. Rising from executive assistant to deputy chief, she also knows that leadership is a privilege. It can literally change someone’s life. She’s seen it happen and she’s made it happen.  Now, Carolyn leverages her direct experience advising elected officials, cabinet-level leaders and activating diverse high-performing teams to help leaders in business, nonprofit organizations and government agencies do the same. Carolyn’s journey through leadership provided clear evidence that people do not leave companies, they leave bad bosses. That’s why she is dedicated to working with organizations to provide consulting, coaching and professional development programs to strengthen leadership, retain and attract good talent, and improve workplace culture through a lens of Emotional Intelligence. Carolyn is passionate about putting more kind leaders into the world. That’s why she helps leaders develop their emotional intelligence skills so that they can grow teams that work more collaboratively and employees who thrive and want to stay. She can be found facilitating conversations on leadership, emotional intelligence, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to coaching clients on how to build a better team by being a better boss. Clients appreciate Carolyn’s accumulated years of experience managing up, down, and across organizations as a former Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief and rely on her expertise to advise on what a positive workplace culture looks like for them, how to achieve it, and how to sustain it. Carolyn is a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, BA African American Studies, Public Policy Concentration, a certified DISC Behavioral Assessment Practitioner and a certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. She is Vice President of Suited to Succeed and Dress for Success Greater Baltimore, member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and host of the "Use Your Powers for Good with Carolyn Opher Mozell” podcast. She resides in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband, Dawyne and adopted cat, Eva.Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynophermozell/ https://www.leaderswhoconnectandinspire.com/

In episode 45 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Stu Swineford discuss: How your nonprofit can be more effective in its marketing The importance of going where your audience is rather than asking them to come to you Why it is easier to increase the commitment of current donors rather than find new ones, even if it doesn’t seem as exciting Guest Bio:  If you know me, you’ll know I’m never one to shy away from an opportunity to grow and take on new challenges. For example, I started my marketing career as a copywriter and ad man. But one day, when my graphic designer colleague didn’t show up for work, I evolved (very quickly) into a designer. After all, I was the only other person in the building who knew how to turn on the Mac. Since then, I’ve performed virtually every role in the digital marketing production lifecycle – from strategy and concepting, to design and development, to QA/QC and everything in between. Along the way, I realized that I get the greatest joy from helping others achieve their goals. In a way, you could say I’m making the world a better place, one frustrated professional at a time. These days, I’m in love with purposeful, conversion-focused digital marketing strategy and execution. That, and doing ridiculous things outdoors – usually where oxygen is limited. When I’m not helping entrepreneurs and executive-level professionals, I can be found traipsing around the woods near the cabin in which I have lived with my wife and menagerie of pets since 1993. There I watch movies, read, and polish the details of my latest (possibly ill-advised) master plan for world domination. If you’re interested in pulling me out of the woods for a coffee and talking shop (or hearing how I managed to actually run 100 miles in one go), please send an email my way ([email protected]), give me a call (303.825.4441), check out the podcast (relishthis.org), or grab a copy of my book, Mission Uncomfortable.Important Links and Resources: https://relishstudio.com/podcast/  https://relishstudio.com/marketing-coaching-program/ https://missionuncomfortablebook.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sswineford/  Transcript:

This episode is the final part of the Culture Fit project that Carol recorded with her son-in-law Peter Cruz. In this episode, Carol, her cohost Peter Cruz, and their guest Dr. Gia Grier McGinnis discuss: The importance of representation to help BIPOC youth see possibilities Breaking down stigmas around mental health care and cultivate wellness The importance of support systems, mentors and role models Guest bio:Dr. Gia Grier McGinnis is a senior leader with over 17 years of broad-ranging experience in program management, advocacy, and community outreach. She has a passion for public engagement in STEM, and currently serves as the Executive Director of the UMB CURE Scholars Program, a groundbreaking healthcare and STEM pipeline program for West Baltimore youth. Dr. Grier McGinnis is a Baltimore, Maryland native where she still resides with her family. She enjoys exploring urban green spaces and volunteering to promote mental health awareness.Important Links and Resources: https://www.umaryland.edu/cure-scholars/program-details/our-team/core-team/gia-grier-mcginnis/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ggriermcgin/ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nonprofit-leadership-roundtable-tickets-301619601347

Brief discussion of attempted murder from 26:27 until 26:38   In episode 43 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Travis Johnson discuss: The benefits that can come with maintaining a podcast How to get started making a podcast The wide variation in what can be done with podcasts Guest Bio: Travis Johnson is the host of the Nonprofit Architect Podcast. Travis shares his perspective as the former Vice President of Books by Vets; a board member at the S.H.I.N.E. foundation; he’s donated over $30,000; volunteered over 1,500 hours; raised more than $500,000; helped start 6 nonprofits; event coordinator; and published author. Travis is currently serving as an active-duty officer in the United States Navy, married with two children, and on move #50. His humble beginnings include 36 moves before graduating high school at 17, 6 states, 5 foster homes, and surviving 2 murder attempts. Although this was very rough, there was always a person, group, or church willing to help him and his family. Now that he’s in a position to give back, he’s made it his mission to “Help the Helpers”. Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nonprofitarchitect/  The Nonprofit Architect podcast https://twitter.com/nproarchitect  Get started podcasting https://nonprofitarchitect.org/ultimate-podcast-guide/ 

In Episode 42 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guest, Marla Bobowick discuss: The major misconceptions people have about boards and governance How staff and board can shift to shared leadership Why boards need to focus more on the future than just talking about the past   Guest Bio: Marla Bobowick is an independent consultant based in Washington, DC, has served as a Senior Governance Consultant for BoardSource since 2008, and is also a Standards for Excellence® licensed consultant. She has more than 30 years of nonprofit experience and a history of creative problem solving. Specializing in nonprofit management and leadership, she has extensive experience with board governance, strategy, and publishing. She has worked with nonprofit organizations of all types and sizes, including regional healthcare and social service providers, educational institutions (independent schools and colleges and universities), family and other private foundations, and local and national offices of federated organizations and professional associations. Previously, Marla was Vice President of Products at BoardSource, where she oversaw publications, online products, and research. During her tenure at BoardSource, she was an active consultant and trainer, developed educational curriculum, managed regional capacity building projects, oversaw the global program, and coordinated the annual conference. While at BoardSource, Marla managed Leading with Intent: A National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices. She was also a member of the working group for The Source: Twelve Principles of Governance That Power Exceptional Boards (BoardSource © 2005). She managed “Governance Futures: New Perspectives on Nonprofit Governance,” a multiyear research project that culminated in publication of Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards (John Wiley & Sons © 2005). She is co-author of Assessing Board Performance: A Practical Guide for College, University, System, and Foundation Boards (Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges © 2018). Previously, Marla was an acquisitions editor at John Wiley & Sons, where she developed Wiley’s Nonprofit Law, Finance, and Management Series and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Fund Development Series. Marla holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Amherst College, a master’s degree in business administration and a certificate in nonprofit management from Case Western Reserve University. She is a past board chair of Maryland Nonprofits and a past board member Calvary Women’s Services.   Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlabobowick/  http://www.bobowickconsulting.com/  The AGB Book Principles of Trusteeship An AGB Article: “What Kind of Board Member Are You?”

This episode is part of the Culture Fit project that Carol recorded with her son-in-law Peter Cruz. In this episode, Carol, her cohost Peter Cruz, and their guest Damary Bonilla discuss: The toll that being the sole person of color in a group can take on a person The connections between code switching, imposter syndrome and internalized oppression How expectations are shifting with each new generation   Guest bio:Dr. Damary M. Bonilla-Rodriguez is a national leading authority on leadership development, especially as it pertains to diversity and inclusion.  She delivers keynote addresses and presentations drawing upon her experience from roles in the non-profit, private, and government sectors, as well as her doctoral research.  Her research about Latina leadership in the United States has served as the foundation for events, conference sessions, publications, and content development - to address the urgency of leadership development for a fast-growing population and create a pipeline of diverse leaders.      Dr. Bonilla-Rodriguez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Social Work from the College of New Rochelle where she received the College President’s Medal, graduated with Departmental Honors, and was awarded the Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Award.  She also holds a Master of Science degree in Organizational Communications and a Specialized Certification in Corporate Communications, both from the College of New Rochelle.  Personal endeavors of overcoming statistics and accessing higher education, led her to earn a Doctorate in Education focusing on Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher College.   To change the political and leadership landscape for Latinos, Dr. Bonilla-Rodriguez ran for State Representative in the 189th District of Pennsylvania in the 2016 election cycle where she became the 1st Hispanic to make a State ballot in Pike and Monroe Counties. In November 2019, she became the 1st Hispanic elected as School Board Director in the East Stroudsburg Area School District where she Chairs the Education and Negotiation committees. Passionate about supporting professional organizations, she is a Board Member of the Brodhead Watershed Association where she Chairs the Membership committee, Colonial IU 20 where she serves as Vice President, Prospanica NY where she serves as Vice President of Professional Development, Latina VIDA, Latinas on the Plaza and an Advisory Board member for several organizations including: The Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, Monroe County Children and Youth where she leads the Education committee, SciGirls, and the Alliance for Positive Youth Development. In addition, she was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf to represent the Poconos Region on statewide commissions on Redistricting Reform and Latino affairs (GACLA) where she Chairs the Education committee.  Dr. Bonilla-Rodriguez was recognized as a 2014 Coors Light Lideres finalist and the recipient of numerous awards including a proclamation from the NYS Assembly, the Proud to Be Latina Soy Poderosa award, and the SISGI Beyond Good Ideas Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership award. Her published written accomplishments include the books Ethics, Gender, and Leadership in the Workplace and Today’s Inspired Latina (Volume II), as well as contributing to the Huffington Post and being featured by several media outlets including NBC Latino, Chief Writing Wolf, and the Empowered Latinas series.   While, she is proud of her many accomplishments, she highlights her greatest as being the mother of eleven-year-old twin boys, Caleb and Joshua. She resides in Pennsylvania with her boys and husband Robert. Her favorite quote is: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants” (Newton).Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjcruz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/damarybonillarodriguezedd/

In episode 40 of Mission: Impact, Carol and her guests, Monique Meadows and Terrill Thompson, discuss: What makes up organizational culture Why it is so hard to be open to the possibility of changing that culture How to get lasting change in an organization’s culture Guest bio:Monique and Terrill are long-time friends and co-owners of Banyan Coaching and Consulting, where they partner with clients to create healthy, vibrant, and sustainable cultures through holistic coaching and facilitation. Our love for the natural world is integrated into all that we do. We invite you to tap into your inner knowing as we together transform and expand in ways that are electrifying, unpredictable and imperative. Monique is a lifelong student of energy healing, channeling and a Reiki Master. Terrill lives in a community on a permaculture farm where they draw energy and joy from producing food, nurturing healthy ecosystems, and offering respite to activists, artists, and organizational leaders. Both earned Master’s degrees in Organization Development from American University, where they were awarded Segal-Seashore Fellowships for their commitment to social justice.Important Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquejmeadows/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctthompsonconsulting/  https://www.banyan-consulting.com/ 

In episode 39, Carol Hamilton looks back at the last year and a half of Mission Impact. Using clips from interviews with Tip Fallon, Nyacko Perry, Carlyn Madden, Kristin Bradley-Bull, Keisha Sitney, Rosalind Spiegel, Stephen Graves and Nathaniel Benjamin, she examines: How the nonprofit sector is not exempt from the larger systems of capitalism, white supremacy culture and patriarchy The toll code switching and the requirement to assimilate costs   What steps organizations can use to start to make their organizations more equitable and inclusive.   Important Links: missionimpactpodcast.com Learn more about my featured guests: Tip Fallon https://www.linkedin.com/in/tipfallon/ Nyacko Perry, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyacko-pearl-perry-msod-ab726917/ Carlyn Madden, https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlynmadden/ Kristin Bradley-Bull, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rootstocanopy/ Keisha Sitney, https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-sitney/ Rosalind Spigel, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalind-spigel-msod-1694751/ Stephen Graves, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sggraves/ Nathaniel Benjamin, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielhbenjamin/ Plus my guest host for the culture fit episodes Peter James Cruz, https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjcruz/ Resources mentioned: 1619 project: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html Jeanne Bell – Hire By Hire report https://www.compasspoint.org/sites/default/files/documents/Hire_by_Hire_Report.pdf Robert Gass – Art of Transformational Consulting: https://atctools.org/ Transcript:

In this solo episode 38, Carol Hamilton discusses burnout in the nonprofit sector, what possible ways forward are, and how to stay engaged while prioritizing your own health. Important Links: http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/resisting-vocational-awe-during-the-pandemic/  https://www.leahreisman.com/ 

This episode is part of the Culture Fit project that Carol recorded with her son-in-law Peter Cruz. In this episode, Carol, her cohost Peter Cruz, and their guest Ariel Salome discuss: Non-positional leadership and how everyone is a leader in their own right Being an active ally and status quo disruptor How you can create a safe and inclusive environment   Guest bio:Ariel Salomé thrives on challenging assumptions and limiting beliefs, reframing challenges into opportunities. She possesses the uncanny ability to constructively disturb the status quo to the point where it opens the floodgates of possibilities, leading to transformation. For the past 18 years, Ariel has served as a training & curriculum designer, DE&I practitioner and group process facilitator. She just returned to California from Washington D.C. where she managed National Science Foundation grant-funded projects in STEM higher education reform, supporting the development of STEM faculty leaders across the nation. Ariel is now known as the “Corporate Healer” as she coaches and develops the next generation of leaders in tech as the PM for Leadership Development at Lyft. Ariel is also the founder and space holder for METANOIA, a spiritual community of practice. Ariel received her BA in Sociology and dialogue facilitation training at Occidental College. She completed ICF comprehensive coaching certification and doctoral-level training in human and organizational development at Fielding Graduate University. Her research and practice include transformative learning, ontological coaching, and the somatic release of intergenerational and racialized trauma. She believes that the world’s greatest problems can find solutions when we show up as fully human and fully divine. Important Links and Resources:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjcruz/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielsalome/  https://www.theforem.co/features-at-the-forem/developing-ah-ha-moments-with-ariel-salome  The Art of Possibility – Benjamin Zander, Rosamund Zander  Innovation Adoption Curve  Whistling Vivaldi: How stereotypes affect us and what we can do– Claudia Steele The Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell

In episode 36 of Mission: Impact, Carol, her guest, Anne Hilb discuss: How nonprofits can best handle conflict within the organization  What steps can be taken to avoid conflict before it happens How to handle the hurt feelings that can linger in the wake of conflict Guest bio: Anne Hilb, MSOD is a community and culture architect, an expert at conflict resolution, and a champion of restorative and racial justice practices. As a community and culture architect, she partners with managers, executives, and front-line employees to repair conflict and restore trust so they can succeed and organizations can thrive. Her approach to this work is unique due to her blend of a decade of hands-on experience with more than a half-dozen degrees and certifications. Anne harnesses the power of circle and uses her deep listening skills to help build healthy workplaces. She develops deeply connected people and communities by leading with authenticity, transparency, curiosity, and care. Her work is centered around building confidence and accountability while mitigating blame, shame and guilt. When not repairing harm, working through conflict, and restoring trust, she can be found searching out the best taco, hosting circles, and spending time in nature. Important Links and Resources:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/annehilb/  https://www.graymake.com/ 

In episode 35 of Mission: Impact, Carol, her cohost, Peter Cruz, and their guest, Nathaniel Benjamin discuss diversity, equity and inclusion and its intersection with human capital management. This episode is a release of a podcast Carol planned to start with her son-in-law and has many transferrable ideas and concepts to the nonprofit sector. We talk about: Where and where not to situate DEI initiatives and staff in your organization  The value of the stay interview vs the exit interview The importance of data in fostering healthy cultures of inclusion and belonging Guest bio:Nathaniel Benjamin approaches the space of Diversity and Inclusion as not only a profession, but as a passion that’s taken hold of his life’s work.  As a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, University of Baltimore and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, his educational endeavors led him into a marketable career in Human Resources -- working in the C-suite level --managing workforce planning, strategy, policy and talent management.  But to “really” understand how an organization works, he later found that you must understand its people… the diversity of those who make an organization thrive.  He brings 17 years of experience as an organizational Change Agent and a D&I Strategist, ready to exceed your organizational needs. Contact: Nathaniel Benjamin:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielhbenjamin/    https://benjaminacg.com/  Peter J. Cruz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjcruz/

In episode 34 of Mission: Impact, Carol, her guest, Doug Spencer talked about: What branding really is What gets in the way of having a unified message that all your stakeholders are ready to share Why our expertise can actually get in the way of having a clear message Guest bio:Douglas Spencer is president of Spencer Brenneman, LLC, which helps mission-driven organizations reframe their focus and remaster their messages to thrive in any environment. In 2021, Douglas launched the podcast, Messaging on a Mission. In it he talks to leaders of nonprofits, social enterprises, associations about their journeys and the messages they’re using to thrive. He is also the author of Do They Care? The one question all brands should ask themselves, continually, a book that shows leaders how they can create meaningful connections with everyone important to their organization's success. Resources: https://spencerbrenneman.com/  https://spencerbrenneman.com/messaging-on-a-mission/  https://spencerbrenneman.com/books/ 

In episode 33 of Mission: Impact, Carol, her cohost, Peter Cruz, and their guest, Stephen Graves discuss diversity equity and inclusion in the health care sector. This episode is a release of a podcast Carol planned to start with her son-in-law and has many transferrable ideas and concepts to the nonprofit sector. We talk about: Why leadership engagement and support for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts is key regardless of the sector How data and evidence can inform DEI efforts Why there is historical mistrust of the medical professional among communities of color   Guest bio: Stephen Graves Born in South Carolina and raised in the black Baptist church, Stephen had an insatiable curiosity to understand the South’s nuanced history related to race, his place in that story as a black man, and how the Christian faith could be used as a tool to heal or a weapon to hurt.  This curiosity set him on a personal exploration, which turned into a professional journey as he pursued and earned a Master in Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.  Throughout his career in healthcare and in diversity, equity and inclusion, he has led initiatives centered on addressing health disparities, improving language access, and increasing cultural humility among teams.  He has been fortunate to collaborate with healthcare providers, faith leaders, high school and college students, and business leaders in helping them to create welcoming and inclusive cultures where all can thrive.   Resources: Cultural humility: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaSHLbS1V4w Tuskegee Study:  https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/ethics-articles/The_Tuskegee_Syphilis_Study_and_Its_Implications_for_the_21st_Century/ Racial biases about Black people and pain: https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain Guest contact: Stephen Graves: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sggraves/ All In Consulting: https://www.allinconsulting.co/ Peter Cruz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjcruz/

In episode 32 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Don Tebbe discussed include: How organizations can best manage transition Why it is important for the outgoing director to take care of themselves How boards might need to change to accommodate a transition   Guest Information: Don Tebbe is an organizational planning consultant and one of America’s most experienced advisors on nonprofit CEO transition and leadership succession. He experienced, first-hand, the challenges of sustaining an organization and navigating leadership succession as a former nonprofit executive director and five-time interim CEO. Since 1993, he’s helped hundreds of nonprofit leaders plan for and manage turnover in their chief executive positions. Don was one of the national thought leaders involved in an Annie E. Casey Foundation-sponsored project to develop better practices for nonprofit leadership succession. Many of the concepts and practices used by succession practitioners today originated with the Casey project. He is the author of Chief Executive Transitions: How to Hire & Support a Nonprofit CEO and The Nonprofit CEO Succession Roadmap: Your Guide for the Journey to Life’s Next Chapter. Important Guest Links: https://dontebbe.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dontebbe/  https://twitter.com/ceotransitions Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, The Hero’s Farewell: What Happens When CEOs Retire Annie E Casey Foundation – Executive Transitions Center for Excellence in Nonprofits  When a New Manager Takes Charge, John Garbarro  Going Solo, Going Big 

In episode 31 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Sharon Anderson discussed include: What lobbying consists of and how organizations can get involved The constraints placed on lobbying and other ways to help The legislative process and why nonprofits have a lot to offer in the arena of public policy Guest Information: Sharon Anderson has been engaged with nonprofit boards of directors in several capacities: president, member, interim executive director, and consultant. As CEO of Anderson & Associates, LLC, Sharon strengthens teams and organizations through personalized governance training, advocacy training, meeting facilitation, and project management. As a Licensed Consultant of the Standards for Excellence® program, Sharon has conducted Board excellence trainings. She has also designed and presented advocacy training for nonprofits through the Center for Nonprofit Advancement in Washington, DC. Anderson & Associates, LLC provided project management, meeting facilitation, and policy development services to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. Important Guest Links:  https://bolderadvocacy.org/ https://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/vendors/anderson-associates-llc/  https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/advocacy-vs-lobbying  https://standardsforexcellence.org/Home-2/code

In episode 30 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Hilary Marsh discussed include: What content creation and curation means and how they differ What content strategy entails and how to develop one Why trust across staff departments is so important to a cohesive content strategy Guest Information: Hilary Marsh is president and chief strategist of Content Company, a content and digital strategy consultancy and leading content strategy practitioner, mentor, speaker, and professor since 1999. She helps associations get better results from their content by improving their practices. Content Company’s clients include the American Bar Association, American Medical Association, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Endocrine Society, Institute of Food Technologists, and ISPOR. Hilary oversaw the member website for the National Association of Realtors from 2005 to 2011. Hilary is a co-author of “Association Content Strategies for a Changing World” (ASAE Research Foundation, 2018), “Content Curation, Associations’ Secret Weapon Against Information Overload” (self-published, 2020), and the “Leading Your Organization’s Content Strategy” chapter in the 4th edition of Professional Practices in Association Management (ASAE, January 2021). Important Guest Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilarymarsh/  https://contentcompany.biz/  https://twitter.com/hilarymarsh https://getmespark.com/wp-content/uploads/ContentCuration2020.pdf  https://www.asaecenter.org/ 

In the special 1-year anniversary episode of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton discussed the following: The benefits of doing strategic planning online and some downsides of in-person strategic planning How to plan in a VUCA world – volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity How organizational culture persists in remote work Contact Us: Send an email: https://www.missionimpactpodcast.com/contact.html  Get Nora to edit your show or write some music: [email protected]

In episode 28 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Peggy Hoffman discussed include: How local nonprofit chapters contribute to the larger organizations What implications the rise of online professional development has for local chapters. Why volunteers and chapters are the heart and soul of associations and yet a somewhat neglected aspect of working in a membership organization Guest Information:Peggy Hoffman is president of Mariner Management, an association management company which is home to two associations and provides an array of support and training to associations and most importantly member volunteers. Peggy has provided training and counsel to dozens of global, national and local membership associations over the past 30 years. She often draws on her own team’s research on volunteerism, member communities and association innovation. Peggy not only enjoys working with association volunteers but is an active volunteer for her professional association – including serving as a chapter past president – so she’ll draw from experience on both levels. Read her full bio at MarinerManagement.com and connect with Peggy on Twitter @peggyhoffman or LinkedIn. And ask her about triathlons, dance or living with three sons.Important Guest Links:  https://marinermanagement.com/resource/white-paper/2021-06-30/creating-association-roi-through-volunteer-training-toolkit/  https://marinermanagement.com/resource/white-paper/2019-10-22/2019-chapter-benchmarking-report/   https://marinermanagement.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmhoffman/  https://twitter.com/peggyhoffman  Contact Us: Send an email: https://www.missionimpactpodcast.com/contact.html  Get Nora to edit your show or write some music: [email protected]

In episode 27 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Carlyn Madden discussed include: Why small nonprofits can consider working with an executive search firm How to make your search for a new organizational leader as equitable as possible What aspiring future leaders need to do now to prepare for future executive leadership roles Guest Information:Carlyn Madden helps nonprofits find new leaders. She is the CEO of Good Insight, a national executive search firm and governance consultancy that focuses on small nonprofits. Good Insight is committed to becoming an anti-racist search firm and she is a sought-after speaker and adviser on the nonprofit workforce’s generational and demographic shifts. She comes to this work through philanthropy, beginning her career at The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, where she managed a portfolio of grants that spanned education, the arts, human services, and the environment.Important Guest Links:  https://good-insight.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlynmadden/  https://twitter.com/carlynmadden  Will We Get There Hire by Hire? By Jeanne Bell, Paola Cubias, and Byron Johnson https://www.compasspoint.org/sites/default/files/documents/Hire_by_Hire_Report.pdf https://www.compasspoint.org/sites/default/files/documents/Executive_Transition.pdf Articles about the glass cliff https://hbr.org/2011/01/how-women-end-up-on-the-glass-cliff https://www.vox.com/2018/10/31/17960156/what-is-the-glass-cliff-women-ceos Contact Us: Send an email: https://www.missionimpactpodcast.com/contact.html  Get Nora to edit your show or write some music: [email protected]

In episode 26 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Sabrina Walker Hernandez discussed include: How to get comfortable with fundraising The breakdown of the fundraising process Why both introverts and extroverts make good fundraisers Guest Information:Sabrina Walker Hernandez is the President & CEO of Supporting World Hope. She has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and leadership. One of Sabrina’s greatest successes is that she increased operation revenue from $750,000 to $2.5 million over an 8-year period as well as being responsible for the planning and operations of a $12 million comprehensive capital campaign in the 3rd poorest county in the United States. She has also facilitated numerous workshops with hundreds of nonprofit professionals and is a master trainer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Sabrina is certified in Nonprofit Management by Harvard Business School. She is an active community leader and volunteer in Edinburg, Texas where she is based. Important Guest Links:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/NonprofitProfessionalsExchange/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinawalkerhernandez/  https://supportingworldhope.com/leadership/  Contact Us: Send an email: https://www.missionimpactpodcast.com/contact.html  Get Nora to edit your show or write some music: [email protected]

In episode 25 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Kristin Bradley-Bull discussed include: How strategic planning helps organizations and the people in them connect back to their “why” How organizations need to listen to the people in the communities they work in more intentionally The role of the sector in our economy and culture Why organizations need to be intentional about their support to new leaders of color that many groups are now hiring and promoting to CEO roles. Guest Information:Kristin Bradley-Bull’s tagline says it all: “Illuminating your vision. Extending your vast roots and branches to get there.” She runs Roots to Canopy in Durham, NC. At Roots to Canopy, Kristin consults with non-profits to develop powerful strategies and plans – and to develop staff capacity to be wildly successful in making change in the world. She does the same in her coaching practice: supporting people to crystalize their vision and orient toward their North Star – as non-profit leaders and as humans. Kristin loves people, justice, organizations and movements, and transformation on all levels. Her background includes co-founding a training and leadership non-profit, being a full-time public health faculty member, and consulting (20 years+) with organizations ranging from multilaterals to grassroots social justice groups. Important Guest Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rootstocanopy/  https://www.rootstocanopy.com/   The book mentioned during the show is Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits by Leslie R. Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant Information on the size of the nonprofit sector in the US: https://nccs.urban.org/publication/nonprofit-sector-brief-2019#the-nonprofit-sector-in-brief-2019 Divorcing White Supremacy Culture website http://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/ Contact Us: Send an email: https://www.missionimpactpodcast.com/contact.html  Get Nora to edit your show or write some music: [email protected]

In episode 24 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Bobbi Russell discussed include: Transitioning back to in person How nonprofits can make accommodations while working from home How investing in systems and organization can help in the long term Guest Information: Bobbi is an operations executive with 20+ years of experience working with nonprofit organizations. She launched her own practice in 2017 after working in a COO role for 10+ years. While similar systems and processes can work for many organizations, she sees success when organizations apply solutions that are customized to their culture. She’s really good at understanding the human aspect of how any new system, tool, or process will integrate with an organization’s culture. Earlier in her career, she worked in marketing, membership, strategic communications, and journalism. She has an undergraduate degree in English from Clarion University of PA and an MBA from George Washington University. Her non-work passions include her dog, craft beer, and writing parody songs to entertain friends and family.  Important Guest Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbi-russell-4a61793/  Contact Us: Send an email: https://www.missionimpactpodcast.com/contact.html  Get Nora to edit your show (she writes music too): [email protected]  

In episode 23 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Elizabeth Engel discussed include: The significance of digital transformation for organizations What’s different about digital transformation for associations Avoiding shiny object syndrome in your tech related projects Guest Information:Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, is Chief Strategist at Spark Consulting. For more than twenty years, Elizabeth has helped associations grow in membership, marketing, communications, public presence, and especially revenue, which is what Spark is all about. She speaks and writes frequently on a variety of topics in association management. When she's not helping associations grow, Elizabeth loves to dance, listen to live music, cook, and garden. Important Guest Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewengel/  https://www.getmespark.com/ The Digital Transformation whitepaper:  https://bit.ly/3y4O6dy https://www.amazon.com/Designed-Digital-Architect-Sustained-Management/dp/0262042886    Contact Us: Send an email: https://www.missionimpactpodcast.com/contact.html  Get Nora to edit your show (she writes music too): [email protected]  

In episode 22 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Michelle Nusum-Smith discussed include: Pros and cons of starting a nonprofit vs. finding a fiscal sponsor vs. starting a for-profit business Things to consider to be more successful as you apply for grants as a nonprofit The pitfalls of applying for grants and ways to diversify your funding Guest Information:Michelle Nusum-Smith is owner and principal consultant at The Word Woman LLC. A licensed nonprofit consultant, coach and trainer, Michelle helps nonprofits, government agencies, and individuals achieve their goals. With over 20 years of nonprofit experience, she has expertise in all areas of nonprofit development and sustainability. Michelle has extensive speaker and facilitator experience. She is licensed to offer consulting services for the Maryland Nonprofit’s Standards for Excellence® program and has the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to work with nonprofits across the country. A graduate of the Honors Program at Coppin State University where she earned a BS in Management Science with a minor in Marketing, Michelle is a member of the Grants Professional Association and an Associate Consultant at Maryland Nonprofits. Important Links:  https://thewordwomanllc.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-nusum-smith/  Interview Transcript:

In episode 21 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Andy Robinson discussed include: The importance of leaders being called out The importance of cultivating and grooming your next generation of leaders What founders need to be aware of The importance of having a life beyond your work and maintaining a balance between those two Guest Information:Andy Robinson provides training and consulting for nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies. Over the past 25 years, Andy has worked with clients in 47 US states and Canada. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, he has designed and facilitated 70 online meetings, webinars, and remote workshops covering a variety of topics, including fundraising, board development, marketing, leadership development, facilitation, and train-the-trainer programs. Andy is the author of six books, including Train Your Board (and Everyone Else) to Raise Money, www.trainyourboard.com. His latest is What Every Board Member Needs to Know, Do, and Avoid. He lives in Plainfield, Vermont. Important Links:  www.andyrobinsononline.com http://trainyourboard.com/  https://dontebbe.com/ https://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/past-events/harvey-mckinnon-and-andy-robinson-on-raising-more-money 

In episode 20 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Elizabeth Scott discussed include: How organizations have adapted to the pandemic The research Liz completed with the Center for Nonprofit Advancement What changes from the pandemic might organizations retain when things go back to “normal” Guest Information:Elizabeth Scott, PhD, founder of Brighter Strategies, provides thought leadership and high value organizational development consulting in support of a stronger social sector. Liz has provided consulting services in strategic planning, process-improvement, and human capital development for hundreds of nonprofits and associations. She has been a Baldrige examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia and is a certified Standard of Excellence consultant. In addition to managing the practice, Liz holds a faculty positions at both The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and George Mason University. Liz holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a master’s degree in Organizational Sciences from The George Washington University, as well as a second master’s and Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. Important Links: https://www.brighterstrategies.com/ https://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/ Research report: https://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/tools-resources/coronavirus-resource-tools/

In episode 19 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Nancy Bacon discussed include: Learning in nonprofit organizations The best methods nonprofits or associations can use to train their staff How habits and accountability helps people follow through on the behavior change they are aiming for Guest Information:Nancy Bacon is a teacher, instructional designer, and learning strategist who has worked for over 25 years in the nonprofit sector. She works with nonprofits, associations, and networks to strengthen how nonprofits are able to serve their communities. She has trained thousands of people in-person and online, speaks on learning and leadership, and writes books and blogs on topics at the intersection of learning and nonprofits. Nancy also co-hosts the Nonprofit Radio Show.  Important Links: www.nancybacon.com https://jamesclear.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwashburn/  https://www.influenceatwork.com/  https://scholar.princeton.edu/kahneman/home

In episode 18 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guests, Shelley Sanner and Alanna McKee discussed include: Trends facing associations, including the need for greater personalization How associations have adjusted to the virtual environment What the future of work could look like and how associations could contribute to the workforce development of the fields they serve   Guest Information:Shelley Sanner, CAE, MA, Senior Vice President, Industry Relations: As senior vice president of industry relations, Shelley fosters knowledge-sharing and partnerships to promote innovation and excellence within the association industry. Her main areas of focus include identifying association challenges and trends and translating them into resources that benefit the community at-large. She also coordinates McKinley’s presence at events and within industry publications to ensure that we serve as a resource to the community on best practices and other insights. Before joining McKinley in 2007, Shelley served as Membership Director at a higher education association. On a national level, Shelley has served in various volunteer leadership positions, taught courses and presented at many industry events. She has a Master’s in liberal studies from Georgetown University and an undergraduate degree from Juniata College, where she majored in French and education.   Alanna Tievsky McKee, MSW, Director: As a director within the consulting department, Alanna leads client engagements designed to maximize organizational efficiency and mission impact. She brings a creative and thoughtful approach to each of her clients, combining skills acquired through her training and experience as a consultant, clinician, and coach. During her time at McKinley, she has nurtured an expertise in member engagement and retention, strategic planning, governance and staff and volunteer leadership facilitation.   Alanna has worked in and with the nonprofit sector for more than a decade and has supported nearly 100 unique associations as a member of the McKinley team. She is a social worker by trade and feels passionate about helping individuals and organizations solve challenges and reach their full potential. Alanna holds an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in nonprofit management and a B.A. in developmental neuropsychology from the University of Rochester.   Contact our Guests https://www.mckinley-advisors.com/ https://www.mckinley-advisors.com/team/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleysanner/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanna-tievsky-mckee-47b79448/ Connection platform for online gatherings https://www.wonder.me/

In episode 17 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Wendy Wolff discussed include: How leading a non-profit differs from leading a for-profit business Awareness vs. action Why people are scared of evaluation Assumptions made when working with communities Changing social norms Where to start evaluation on an organizational level The barriers to evidence-based testing Guest Information:Activating and coordinating community responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic was how Wendy Wolff began her career in the nonprofit sector. Her early career helped her to build a strong understanding about the value and role of the community in program planning and policy development. She brings nearly 25 years of diverse consulting experiences to her role as Director of Strategic Engagement for Maryland Nonprofits. Wendy has collaborated with government agencies; universities; non-profit organizations; and faith-based organizations to enhance the quality of life within many communities throughout the United States. She uses her strategic thinking skills to help clients synthesize information from wide-ranging sources, reframe problems while uncovering root causes to find refreshing, creative and effective solutions. Over the past two decades, Wendy has helped thousands of organizations and their people to create brighter futures for the communities in which they serve. Her excitement in working with the members of Maryland Nonprofit’s is infectious. She values the genius that each and every person brings to their role in the sector and works diligently to elevate any person that she engages with.  Ms. Wolff holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from New York University. She has resided as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver and as an Associate Faculty Member at Indian River State College. Wendy is a licensed consultant with the Standards for Excellence® Institute. Ms. Wolff’s first book, The Letter Writing Project (Blooming Twig Books), was published in August 2014. Evaluation Resources https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/mph-modules/sb/behavioralchangetheories/behavioralchangetheories6.html https://www.cdc.gov/eval/framework/index.htm http://www.gracesocialsector.com/missionimpact/is-your-organization-having-the-impact-you-want https://www.amazon.com/Finally-Outcome-Measurement-Strategies-Understand/dp/0578024659 https://www.amazon.com/Great-Nonprofit-Evaluation-Reboot-Understand/dp/193807792X    Connect with Wendy Wolff https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolffwendy/

In episode 16 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Rosalind Spigel discussed include: Organizational values and the best method to decide on them  How to welcome diversity on the board and mitigate microaggressions How to implement values in the day-to-day life of an organization Guest Information:Rosalind Spigel believes in the difference nonprofits can make.  Her vision is to increase the effectiveness of organizations and coach them – and the people in them – to grow and prosper.  In consultation with her clients, Rosalind designs and facilitates strategic planning and implementation, leadership development and coaching, professional development, and capacity building interventions. Links: http://stproject.org/  [email protected]  spigelconsulting.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalind-spigel-msod-1694751/  twitter.com/SpigelConsultin

In episode 15 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Mary Hiland discussed include: The pivotal executive director – board chair relationship. Why trust is so key and how to build it. How hard giving negative feedback can be, especially to new people in the workplace What the focus of the board chair/executive director conversation says about the relationship and how the two are leading the organization Why it is important to introduce new board members to not only the organization and the role of the board member but also to yourself as the executive director – and not assume they truly appreciate your background and expertise The role of the board in day-to-day operations Guest Information: Mary Hiland brings over 40 years of experience to nonprofit leaders to create a paradigm shift about how to develop an informed and inspired board that is truly an asset. Her mission is to help nonprofit leaders ignite and unleash the potential of the board, getting rid of the mindset that a board is a burden. Her deep expertise and hands-on experience (26 years as a nonprofit executive and 17 as a board member) bring credibility and confidence to nonprofit leaders who know she understands because she’s “been there.” Mary coaches, and mentors executive directors and board leaders. She is a speaker and published author. She has a weekly podcast, Inspired Nonprofit Leadership: conversations to inspire, inform, and support nonprofit leaders. Links: www.hilandconsulting.org hilandconsulting.org/trustbuilding  https://hilandconsulting.org/bded-article  http://www.gracesocialsector.com/missionimpact/consensus-doesnt-have-to-be-pure https://www.hilandconsulting.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ODP-V47No1-Hiland.pdf

There is a brief discussion of police brutality in this episode around 16 minutes in. In episode 14 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Keisha Sitney, discussed include: Why leaders need to be role models for their staff and lead by example Why organizations need to start with individuals when working on equity How to build the leadership capacity of people who haven’t traditionally been promoted to leadership roles Why it is important to not just teach people of color to be like “traditional” white leaders but encourage them develop their own leadership style How professionals focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion experience profound fatigue in continually educating people about racism and other forms of oppression. Why it’s important for leaders to be willing to share when they make mistakes and what they learned from them. Guest Information:  Keisha Sitney is the Chief People Officer for The Y in Central Maryland and the founder of Golden Key Coaching. She works to ensure the people strategies and resources support and match the strategic priorities of the organization. Keisha is an executive leader who has been with the Y for 30 years, both at the national and regional levels. With in-depth experience in coaching, talent management, strategic visioning and planning, and facilitation, Keisha has served in operational roles at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, led the national multicultural leadership development movement as well as served as an internal consultant for C-Suite leaders from Ys across the United States. She holds a Master's Degree in Organization Development from American University and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Howard University. Links: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-aiko-bethea-on-inclusivity-at-work-the-heart-of-hard-conversations/  https://www.rarecoaching.net/  https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Consulting-Agency/Golden-Key-Coaching-799926680207953/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-sitney/

In episode 13 of Mission Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Peter Lane, discussed include: How to bring health and wellness training to organizational consulting Why you should hire a health and wellness coach Understanding how others feelings impact your own and vice versa How organizations can utilize their resources to better care for their employees How organizational culture impacts employees’ ability to take advantage of those resources How leaders set the tone for an organization’s culture Adapting wellness policies for the COVID-19 Pandemic Guest Information:  Peter Lane is an organizational consultant with more than 20 years of experience. He is also a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) trained at the Mayo Clinic. Peter works with individuals and teams that are committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and making positive change for themselves and their organizations. Before becoming a wellness coach and consultant, Peter worked for 18 years as director of programs at the Institute for Conservation Leadership  After working with many nonprofit leaders over the years who were experiencing the negative physical and emotional effects of burnout, he decided that focusing on wellness in the workplace is an important strategy for how he can contribute to the success of nonprofit organizations. Peter serves on the board of directors of the Reve Kandale Foundation. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Clark University and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Links: https://www.peterlanecoaching.com/ [email protected]

In episode 11 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Elizabeth Woolfe, discussed include: The importance of an interim director for organizations The process of transitioning and the strain that puts on an organization The importance of having a plan in place for when your leader leaves Growth mindset with Boards What the role of the Board and the role of the staff are in an organization and how those differ The importance of taking breaks for yourself   Guest Information:  Elizabeth Woolfe is a lifelong nonprofit professional with expertise in affecting strategic change and facilitating growth for organizations, as well as in assisting boards and organizations through transitions. She also has strength in building philanthropic relationships between nonprofit and for-profit companies, facilitating collaborations, and program development. Her particular areas of interest are interim leadership, management of organizations and boards, strategic assessment, organizational development, board functionality, and relationship building.   Links: https://www.intuitionconsult.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethwoolfe/

In episode 11 of Mission: Impact, some of the topics that Carol and her guest, Nyacko Perry, discussed include: Addressing accountability of past actions as a method of moving forward Creating a healthy environment with room for employees to care for their mental health The process of making change in an organizational structure The disconnect between many organizations’ missions and their internal culture The disconnect between front-line workers, the people running many nonprofit organizations, and the communities they serve Thoughts on how organizational change happens How systems exploit vulnerable populations   Additional Resources: William Bridges’ Transition Theory: https://wmbridges.com/about/what-is-transition/ The 1619 Project: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html 1619 podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1619/id1476928106   Guest Information:  Nyacko Perry utilizes a systems-thinking approach to assist individuals, community groups, and organizations, in creating more inclusive cultures. Her decade long career as a transformational change agent includes national and international facilitation with non-profit, corporate, and government agencies. Nyacko is the founder of Yin Consulting, a collaborative focused on personal, organizational and systemic healing. She is the Organization Development Partner at the much-anticipated Comfort Kitchen, a restaurant, community meeting space, and a food incubator dedicated to fostering collaboration, cross-cultural understanding, and community engagement. Nyacko also serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the Action Boston Community Development, Inc. Roxbury/N. Dorchester Opportunity Center. Nyacko holds an M.S. in Organization Development, with distinction, from American University. She is also a 500-hour professional level yoga teacher, an Afro Flow Yoga® certified teacher, and weaves her mindfulness expertise into her consulting work. Links: www.yinconsulting.com/ [email protected] www.comfortkitchenbos.com/ www.instagram.com/comfortkitchenbos/ www.allinconsulting.co Sponsored by Grace Social Sector Consulting. http://www.gracesocialsector.com/  Learn about the Effective Online Facilitation, 4 week group coaching program.   http://www.gracesocialsector.com/effective-online-facilitation.html 

Welcome to the Mission Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Heather Yandow.     We talked about:  What gets in the way of nonprofits hiring consultants successfully. Why an RFP process is often not the best approach to having a great experience with a consultant. The trends we are observing in this time of disruption.   Heather Yandow brings more than 20 years of experience as an outreach coordinator, coalition leader, project manager, and fundraiser to Third Space Studio. She helps organizations with strategic planning, board development, change management, leadership development, and going from good to great. She has also served on the Board of Directors of Democracy NC, ncyt: NC’s Network of Young Nonprofit Professionals, and the Beehive Collective (a giving circle). She is also the founder of Nonprofit.ist, an online platform for nonprofits to find the consulting expertise they need.   Links:  https://www.nonprofit.ist/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatheryandow/ https://www.thirdspacestudio.com/   Sponsored by Grace Social Sector Consulting. http://www.gracesocialsector.com/  Learn about the Effective Online Facilitation, 4 week group coaching program.   http://www.gracesocialsector.com/effective-online-facilitation.html 

Welcome to the Mission Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Carol Vernon   We talked about:  The four typical communication styles. What shows up in communications now that so many teams are working remotely. How people can keep networking even while face to face events are cancelled.   Carol Vernon is a certified executive coach and principal of Communication Matters, an executive coaching firm that helps leaders and teams elevate their executive presence and communication skills in order to grow their impact. Carol was inspired to start Communication Matters after years of observing that doing your job well isn’t enough. Without executive presence and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, leaders can’t achieve their full potential or achieve the results they seek. Previously, Carol was the senior communications director at the National Cable and Television Association, as well as acting executive director of the cable industry’s education foundation, with both people management and budget responsibilities. Prior to that she worked on Capitol Hill and on more than a dozen political campaigns.    Links:  https://commmatters.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-vernon-aa09833/ https://www.facebook.com/ComMatters/     Sponsored by Grace Social Sector Consulting. http://www.gracesocialsector.com/  Learn about the Effective Online Facilitation, 4 week group coaching program.   http://www.gracesocialsector.com/effective-online-facilitation.html 

Welcome to the Mission Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Becca Bartholomew.     We talked about:  Ensuring all voices are included in planning processes Why it is important for leaders to not only have intelligence but also have emotional intelligence and somatic intelligence What the buffering sign on your computer has to tell us about today’s work environment   Barry Oshrey’s Tops, Middles and Bottoms https://govleaders.org/total-system-power.htm   Ladder of Inference: https://thesystemsthinker.com/the-ladder-of-inference/   Your Body is Your Brain by Amanda Blake https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40515283-your-body-is-your-brain   A facilitator and coach with expertise in organization development (OD), Becca has extensive experience working with groups and individuals to foster communication and effective collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Becca helps her clients implement strategies that increase their emotional intelligence and efficacy. She is known for her clear communication, innate ability to foster trust, and firm, yet gentle approach to helping others recognize their blind spots and engage specific tools to articulate and reach their goals. She gracefully supports her clients toward self-reflection, new learning and increased awareness of their impact on others. She works with leaders of all types and has a special passion for those newer to leadership as well as those who hold societal privilege and want to address their roles in upholding and then dismantling systems of oppression.   Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccabartholomew https://twitter.com/thebeccab     Sponsored by Grace Social Sector Consulting. http://www.gracesocialsector.com/  Find resources: http://www.gracesocialsector.com/resources.html

Welcome to the Mission Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Cinthia Manuel.    We talked about:   the challenges nonprofits face in trying to make their services more accessible.  What to think about before getting started with community engagement.   Why Cinthia thinks traditional mentoring is backward.  Cinthia Manuel is the CEO and Founder of Autentica Consulting, LLC. She specializes in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Mentoring; and Multicultural Marketing. She is the proud daughter of immigrants and a first-generation Latina. She was named one of the 23 Business People to Watch in 2019 by the Portland Business Journal for her work contributing to communities of color through professional development, mentorship, and entrepreneurship. She is passionate about education and has worked with the Gates Millennium Scholarship Alumni Association, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and the United Negro College Fund. She is a TEDx speaker. She deeply believes that building strong communities is key to creating a powerful voice that drives change.     Links:   https://www.autenticaconsulting.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/autenticaconsulting/  https://twitter.com/AutenticaCo    Sponsored by Grace Social Sector Consulting. http://www.gracesocialsector.com/   Learn about the Effective Online Facilitation, 4-week group coaching program.    http://www.gracesocialsector.com/effective-online-facilitation.html  

Welcome to the Mission: Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Arielle Goodman, Jenny Hegland and Jessica Srikantia.    We talked about:   What this uncertain moment in history could mean for the systems that we live in and           take for granted  How we are born into a collectively traumatized culture that has a domination logic built into its systems.  A systemic analysis can divorce ourselves from our part in that system – as if it exists outside of us instead of us existing within these systems.     Resources mentioned:   Otto Schwarmer and the MIT Presencing Institute  https://www.ottoscharmer.com/ https://www.presencing.org/  Thomas Huebl  https://thomashuebl.com/  Arielle, Jenny and Jessica are a team of colleagues that has been working together for the past six months to discover how they might be of service as a collective. Their work exists in cultivating the spaces between, such as in-between people during times of transition and not knowing, spaces within our own selves, or the connective tissue of complex systems. Together, they explore what is possible in and from wholeness. They are committed to transforming themselves into alignment with life, so that they can support this work in the broader world inclusive of and beyond their individual selves. Their areas of expertise include navigating uncharted terrain in times of uncertainty, helping systems see and sense themselves, and practicing sacred relationships with team and stakeholder groups.     Links:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyhegland  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-srikantia-206797173/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellegoodman/      Sponsored by Grace Social Sector Consulting.  http://www.gracesocialsector.com/  

Welcome to the Mission Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Rebecca Murphy.     We talked about:  What organizations need to think about to be ready to partner  Having clarity about what your why is key for partnering.  Why mission creep is so common among organizations and what drives it.  Rebecca has been a consultant for over 20 years. She considers herself an “interpreter,” as she has worked in multiple sectors including government, nonprofit, business, and philanthropy. She is adept at explaining/translating one to another. She is a generalist with a broad knowledge base – including workforce development, affordable housing, parks and placemaking. She has expertise in capacity building, organizational and program development, strategic planning, with particular expertise in public-private partnerships, community engagement, and strategic collaborations. Hers is a mission-focused practice. She is passionate about mission fidelity and avoiding mission creep.    Links:  https://rcmstrategicconsulting.com/  https://twitter.com/RCMStratConsult    Sponsored by Grace Social Sector Consulting. http://www.gracesocialsector.com/  Learn about the Effective Online Facilitation, 4-week group coaching program.   http://www.gracesocialsector.com/effective-online-facilitation.html 

Welcome to the Mission Impact Podcast. This week we’re talking to Kathy Patrick.    We talked about:  what it takes to influence decision-makers.  the concrete steps leaders can take to create a plan, identify who is key to your organization and how to start building a relationship with them before you need their help.   Why it is so important to remember that key decision-makers are human first and not fixate on their title and role.  Kathy Patrick, of Strategic Sense, LLC, helps progressive non-profit leaders build influence and create powerful relationships with all types of decisionmakers, so they can increase the impact and reach of their organizations, attract more resources to their work, and free up time to do the creative, visionary work they were meant to do.    Links:  https://strategic-sense.com/  https://strategykeys.com/  https://strategykeys.com/engagenow 

Coming soon. Mission Impact is the podcast for progressive nonprofit leaders who want to build a better world without becoming a martyr to the cause. Interviews of nonprofit experts explore how to make your organization more effective and innovative for greater mission impact.