Brooke Richie-Babbage - Podcast Details

Shows

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastC is for Clarity: You don’t have the capacity issue you think you doThis is Letter C of the Design Your Strongest Year-End Ever Podcast Series - today, we’re diving into the dangerous illusion of busyness.Busy doesn’t mean productive.When goals are fuzzy, your team spends time and money on the wrong things.And all the hard work doesn’t lead to impact.🧭 Key Takeaway C: You don’t have a capacity problem. You have a clarity gap.🎯 Set better targets. Use the Reset Your NorthStar Toolkitto help your team get laser focused...2025-08-0704 min

Community PossibilitiesNonprofit Leadership with Brooke Richie-Babbage: Building Resilient Organizations in Challenging TimesSend us a textNonprofit leaders feeling the weight of challenging times need more than grit to thrive—they need resilient organizations built on sustainable systems and supportive networks. Brooke Ritchie-Babbage shares her S.T.R.O.N.G. framework for building nonprofit stability while growing impact.• Strategic clarity keeps everyone focused on the "cathedral" they're building beyond daily brick-laying work• Well-designed tools and systems create the interstitial tissue connecting teams without bottlenecks• Resources include not just funding but sustainable approaches like monthly giving programs • Ownership means everyone understands their role and has appropr...2025-05-1451 min

Leaving Well: nonprofit leadership guidance for workplace exits and transitions80: Brooke Richie-Babbage on Strategic PlanningBrooke Richie-Babbage is a nonprofit growth strategist and social impact advisor. She is the founder and CEO of Bending Arc, a social impact strategy firm that supports the launch and sustainable growth of high-impact nonprofits, and the host of Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast. Brooke has spent the past 23 years working as a lawyer, nonprofit leader, and social entrepreneur. She has founded and led multiple successful organizations and initiatives, including the Resilience Advocacy Project (RAP), where she served as founder and Executive Director for 11 years, the Sterling Network NYC and the NetLab Initiative, both initiatives of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation...2025-04-2141 min

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits614. Hold Fast: Your Blueprint for Building a Resilient Organization - Brooke Richie-BabbageThe world is changing—fast. As a nonprofit leader, how do you hold fast to your mission when everything feels uncertain? In this episode of our new Hold Fast series, we’re joined by Brooke Richie Babbage, founder of Bending Arc Consulting and host of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast, to break down what real resilience looks like in practice.Brooke introduces her powerful framework for building a resilient organization—one that doesn’t just survive uncertainty but thrives through it. She shares the three core elements of resilience (Strategic Clarity, Capacity, and Capital) and walks us throu...2025-04-1436 min

Nonprofit Lowdown#305 - Words of Wisdom with Brooke Richie-Babbage🎙️ This week, I’m chatting with my business bestie, Brooke Richie-Babbage. We’re diving deep into the challenges many of us have faced in 2024—yes, it’s been a tough year! ✨ From feeling stuck to grappling with budget concerns, we’re exploring why so many nonprofits are struggling, despite doing everything “right.” We talk about the importance of authenticity in storytelling and how to break through the noise in a world flooded with information. 💡 Join us as we share personal stories of our own missteps (hello, hiring mistakes and epic event flops) and di...2024-09-2329 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastWhy Your Organization's Growth Is About More Than Just FundingIn this episode, I tackle a common but risky misconception: the idea that nonprofits can simply replicate the success of other organizations by copying their strategies. The reality is that applying the same tactics from a $2M organization to a $600K one can be a costly mistake. I’ll guide you through why understanding your organization’s unique growth journey is critical for achieving sustainable impact without burning out your team.What You’ll Learn:Why copying larger nonprofits’ strategies can hinder your growth.The role of systematized decision-making in scaling your nonprofit.How to evolv...2024-09-0318 min

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits564. Disrupt. Grow. Adapt. Repeat: Future-Proofing Strategies for Modern Orgs - Brooke Richie-Babbage, Erin Davison, Nelvin Johnson, and Amy FreitagMeet Amy, Nelvin, Erin + Brooke. Are you looking for insights on future-proofing your organization against the ever-evolving landscape of challenges and opportunities in the sector? They’ve got you covered in this Responsive Nonprofit Summit Replay. From embracing failure to building resilient teams and fostering innovation, discover actionable approaches to ensure your nonprofit remains agile, sustainable, and impactful in the face of uncertainty.💡Learn Ways to Create a Culture that Embraces Failure + Innovation How to Focus on Sustainability - Organizationally + as Individuals The Importance of Leveraging the Power of CommunityToday’s Guests 2024-08-2145 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastMini-Training: The 4 Part Structure For Facilitating Your Own POWERFUL Strategic Planning ProcessIn this episode, I demystify the strategic planning process for nonprofit leaders. Facilitating your own strategic plan doesn't have to be daunting or time-consuming. With the right structure, you can create a plan that not only guides your organization but also gets used effectively. Tune in to learn how to engage your team, gain stakeholder buy-in, and develop a strategic plan that serves as a powerful marketing and fundraising tool.What You'll Learn:The essential components of a successful strategic planning process.How to build momentum and buy-in from your team and stakeholders.Practical tips for...2024-07-0927 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Build Better TeamsIn this episode, I reflect on some enlightening conversations with leaders from my Next Level Nonprofit program. This week, I revisit discussions with Darcy Richie and Toya Lillard, exploring the essential elements of building and sustaining high-impact nonprofit teams. We dive into how to foster trust and respect within teams, the evolving nature of leadership post-COVID, and strategies for achieving sustainable impact. Join me as we uncover actionable insights to strengthen your nonprofit leadership and create meaningful change.What You'll Learn:Strategies for building high-impact teams rooted in trust and respect.The evolving nature...2024-05-3126 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Hire The Right Person Every TimeIn this episode, I share the ultimate tool that can revolutionize your hiring process: the hiring rubric. By standardizing your hiring approach, you can reduce bias, make better hiring decisions, and streamline the entire process. I break down the structure of an effective hiring rubric and show you how to implement it to build your own high-impact team.What You'll LearnHow to define and prioritize core competencies and skills for your organization.The importance of clear indicators for evaluating candidate proficiency.Crafting questions that reveal candidates' true capabilities.Key Takeaways 2024-05-2130 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow to Use Brain Trusts To Grow & Deepen Your Community of SupportersIn this episode, I dive into the concept of a Brain Trust—a facilitated gathering that leverages the expertise of advisors and thinkers to tackle specific organizational challenges. Imagine convening your “dream team” of advisors and strategic thought partners, all focused on solving a real, tangible problem your nonprofit faces. It's not just about sharing ideas; it's about action-oriented problem-solving that's grounded in real-world issues.I'll guide you through why Brain Trusts are a simple yet powerful tool for your leadership toolkit, covering their benefits across cultivation, stewardship, and network expansion. You'll learn how these gatherings can deepen...2024-04-1627 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Build Systems That Scale, with Rachel Bearbower Welcome to this week’s episode of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast! I'm your host, Brooke, and today, I’m thrilled to share an insightful conversation with one of my dearest friends and a true game-changer in the nonprofit world, Rachel Bearbower. As the founder of Small Shop Strategies, Rachel is a wizard in teaching nonprofit leaders the art of untangling complex systems to focus on what truly matters – nurturing relationships and boosting fundraising efforts. In our chat, we delve into the nuts and bolts of building effective systems in small nonprofits. We’ll explore Rachel's unique approach to time managemen...2024-03-0753 min

Nonprofit Nation with Julia CampbellStart Attracting (Not Chasing) The Right Donors with Brooke Richie-BabbageFundraising does not have to feel like throwing spaghetti against the wall and hoping for the best.My guest this week is going to help us finally take the guesswork out of finding, cultivating & activating new donors — in proven and actionable ways.In this episode, we discuss:How to Attract New Funders And Donors to Fuel Your GrowthHow to fund growth How to Mobilize your board to be *real* ambassadors and meaningful thought partners to you and your team How to attract (instead of chasing!) increased revenue by deepening your thought leadership and...2024-02-2141 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Not Lose Your New DonorsWhat do I do with new donors so I don't lose them?The answer is: Learn as much about your new donors as possible so that you can communicate with them better and more intimately.In today’s episode, I’m going to give you an easy, low-hanging fruit strategy for gathering information about your donors so that you can begin to segment and personalize your emails, donor appeals, and even events.What Listeners Will Learn:How to personalize communications for more impactful donor engagement.Effective techniques for segmenting your emai...2024-02-0626 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastBuild Teams That Are Greater Than The Sum Of Their Parts, A Replay Tribute To Darcy RichieToday I’m doing a special rerun of one of my most downloaded and shared episodes, as a tribute to my sister, Darcy Richie. This tribute show is airing on January 30th and Darcy would have been 42 years old today. I think honoring her work - of which she was so proud - is just one way that I can celebrate her today. This episode is a celebration of three things that Darcy was so very good at: >> Managing people in ways that helped them step into the best version of themse...2024-01-3041 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastA Simple Strategy For Keeping Your Board Focused & EngagedNow that you’ve had your board retreat, and set your goals to grow your board or expand your gala, it’s time to think about implementation. So now the challenge is this: How exactly do you keep your board motivated in the new year?In this episode, I’m going to talk about the purpose, power, and anatomy of a good board agreement, and about how it will help you be intentional about shaping your work with your board.What You’ll Learn:The importance of clarity and personalized commitments in enhancin...2024-01-2321 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow You’ll Grow By Tuning Into the Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastJust as every organization I work with has a mission and theory of change - a belief about how best to bring about the change in the world that they want to see - so does this show! I organize this show around a set of core pillars that I believe are critical to your organization having the kind of impact that will change our world. And so I wanted to pull back the curtain on what those are, and share what you can expect from this show as we head into 2024 and where your organization will i...2024-01-0914 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastTurn Your Goals Into A Powerful Nonprofit Growth PlanHello and welcome to 2024! I'm still wrapping my head around how fast time flies. As we step into this new year, fresh from our reflective period, I'm excited to dive into leveraging this new year energy. In today's episode, I'll walk you through a 3-part framework to help you and your team focus on what truly matters, avoiding the chaos that often comes by March. This isn’t about adding more to your plate; it's about organizing and moving forward with intention. We'll explore how to use a simple paper-based tool to align our actions with our goals. From un...2024-01-0217 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastFighting Overwhlem & Growing Impact: Behind the scenes of My Next Level Nonprofit MastermindIn this relatable and insightful episode of "Nonprofit Mastermind," Brooke shares two personal stories about her leadership journey, focusing on the theme of 'failing forward.' She opens up about her experiences, discussing the vital lessons learned from moments of failure and how these moments can be powerful catalysts for growth and change. This episode is not just about sharing strategies that work, but it's about the raw, honest path of leadership - the mistakes, the missteps, and how they forge stronger, more effective leaders and organizations.What Listeners Will Learn:...2023-10-3121 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastPlan Your Year of Board Engagement in Less Than A DayFeeling overwhelmed about keeping your nonprofit board engaged throughout the year? In this episode of Nonprofit Mastermind, Brooke shares the secret of how to plan your board's engagement activities for the whole year— in less than a day! You'll discover how this simple yet robust framework enables you to map out key engagement points like meetings, check-ins, and inspiration moments, saving you tons of decision fatigue. What You'll Learn:The importance of intentionality in nonprofit board engagement.How to map out your entire year of board activities with ease.Ways to maintain consistent and mea...2023-10-2423 min

Contractor Talk with Richie KidwellDouble Agents & Tent Cities: Brooke Boltz Spills Insider SecretsIn this week's riveting episode of Contractor Talk with Richie Kidwell, we not only have our regular guest, Hans Kennon—Morgan & Morgan's legal guru and sartorial sensation—but we're also joined by Brooke Boltz of BoltzLegal.com. Brooke's fascinating journey from insurance company lawyer to homeowners' advocate brings a captivating twist to the table. She dishes on jaw-dropping cases, including a homeowner forced to live in a tent for two years after a fire. Grab your notebook; this episode is a masterclass on navigating the ins and outs of property disaster.2023-09-281h 20

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThe Art & Science Of Delegation On Your Growing Nonprofit TeamWe’ve all heard that delegation is key to effective leadership. But how many of us really nail it? In this episode, Brooke dissects the intricacies of delegation, not just as a task, but as an art. She goes beyond just talking about handing over responsibilities, diving deep into the layers, the thought processes, the challenges, and ultimately, the growth both for leaders and their teams that comes from mastering the art and science of delegation.If you've ever felt overwhelmed with tasks or if you've struggled to empower your team fully, this is the episode for yo...2023-09-1922 min

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits463. The Founder‘s Journey: Growing + Leading An Organization You Love - Brooke Richie-BabbageWe’re so excited to be kicking off a brand new series today: The Founder’s Journey. Were talking to founders about the challenges they’ve overcome, their wins and the lessons learned along the way. Here to help us kick off this series is Brooke Richie-Babbage, one of our “phone a friend” experts to move from overwhelm to clarity. Brooke helps nonprofit founders and leaders launch, scale and lead their organizations with more clarity and confidence and without overwhelm. She’s also the host of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast. Over the past 20+ years she has had many journeys...2023-09-0848 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastSharpening Your Ax Summer Series: The Art & Science of Building & Leading Teams Fueled By Trust, with Darcy RichieThis episode is very very special to me. It is a tribute to my sister, Darcy Richie, who passed away at the age of 40 in 2021. Darcy Richie was the Chief Program and Impact Officer at Generation Citizen. Last Spring, I invited her to join me to talk about two of her many superpowers: the how and why of communication and team-building.I called Darcy the communication whisperer. She was one of those people who can be in any situation, with any group of people, and find her way to the heart of what they are try...2023-08-2442 min

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits444. Evolved Leadership Panel: How Leaders Can Center Authenticity, Collaboration + Community - Ben Collier, Boi Carpenter, Brooke Richie-Babbage, and Rena GreifingerCalling all leaders (spoiler alert: that’s YOU!) 📣Join this panel of modern leaders as we explore the mindsets that might be holding you and your mission back. Immerse yourself in an evolved way to look at leadership: one that centers empathy, inclusivity, and equity at its core. Trust-based leadership grounds this discussion as we explore mindsets, culture and innovation.Special GuestsBoi Carpenter, Founder of Inquisitive Leader + SAVP Johns Hopkins UniversityRena Greifinger, Director of Experiential PhilanthropyBrooke Richie-Babbage, CEO, Bending ArcBen Collier, CEO, The Farmlink ProjectEpisode HighlightsWhat is Ev...2023-07-0341 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastSystems That Scale: Nonprofit Growth Lessons with Rhea & BrookeIn this second episode of our 3-part mini-series, Rhea and I break down what the inside of your organization should look like if you want to be ready to scale. We highlight the role of a clear and compelling strategic vision in fundraising, talk about why hiring is not always the immediate solution to building your capacity, and deep dive into the actual meaning of "systems" in the context of organizational growth. ==> If you want more leadership in your life, sign up for my weekly newsletter Leadership Forward 321, and get resources to help you lead yo...2023-06-1030 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastMindset Mastery: Nonprofit Growth Lessons with Rhea & BrookeIn this first episode of our 3-part mini series, Rhea and I delev into the critical role of mindset - specifically, money mindset, leadership mindset, and an abundance mindset - in achieving sustainable growth and avoiding burnout. These mindset shifts are foundational for letting go of outdated strategies, leaning into high-level fundraising activities, and transforming the way leaders engage with stakeholders. Want to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook fo...2023-06-0233 min

The Business Behind FundraisingSetting Your Organization’s Strategic Vision with Brooke Richie-BabbageRapid growth entails rapid changes. It also means recalibrating your nonprofit’s vision to fit with the current times. Brooke Richie-Babbage joins us to share her expertise in creating an efficient and honest strategic plan in five steps, making your donors a part of the outcome, finding your North Star, and setting up a finance engine that can fully fund your vision. Tune in to The Business Behind Fundraising — Setting Your Organization’s Strategic Vision with Brooke Richie-Babbage. What You Will Discover: ✔️ Organic response to growth can only get you so far. Brooke...2023-05-0944 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastNonprofit Growth Mini-Series | Early & Late GrowthIn this episode, we explore the exciting world of nonprofit growth and development with our guest, Brooke. We discuss the different stages of organizational growth, early and late, and the importance of setting stage-specific goals to ensure long-term success. Brooke shares her insights on the characteristics of early and late-stage growth organizations, emphasizing the importance of iteration, intentionality, and strategic fundraising. We also delve into the key transitions nonprofits must make to smoothly shift from the early growth phase to the later stage. By understanding how to navigate revenue streams, differentiate roles, and...2023-05-0927 min

Agents of NonprofitThe Keys to Starting a Nonprofit with Brooke Richie BabbageDo you wonder what details go into setting up a nonprofit? What problem are they solving? Are other people solving the same problem? How do I receive advice? This is for you!In this week’s episode, Brooke Richie Babbage joins us to share from her experience in setting up nonprofits. Brooke wanted to get into social justice work from as early as 10 years old! Now with over 20 years experience in the nonprofit sector, she shares about the details of setting up a nonprofit. From landscape mapping to how to hire staff, looking for funding, setting up a bo...2023-05-0150 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastRevolutionize Your Nonprofit Workflow with Chat GPTIn this podcast, Brooke dives into the world of Chat GPT and how it can benefit nonprofit organizations in various aspects of their workflow. Learn how this AI-powered tool can save time, spark creativity, and increase engagement through a range of practical applications. Listen now to revolutionize your organization's productivity!Links mentioned: Nonprofit ChatGPT Quickstart Bundle: richiebabbage.com/nonprofitchatgptbundleNonprofit Accelerator: richiebabbage.com/nlnpprivatetrainingNonprofit Launch Lab: richiebabbage.com/launchlabWant to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, 2023-04-1930 min

Confessions with Jess and CindyStrategy sesh with Brooke Richie-Babbage"It takes a lot of time and having an accountability partner or just somebody to be on that journey with you to remind you that you're not doing it wrong." - Brooke Richie-BabbageNavigating the 'Fun Hard' of scaling a business, Brooke Richie-Babbage, CEO of Bending Art, is on a mission to empower nonprofit coaches and consultants to make the power moves that bring them the income and freedom they desire, uncovering secrets and no-longer gatekeeping strategy.Highlights:Shifting business models to scaleSetting business systems and goals Exploring Brooke Richie-Babbage's strategic thought process w...2023-01-2639 min

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits329. Habits of an Impactful Executive Director - Brooke Richie-BabbageWelcome back to our Friday Series The Habits of an Impactful Fundraiser. This week we're taking on that top role with Do-Gooder (and attorney!) Brooke Richie-Babbage, founder of Bending Arc and former ED is breaking down Habits of an Impactful Executive Director. We're bringing tips, case studies and the Do's/Dont's for a modern fundraiser. Tune in ✌️ Special GuestBrooke Richie-Babbage, Nonprofit strategist and coach + Host, Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast Episode HighlightsBrooke’s story (3:00)What is the big picture question we need t...2022-09-3038 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Think About Thought Leadership, And Why It's So ImportantI’m very excited about this episode because this is something that I’ve been thinking and talking a lot about recently. So often when we hear the term “thought leadership” and our mind goes fuzzy. The term is wonky and opaque and no one really ever says what it means or how to do it. But here’s the thing: having a strong thought leadership strategy is a critical aspect of growing and sustaining your budget and impact. So I’m doing a 2-parter about thought leadership. Today I’m going to dive into the framework - u...2022-06-0716 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastSPOTLIGHT: Flex Dance ProgramIn today’s conversation, I’m talking with the co-leaders of an organization that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for a number of years: Ragz Bruland and Michael Aryee of Flex Dance Program. Ragz and Michael founded Flex Dance as a response to the problem of mass incarceration. They wanted to tap into the expansiveness and movement of dance as a way to help young people especially see beyond a system that can sometimes feel stuck. Their organization - through programs and community partnerships - provides young people not just with safe and engaging...2022-06-0227 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Get Your Finance House In Order, with Germeen GuillaumeLet’s face it - numbers can be scary. As nonprofit leaders, how often do you hear how important it is to “know your numbers”? But most of you didn’t get into the nonprofit leadership game with a background in accounting. So instead, you make sure you have a bookkeeper, make sure your books get closed and you track your spending, and MAYBE you get monthly financial reports to review. But you’re secretly faking it until you make it -- you don’t really know what it means to build a strong financial infrastructure - who to hire, what t...2022-05-3141 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastSPOTLIGHT: Willie Mae Rock CampThis week’s conversation is with LaFrae Sci, a friend, colleague, and superstar in my Impact Accelerator! LaFrae is an accomplished musician, imaginationist, and Executive Director at Willie Mae Rock Camp, where she created the innovative and transformational Willie Mae Future Sounds STEAM-based curriculum.I’ve been excited to talk with LaFrae on the podcast for a number of reasons. First, I think that her story of stepping into the ED role at Willie Mae at a time of flux and stewarding the organization's growth through a pandemic is instructive and inspirational for other leaders. As I refe...2022-05-1944 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastStrategy Quick Hit: How To Hire To Fuel GrowthI talk in my workshops and trainings, and in my Accelerator program, about how important it is to be intentional about building your organization's internal capacity if you want to grow in a way that is sustainable. By this I mean having the right people in the right roles within your ecosystem. But what does that look like in practice? In this short mini-training I talk about two principles to use when hiring in order to fuel and support your growth: hiring to give you more time for high-leverage activities and hiring for ownership rather than...2022-05-1721 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastA Tribute: The Art & Science of Building Trust, with Darcy RichieThis week’s episode is very very special to me. It is a tribute to my sister, Darcy Richie, who passed away at the age of 40 in April of this year. Darcy Richie was the Chief Program and Impact Officer at Generation Citizen. Last Spring, I invited her to join me to talk about two of her many superpowers: the how and why of communication and team-building. I called Darcy the communication whisperer. She was one of those people who can be in any situation, with any group of people, and find her way to the he...2022-05-1043 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastMASTERMIND SPOTLIGHT: South Asian SOARThis week, I get to introduce and celebrate South Asian SOAR, an organization working to build a national movement to end gender-based violence in the South Asian diaspora. South Asian SOAR, led by Amrita Doshi, is helping to create a bridge between the urgent, incredibly necessary direct service, and systems-level change. SOAR’s mission and work are rooted in the idea that these types of work - downstream and upstream - must happen in parallel and must inform and build off of one another if we are to co-create a world without gender-based violence.In thi...2022-04-2128 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastMASTERMIND SPOTLIGHT: The New Harmony ProjectThis week, I’m thrilled to shine a light on an organization that is truly walking the walk when it comes to living its values. The New Harmony Project - led by Lori Wolter Hudson and David Hudson cares for and nurtures writers to give them the space, time, energy, and inspiration to create works that change our world by interrogating the complexities of hope. There’s a lot there -- what it means to care for and nurture writers, the role of hope in helping to forge a more just and equitable world, and what it looks...2022-04-1437 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Use Your Digital Assets To Attract - Not Chase - New Supporters & Fans, with Christina EdwardsI have so many conversations with organizational leaders about how social media strategy - especially when it comes to fundraising - can feel opaque - at best. At worst, it can feel like a time suck or even a waste of time - a misuse of limited capacity. The truth is, not getting smart and savvy about your digital footprint means that you’re leaving money on the table. And when we’re talking about fueling our social impact, we don’t want to leave money on the table. More importantly, it’s critical to find high...2022-04-1247 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastMASTERMIND SPOTLIGHT: STEM From DanceWelcome to our first Mastermind Spotlight! In this series, I’ll be showcasing and celebrating organizations in my Accelerator program - lifting up their mission, their work, and their personal stories of leadership. It means a lot to me to kick off this new part of the podcast by shining a light on a truly phenomenal organization - STEM From Dance, and a truly inspirational leader - Yamilee Tousaint-Beach. STEM From Dance works to get girls of color excited about STEM through dance by fusing STEMs spirit of innovation and experimentation with the creativity and flui...2022-04-0729 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastBuilding a Truly Engaged Board, with Christal CherryChristal Cherry is a board whisperer, founder and CEO of The BoardPro, and a children’s book author! She is a nationally recognized nonprofit executive and professionally trained fundraiser - she’s spent the past 2 decades in the sector, raising millions of dollars and getting buy-in from multiple stakeholders for big missions and projects. Along the way, one thing that has always been part of her work - which is what she leans into now - is moving people to action. Christal has interfaced with, guided, trained, and collaborated with boards made up of as diverse stakeholders as po...2022-04-0543 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastBuild Your Personal Board of Directors, with Lakimja MattocksThis week I’m talking with Lakimja Mattocks, Chief Equity and Learnig Officer at Non[profit NY, Fundraising Consultant at Cause Effective, and visionary, powerful leadership coach. This conversation has a different origin than some of the others on this podcast - I was inspired by a very specific event. Lakimja posted on LinkedIn about what she calls her personal board of directors. We talk a bunch about this in the conversation, so I won’t go too deeply into that here, but what I will say is that she wrote with such passion and joy about havin...2022-03-1322 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastUsing The Power of Video To Make Complex Legal Issues Simple, with Adam StofskyRecently, there’s been an increased focus - in earnest not just talk - on the importance of making sure that people who are most directly impacted by experiences and issues are an authentic and meaningful part of addressing those issues. There are so many ways to go about that, and one of the most powerful is actually also one of the simplest -- make sure that people have the information they need to participate in the process of advocating for themselves, to make informed and smart choices, and to tell their own stories. At its...2022-03-0845 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Design & Grow A Nonprofit That You're Proud OfAt its core, organizational design is about the intentional choices you make in designing your organization’s structure, culture, and processes. You can organize the building blocks in different ways to address different challenges, ask different questions, and position yourself for growth and stability in the future. The idea is that we don’t build our organizations at 30,000 feet. Instead, we design them by being intentional about what’s happening on the ground and then building up from there. We make decisions as we move along about each of the building blocks, and they add up to an...2022-03-0143 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Inspire and Motivate People To Take Positive Action, with Abigail Ahoude and Adriana DakinFor this week’s episode, I reconnected with an old friend from graduate school, Adriana Dakin, and her business partner, Abigail Ahoude. I’ve been excited to talk with them about ImaginePod, the company that they co-founded to help social impact organizations and movements use cutting-edge marketing strategies and tactics to drive more impact. Anyone who does social impact work knows that in order to truly have impact - to bring about the change we wish to see in the world - we need to move in concert with others - we need others to take positive action...2022-02-2248 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThe Practice of Liberatory Leadership, with Trish Tchume and Ericka StallingsTrish Tchume is the Director of Liberatory Leadership Practice at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, and Ericka Stallings is the co-ED of the Leadership Learning Community. Together, they co-facilitate the Liberatory Leadership Project, which works to explore, define, and support approaches to leadership development and organizational capacity building that prefigure a world where all of us can thrive. In this wonderful conversation, Trish and Ericka talk about what it actually means to practice liberation… We talk about why it’s so important - as a leader - to be intentional about the way that we design...2022-02-1559 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThe "Why" and "How" of Creating Your Own Mastermind GroupIn this episode, I'm talking about Mastermind Groups - or more generally, the why and how of building a structured network of support and accountability. I feel really strongly about this topic. Creating intentional systems of support may feel like a "nice to have" for so many people, but it’s actually so, so deeply important and impactful. So often, when I talk to the Executive Directors and CEOs that I work with, and the topic of leadership comes up, I find myself in a conversation about how lonely it all can be. Even for people...2022-02-0841 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastEncore: How To Practice Whole-Self Leadership, with Ana PolancoThis is an encore presentation of a wonderful conversation I had with my friend and colleague Ana Polanco last Spring. Ana is an intuitive, international coach, storyteller, and wisdom keeper who helps culturally diverse women and social change organizations find new ways of leading.She is a beautiful case study in how to do and lead deep social change work in a way that is aligned with one's values, past, and purpose. This conversation is about sustainable leadership, and about how leading from a whole-self perspective requires practice and replenishment. Ana and...2022-01-2534 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThe Intersection of Purpose, Gratitude & Finding Your Leadership Flow, with LaFrae SciThis week’s conversation is with LaFrae Sci, a friend, colleague, and superstar in my Impact Accelerator! LaFrae is an accomplished musician, imaginationist, and Executive Director at Willie Mae Rock Camp, where she created the innovative and transformational Willie Mae Future Sounds STEAM-based curriculum.I’ve been excited to talk with LaFrae on the podcast for a number of reasons. First, I think that her story of stepping into the ED role at Willie Mae at a time of flux and stewarding the growth of the organization through a pandemic, is instructive and inspirational for other leaders. As I...2022-01-1844 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastUsing The Mechanics of Empathy To Build Culture, with Payal BeriThis week’s conversation is with Payal Beri, CEO, and Founder of RK Empathy. Payal has worn many hats over the course of her professional life - clinical psychologist, leadership coach, and now advisor, consultant, and coach to start-ups and Fortune 500 companies alike - all around this beautiful concept of empathy. That has been the throughline that ties her many journeys together, and that is what she and I talk about in today’s episode. More specifically, we talk about empathy as a set of practices that leaders can leverage to build and sustain healthy teams and align...2022-01-1142 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThe Architecture of ImpactI wanted to start off our year on this podcast with a brief overview of what I call the Architecture of Impact. It’s the framework around which all of my teaching and coaching is built. The basic idea is this: We talk about impact in so many ways, and ultimately, this impact is our organization's north star. It is what guides us programmatically and organizationally. If we’re doing it right, it serves as a foundation for our strategic vision, our fundraising, our hiring, who we partner with… There is a method to achieving that impact...2022-01-0420 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow Grassroots Organizing & Allyship Can Drive True Systems Change, with Jennifer ChingIn today’s episode, I have the absolute delight of talking with Jennifer Ching, Executive Director of the Northstar Fund here in NYC. Northstar is a social justice fund that supports grassroots organizing led by communities of color building power in New York City and the Hudson Valley.I was excited to talk with Jenn about the report that they released, in partnership with the New York Foundation, called Streets To Statehouse. The first part of the report shares the lessons learned from two 2019 statewide campaigns that were led by grassroots organizations working in coalition with broader pol...2021-11-3043 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThe Transformative Power of A Truly Engaged Board, with George SuttlesThe Transformative Power of A Truly Engaged Board, with George SuttlesWant to work together? Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level. Connect with me! LinkedIn Instagram YouTube 2021-11-1649 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Create A 2022 Vision Map For Your OrganizationMany of you have an organizational vision - the broad statement (end world hunger) that helps give shape to your mission and values and culture. I argue that the annual vision is in many ways more important as a tool for intentional planning and growth. Creating an annual vision lays the foundation for your goal setting and your budget. It transforms the process from one that is iterative and in the weeds, into one that drives forward movement. Your vision answers two questions that are central to effective planning: Where are we going and why? When...2021-11-0920 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow Identities Shape Nonprofit Leadership, with Vanessa LunaThis week I get to talk with Vanessa Luna, co-Founder and Director of Programs at ImmSchools. ImmSchools is an immigrant-led nonprofit organization that partners with K-12 educators to transform schools into safe and welcoming spaces for undocumented students and families.I had a hard time deciding what to call this episode, because Vanessa and I talk about so many great and important things, and because she shares insights into so many aspects of working with her co-founders to grow the organization. We talk about some of the strategies and tactics of scaling an early-stage organization...2021-11-0241 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastLeadership Lessons From A Serial Social Entrepreneur, with Jennifer AnastasoffThis conversation was such a delight for me! I got to talk with a friend I’ve known for 20 years, from back in our graduate school days at the Kennedy School -- Jennifer Anastasoff. Jennifer is a serial entrepreneur who has spent the past two decades identifying gaps, breakdowns, and inefficiencies in our social systems, and responding by building real, lasting solutions. Her superpower is bringing together incredible talent - building high functioning, high-impact teams that work together to solve real social problems. She was a founding member of U.S. Digital Service at the Whit...2021-10-2642 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastImprov For Impact: How To Actually Lead & Work Across DifferenceIn this week’s episode, I’m talking with Don Waisanen. Don is a Professor of public communication in the Baruch College, CUNY Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, as well as an adjunct lecturer at Columbia University and New York University. He teaches seminars, courses, and workshops on topics ranging from communication strategy and leadership to storytelling and improvisation. I’ve known Don for close to a decade, when he joined the board of the organization that I had founded and of which I was ED. I was super excited when I saw his new book...2021-10-1838 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Use Nonprofit Life Cycles For ReflectionStarting this month I’m doing something new! It’s something I’ve been super excited about, and heading into the final stretch of the year felt like a great time to start. Each month, one show/ month will be a solo show where I take a look at some topic, specific to growth stage nonprofits, exploring some aspect of mindset or strategy. This Month's Topic: Nonprofit Life Cycle Assessment As A Tool To Guide Growth As we head into the end of the year and we all begin to explore possibilities for the...2021-10-1258 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThemes From The Next Normal: How To Build Teams Rooted In TrustThis is the fourth and final installment of my short series revisiting some of the incredible conversations I’ve had with folks as part of my Next Normal series at the beginning of this year. I’ve been struck, as we head into yet another phase of this pandemic, by just how different so much feels different, and yet oddly familiar. It’s like my favorite book from growing up - 100 years of solitude. The idea of time turning in a circle - returning to the same place that is somehow fundamentally and forever altered. So much of our work i...2021-09-2826 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThemes From The Next Normal: How To Lead In A Way That Fuels & SustainsThis is the third installment of my short series revisiting some of the incredible conversations I’ve had with folks as part of my Next Normal series at the beginning of this year. As so many of us continue to grapple with the implications of COVID for how we work and how we lead, I wanted to revisit the idea of leadership in this next normal that’s being created. I call it the next normal because what counts as normal is always changing and evolving, the work of social impact and social justice and leadership and even t...2021-09-2127 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThemes From The Next Normal: Building True & Equitable Partnerships With FundersThis is the second installment of my short series revisiting some of the incredible conversations I’ve had with folks as part of my Next Normal series at the beginning of this year. As so many of us continue to grapple ith the implications of COVID for how we work and how we lead, I wanted to revisit the idea of leadership in this next normal that’s being created. I call it the next normal because what counts as normal is always changing and evolving, the work of social impact and social justice and le...2021-09-1434 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThemes From The Next Normal: Lessons From The Failures of Traditional LeadershipIn reflecting on some of the incredible conversations I’ve had with folks, I wanted to revisit the idea of leadership in the next normal; to dissect it and pull apart some of the themes that my guests have unearthed about what it will mean to be an effective and whole-self leader in the world that is being rebuilt in real time, as we head out of COVID.This week, I’m looking at one question that I found myself sitting with is about the ways in which our traditional models of leadership can fail us as actu...2021-09-0737 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow To Lead Through Fear & Use Bravery As Fuel For Social ImpactIn this week’s episode, I get to have a conversation with someone I’ve wanted to talk with for this podcast for some time: Heather Vickery. Heather is a celebrated public speaker and success coach that inspires audiences and supports others with the tools they need to live empowered, bold, joy-filled, and successful lives. She’s a published author and the host of The Brave Files Podcast. I’ve wanted to talk with Heather because the core theme of her coaching and work is one that is so central to the conversations about leadership and social impact that I...2021-08-2443 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastFundraising & Breaking The Curse of Founders’ SyndromeThis week, I’m joined by Rhea Wong, my long-time friend, and multi-time guest on the podcast. Rhea and I talk all the time about the work that we each do supporting and coaching small nonprofits in the areas of fundraising and strategy, and occasionally we hit on a topic that gets us really excited. This is one of those topics: the messy and complicated relationship between fundraising and founders. We found ourselves talking about the oh-so-common situation that many EDs who take over from founders find themselves in in the early months of their new tenure...2021-08-1722 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastPersonal Growth, "Playing Big" & What It Really Takes To ScaleThis week I'm talking with Emily May, the co-founder and Executive Director of Hollaback, a global, people-powered movement to end harassment. Emily is an incredibly thoughtful steward of the Hollaback mission, as well as one of the most incredible strategic minds I’ve known. In this conversation, Emily pulls back the curtain on her strategic prowess. She talks about her growth as a leader against the backdrop of the astounding growth that Hollaback has experienced in the past year: How, as a leader, to continue to set intentions that allow you to navigate organizational growth, and ho...2021-08-1044 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastFounder Stories: The Why & How Of Launching & Building A Nonprofit Rooted In EquityThis week, I'm talking with two incredible and inspirational women - Donnie Belcher and Lauren Burke - CEO and COO respectively, of Camp Equity. These women have, multiple times in their lives, seen a deep social problem and jumped into action - as a teacher and lawyer, as a Skadden Fellow, as Echoing Green fellows, and now together, through Camp Equity. In this conversation, we talk about what it means and looks like to be both intentional and responsive to a critical moment. I loved this conversation, in large part because Donnie and Lauren have rooted their org...2021-08-0358 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastCreating Transformation: A Conversation About Storytelling, Social Justice & Spirituality, with Charlie VazquezIn this episode, I have a wonderful conversation with Charlie Vazquez. Charlie Vazquez is a storytelling consultant, workshop facilitator, and Buddhist meditation instructor. He’s designed and facilitated multi-sensory storytelling and wellness programs for the NYC Department of Health, New York Public Library, Bronx Council on the Arts, and PEN America, serving LGBTQI youth-of-color, undocumented immigrants, low-income communities, and senior citizens. He uses story to create transformation and lives in The Bronx.One of the things that I have wanted to talk with Charlie Vazquez about is the relationship between storytelling, social justice, and spirituality. In his wor...2021-07-2046 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastWhat True Partnership With A Funder Actually Looks Like, with Terri Davis-MerchantI'm joined this week by one of my oldest and dearest friends, Terri Davis-Merchant. Terri works at the intersection of affordable housing development, homelessness, policy & philanthropy as a Program Officer at Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies. This is one of the most open and frank conversations I’ve had, and about a topic that is so often opaque: Philanthropy and the inner workings of foundations. Terri brings to her role as a grantmaker, both a unique depth of content expertise and the critical eye of a newcomer to the field of philanthropy. We talk about it all...2021-07-1352 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThe Mindset & Strategy Behind Creating Content That Propels Your Mission, with Rachel MillsThis week's guest, Rachel Mills, is the Founder and CEO of Harmony Consulting, and has been on a mission since she was 16-years-old to help others, help others - a personal and professional mission that just really resonates with me. For over a decade now, Rachel's been working with and creating award-winning campaigns for world-changing nonprofits such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and the United Way, helping them harmonize their fundraising and marketing strategies to create content that really propels their missions forward. I was excited to talk with Rachel about the nuts and bolts of content st...2021-07-0640 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHard Won Leadership Lessons & The Secrets To Real Growth, A Conversation With Four Inspiring LeadersThis week, I'm sharing a recording from a really great panel discussion that I facilitated with four inspiring nonprofit leaders who each grew their organizations to $1M and beyond: Jill Eisenhard, founder and former ED of the Redhook Initiative Kemi Ilesanmi, ED of The Laundromat Project Steve Choi, former ED of the Min Kwon Center and the NY Immigration Coalition Suzy Myers-Jackson, former ED of Opening ActThis conversation goes behind the scenes of what it actually looks and feels like to grow an organization to $1M and beyond. They each share some of the key lessons they...2021-06-291h 05

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastRedefining Expertise Through Participatory Social Change Work, with Alexa KasdanToday I’m talking with Alexa Kasdan, Director of Policy and Research at Demos, here in NYC. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Alexa for almost two decades. We met in the early 2000s when she was working at an incredible organization called Community Voices Heard in NYC, and I joined the board as an Ally Member. It was through Alexa, and her policy work alongside the members of CVH, that I first came to understand what participatory research and policy worked looked like in practice. And I fell in love with the model. So often, we ta...2021-06-2242 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThe Only Fundraising Strategy You’ll Ever Need, With Suzy Myers-JacksonVery rarely have I met someone as naturally gifted at resource generation as Suzy Myers-Jackson. I say resource generation, rather than fundraising, because what Suzy has spent the past 18 years doing - first as the ED of Opening Act, and more recently as a strategic consultant and coach, has been more expansive than just raising money. Did she grow her organization from $25K to a multi-million dollar organization? Yes, Did she perfect her Power of 10 campaign strategy to raise over $175K in 10 days through micro-donations, yes? And I’m excited that she shares strategies for how to do this. 2021-06-1544 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastThe Tactics of Trust & A Reimagining of Performance Evaluation, with Toya LillardI’ve had the pleasure of working with Toya and her organization, viBe Theater Experience, for over a year now. I’ve loved watching Toya in action, as she’s taken her organization to the next level. The tremendous increases in her budget, staff & programming over the past year have been so exciting to see, as has watching her continue to carefully cultivate an internal culture that centers wellness and trust. That’s what I wanted to talk with Toya about - the nuts and bolts of driving for programmatic and organizational excellence while also truly centering the human...2021-06-0842 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastWhy Relationships With Elected Officials Are Mission-Critical For Small Organizations, with Steve ChoiThis week I’m having a really fun conversation with my good friend, Steve Choi. Steve is a lawyer, activist, organizer, political strategist, and nonprofit leader. Most recently, he was the ED of the NY Immigration Coalition here in NYC. In the decades that Steve and I have been friends, I’ve come to understand him as a truly gifted advocate and political systems thinker & strategist. In this episode, we talk about how important it is for nonprofits - especially small and emerging organizations - to understand how they fit into the political landscape of their community, how their missi...2021-06-0139 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow Shifting From Gifts To Relationships Can Increase & Deepen In Your Kind Support, with George SuttlesThis is week two in my series on fundraising for early-stage organizations. During this brief series, I’m bringing back some of my favorite conversations from my Fundraising Virtual Summit last year - these are interviews with incredible folks on topics ranging from how to think about building relationships with corporations to brandraising. As I’ve mentioned, when I started the podcast and called it the Mastermind, I had in mind the amazing group of women that I met with as my own mastermind for years when I was an ED. They were instrumental in my growth and su...2021-05-2522 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastHow to Use Brand To Build A Community of Ambassadors for Your Org, with Sarah DurhamIn today’s episode, I have a great conversation Sarah Durham, the CEO and founder of Big Duck. She founded Big Duck in 1994 to help nonprofits increase their visibility, raise money, and communicate more effectively. She is also the CEO of Advomatic, which builds and supports websites for nonprofits. Sarah and I do a deep dive into branding - what it means and the nuts and bolts of how small and early stage nonprofits can get on the radar of donors and funders, and how they can find and use their voice to create raving fans...2021-05-1129 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastBuilding & Leading Teams Fueled By Trust, with Darcy RichieThis week’s guest is very very special to me - she’s a long-time leader in the education, youth development, and nonprofit space, and she’s also my sister.Darcy Richie is the Senior Director of Programs and Impact for Generation Citizen. I invited her to join me to talk about something that lies at the core of almost any conversation about effective leadership - communication. More specifically, I wanted to talk about the how and the why of building teams. I’ve taken to calling Darcy the communication whisperer. Like one of those people wh...2021-05-0442 min

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastSustainability & The Fight For Systems Change, with Emma Jordan SimpsonThis week’s guest is Reverand Dr. Emma Jordan Simpson. Emma is the Executive Pastor at the Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, NY, a writer, a social justice activist, and the Executive Director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation USA. She has practiced leadership in many roles and in many ways over the past few decades. She and I have a frank conversation about the different ways to hold power as a leader, and about what true sustainability feels like when you’re leading an organization that is fighting for tectonic changes in the laws and policies that under...2021-04-2735 min