Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The PM Podcast

Maya Kupperman has spent her career building organizations that drive innovation in philanthropy. As co-founder and CEO of Temelio, she’s using AI to make grantmaking faster and more efficient. Before that, she helped grow MainStreet from a seed-stage startup to Series B and advised The Farmlink Project, which connects surplus farm produce to food banks. With a background in tech, nonprofits, and software development—and a degree in Human Biology and Education from Stanford—she brings a unique perspective to the space. But her passion for impact started much earlier. We begin our conversation with the story of A Chance to Dance, the organization she founded at 12 to bring free dance classes to children in migrant farmworker communities where she was born.

James Misner is committed to building systems that create lasting impact. Growing up near Philadelphia in the 1990s, he was struck by his community’s negative attitudes toward refugees from the Balkans and Rwanda. This led him to study political science, work in resettlement, and dedicate his career to helping nonprofits secure the resources they need to drive change. After roles in refugee resettlement at Wheaton Bible Church and McLean Bible Church, he spent a decade at World Relief as Senior Vice President of Strategic Engagement, leading partnerships and revenue strategy. Now, as Founder and CEO of The Kipos Group, he helps small and mid-sized nonprofits overcome fundraising barriers and grow sustainably. In this conversation, we explore his journey—from hands-on refugee work to rethinking nonprofit fundraising—beginning in the neighborhood where it all started.

Jim Langley is a leading voice in philanthropy. As President of Langley Innovations, he’s helped hundreds of institutions rethink fundraising through research-driven strategies. A former advancement leader at Georgetown, UC San Diego, and Georgia Tech, he’s led groundbreaking campaigns and shaped best practices in donor engagement. Through his books, articles, and seminars, he continues to guide organizations in navigating the evolving world of philanthropy. In this conversation, we traced the arc of his life and work, starting with a visit to his hometown. 

Sara Lomelin is a philanthropy disruptor and the founding CEO of Philanthropy Together, a global movement advancing collective giving. She’s the creator of the Latino Giving Circle Network, the largest network of Latinx philanthropists in the U.S., and a TED speaker recognized on Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Impact List. Sara is passionate about shifting power in philanthropy and proving that everyone can be a philanthropist.

Sharise Harrison is the Assistant Vice President of Advancement Services and Prospect Management at California State University-Sacramento. A leader in philanthropy and data equity, she’s spent over a decade redefining how nonprofits approach prospect research to reduce bias and build more inclusive fundraising practices. Sharise also serves as President-Elect of Apra.

Natalie Silverstein is an author, speaker, and podcast host whose work is all about inspiring kindness and service in families and teens. Natalie is the founder of the New York affiliate of Doing Good Together and the host of the award-winning podcast Simple Acts, Big Impact: Celebrating Teen Changemakers, where she highlights incredible stories of young people making a difference. She’s also the author of two nationally recognized books, Simple Acts: The Busy Family’s Guide to Giving Back and Simple Acts: The Busy Teen’s Guide to Making a Difference.

Heidi Johnson is a nonprofit founder, storyteller, and the creator of Charity Matters, a platform and podcast highlighting everyday heroes who make the world better through service. After a personal tragedy in 2002, Heidi founded the Spiritual Care Guild at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which became a national model for pediatric chaplaincy. Today, she inspires others by sharing stories of purpose, resilience, and the transformative power of giving. Heidi is also the author of Change for Good: The Transformative Power of Giving as the Ultimate Cure.

Payton McGriff is the founder and CEO of Style Her Empowered (SHE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls and women in Togo through education, employment, and innovation. Established in 2017 as a class project, SHE has grown into an international organization, providing over 1,500 girls with free uniforms, school fees, and resources, while employing 33 women across 21 rural communities. Recognized as one of the Top Five CNN Heroes of 2024, she is breaking barriers and changing lives, one uniform at a time.

In this episode, we speak with Rachel Rutter, founder and executive director of Project Libertad, a nonprofit that supports unaccompanied immigrant youth with free legal representation, essential services, and newcomer programs. An immigration lawyer and passionate advocate, Rachel has been recognized as one of the Top Five CNN Heroes of 2024 for helping over 1,100 individuals navigate the legal system and rebuild their lives in the United States.

Yamilée Toussaint is the founder and CEO of STEM From Dance, a trailblazing nonprofit that inspires girls from underrepresented communities to pursue STEM careers by merging the creativity of dance with the power of technology. An MIT graduate and former Teach for America educator, Yamilee has been recognized as a thought leader in reimagining STEM education and as one of the Top Five CNN Heroes of 2024. 

Bill Littlejohn is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare philanthropy. As Senior Vice President and CEO of the Foundations of Sharp HealthCare, he has driven initiatives raising more than $300 million and spearheaded Sharp's $2 billion ENVISION campaign to transform healthcare in San Diego. A former AHP Chair and Si Seymour Award recipient, Bill has advised healthcare systems worldwide and is widely celebrated for his visionary leadership and impact. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore his beginnings in the field, the work he and his colleagues have done over the years, the critical importance of continual innovation, and his personal commitment to philanthropy.

Stephen Knight is one of the top five CNN Heroes of 2024 and the founder of Dogs Matter, a nonprofit organization that has provided foster care for over 1,200 pets belonging to individuals in substance abuse recovery. Inspired by his journey of overcoming addiction and the transformative bond with his rescue dog Jayde, Knight has created a program that saves animals from shelters and offers hope and support to their owners during critical times in recovery.

Ron Davis Alvarez is Founder of the Dream Orchestra in Gothenburg, Sweden and one of 2024's Top Five CNN Heroes. Since 2016, Ron has brought together refugees, immigrants, and locals, speaking in over 20 languages, to create music and build community. His work shows how people can rebuild lives and connect across cultures. 

The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world with approximately 1.9 million people in federal and state prisons and local jails. 95% of those incarcerated today will be released but 70$ are likely to return to the system. However, for participants in Jumpstart, an innovative organization in South Carolina, the recidivism rate is just 4%. Today, we speak with Don Williams, one of Jumpstart's founders, about his journey from incarceration to freedom, the work they do to help others to rebuild their lives, and their plan to make this path available to others.

Devin Thorpe is a best-selling author, new media journalist, and champion of social good. His show, Superpowers for Good, has featured over 1,200 influential guests and his articles and books, including "Crowdfunding For Social Good," have reached millions of readers around the world. In this episode, we discuss his journey from high finance to social impact, beginning with his conversation with Bill Gates about the importance of patience.

Allison Fine is a successful entrepreneur, futurist, and author of several award-winning books, including Momentum, Matterness, The Networked Nonprofit, and The Smart Nonprofit. She founded and ran nonprofit organizations, led nonprofit boards, served in elective office, and recently ran for Congress. In this episode, we discuss her work in politics, philanthropy, civil society, technology, and leadership. 

Anthony Cernera is dedicated to understanding how humans learn, grow, heal, and change. A three-time living organ donor, public speaker, consultant, researcher, and psychotherapist, Anthony has also led high-performing development teams for over sixteen years, managing campaigns from $25 million to $600 million. When not helping others, he volunteers in hospice care, instructs meditation, and competes as a skydiver, holding gold and silver medals in the USPA National Skydiving Championships. We spoke with Anthony on the eve of the latest phase of his epic journey. 

In this episode, we speak with Paul Clolery, Vice President and Editorial Director of NPT Publishing Group and The Nonprofit Times, the leading publication for America's charitable sector. A lifelong journalist, Paul began his career on his high school and college papers, then worked at leading papers like the Fort Worth Star Telegram and later as an editor of publications including The Practical Accountant before taking the helm of The Nonprofit Times in 1994. Over the last three decades, he and his team have covered every conceivable story in the charitable sector. He has been recognized repeatedly for excellence in reporting, including an Associated Press Managing Editors Award and citations from the Society of Professional Journalists. We spoke with Paul about his journalistic journey, some of the most significant stories he has covered, and the challenges and opportunities that remain on the road ahead.

Ken Phillips was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2024, the organization's highest honor. Since his career began in 1961, ken has served in leadership roles at the Institute for International Education, Save the Children, and Plan International, where he revolutionized marketing and donor outreach, dramatically increasing public awareness and revenues. He founded his consultancy, NGO Futures, in 1995 and has since provided hundreds of training courses in 35 countries and his books and articles on fundraising, leadership, and strategic planning have reached audiences around the world. We spoke with Ken in April at AFP ICON in Toronto.

In this episode, we speak with Ryan Zapolski, one of four individuals honored with the Outstanding Young Professional Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2024. Ryan serves as Senior Manager of Development at Smile Train, a nonprofit dedicated to comprehensive cleft care now celebrating its 25th anniversary. There, he oversees the mid-level giving and stewardship team and his expertise in donor research has led to numerous major gifts, including a million-dollar donation. We caught up with Ryan in Toronto at AFP ICON, the fundraising association's annual international gathering. 

In this episode, we speak with Stacey Buckner, one of the Top Ten CNN Heroes of 2023 and recipient of the North Carolina Governor's Medallion Award. After surviving a nearly fatal stroke and traumatic brain injury, Stacey turned her journey of recovery into a mission to serve others. She founded Off-Road Outreach, an organization which provides meals, mobile showers, laundry services, and much, much more to the large homeless veteran community in Fayetteville, North Carolina. We spoke with her about her work, what inspired it, and what keeps her fulfilled today. 

In this episode, we speak with William Cabaniss, a high school student from Knoxville, Tennessee, and founder of Vanilla Feeds Tomorrow, recipient of the 2024 William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, sponsored by Carter through the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy. Recognized for his dedication to combating hunger and food insecurity, William's nonprofit sells homemade vanilla extract and donates the proceeds to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. His efforts have provided over 631,000 meals. We caught up with William at AFP ICON in Toronto. 

Lois Buntz is the author of "Generosity and Gender: Philanthropic Models for Women Donors and the Fund Development Professionals Who Support Them," recipient of the prestigious AFP/Skystone Partners Prize. A career veteran who has served on over 20 boards, raised more than $125 million, and been the first woman to serve as CEO of United Way of East Central Iowa, Lois draws from extensive personal and professional experience in addition to new research and insights from 70 interviews with leading women in philanthropy to bring us a rare and profound view of the new fourth wave of philanthropy by women. This interview was recorded live at AFP ICON in Toronto.

In this episode, we speak with Dimetri O'Brien, Development and Communications Manager at New Endeavors by Women and a recipient of the Outstanding Young Professionals Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Dimetri has raised significant sums across several roles and organizations, including over $250,000 for HIV/AIDS Programs, upwards of $500,000 for the first national STI testing campaign, playing a key role in securing $1 million for St. Coletta of Greater Washington, and a 30% increase in online support in his current position. We caught up with Dimetri at AFP ICON in Toronto.

Santana Febrey is one of four individuals honored with the Outstanding Young Professional Award by the Association for Fundraising Professionals in 2024. Santana serves as Development Officer at Autism Edmonton where she has spearheaded the organization's first fund development strategic plan and been instrumental in building partnerships leading to corporate support nearly 300% over projections. We caught up with Santana at AFP ICON, the fundraising association's international conference.

Madeleine Durante is one of four individuals honored with the Outstandig Young Professional Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2024. Madeleine serves as Director for Donor Retention and Direct Response at MoveOn with responsibility for maintaining relationships with over 100,000 of the organization's grassroots sustainers. She is also a board member for the New York Abortion Access Fund, co-leading the organization to 750% revenue growth over the last three years. We spoke at AFP ICON, the fundraising associations annual international conference. 

Pamela R. Clay has been at the helm of Living Advantage Inc. for nearly three decades, working tirelessly to uplift at-risk youth in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Building on her mother's legacy, she has broadened the nonprofit's scope, enhancing education, technology, access, and career readiness to disrupt cycles of adversity. As the number and needs of foster youth grow and expand, Living Advantage's work is more critical than ever. Today, Pamela Clay and her team are providing a broad range of essential services to reduce the number of youth who face homelessness, joblessness, and incarceration as they transition out of the foster care system and into successful, independent lives that defy the odds.

Betsy Chapin Taylor, Founder and CEO of Accordant, is one of healthcare philanthropy's most provocative and influential thought leaders. An award-winning author, speaker, and consultant, she is a Fellow of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy and a recipient of the prestigious Si Seymour Award. She is also an advocate for the sector who speaks powerfully from both personal and professional experience about the critical importance of healthcare philanthropy.

Gayle Roberts is a seasoned fundraiser whose journey began at the age of six with a backyard carnival. Now, as Chief Development Officer at Larkin Street Youth Services, she's raised over $200 million to combat youth homelessness and support other good causes in San Francisco. A respected figure, Gayle is not only a leader in nonprofit fundraising but also a proud transgender professional Her story is as unique as it is inspiring.

Ken Miller's story is one of personal transformation and professional achievement. After a battle with addiction and a period of incarceration in the Lower 48, he returned to Alaska to remake his life, marrying his high school sweetheart and embarking on a career in the nonprofit sector. He served as the director of development for Bean's Café and then launched Denali Fundraising Consultants, a nonprofit fundraising and management consulting company located in Anchorage. Today, Ken is an influential leader and mentor in the field, serving on the boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the African American Development Officers network, and many others. We begin with a discussion of the place he calls home, what makes it unique, and what originally brought him there.

Randall Hallett is a person who makes things happen. Over the last three decades he has led major healthcare and independent school development programs, presided over a major healthcare fundraising consultancy, and, most recently, founded the influential practice that bears his name, Hallett Philanthropy. Insatiably curious, he first earned his Bachelors and MBA and then continued to garner his JD and Educational Doctorate while advancing the success of his institutions and somehow finding time to serve as a longtime broadcaster for UMKC Athletics and the Kansas City Chiefs. His recent book, Vibrant Vulnerability, takes on the challenges facing healthcare in America today and the unique role CEOs can and must play. 

Robert Egger is a visionary in the nonprofit sector. He pioneered the "community kitchen" movement with DC Central Kitchen, turning donated food into both meals and opportunities through a revolutionary job training program. His initiatives, including founding board membership at World Central Kitchen with Chef José Andrés, have produced over 350 million meals and propelled thousands toward self-sufficiency. His book "Begging for Change," now celebrating its 20th anniversary, made the case for a new model for the nonprofit sector, one he continues to advocate for today. 

In this episode, we speak with Michael Goldberg, Co-founder of I.CARE and one of the Top Ten CNN Heroes of 2023. Since 2018, he and his organization have organized coral restoration dives for more than 2,000 people and transplanted over 10,000 coral, both educating the public to the need for ocean restoration and working to bring back to life the lungs of the world. We speak with him about what inspired his journey to the underwater world and his passion for saving what he discovered there.

In this episode, we speak with Yasmine Arrington Brooks, Founder of ScholarCHIPS and one of the Top Ten CNN Heroes of 2023. Since 2010, her organization has provided renewable scholarships, book awards, and mentoring to college-bound youth with incarcerated parents. We learn about her discovery, at age 15, that there were no scholarships dedicated to aspiring students like herself with incarcerated parents, arguably among the most in need and vulnerable, and how she developed a program that now provides a way for those like her to attend and graduate from college. 

In this episode, we speak with Adam Pearce, Co-founder of the LoveYourBrain Foundation and one of the Top Ten CNN Heroes of 2023. Since 2014, LoveYourBrain has served and trained more than 35,000 individuals in 31 countries affected by traumatic brain injury through free in-person and online programs. We speak with Adam about the injury that sparked his journey and how the level of adversity we face can lead to opportunities for meaning.

Osei Boateng, Executive Director of OKB Hope Foundation, is on of the Top Ten CNN Heroes of 2023. Since February of 2022, OKB has brought mobile healthcare screening and services to over 5,000 people in 52 rural communities across Ghana. In this episode, we learn what inspired his work and what he envisions for the future.

Jennifer Li Dotson is a veteran fundraising leader whose extraordinary work is only eclipsed by a personal journey that has taken her from an emergency landing in Hawaii to a near-death experience on Mount Everest and virtually everywhere in between. in our conversation, she recounts the many volunteers, teachers, friends, mentors, and organizations who have helped and inspired her over the years and inspire her to do the same for others today.

In this episode, we speak with Brian Saber, author, President of Asking Matters, and a veteran fundraiser with nearly four decades in the field. In his recently released fourth book, Fundraising for Introverts, Brian challenges the myth that it takes an extrovert to generate revenue for a good cause. We talk about his journey, the significance of close friendships, humor, parallel play, and vulnerability. 

In this episode, we speak with Tiffany Yu, CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning entirely disabled-run and led social enterprise to elevate disability pride, and a content creator with 200k+ followers across platforms. She is a 3x TEDx speaker and has been named a TikTok API (Asian & Pacific Islander) Trailblazer, a LinkedIn Top Voice in Disability Advocacy, and a Well+Good Changemaker. Her first book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, will be published by Hachette Go in 2024.

Formed in 1988, Apra is the premier organization for professionals who strategically harness information and data to drive fundraising for philanthropic institutions. At this year's international gathering, Apra Prospect Development 2023, we pulled together four of the field's leading voices--Carrick Davis, Rodger Devine, Lindsey Nadeau, and Melissa Bank Stepno--to discuss the organization's and the field's past, present, and future, from DEI to data science and from AI to due diligence. This is a window on that discussion.

In this episode, we speak with Chris Miano, Founder of MemoryFox, the software platform that aims to help nonprofits raise funds and stand out on social media by leveraging grassroots content. We learn about Chris' journey from Buffalo to Army Platoon Leader and Company Commander in Iraq and Afghanistan and back again and discover the stories he heard in the field and at home that fuel his passion to make authentic life stories available and accessible at last. 

Beth Kanter is an international thought leader on digital transformation and well-being in the nonprofit workplace. Named the most influential woman in technology by Fast Company, she is the coauthor of The Network Nonprofit, The Happy Healthy Nonprofit, and The Smart Nonprofit, the voice behind her popular, long-running Beth's Blog, and a consultant and trainer, leading nonprofits and grant makers around the world. She recently received the Lifetime Achievement award from NTEN. In this episode, we speak with Beth about her life and work, beginning with her days as a flute student unafraid to knock on the door of an admired musical giant. 

Carlton Ford is an innovative changemaker, nonprofit sector leader, and fundraiser for the arts. A native of southside Chicago, he found his calling for music early and pursued a successful career as an operatic baritone, performing at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and beyond before taking his talent and vision to nonprofit leadership. Today he serves as Chief Effective Philanthropy Officer at The Taproot Foundation, which drives social change by connecting social good organizations with skilled volunteers. In this conversation, we hear about the trajectory of his career as an artist and leader, the gift, and the inheritance. We begin with his earliest memories of finding his way to music. 

In April, Sean E. McCarthy was honored as an Outstanding Young Professional by AFP, an award reserved for individuals under 31 displaying excellence in raising funds, inspiring donors, managing campaigns, and demonstrating dedication to the charitable sector. Following corporate and foundation fundraising successes at both the Center for American Progress and CSIS, Sean took on the role of Development Manager at the National Center for Transgender Equality, advocating for trans youth, conducting groundbreaking surveys, and increasing corporate support 100-fold in just over two years. Today, Sean serves as Development Manager at the National Housing Trust (NHT), which works to protect and improves existing affordable rental homes so that low-income individuals and families can live in quality neighborhoods with access to opportunities. In this episode, we speak with Sean about reimagining philanthropy for the 21st century and how both donors and fundraisers must be held to a higher standard.

In this episode, we speak with Lynnie Meyer, RN, EdD, CFRE, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Norton Healthcare, and recipient of the Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award from AFP, the association’s highest honor. 

Lynnie has been leading the operations of the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation and Norton Healthcare Foundation since 2004, generating over $300 million in support, following key roles at The Center for Women and Families in Louisville, Caritas Health Services, University of Louisville Hospital, Caretenders, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

She has received numerous honors during her career, including the Center for Nonprofit Excellence Art of Leadership Award, the National Conference for Community and Justice Humanitarian Award, the Presentation Academy Tower Award, and the National Philanthropy Frank W. Penick Founders Award for excellence in fundraising.

In this interview, she talks about how her beginnings as a registered nurse in clinical care still inform her work as a fundraising leader today.

In this episode, we speak with Nelly Cheboi, Founder of TechLit Africa, one of Forbes' "30 Under 30 for Social Impact," and 2022 CNN Hero. She shares her journey from childhood poverty in rural Kenya to raising money to build a school while only a junior in college, bringing computers and training to thousands of children in her home country, and her vision of a world where young girls have enough to eat, a roof over their heads, the resources to go to school, and can grow into women who will be known by their own names.

In this special episode, we speak with Masataka Uo, Founder and CEO of the Japan Fundraising Association, the nationwide network that promotes philanthropic giving and social impact investment. He discusses the rapid evolution of the nonprofit sector and the fast growth of the association, his efforts to expand links between nonprofits throughout Asia, and how charitable fundraising is key to creating "a new capitalism." This interview was recorded live in the exhibit hall at AFP ICON in New Orleans.

In this special episode, we speak with Tim Sarrantonio and Benjamin Johnson who were just completing their first Generosity Roadshow, a cross-country listening tour with three aims: to learn about the ways nonprofit practitioners do their jobs; to better understand the role that data plays in that work; and, to chart a path forward on how nonprofits can use data in actionable and insightful ways. This conversation was recorded live in the exhibit hall at AFP ICON in New Orleans.

Jay Love is a charity sector titan whose profound influence spans four decades and counting. He has developed and led a succession of major software firms serving the nonprofit fundraising world, beginning with Master Software in the 80s, eTapestry at the turn of the century, and Bloomerang starting in 2012. In each case, he identified a problem bedeviling nonprofits, pioneered a solution, and then was a key figure in transforming the way organizations build relationships with supporters. Today he continues in that work, serving as Chief Relationship Officer at Bloomerang while advising a rising generation of social good tech pioneers. We begin this conversation by hearing about his Indiana roots, the field of dreams he and his brothers built, and his first encounters with philanthropy as chauffeur to one of his college community’s major donors.

Richard Pordes is one of the foremost figures in global fundraising. For decades, he has been pioneering, introducing, and successfully executing extraordinary direct response efforts throughout the world, first with UNICEF’s national chapters and country offices and later with many of the leading international charities, including MSF, WWF, Save the Children, UNHCR, and others. Born in Shanghai to Jewish refugees from Europe, raised in Hong Kong, and educated in the UK and USA, he is frequently traveling between Europe, Asia, and America, showing organizations that “everything is possible.” We begin our conversation with the stunning story of his mother’s flight from the recent Nazi occupation of Vienna.