Inspired Nonprofit Leadership – Details, episodes & analysis

Insights on core messaging, relationship building, and challenges nonprofit teams face in engaging donors… yes please! In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri is joined by Erin Straza, an expert donor engagement strategist who shares her insights on exactly this! Sarah and Erin delve into the importance of clear problem articulation and explore how proper staffing and segmented donor communication can optimize nonprofit operations. Tune in for actionable tips to enhance your donor engagement and fundraising success.

Erin Straza CEO, MBA, and author, is a sought-after Chief Donor Engagement Strategist. She assists nonprofits in making their missions irresistible to donors. Her approach to core messaging and relationship building produces the stability necessary for organizational growth.

After earning her MBA at Illinois State University, Erin worked in corporate marketing and then taught marketing communications strategy at Illinois Wesleyan University. She is a published author, conference speaker, former podcast host, and avid reader.

Here's what to expect during the episode:

• The Importance of Making Missions Irresistible
• Challenges in Donor Communication
• Effective Mission Statements and Donor Engagement
• Staffing and Fundraising Strategies
• Creating a Robust Case for Support
• The Power of Pillar Content
• Effective Donor Engagement Strategies
• Balancing Resource Allocation

Connect with Erin:

website: erinstraza.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinstraza/

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

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Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

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On Facebook>>

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In this episode, Sarah interviews Nikki Stewart, the executive director of Old North Illuminated, who shares her extensive experience of over 15 years in nonprofit management. Nikki delves into her leadership style, the importance of cultivating relationships in the workplace, and provides invaluable tips for young professionals looking to grow in the nonprofit sector. Tune in to hear about the challenges and opportunities in nonprofit leadership, practical tips for career advancement, some fun stories, and even an award-winning apple pie recipe!

Nikki Stewart is a creative and collaborative leader with over 15 years of nonprofit management experience. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Old North Illuminated, which operates Old North Church & Historic Site, a role that blends her strategic leadership and fundraising expertise with her passion for connecting audiences to local history.

Nikki previously served as the Vice President of Development at United South End Settlements (USES), where she led the organization’s fundraising and communications efforts through an ambitious growth phase that included the implementation of a five-year strategic plan and launch of a capital campaign. For these accomplishments, Nikki was named the 2019 Outstanding Fundraising Rising Star by AFP Massachusetts. Additionally, she launched the Change Maker Dinner series which was awarded the Get Konnected GK10 award in 2018, naming it one of the top 10 ideas advancing racial equity in the City of Boston.

Nikki received a Juris Doctor and bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University. She is a graduate of the Course in Exponential Fundraising at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, as well as the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. Nikki is the co-founder and sometimes host of the Hub History podcast, featuring 300+ episodes on Boston history, and an award-winning apple pie baker.

Here's what to expect during the episode:

• Career Advice for Nonprofit Professionals
• The Importance of Non-Direct Service Roles
• Navigating Small vs. Large Organizations
• Building Relationships and Team Dynamics
• Leadership and Decision-Making

Connect with Nikki:

https://www.oldnorth.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkijstewart

https://www.facebook.com/oldnorth1723

https://www.instagram.com/oldnorth1723/

https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FOldNorth1723

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn>>

On Facebook>>

Subscribe on YouTube>>

Join us on Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as host Sarah Olivieri sits down with Sarah Quillen, Executive Director of the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society. In this episode, we explore turning around culture in nonprofit organizations. Learn valuable insights on strategic planning, forming effective partnerships, and maintaining institutional memory. Discover the importance of listening, flexibility, and collaboration in nonprofit leadership. Don't miss this engaging conversation packed with tips and strategies for nonprofit leaders facing daily challenges and opportunities.

 

My guest for this episode is Sarah Quillen MPA, CFRE, who took on the role of Executive Director at the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society (ILADS) and its sister organization, the International Lyme and Associated Disease Education Foundation (ILADEF), in February 2023. Sarah is dedicated to enhancing the impact and mission of these organizations, continuing their legacy of improving community health.

A native New Yorker, Sarah holds a Master's in Public Affairs from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is a Certified Fundraising Executive. With over 25 years of experience, Sarah has excelled in fundraising, public relations, and program development. Her impressive career includes notable positions at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Good Shepherd Hospice in Florida, Capital Caring, and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in the Washington, DC area.

Sarah's extensive background in interdisciplinary healthcare, combined with her passion for advocacy and community relations, makes her an ideal leader for ILADS. She is excited to connect with members, build strong partnerships, and continue driving forward the mission of providing the best and most comprehensive care for patients.

Here's what to expect during the episode:

• Changing Organizational Culture
• Tips on Strategic Planning and Implementation
• The Importance of Collaboration and Partnerships
• Tips for Bringing in Major Donors
• Navigating the Challenges of Change

Connect with Sarah!

Website: http://www.ilads.org/

Facebook:http://fb.com/ilads.lyme

Sponsored Resource
Join the PivotGround newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit! Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn>>

On Facebook>>

Subscribe on YouTube>>

My guest for this episode is Patton McDowell. Patton is a nonprofit author, speaker, and coach. He leads a consulting practice founded after a successful twenty-year career in the nonprofit sector, including experience at Special Olympics International and after leading fundraising teams for two universities.

Patton's a frequently sought-after expert on nonprofit issues of strategic planning, organizational development, and staff & board leadership. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), a Master Trainer for AFP International, host of the weekly podcast Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, and author of a new book, also titled Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership.

Here’s what to expect during the episode:

• What are the essential qualities every nonprofit leader should cultivate?
• What makes a great nonprofit leader?
• How do you develop yourself as a nonprofit leader?
• What are the main methods used in leadership development?
• Why are nonprofit leaders crucial to the success of their organizations?
• What are the three types of leaders entering the nonprofit sector?
• Why should leaders focus on their strengths?

Connect with Patton McDowell!

Website: https://www.pattonmcdowell.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pattonmcdowell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmanonprofit/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattonmcdowell/

Podcast: https://www.podpage.com/your-path-to-nonprofit-leadership/

Book: https://www.pattonmcdowell.com/book/

Amazon Page: https://amzn.to/3tfo1GV

PMA'S Mastermind Leadership Program

Mary’s book is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold: Love Your Board!

The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and

What to Do About Them.

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!  

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that, and follow us, on Facebook.

Connect with Mary!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhiland

Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Facebook Group: https://tinyurl.com/inspirednonprofitleadership

Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilandconsulting

Website: https://www.hilandconsulting.org

 

My guest for this episode is Hardy Smith. As a consultant and speaker, he works with nonprofits who want to benefit from fully engaged boards. His results-focused approach was developed during a 30-year career in the high-performance world of NASCAR racing. Hardy Smith is the author of Amazon's best-selling new book, Stop The Nonprofit Board Blame Game.

When not consulting with or speaking to nonprofit organizations, Hardy enjoys watching cooking competition shows with his wife (He had an appearance on Food Network's Great American Food Truck Race). He also enjoys being a Granddad, following college basketball, reading, and trying to keep up with my 94-year-old walking accountability partner.

 

Here’s what to expect during the episode:

• How do you spot and fix dysfunctional nonprofit boards?
• What are the most significant challenges facing nonprofits today?
• Why do some nonprofit boards fail?
• What are the common mistakes to avoid when recruiting board members?
• How do you deal with difficult board members?
• How do you choose the right person in an organization?
• Why do some nonprofits have a board problem?

 

Connect with Hardy Smith!

Website: https://www.hardysmith.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hardy.Smith.Nonprofit.Speaker.Consultant

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hardysmith/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HardySmithConsultant

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hardysmith1

 

Free resource from Mary - 3 Steps to Board Recruitment Success webinar: https://www.hilandconsulting.org/brswebinar

 

Mary’s book is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold: Love Your Board!

The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and

What to Do About Them.

 

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!  

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that, and follow us, on Facebook.

 

Connect with Mary!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhiland

Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Facebook Group: https://tinyurl.com/inspirednonprofitleadership

Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilandconsulting

Website: https://www.hilandconsulting.org

My guest for this episode is Claire Crum. Claire has worked and served in the nonprofit sector for the past 15 years specializing in volunteer management and process development.

She is a Certified Director of Operations and the founder of Calm Ops - Operations Consulting Agency, where she and her team help nonprofits make a bigger impact with resources they already have by optimizing their systems and processes.

As a wife and homeschool mom of 3, she is passionate about making time for family, furthering impactful missions, and getting to drink her tea while it's still hot.

Her most recent role at The Sidewalk Talk Listening Project saw 4x member growth in a 24hr period due to a national PR spot. Claire and her team streamlined the operations infrastructure with automation in order to increase the capacity for welcoming new members, donors, and volunteers with efficiency and sustainability.

They work with organizations to build out Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Libraries to ensure work consistency, build team member confidence, and help set clear expectations for success.

The leader Claire, and her team, work with intentional value action to build a foundation for the growth that will support their goals for work-life balance and is tailored to the unique mission, vision, and values of the organization.

Here’s what to expect during the episode:

• How do you set an intention at work?
• Why are women conditioned to be reactionary?
• What does it mean to be a woman in today's society?
• How do you stop feeling overly responsible?
• What opportunities do most women miss when they are reactionary?
• Why taking a step back is the best decision for career and personal growth?
• Why is clarity essential to reaching your goal?

Connect with Claire Crum!

Website: https://clairecrum.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairecrum/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalmOps

Free resource from Claire: https://strategyforcalm.com/workbook

Go to https://hilandconsulting.org/boardorientationchecklist to get your free Effective Board Orientation Checklist.

 

Mary's book is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and What to Do About Them.

 

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!  

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that, and follow us, on Facebook.

Connect with Mary!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhiland

Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Facebook Group: https://tinyurl.com/inspirednonprofitleadership

Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilandconsulting

Website: https://www.hilandconsulting.org

 

My guest for this episode is Shana Peete. Shana is currently the CEO of the Center for Excellence in Nonprofits based in the Bay Area in CA. Prior to joining CEN in 2019, Shana served as the founding executive director of Partners for Change of the Tri-Valley, an organization dedicated to offering individuals and families a hand up from poverty. She has a Bachelor of Science in international business and a Doctor of Jurisprudence. She practiced law for eight years prior to moving to the Bay Area and has professional experience that includes managing Excel Child Development Center, serving as a program coordinator for Read Aloud America, and managing a 30 person customer fulfillment team for Amazon.

In her spare time, she enjoys teaching the game of tennis to students of all ages and using her gift of communication—in English and Spanish—to bring people together. In light of COVID-19 and the social uprising in support of Black lives, Shana, a community activist, was tapped to serve as moderator for a three-city panel on Racial Inequity in City Government and Policing featuring nine government officials.

Shana currently serves on the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance’s board of directors.  Her passion is creating avenues for others who, like her, are members of groups historically excluded from board service in the nonprofit and for-profit worlds.  With a focus on IDEAL (inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and liberation), she consults with individuals and organizations similar to ensure their preparedness for this unprecedented level of openness and opportunity to learn and grow in greater partnership than ever before.

Here’s what to expect during the episode:

• What is IDEAL?
• What does IDEAL mean for nonprofit leaders?
• How does this program help nonprofit leaders?
• Why is there a need to reconcile your organizational values with your values?
• Why is IDEAL important in a nonprofit organization?
• How is this concept introduced to the board?
• Why is organizational culture influential?
• How do you embrace the challenges of a multigenerational workplace?

Connect with Shana Peete!

Website: https://www.cen.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanapeete/

Go to https://hilandconsulting.org/boardorientationchecklist to get your free Effective Board Orientation Checklist.

Mary's book is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and What to Do About Them.

 

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!  

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that, and follow us, on Facebook.

 

Connect with Mary!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhiland

Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Facebook Group: https://tinyurl.com/inspirednonprofitleadership

Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilandconsulting

Website: https://www.hilandconsulting.org

 

In this episode Mary shares the four leadership functions that are critical to optimal board functioning. You will want to assess your current board to see if all of these are embodied in the members or at least enough of them.

Mary has over 40 years experience in the nonprofit sector: 26 as an executive and 18 as a board member. She knows your day-to-day challenges first hand and brings experience and expertise to help you have the greatest possible impact.

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!  

 

Mary's book is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and What to Do About Them.

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that, and follow us, on Facebook.

To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to: Hiland Consulting

 

Connect with Mary!

To schedule your free consultation with Mary go to: Talk With Mary. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhiland

Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Facebook Group: https://tinyurl.com/inspirednonprofitleadership

Website: https://www.hilandconsulting.org/

Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilandconsulting

My guest for this episode is Dr. Vera Packard. Vera was a medical doctor in Brazil for 20 years. After coming to the US, she started her second career as a nonprofit executive director. Vera was the ED of HERS Breast Cancer Foundation and then the COO of the Lazarex Cancer Foundation. She'll be sharing her lessons learned with all of us today. Vera describes herself as a student of life and a warrior for people's talents and strengths. Having been through 2 successful careers as a medical professional and an NP ED, Vera loves to learn and has an open mind for opportunities and changes in life. She has lived in 3 different countries and has moved her home several times – most recently from CA to Vera is not attached to stuff but is extremely passionate about people and life experiences.

Her main mantra is that sometimes in life, you just have to take a leap of faith and grow your wings on the way down. It was with this mentality that she had performed her professions and now is even embarking on a new challenge, and she is studying to become a Life coach.

 

Here’s what to expect during the episode:

• Reasons for why you might want to work for a nonprofit organization.
• What are some lessons you can learn from a successful founder?
• Creating a career with impact with nonprofits.
• How do you demonstrate your willingness to learn?
• Why should you surround yourself with people just like you?
• When should your nonprofit say "No" to opportunities?
• What is a visionary founder?

Connect with Dr. Vera Packard!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verapackard/

Email: [email protected]

Go to https://hilandconsulting.org/6stepsreport to get your free guide: 6 Steps You Must Know to Unleash the Potential of Your Nonprofit Board

Mary's book is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and What to Do About Them.

 

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!  

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that, and follow us, on Facebook.

Connect with Mary!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhiland

Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Facebook Group: https://tinyurl.com/inspirednonprofitleadership

Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilandconsulting

Website: https://www.hilandconsulting.org

My guest for this episode is Ann Latham. Ann is the author of THE POWER OF CLARITY and THE CLARITY PAPERS. You might assume she is obsessed with clarity, and she is. Before quitting her corporate job to start her own consulting business, she asked numerous colleagues what it was that she did exceptionally well that was most uncommon. The responses all pointed to the same thing, and she named her company Uncommon Clarity® based on those insights.

Her clients represent over 40 industries and range from for-profit organizations such as Boeing, Hitachi, and Medtronic to nonprofits such as the Public Broadcasting Service, United Way, Zoo New England, colleges and universities, and numerous smaller nonprofits.

Ann’s mission is to teach others how to create clarity because the potential gains in productivity, confidence, and empowerment are truly great. Her book, The Power of Clarity, reveals the scope and scale of the opportunity greater clarity provides, as well as techniques for harnessing its power.

Ann has been interviewed by publications such as The New York Times, Bloomberg, and MSNBC, and is an expert blogger for Forbes.com, where she writes about--you guessed it--the power of clarity.

Last but not least, Ann is pretty sure she is the sole recipient of a corporate award that she cherishes to this day: Most Likely To Dispute Recognized Authorities.

Here’s what to expect during the episode:

• What does clarity mean, and what does it mean to have clarity?
• How can you turn clarity into a problem-solving superpower?
• Why do most people not know what clarity means?
• How does clarity improve decision-making in an executive team in the nonprofit?
• Cognitive Processing: What is it and why is it important?
• What does the acronym SOAR mean?

Connect with Ann Latham!

Website: https://annlatham.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annlathamuncommonclarity/

Book: https://power-of-clarity.com/

Go to https://hilandconsulting.org/6stepsreport to get your free guide: 6 Steps You Must Know to Unleash the Potential of Your Nonprofit Board

 

Mary's book is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors’ Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and What to Do About Them.

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!  

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that, and follow us, on Facebook.

 

Connect with Mary!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhiland

Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Facebook Group: https://tinyurl.com/inspirednonprofitleadership

Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilandconsulting

Website: https://www.hilandconsulting.org