Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership – Details, episodes & analysis

279: Digital Transformation: A New Era for Nonprofit Leaders (Beth Kanter)

SUMMARY

How can nonprofit leaders embrace the opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI) while navigating the ethical challenges it presents, all without losing sight of the human-centered mission at the heart of their work? In episode 279 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Beth Kanter, a seasoned expert in nonprofit technology, delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. She offers a nuanced perspective on adopting AI in a way that enhances human-centered work, improves productivity, and upholds organizational values. Beth also shares her journey to becoming a leading voice in nonprofit tech, emphasizing the importance of empathetic leadership, ethical AI use, and maintaining workplace well-being. Whether you're leading a small nonprofit or a large organization, this conversation will provide valuable strategies for integrating technology without compromising the human touch that defines effective nonprofit work.

ABOUT BETH 

Beth Kanter is an internationally recognized thought leader and trainer in digital transformation and well-being in the nonprofit workplace. She is the co-author of the award-winning Happy Healthy Nonprofit: Impact without Burnout and co-author with Allison Fine of The Smart Nonprofit.  Named one of the most influential women in technology by Fast Company and recipient of the NTEN Lifetime Achievement Award, she has over three decades of experience in designing and delivering training programs for nonprofits and foundations. As a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop leader, she has presented at nonprofit conferences around the world to thousands of nonprofits. Learn more about Beth at www.bethkanter.org.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
• Learn more about Beth here at Beth Kanter.org
• Ready for a Mastermind Leadership Development program?  Learn more here
• Have you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on Audible
• Don’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership
• Re

278: 3 Barriers to Nonprofit Strategic Planning (Chris Wong)

SUMMARY

How can nonprofit leaders shift from simply surviving to strategically thriving in an environment filled with resource constraints and external pressures? In episode 278 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Chris Wong delves into the intricacies of strategic planning for nonprofits, addressing common challenges and offering actionable solutions. Drawing from his extensive experience, Chris identifies the three biggest barriers nonprofit leaders face: resource constraints, lack of engagement and buy-in, and external pressures. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from a scarcity mindset to a strategic, long-term approach and highlights the need for inclusive planning processes that foster team alignment and commitment. Chris also shares insights on the critical role of leadership in championing strategic initiatives and offers practical tips for assessing and improving organizational culture. 

ABOUT CHRIS

Chris is a certified executive coach, licensed therapist, and seasoned leadership development professional with a proven track record in the nonprofit sector. He specializes in guiding leaders through strategic prioritization, confident navigation of difficult conversations, and fostering high-performing cultures. As a facilitator and public speaker, Chris has trained hundreds of leaders and spearheaded successful organizational projects. His extensive experience spans nonprofit, health insurance, and government systems. Currently, he partners with human service nonprofit executives to execute strategic plans, addressing challenges such as conflict resolution, culture enhancement, productivity improvement, and fostering inclusive work environments. Chris' expertise encompasses leadership development, strategic planning, change management, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES 

• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
• Ready for a Mastermind Leadership Development program?  Learn more here
• Have you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on Audible
• Don’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership
• Looking for more resources? Check out our new website, PMAnonprofit.com
• Ready for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuire 

269: Empowering Women in Nonprofit Leadership (Jenny Mitchell)

SUMMARY

How can organizations better utilize coaching to support and retain their rising stars, rather than just addressing problem employees? In episode 269 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Jenny Mitchell delves into the nuances of nonprofit leadership, especially for women, sharing personal experiences and actionable strategies. From the challenges of transitioning from a manager to a leader to the importance of reflection and prioritization, she offers invaluable advice on maintaining productivity without sacrificing well-being. Learn about the significance of defining high-value tasks and the impact of leadership intentions on organizational culture. Jenny also highlights the necessity of self-care and energy management, urging leaders to recalibrate their routines for sustainability. She further explores the critical role of boards in supporting leaders, discussing systemic burnout and the potential benefits of sabbaticals. 

ABOUT JENNY

Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, DMA, CEC is the Chief Visionary Officer of Chavender, where she works closely with leaders to change the world one mission at a time. She is a dynamic speaker, executive coach, fundraising professional, and host of the Underdog Leadership podcast. She is also the author of Embracing Ambition: Empowering Women to Step Out, Be Seen, and Lead, uniting twelve exceptional women leaders from across North America with a simple goal: to share their leadership stories as a mentorship resource for the next generation of women leaders.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES 

• Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive by Kristin Neff
• Learn more about Jenny here
• Ready for a Mastermind Leadership Development program?  Learn more here
• Have you gotten Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on Audible!
• Don’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership

179: Transition Across Sectors: Are You Ready to Lead a Nonprofit? (Beth Reaves)

SUMMARY

Are you considering a career move to a mission based nonprofit and wonder how your corporate skills will transfer to the philanthropic sector? In episode #179 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, one time fortune 50 company executive, Beth Reaves shares what to expect for a successful transition. Having developed an “Entry Plan” for new nonprofit leaders, she explains why it’s important to have one that outlines the 30/60/90-day goals new nonprofit leaders should look to accomplish. She outlines skills and experiences essential to nonprofit leadership and what she looks for in new talent. Beth discusses creating strong bonds with your constituent groups, the value of clear communication, and key elements for a strong and productive relationship with your board of directors.

ABOUT BETH

Dr. Beth Reaves is the President of the Washington School for Girls, a private, Catholic school, which provides 100% scholarship support for girls in grades 3-8. She has served in this role since 2017, having previously worked as a school leader and administrator in the Philadelphia area. Prior to working in education, Beth spent a decade working in Corporate Marketing for a Fortune 50 company. She believes in educational equity for young girls of color and works to provide a school environment where every girl can thrive and flourish. In her role, she focuses on external relations, fundraising and leadership to ensure the school provides a strong academic program for its students and is sustainable into the future. Beth holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in accounting from Drexel University, an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate in Business from the University of Phoenix. She is a Klingenstein Fellow in the Heads of Schools Program at the Teachers’ College, Columbia University, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Independent Schools Greater Washington, the Nativity Miguel Coalition and the DC Public Library Foundation. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
• Learn more about Beth and the work she’s doing at the Washington School for Girls here
• Take our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!
• Ready to advance your nonprofit leadership? Check out Patton’s book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

178: Building a Diverse and Talented Team at Your Nonprofit (Julie Kratz)

SUMMARY

As a nonprofit leader, are you creating a more inclusive and diverse culture at your organization, especially at the leadership level? In episode #178 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we talk with an inclusivity expert, Julie Kratz, about developing the framework for building a diverse and talented leadership team. DEI can be a complex topic in the workplace, and Julie introduces the basic terms leaders should know to engage in candid conversations about diversity and inclusion. She also outlines her 3D’s model to hold team members accountable, and how using the model in conversation cultivates greater inclusion. Learn exactly what nonprofit leaders  having success with DEI are doing, and how they have built and retained diverse leadership teams.

ABOUT JULIE

Julie Kratz is a highly acclaimed TEDx speaker and inclusive leadership trainer who led teams and produced results in corporate America. After experiencing many career “pivot points” of her own, she started her own speaking business with the goal of helping leaders be more inclusive. Promoting diversity, inclusion, and allyship in the workplace, Julie helps organizations foster more inclusive environments. She is a frequent keynote speaker, podcast host, and executive coach. She holds an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, is a Certified Master Coach, and is a certified unconscious bias trainer. Her books include Pivot Point: How to Build a Winning Career Game Plan, ONE: How Male Allies Support Women for Gender Equality, and Lead Like an Ally: A Journey Through Corporate America with Strategies to Facilitate Inclusion, children’s book Little Allies, and her newest Allyship in Action: 10 Strategies for Living Inclusively.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• How to Raise an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi
• Allyship In Action: 10 Practices for Living Inclusively by Julie Kratz
• Learn more about Julie and the work she’s doing at NextPiviotPoint.com
• Take our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!
• Check out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

Kevin Briscoe

177: Mastering Your Financial Acumen as a Nonprofit Leader (Kevin Briscoe)

SUMMARY

Is your organization positioned to navigate the unique strategic and financial challenges inherent in nonprofit settings? As a nonprofit leader, do you need more financial expertise but don’t know if you can afford it? In episode #177 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, financial expert Kevin Briscoe helps today’s nonprofit leaders address their overall accounting needs and financial literacy. He defines what a fractional CFO is and how this model can benefit your nonprofit. Kevin breaks down the various accounting roles, the distinctions between them, and their place in the philanthropic sector. We discuss how to reduce expenses and increase cash flow projections to maximize funding opportunities.

ABOUT KEVIN

Kevin Briscoe is the Managing Partner of CFO Selections®, and stewards the culture and core values of the organization, including supporting the firm's philanthropic work through the CFOS Foundation. Throughout his career, Kevin has held ownership and management positions, providing effective leadership in increasing profitable growth. His professional career includes nearly 30 years in finance, accounting, and operations from Fortune 100, publicly traded corporations to small, closely held settings. Before joining CFO Selections® in 2007, Kevin was part owner of a successful lighting representative business, helping drive their growth from $30 to $70 million. He has also served as a financial member of South End Equities, where he was responsible for the purchase and management of a commercial real estate portfolio. His extensive experience in business strategy, management, and operations assists him in leading the firm. Kevin earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Gonzaga University. He currently serves as Board Advisor for The Linehan Institute, and has served as a past Board member of the Electric League of the Pacific Northwest Charitable Foundation, as Co-Chair for the American Cancer Society ‘Race for a Cure’ benefiting Breast Cancer research, and also enjoys playing softball in Kent, where he lives with his wife and enjoys spending time with his four children and many grandchildren.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• Fire Doesn’t Innovate: The Executives Practical Guide to Thriving in the Face of Evolving Cyber Risks by Kip Boyle
• Learn more about Kevin and the work he does here
• Take our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!
• Check out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

176: Does Your Nonprofit Board Have the Skills to Thrive? (Lisa Cook)

SUMMARY

If leadership begins at the top, does your board ensure everyone is performing at their best at the work they pledged to do? In episode #176 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, board governance expert Lisa Cook shares how to identify, cultivate, train and engage your board for long-term success. She discusses why such skills as governance, strategic planning and financial acumen are necessary for success, and things new and aspiring board members must develop. Clear communication of expectations is a vital component at every level of nonprofit leadership, and none more important than between the CEO and Board Chair. Lisa shares how to engage in intentional communication of expectations, and how it provides a mutual understanding of needs, support, resources, and goals.

ABOUT

Lisa Cook is the Founder and Managing Director of Get on Board Australia, supporting aspiring, new and existing board members and boards to thrive. She has thirteen years of experience serving on boards from a range of organizations in the private, public, and not for profit sectors in Adelaide, Sydney, and across Australia, including Shooting Australia, Inclusive Sport SA, West Beach Community Bendigo Bank, and Australian College of Professionals. Along with writing and commenting regularly on governance, board members, and boards, Lisa hosts the Board Shorts Podcast; sharing insights, lessons, and advice from her experience in the boardroom and from subject matter experts across the world. Lisa holds a degree from Charles Sturt University in business management and marketing, has completed the Foundations of Directorship program through AICD, and is currently studying a Master of Business Law at the University of Adelaide.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time by Susan Scott
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Plays Well with Others by Eric Barker
• Learn more about Lisa and her work with Boards here
• Check out Patton’s best-selling book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

175: How Can Nonprofit Leaders Succeed in the Attention Economy? (Eric Ressler)

SUMMARY

With the distractions of instant access to information, are you effectively capturing the attention of the right people in a sustained, authentic, and meaningful way to move your mission forward? Eric Ressler explains what the attention economy means and how it has affected nonprofit organizations in episode #176 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership. Eric shares why organizations struggle to find, grow and maintain funding and you can cut through the noise and better communicate your message. Learn why traditional strategies and approaches are not working in this attention economy and how to leverage the full power of a global digital culture.

ABOUT 

Eric Ressler is the Founder and Creative Director at Cosmic, a Social Impact Creative Agency. Cosmic empowers social impact organizations to catalyze real world change by helping them nail their impact story, build brand awareness, and inspire action. Eric got his start in design from a very young age, and after leaving a design program in San Diego early to pursue freelance work, cut his teeth running a freelance business in the digital design space. After organically building a strong roster of clients, he discovered a passion for the social impact and philanthropic space. Through working with numerous organizations across this sector, he found that often their missions and visions are strong, but their efforts are stymied by ineffective communications philosophies and practices. Now, Eric and Cosmic are on a mission to help social impact organizations across the globe navigate a rapidly changing world.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES 

• Red Rising by Pierce Brown
• Learn more about Eric and the work Cosmic is doing here
• Take our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!
• Check out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

174: Planting the Seeds of Change with your Nonprofit Board (Christal Cherry & Renee Rubin Ross)

SUMMARY

Does your nonprofit’s leadership truly represent the diverse voice you serve? Why is it more important than ever to have equal representation at the board level? In episode # 174 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, two talented nonprofit professionals have come together to collaborate on this important topic. Renee Rubin Ross and Christal Cherry share aspects from their DEIB training program and how nonprofits who commit to the process can strengthen the well-being of the entire organization. Renee and Christal discuss the knowledge gaps that exist between black and indigenous people of color and their white counterparts and what actions your board members can take once they recognize the differences that exist.

ABOUT CHRISTAL

Christal M. Cherry, is a trained fundraiser with more than 22 years of nonprofit experience serving on executive teams, as a liaison with boards, and a confidant to the CEO/Executive Director. Christal has a passion to help transform board members into impactful leaders and touts fundraising as her ministry - the place where she feels she can make the biggest difference. Christal’s mantra: Fundraising is not an F word. Christal founded and leads The Board Pro, a company that equips board members with the tools they need to effectively govern and help nonprofits to fulfill their missions, scale, and become change agents in their communities.

ABOUT RENEE

Dr. Renee Rubin Ross is a recognized leader on board and organizational development and strategy and the founder of The Ross Collective, a consulting firm that designs and leads inclusive, participatory processes for social sector boards and staff. Committed to racial equity in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Ross guides leaders and organizations in strategic plans and governance processes that deepen social change, racial justice and community strength. In addition to her consulting work, Dr. Ross is the Director of the Cal State University East Bay Nonprofit Management Certificate program and teaches Strategic Planning and Board Development for the program.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabella Wilkerson
• The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee
• Learn more about Renee and Christal
• Take our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!

173: Can You Manage the Finances as a Nonprofit Leader? (Alex Romero)

SUMMARY

As a nonprofit leader, are you well versed in the management of budgets and financials for your organization? Can you forecast cash flow and establish internal controls to keep donors and board members happy? In episode #173 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we explore the fundamental financial skills you must master to excel at nonprofit leadership. Virtual CFO Alex Romero identifies some of the biggest financial challenges she sees nonprofit leaders facing today and how retaining virtual services might help you make good decisions before you put your organization in a bad spot. Alex shares the three financial management pillars for the overall health and sustainability of your organization and why they matter. 

ABOUT ALEX

Alexandria Romero recently joined Chris Hervochon CPA CVA LLC accounting firm as a virtual CFO. Romero is a Certified Public Accounting from Colorado with an impressive list of accolades in accounting — a few which include the 2022 AICPA Outstanding Young CPA Award, a 2022 Colorado State University Department of Accounting Hall of Fame inductee, and a 2021 CPA Practice Advisor’s “40 Under 40” Accounting Professionals. In her new role as a virtual CFO for Chris Hervochon CPA CVA LLC, Romero directs financial planning, financial reports and financial strategies for nonprofits and digital marketing agencies around the country. Romero previously served as Chief Financial Officer for Pueblo City-County Library District in Pueblo, CO, overseeing a more than $14 million budget. Her extensive accounting experience also includes positions as Senior Auditor and Tax Accountant for McPherson, Goodrich, Paolucci & Mihelich, PC in Pueblo, CO, as well as Accountant positions for Colorado Springs Housing Authority in Colorado Springs, CO and the Downtown Denver Partnership in Denver, CO. Romero also is an active member of the accounting industry, currently serving on the AICPA’s Young Member Leadership Committee as chair and a board member for the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants (COCPA).

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES 

• Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown
• Learn more about Alex and her virtual services here
• Take our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!
• Check out Patton’s new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector