310: Why is Now the Time for Future Thinking? (Trista Harris)

SUMMARY

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How can nonprofit leaders break free from the exhausting cycle of putting our fires to create a clear, future-focused strategy that drives long-term impact? In episode 310 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, philanthropic futurist, Trista Harris dives into why many in the sector struggle to think beyond immediate crises and how future-focused strategies can drive transformational change. Learn practical tools for envisioning long-term impact, including how to align organizational activities with a shared vision and develop a rolling three-year strategic plan. With actionable insights on integrating futurism into your culture and engaging stakeholders, this conversation will inspire you to reimagine what’s possible for your organization—and equip you to build a brighter, more equitable future.

ABOUT TRISTA

Trista Harris is a renowned philanthropic futurist who advocates for the use of futurism to address critical community challenges worldwide. Her groundbreaking work has been featured in Forbes, CNN, The New York Times, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and many social sector blogs. Trista is the President of FutureGood, a consultancy that helps visionaries create a better future. She has authored two books - "How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar" and "FutureGood.". Prior to her work at FutureGood, she served as President of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, a thriving grant-making community that awards over $1.5 billion annually. She was also the Executive Director of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice and a Program Officer at Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. A strategic foresight expert certified by Oxford University, Trista holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts from Howard University.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES 

• Rest is Resistance: Free Yourself from Grind Culture and Reclaim Your Life by Tricia Hersey
• Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
• 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