By Melissa Pitotti
5
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The podcast currently has 50 episodes available.
Ever wonder how aid workers can stay safe in some of the world’s most dangerous environments?
Rebecca Maudling, is on a mission to make sure humanitarian staff not only survive but feel confident and equipped to do their work safely — even in the toughest conditions. From co-founding an organization that helps NGOs work more safely, to reshaping how we think about mental health in crisis zones, Rebecca's insights on duty of care are hard earned. Stay tuned to the end to hear her big news about an exciting event coming up.
Today’s Guest
Rebecca is Co-Founder & Director of International Location Safety (ILS). She co-founded the organization, growing it from a start-up to its current position as a leading provider of security risk management services within the humanitarian aid and development sector. ILS supports organizations globally to meet their Duty of Care obligations and enable their staff to work in challenging situations around the world. As the business has grown, she has built up a fantastic team and so although now less involved in the day-to-day running of the business, she retains strategic oversight and a passion for supporting organizations to protect and care for their staff.
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Rebecca emphasizes the importance of connection—both to oneself and to others—in sustaining well-being, especially in high-pressure environments like humanitarian work.
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Quotes
"Embodying change requires courage—courage to challenge the status quo and live in alignment with your values, even when it's difficult." – Rebecca Maudling
"We put psychological well-being at the heart of what we do. If you're not in a good mental place, you're not going to make good decisions under stress." – Rebecca Maudling
"The conversations around well-being in the humanitarian sector are happening more than ever. But there's still a long way to go." – Rebecca Maudling
"For us, it’s not just about teaching people how to survive hostile environments—it’s about helping them feel confident and empowered to do their work safely." – Rebecca Maudling
"When it comes to duty of care, it's not enough to have policies on paper. It’s about putting them into practice and making sure they actually work on the ground." – Rebecca Maudling
"Connection—to yourself and to others—is vital. You need to know what you need to sustain yourself and have a support network in place, especially when times get tough." – Rebecca Maudling
"We're seeing more conversations about mental health being just as important as physical health. That’s a positive shift, but there’s still so much more we can do." – Rebecca Maudling
"The humanitarian sector is facing unprecedented risks, and it’s never been more important to...
In this episode, Melissa Pitotti speaks with Deborah Doane, author of The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege, and Renewal.
Deborah brings decades of experience in the humanitarian and development sectors, from leading the Ombudsman Project for humanitarian accountability to co-founding the RINGO Project, which is pushing for systemic change in global civil society.
The conversation explores key themes from Deborah’s book, including the challenges of reforming the INGO sector, shifting power to local actors, and embracing new roles for INGOs in the future.
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Deborah Doane is an independent consultant and author with over two decades of experience in humanitarian and development sectors. She has led key initiatives like the RINGO Project and the Ombudsman Project, which focused on bringing accountability to the humanitarian aid sector. Her latest book, The INGO Problem, explores the power dynamics and privilege embedded in international NGOs and how to move toward a more equitable system.
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If you want to dive deeper into how INGOs operate and how they can shift power to local communities, pick up Deborah’s book, The INGO Problem.
Let’s continue these important conversations on how we can all contribute to meaningful, system-wide change.
What does it mean to sit in the gray areas of change?
How can philanthropy better support nonprofit leaders and staff in these challenging times?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti speaks with Elisha Smith Arrillaga, a thought leader in philanthropy and the leader of the research team at the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Elisha shares her journey from a childhood deeply influenced by civil rights activism to her role in shaping effective philanthropic practices. The conversation covers critical topics, including the findings from the 2024 State of Nonprofits report, which highlights the ongoing burnout crisis among nonprofit leaders, and the transformative impact of large, unrestricted gifts as seen in Mackenzie Scott’s philanthropy.
Elisha also provides a sneak peek into their upcoming research, exploring the differences in grantee experiences when receiving funds directly from foundations versus intermediaries. This episode is packed with insights for anyone passionate about the future of philanthropy and nonprofit well-being.
Today’s Guest
Elisha Smith Arrillaga is the Director of Research at the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP). She has dedicated her career to ensuring that philanthropic practices are grounded in research and focused on maximizing their positive impact on nonprofits and the communities they serve.
Website: Center for Effective Philanthropy
Social Media: LinkedIn
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How can we create a thriving workplace culture in the humanitarian sector?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes Leanne Marega, a pioneer in humanitarian workforce well-being and a founder of Thrive Worldwide. Leanne shares her journey from Interhealth Worldwide to founding Thrive Worldwide, emphasizing the critical role of culture in fostering thriving workplaces. You’ll hear about the importance of healthy boundaries, the challenges of leadership in times of crisis, and practical steps to create supportive work environments.
Leanne also opens up about her personal battle with cancer and how it influenced her perspective on well-being and leadership. Her story of hope and community support during a challenging time offers valuable insights for anyone facing similar struggles.
Today’s Guest
Leanne Marega is Co-Founder and CEO for Thrive Worldwide bringing over 15 years experience in the wellbeing industry. Prior to Thrive, Leanne worked with InterHealth Worldwide for eight years, 4 of those years as Regional Director for Eastern Africa based in Kenya. Leanne is an entrepreneur with a heart to see people and organisations flourish. Leanne has a Masters from University of East London (UEL) in International Humanitarian Psychosocial Consultation. She is also a trained Coach from the Awaken Coach Institute. Leanne lives between the UK and Kenya with her husband. She thrives in community, going on long walks, cooking, baking and reading a good book.
Website: thrive-worldwide.org
Thrive LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveworldwide/
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanne-marega-kennedy/
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How can we create sustainable change within humanitarian and development organizations?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes back Mary Ann Clements, a pivotal figure in the history of this podcast and Co-CEO at an organisation working on disability justice, ADD International. Mary Ann shares her journey from initiating Healing Solidarity to re-imagining an INGO to become a participatory grant maker. You’ll hear about the importance of embodying change, the challenges of reimagining institutions, and the role of power dynamics in achieving sustainable transformation. Stay tuned until the end for Mary Ann’s insights on creating environments that support well-being and resilience.
Today’s Guest
Mary Ann Clements is co-CEO at ADD International and the initiator of Healing Solidarity. With extensive experience in social justice and humanitarian work, Mary Ann is committed to fostering well-being and systemic change in the sector.
Website: maryannclements.com
Social Media: LinkedIn
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Why is burnout so prevalent in the nonprofit sector? How can funders better support the people who deliver?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes Rusty Stahl, founder of Fund the People. Rusty shares his journey into philanthropy, the systemic issues leading to chronic underinvestment in nonprofit staff, and the innovative solutions Fund the People advocates for. You’ll learn about the harmful myths surrounding nonprofit overhead, the importance of treating nonprofit staff as essential assets, and practical steps to foster a healthier, more sustainable nonprofit sector.
If you're passionate about creating a supportive and effective nonprofit environment, this episode is a must-listen.
Today’s Guest
Rusty Stahl is the founder of Fund the People, an organization dedicated to maximizing investment in the nonprofit workforce. With a background in social justice and philanthropy, Rusty has been a leading voice in advocating for better support and compensation for nonprofit staff.
Website: fundthepeople.org
Social Media: LinkedIn, Twitter
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Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the complexities and challenges of humanitarian work? Are you looking for signs of hope that, together, we can transform the sector?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes Pauline Chetcuti, the newly elected president of VOICE. Pauline shares her journey from international law to humanitarian advocacy, discussing the importance of saying no, the power of collective action, and the challenges of decolonizing and transforming humanitarian work.
Today’s guest
Pauline Chetcuti is the newly elected president of VOICE, the largest European humanitarian NGO network. With a background in international law and extensive experience in the humanitarian sector, Pauline is committed to advocating for effective, principled humanitarian aid and elevating local voices in global conversations.
Website: voiceeu.org
Social Media: Twitter, LinkedIn
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Do you ever wonder how vulnerability and power dynamics shape your work in the humanitarian sector? Are you curious about how funding practices can better support well-being?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes back Gemma Houldey, author of The Vulnerable Humanitarian. Gemma shares her journey from human rights advocacy to becoming a thought leader regarding humanitarian well-being. You’ll hear about the importance of showing up with vulnerability, understanding power dynamics, and how feminist funders are pioneering new approaches to support long-term organizational well-being.
If you're passionate about creating a more supportive and sustainable humanitarian sector, this episode is a must-listen.
Today’s Guest
Gemma Houldey is a researcher, facilitator and space-holder for more caring and inclusive working cultures in the aid sector. Her book “The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout Culture in the Aid Sector,” draws on her own story and the accounts of over a hundred national and international aid workers she interviewed. The book explores the systemic causes of burnout in aid work, and provides guideposts for managers and staff to cultivate and embody collective resilience and care in the workplace. Her most recent research investigates the role of grantmakers in funding more sustainable, resilient human rights movements. Gemma works with individuals and organisations to support them to ‘walk the talk’ on principles of anti-oppression, by integrating decolonial approaches to wellbeing into everyday work routines and practices that deepen a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Website: gemmahouldey.com
Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram
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Episode 42: We Are Feminist Leaders with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook
Do you ever feel conflicted by traditional leadership models that don’t align with your values? Are you curious about how feminist principles can transform the way we approach leadership, especially in the humanitarian sector?
In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti sits down with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook, founders of We Are Feminist Leaders. Leila and Natalie share their journey from feeling disillusioned by patriarchal and colonial leadership structures to creating a transformative program that empowers leaders to bring about genuine change. You’ll hear about the practical applications of feminist leadership, the importance of self-awareness, and the power of community and continuous learning.
If you're passionate about making a difference and leading with your values, this episode will inspire you and provide actionable insights into embodying change in your own life and work.
Today’s Guests
Leila Billing and Natalie Brook
Leila Billing and Natalie Brook are the visionary founders of We Are Feminist Leaders, an organization dedicated to fostering feminist leadership in humanitarian and development sectors. Through their 12-week online program and new membership learning network, they empower leaders to challenge traditional power structures, embrace intersectionality, and cultivate caring, inclusive work environments. Leila and Natalie draw inspiration from feminist movements around the world, particularly from the Global Majority, and aim to decentralize Western-centric leadership models. You can check out their bios here.
Website: wearefeministleaders.com
Social Media: Instagram and LinkedIn
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This conversation with Sarah Diedro Jordão provides a deep and heartfelt exploration of what it means to embody change and foster love in the quest for a more equitable society.
“Going through a painful process can very much be part of embodying change. If it's itchy, uncomfortable, messy, and hurts, change is probably on the other side of that. So there’s hope."
-Sarah Diedro Jordão
Sarah Diedro Jordão is a multi-passionate & versatile consultant. She works as a communications strategist, DEIB consultant, facilitator and podcast host. The driving interests foundational to her work are intersectional social justice, Black feminism, as well as collective dreaming. Among other things she served as an Intersectionality expert for the North-South Center of the Council of Europe, a moderator for the World Forum for Democracy and a podcast host for the European Greens.
Sarah has also been facilitating a drop-in space for BIPOC professionals in the international NGO and aid sector for the last 2 years through Healing Solidarity. Anyone interested in joining can email her at [email protected].
Learn more about Sarah Diedro Jordão on
Check out bell hooks’ book, "all about love: new visions," for further reading on the role of love in social justice.
Thank you to Ziada Abeid for editing the show!
If you’re a humanitarian woman working internationally and you’d like to meet other women like you, request to join the free Humanitarian Women’s Collaborative on Mighty Networks here: https://the-humanitarian-women-s-collaborative.mn.co/admin/landing-page.
The podcast currently has 50 episodes available.
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