From the Nest with Charity Jen

In this AFP ICON edition of From the Nest, Charity Jen sits down with Doug Trout, Managing Director at DRiWaterstone Human Capital, to talk about what it takes to build and sustain exceptional nonprofit leadership. With a career dedicated to advancing mission-driven organizations, Doug brings a recruiter’s eye and a fundraiser’s heart to conversations around hiring, team culture, and what makes a candidate stand out in today’s evolving landscape.

Doug shares what trends he’s seeing in nonprofit hiring, how organizations can better invest in their people, and why leadership pipelines matter now more than ever. If you’ve ever wondered how to find the right people—or be the right person—for transformational nonprofit work, this episode is packed with insights.

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Some notable moments from this episode:

00:00 – Meet Doug Trout of DRiWaterstone Human Capital

01:18 – Trends in nonprofit hiring and leadership

02:35 – What makes a strong candidate stand out

04:05 – Creating organizational culture that retains talent

05:40 – Advice for leaders navigating career transitions

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In this episode recorded live at AFP ICON, Charity Jen welcomes fundraising veteran Jay Frost—award-winning speaker, consultant, and senior partner at DonorSearch—to reflect on what’s changing, what’s working, and what still inspires him about the world of philanthropy. With decades of experience in prospect research, capital campaigns, and international fundraising, Jay brings both sharp insight and contagious optimism to the conversation.

He shares why curiosity is his secret weapon, how AFP ICON continues to spark new thinking, and why generosity—in all its forms—is the throughline that drives real change. Whether you’re just getting started or decades into your fundraising journey, Jay’s reflections will leave you energized and ready to reimagine what’s possible.

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Some notable moments from this episode:

00:00 – Welcoming fundraising legend Jay Frost

01:15 – Jay’s take on the AFP ICON experience

02:30 – Curiosity and generosity as lifelong themes

04:10 – What’s shifting in donor behavior and engagement

05:45 – Words of wisdom for the next generation of fundraisers

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In this vibrant and energizing episode, Charity Jen chats with Julie Naranjo Upham, Vice President of Individual Giving at Conservation International and co-chair of the Bridge Conference. A long-time AFP ICON speaker and CFRE, Julie shares what keeps her coming back year after year: the chance to connect with emerging fundraisers, learn from peers, and gather real-time ideas to strengthen her team’s fundraising strategies.

From major gift portfolio tactics to pink “Development Diva” ribbons, Julie brings equal parts insight and joy to this conversation. Whether you’re looking for fresh content to bring back to your own team or just need a reminder of how powerful community can be, this episode offers both practical tips and a healthy dose of sparkle.

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Some notable moments from this episode:

00:00 – Welcome and intro to Julie Naranjo Upham

01:22 – Why ICON energizes Julie every year

03:18 – Favorite takeaways: donor behavior and team growth

04:24 – Bringing major gift strategies straight home

06:01 – Ribbon stories and conference joy

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In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode recorded at AFP ICON, Charity Jen speaks with Sharon Papo, founder of Indigo Skies Consulting, about what it means to lead nonprofits with equity, compassion, and resilience. Drawing from her rich experience as an executive director, leadership coach, and DEI strategist, Sharon reflects on the importance of intentional space-making—for both personal healing and organizational growth.

Together, they explore the need for nonprofits to not only do good work externally but to cultivate internal cultures that are brave, inclusive, and sustaining. If you’re a leader or changemaker navigating complexity, burnout, or transformation, Sharon’s insights offer both validation and a path forward.

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Some notable moments from this episode:

00:00 – Introducing Sharon Papo and Indigo Skies Consulting

01:10 – The need for healing space in nonprofit leadership

02:32 – Shifting from burnout to sustainability

03:45 – How identity and equity shape organizational dynamics

05:05 – Sharon’s vision for compassionate, inclusive leadership

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In this episode recorded live from AFP ICON, Charity Jen welcomes Jesse Park, President of Amplify, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of fundraising. Stepping out from behind the exhibit booth to fully experience his first ICON as an attendee, Jesse shares his three intentional goals: connect with fundraisers, dig deep into data trends, and fuel creative collaboration across the sector.

From conversations with international peers to the insights sparked by new research reports, Jesse unpacks how data storytelling and visionary thinking are pointing toward a paradigm shift in how nonprofits operate. If you’re looking for a forward-thinking perspective on where our sector is headed—and how to build it together—this episode is a must-listen.

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Here are some notable moments from this episode:

00:00 – Welcome and intro to Jesse Park of Amplify

01:11 – Jesse’s 3 goals for attending AFP ICON

02:04 – Building deeper relationships with AFP chapters

03:52 – Takeaways from global and local conversations

04:30 – A paradigm shift in nonprofit fundraising

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In this energizing AFP ICON conversation, Charity Jen sits down with Sarah Miller—consultant with Palmetto Philanthropy and President-Elect of AFP DC—to explore how nonprofit professionals can lead with resilience even in times of uncertainty. Sarah opens up about the emotional toll of nonprofit work, the fatigue many leaders are facing, and the importance of building community to stay connected, grounded, and inspired.

Live from Seattle, the two discuss their shared board service with AFP DC, how ICON fosters collaboration across chapters, and why wellness initiatives like hikes and retreats might be exactly what fundraisers need. If you’re navigating burnout or searching for fresh ways to support your nonprofit peers, this episode offers thoughtful reflection and practical takeaways you’ll want to bring back to your team.

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Here are some notable moments from the episode:

00:00 – Welcome to the AFP ICON Series with Sarah Miller

01:34 – Sarah on the challenges facing today’s nonprofits

02:47 – Finding hope and energy in community

04:06 – Takeaways for AFP DC: wellness, collaboration, and innovation

05:44 – Nuggets of wisdom and book recs from the conference

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What makes a great fundraising conference? For Bart Lillie, it’s all about the people. In this special AFP ICON edition of From the Nest, host Charity Jen catches up with Bart—Vice President of Partner Engagement at Synergy—to talk about the true value of attending events like AFP ICON. Bart shares how community, not just content, keeps him coming back year after year, and how these shared moments spark opportunities, partnerships, and personal growth.

Recorded live from the buzz of Seattle’s convention center, Bart reflects on some of his favorite ICON takeaways, including a powerful keynote by astronaut José Hernández and the emerging role of AI in nonprofit work. Whether you’re new to fundraising or a seasoned pro, this conversation is a reminder that connection is at the heart of our sector—and that sometimes, the best breakthroughs start with a casual hallway hello.

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Here are some notable highlights:

00:00 – Jen kicks off the AFP ICON Series

01:25 – Bart shares what makes ICON special

03:38 – AI in fundraising and a must-read book

05:53 – Bart’s favorite keynote: Astronaut José Hernández

07:38 – Closing thoughts and gratitude

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Join us for an insightful episode of "From the Nest with Charity Jen," where Greg Ng, CEO of a consulting firm specializing in customer insight, shares his journey of creating transformative non-profit events. Over a decade ago, Greg forged a deep connection with a local NC food bank, driven by his personal commitment to the cause. At the time, serving as the CMO of Brooks Bell, his expertise in marketing and video production sparked a revolutionary idea - a 24-hour internet streaming telethon aimed at raising awareness and funds for the food bank.

Despite initial apprehensions, the telethon was a monumental success, attracting widespread media attention and making a significant impact on the community. Greg's story exemplifies the power of community engagement and innovative thinking in driving meaningful change. His experience underscores the profound impact that skilled individuals can have when they channel their talents and passion into non-profit initiatives.

This episode is a must-listen for non-profit fundraisers seeking inspiration and practical insights into leveraging creative ideas for maximum impact. Discover how you, too, can make a difference and inspire others to contribute to worthy causes.

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The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:16 - Introduction and Background of Guests
00:02:39 - Brooks Bell and Marketing Optimization
00:09:25 - 24-Hour Live Streaming Fundraising Event
00:14:21 - Creative Fundraising and Engagement
00:17:15 - Building on Success and Digital Fundraising
00:18:57 - Event Planning and Execution
00:21:20 - Impact and Fundraising
00:22:54 - Social Media Ambassadors
00:27:05 - Personal Involvement and Community Impact
00:29:37 - Memorable Moments and Community Engagement
00:36:33 - Harnessing Social Media Buzz
00:38:20 - Preparing for the Telethon
00:39:59 - Evolving the Telethon
00:43:54 - Personal Engagement in Fundraising
00:47:54 - Coaching and Empowering Others

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Audrey M. Johnson is a portrait of success. Not only a VP of Institutional Advancement for the Children’s Defense Fund and President AFP, DC Chapter but also the Chapter President’s Council Representative for AFP Global and advocate for IDEA principles. But nothing was more rewarding than her climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Hear what happened at the summit!

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The Owner of By the Waves Charity Consulting joins Jen from the beach of Dorset England to share how she launched her firm prior to the pandemic. Leesa Harwood shares her fascinating approach to selecting clients and how that has led to a brand new hobby!· · 

(Originally aired 5June23)

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