What makes a nonprofit board truly effective?

In this episode of I 501(c) You, Michael Corley talks with nonprofit consultant Alyce Lee Stansbury about board engagement, effective meetings, fundraising responsibilities, and the importance of keeping boards focused on governance instead of operations.

Alyce Lee also shares why strong boards need clear expectations, passionate members, better meeting structure, and a defined role in building donor relationships.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Alyce Lee Stansbury, Stansbury Consulting

(02:30) How to keep board members engaged

(05:10) Why do board’s trend toward report out rather than have strategic conversation?

(06:40) How does a board chair encourage engagement?

(09:50) What makes an effective board member?

(14:50) Board members responsibility in fundraising

(23:40) Relationship between board, Executive Director, and head fundraiser

(27:20) Development committee

(29:30) Sharing donor information with the board

(32:10) What are the biggest challenges in the nonprofit sector?

(37:35) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

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Storytelling is not just about producing content. It is about helping people understand your mission, care about your work and become part of your story.

Peter Murphy Lewis, board chair of the Miami County Community Foundation and a fractional chief marketing officer, joins the podcast to discuss how nonprofits can use storytelling and digital marketing to expand their reach. He shares how his foundation built a stronger digital presence, engaged board members in amplifying its content and hired an executive director to provide the organization with the attention it needed.

Peter also explains why nonprofits should begin with a clear objective before choosing a story, messenger or distribution platform, and how tools such as video, social media and Google Ad Grants can help organizations connect with new supporters.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Peter Murphy Lewis, Board Chair, Miami County Community Foundation

(04:15) Why hire an Executive Director?

(05:20) How do you approach the role of board chair?

(06:30) Why is digital presence important for your organization?

(08:20) How should an organization approach digital marketing?

(10:55) What is Google Grant?

(12:35) Why is storytelling important for nonprofit organizations?

(18:10) Anytime a nonprofit should NOT be involved in storytelling?

(19:00) Biggest surprise as board chair

(20:45) What is a fractional CMO?

(24:20) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

Megan Howell, founder and executive director of Second Heart Homes, has helped permanently house 86 men and women living with mental illness and grow an organization that has raised more than $9.5 million without government funding.

In this episode, Megan shares what she has learned about nonprofit governance, building the right board, working with a board chair, choosing board members who will challenge you, and making the transition from founder to leader.

A practical conversation for nonprofit founders, executive directors, board chairs, and board members who want to build stronger, more sustainable organizations.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Megan Howell, Founder and Executive Director of Second Heart Homes

(05:20) Why is it called Second Heart Homes?

(06:35) What were your aspirations in the beginning?

(09:40) How did you approach governance?

(11:40) What makes a good board member?

(15:20) How do you approach your board chair relationship?

(18:30) How often do you talk with board members?

(24:45) What do you wish you knew when you were starting?

(28:00) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

Bad board meetings do more than waste time. They can disengage strong board members and keep the board focused on administrative details instead of strategy.

In this episode, nonprofit consultant Michael Corley shares five practical ways to run more effective and efficient board meetings. He explains how to use a consent agenda, why the board chair should speak last, how a parking lot keeps discussions on track, why meetings must start and end on time, and how executive sessions can become a normal part of the agenda.

These are simple changes your board can begin using at its next meeting.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction to a video-first episode!

(01:40) Strategy #1

(02:33) Strategy #2

(03:33) Strategy #3

(04:33) Strategy #4

(05:28) Strategy #5

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

In this episode of I 501(c) You, we talk with Sharmon Lebby, founder of Blessed Designs Consulting, about what it really takes to start a nonprofit and build your first board of directors. Shaman shares hard-earned lessons from launching a nonprofit herself, including why founders need to start with mission, vision, and values, how to choose the right first board members, and why a smaller, more intentional board is often better than a large one. From fundraising and compliance to board chair leadership and avoiding the common mistake of recruiting only friends and family, this conversation offers practical guidance for nonprofit founders who want to build slow, build solid, and create a strong foundation from the beginning.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Sharmon Lebby, Founder, Blessed Designs Consulting

(01:50) Creating your first board of directors

(03:55) Create your values first

(04:30) 5 elements of inaugural board members

(06:45) How should the founder view the first board?

(08:50) Inaugural board chair characteristics

(12:20) How often should a board meet?

(14:05) How long should the first board members be on the board?

(15:45) What conditions should exist before adding board members?

(17:15) Fundraising expectations for board members

(18:25) Do you need committees at the beginning?

(20:40) What should we absolutely avoid?

(23:20) Advice for nonprofit founders

(24:45) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

In this episode of I 501(c) You, we sit down with Devaney “Dev” Iglesias, Director of External Affairs for FPL and an experienced nonprofit board chair, to talk about what makes nonprofit boards truly effective. Dev shares practical lessons from serving on multiple boards, including the importance of engagement, strategic goal-setting, honest communication, strong governance, and a healthy board chair and CEO relationship. From navigating public meetings under sunshine laws to helping a new CEO succeed during a major organizational transition, Dev offers real-world insight for board members who want to lead with clarity, transparency, and purpose.

Timestamps

(00:00) Introducing Dev Iglesias, Director of external affairs for Southwest Florida region, Florida Power & Light 

(03:25) Dev’s board service

(05:55) What are the characteristics of an effective nonprofit board?

(08:10) How do you lead as a board chair?

(10:15) Working with the CEO

(13:20) Communication philosophy

(16:30) How do you encourage participation from board members?

(20:50) What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of being the board chair?

(23:20) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

In this episode of I 501(c) You, we interview Kendra Simpkins Walsh, founder and CEO of Operation Warrior Resolution, a nonprofit providing holistic and innovative mental health care for military veterans. A U.S. Army veteran and licensed clinical social worker, Kendra shares how her own transition from military service to civilian life inspired her to create better healing options for veterans facing trauma, isolation, and mental health challenges. She discusses the realities of founding a nonprofit, learning to fundraise by focusing on impact, moving from founder to CEO, working with a board, and leading through the devastating floods that destroyed their facility but strengthened their mission.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Kendra Simpkins Walsh, Founder and CEO, Operation Warrior Resolution

(02:15) Founding Operation Warrior Resolution - Brain Based Healing

(04:00) Biggest challenges starting a nonprofit

(06:00) What did you learn about fundraising?

(07:25) Choosing between being board chair and CEO

(11:30) What are your priorities right now?

(15:00) Leading through hurricane adversity

(19:00) Advancing the mission through disaster

(21:15) George W. Bush Veterans Leadership Institute

(24:15) Takeaways from the leadership training

(26:00) Advice for those wanting to start a nonprofit

(28:00) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

In this episode, Michael sits down with Brian Hersh, CEO of the Arts and Culture Alliance of Sarasota County, for a conversation about nonprofit leadership, board engagement, and the role arts and culture play in building a stronger community. Brian shares how his background as a drummer shapes the way he leads, listens, and helps others succeed. He also discusses the Alliance’s work as a connector and advocate for Sarasota’s arts ecosystem, the evolution of its board, the importance of building trust through consistency, and why arts issues are deeply connected to community issues like affordable housing, economic impact, tourism, and quality of life.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Brian Hersh, Chief Executive Officer, Arts & Culture Alliance of Sarasota County

(04:30) What does the job entail?

(06:50) Interacting with the board in a member driven organization

(08:45) Helping the board keep the interest of the Arts Alliance first

(11:15) How did the board evolve?

(14:00) Bell work for the board

(15:20) Lead, follow, or get out of the way

(16:00) Building trust with the board and members

(21:30) How often do you meet with the board, board chair, and committees?

(28:10) What is coming up next for the Arts & Culture Alliance of Sarasota County?

(31:15) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

We are joined by leadership coach, speaker, and pastor Mitch Lomazov for a practical conversation on leadership development, communication, conflict resolution, and sustainable performance. Mitch explains why public speaking is no longer optional for leaders, especially when their ideas need to inspire action and create change. He shares simple ways to communicate with more confidence, show up with stronger presence on Zoom, and prepare presentations by starting with the end in mind. The conversation also explores how workplace conflict often begins as small tension or friction, why avoidance makes it worse, and how leaders can use the SBI framework, Situation, Behavior, Impact, to address issues early and build healthier teams. 

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Mitch Lomazov, Keynote Speaker, Team Trainer, Certified Coach, and renaissance man

(02:40) Why is it important for a leader to speak appropriately?

(04:10) How to get better at public speaking

(05:50) Simple public speaking tips

(07:30) Zoom presentation tips

(10:45) Conflict is really just tension and friction

(12:45) SBI framework for workplace conflict

(15:20) Are all conflict able to be resolved?

(17:20) Mitch’s executive coaching

(20:10) Get connected with Mitch

(21:20) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast

In this episode, Susie Bowie, President and CEO of the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, returns to share what she is seeing from the funder’s seat and the boardroom. She talks with Michael about donor intent, the difference between community and private foundations, why community voice matters in board decisions, and how nonprofits can lead through change with more flexible planning. Susie also shares practical advice on scenario planning, focusing on high-performing programs, using technology wisely, and creating nonprofit workplaces that attract and keep the next generation of leaders.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Susie Bowie, President & CEO, William G and Marie Selby Foundation

(02:40) Compare contrast community foundation vs private foundation leadership

(05:55) Board member differences for CFs and private foundations

(08:30) Board succession and representation

(10:55) Challenges and opportunities in the nonprofit sector

(17:45) Leading through change

(20:10) What do you think will happen in the future?

(21:00) Technology

(24:20) Advice to young people

(29:40) Recapping with Read

Join us every other week as we release a new podcast with information about how you can be the best board member and provide great service to your organization.

Listen to the podcast on any of the following platforms:

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Visit us at: www.thecorleycompany.com/podcast