Inspired Nonprofit Leadership

In this episode, host Sarah Olivieri talks with Dr. Renee Rubin Ross about incorporating equity into strategic planning for nonprofits. Dr. Ross, a leader in board and organizational development, shares her journey from being fired from a prestigious job to becoming a consultant committed to racial equity. They discuss her approach to inclusive strategic planning, emphasizing the importance of gathering diverse perspectives, naming what’s in the room, and building trust over time. Dr. Ross also touches on her upcoming book, 'Sparking Inclusive Strategic Planning,' and offers valuable insights on how nonprofit leaders can enhance their strategic planning processes for greater impact.

Episode Highlights

• The Importance of Inclusive Strategic Planning
• Practical Tips for Strategic Planning
• Addressing Emotions in Planning Meetings
• Encouraging Open Dialogue
• Steps to Inclusive Strategic Planning
• Building Trust Over Time

Meet the Guest

Dr. Renee Rubin Ross is a recognized leader in 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, stakeholder engagement, 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.

Dr. Ross lives in Northern California. She is a past Board member of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and a member of the Technology of Participation facilitator’s network. Her Doctorate in Education and Jewish Studies from New York University explored parent participation in schools.

Connect with Renee:

Website- https://www.therosscollective.com/

Subscribe to our e-list- https://www.therosscollective.com/subscribe

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneerubinross/

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In this episode, host Sarah Olivieri talks with Josh Feldman, founder and CEO of R& R, The Rest of Our Lives. Discover insights into how investing in leaders and promoting rest and rejuvenation can transform nonprofit organizations. Learn about the benefits of sabbaticals, fostering a culture of sustainability, and implementing distributed leadership models. Sarah and Josh share personal experiences, and practical strategies, and discuss the broader cultural shift needed in the nonprofit sector.

Episode Highlights

• The Importance of Rest and Rejuvenation
• Understanding Sabbaticals and Their Benefits
• Implementing Sabbaticals in Nonprofits
• Addressing Burnout and False Urgency

Meet the Guest

Josh Feldman is the founder and CEO of R&R: The Rest of our Lives, a nonprofit focused on the future-of-work, Josh and the team at R&R believe that investing in leaders, improving policies and practices within our workplaces, and inspiring culture change related to the rest and rejuvenation of workers will result in stronger organizations, retention and recruitment of top leaders, and far more sustainable, strategic and creative work environments. R&R's guiding values are core to setting its priorities and help ensure its work is focused on a healthier, equitable, thriving future-of-work for all, not only a lucky few.

Josh walks daily. He watercolors on Zoom calls, and on good days you can find him hiking in the mountains of western MA. He is a master facilitator, coach, and public speaker with 20 years of experience as a nonprofit executive building cohort communities, with experience in design and community building towards social change. He is a creativity evangelist, dirt-digging aspiring gardener, and lifelong student to his three kids. He holds an MA in Education with a concentration in Creativity and Leadership from Prescott College. Josh is also an executive coach with certification from the International Coaching Federation.

Connect with Josh:

• Website: https://restofourlives.org
• R&R on LinkedIn
• Josh is on LinkedIn here.
• R&R’s resource bank on sabbatical resources: https://restofourlives.org/learn/sabbatical
• R&R’s research on sabbaticals
• Article: Thinking about a rest ethic

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Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

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In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri is joined by social media expert Robin Nathaniel, who shares valuable insights on leveraging social media for nonprofits, the evolution of online platforms, and the importance of choosing the right channels. Together, they explore strategies for creating compelling content, building a strong online presence, and optimizing social media for maximum reach and fundraising potential. Whether you're just starting or looking to elevate your nonprofit's social media game, this episode is packed with actionable tips and expert advice.

Episode Highlights

• The Power of Social Media for Nonprofits
• Effective Social Media Strategies and Campaigns
• Getting Started with Social Media: Tips for Nonprofits
• Advanced Social Media Tactics and Emerging Platforms

Meet the Guest

Robin Nathaniel has a story of resilience, creativity, and reinvention. Beginning his career as a musician, Robin’s artistic roots laid a unique foundation for his journey. This experience in music, with its emphasis on connection and storytelling, paved the way for his transition into the professional world of social media.

Today Robin advances marketing initiatives full-time for local government while also serving mission-driven organizations through his independent social media agency. A proud husband and two-time dad, Robin’s life has also been shaped by significant loss—the passing of his mother and brother. He reshapes his struggles into pathways of self-discovery, love, and insightful ideas, living by the motto: "Connect. Create. Contribute." Through this lens, Robin aims to inspire a wave of positive transformation.

Connect with Robin:

Sign up for Robin’s newsletter at RobinNathaniel.com and reply "INSPIRED" for a free gift

www.linkedin/in/robbinmarx

www.instagram.com/robbinmarx

www.tiktok.com/@robbinmarx

www.youtube.com/@robbinmarx bit.ly/tedxtalkrobin

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Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

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In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri speaks with Gary Mandel, founder and CEO of Shatterproof, a national nonprofit working to reverse the addiction crisis in America. Gary shares his personal journey of founding Shatterproof after losing his son to addiction, the organization's approach to implementing science-based addiction treatment, combating stigma, and creating systemic change. The conversation covers Shatterproof's strategic growth, critical partnerships, public policy efforts, and lessons learned from Gary's extensive business background.

 

Gary Mendell is the founder and CEO of Shatterproof, a national nonprofit focused on reversing the course of the addiction crisis in America. After losing his son Brian to addiction in 2011, Gary founded Shatterproof to spare other families the tragedy that his suffered.

Gary has grown Shatterproof to over $20M since founding it in 2012 and has become a national leader in the addiction field creating solutions that will ensure that substance use disorder will be prevented and treated for generations to come.

He is a frequent speaker on how our society can end the stigma unjustly associated with addiction, has been honored numerous times for his leadership related to reversing the course of the opioid epidemic, testified in front of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance on Treating Substance Misuse in America, and has been a guest several times on CNBC and MSNBC to provide his perspective on common sense solutions to the opioid epidemic, and his opinions are frequently reflected in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and The Washington Post. Mr. Mendell is a member of the National Leadership Steering Team for the Grand Challenge to Eliminate Stigma around Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder with the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, a member of the National Quality Forum's Technical Expert Panel for Opioid and Opioid Use Disorder and is an advisory member of The Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

Gary has spent decades as an entrepreneur. He founded HEI Hotels & Resorts, a multi-billion-dollar company that oversees a portfolio of approximately 85 first class hotels. He raised and managed $1.2 billion in discretionary capital from some of the most prestigious universities in the United States and managed more than $2 billion in assets. He is also a former trustee and president of Starwood Lodging Trust. That business-world experience gives him a unique perspective in running a nonprofit organization like Shatterproof.

Mr. Mendell received his B.S. from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and his MBA with distinction from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Here's what to expect during the episode:

• Challenges and Strategies in Nonprofit Leadership
• The Role of Media and Partnerships in Growth
• Addressing Stigma and Measuring Success
• Scaling and Infrastructure in Nonprofits

Connect with Gary:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ShatterproofHQ

X: https://x.com/ShatterproofHQ

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/weareshatterproof/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/shatterproof

Our website is shatterproof.org

Cortny McKean: [email protected]

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Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn>>

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Insights on core messaging, relationship building, and challenges nonprofit teams face in engaging donors… yes please! In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri is joined by Erin Straza, an expert donor engagement strategist who shares her insights on exactly this! Sarah and Erin delve into the importance of clear problem articulation and explore how proper staffing and segmented donor communication can optimize nonprofit operations. Tune in for actionable tips to enhance your donor engagement and fundraising success.

Erin Straza CEO, MBA, and author, is a sought-after Chief Donor Engagement Strategist. She assists nonprofits in making their missions irresistible to donors. Her approach to core messaging and relationship building produces the stability necessary for organizational growth.

After earning her MBA at Illinois State University, Erin worked in corporate marketing and then taught marketing communications strategy at Illinois Wesleyan University. She is a published author, conference speaker, former podcast host, and avid reader.

Here's what to expect during the episode:

• The Importance of Making Missions Irresistible
• Challenges in Donor Communication
• Effective Mission Statements and Donor Engagement
• Staffing and Fundraising Strategies
• Creating a Robust Case for Support
• The Power of Pillar Content
• Effective Donor Engagement Strategies
• Balancing Resource Allocation

Connect with Erin:

website: erinstraza.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinstraza/

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Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

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In this episode, Sarah interviews Nikki Stewart, the executive director of Old North Illuminated, who shares her extensive experience of over 15 years in nonprofit management. Nikki delves into her leadership style, the importance of cultivating relationships in the workplace, and provides invaluable tips for young professionals looking to grow in the nonprofit sector. Tune in to hear about the challenges and opportunities in nonprofit leadership, practical tips for career advancement, some fun stories, and even an award-winning apple pie recipe!

Nikki Stewart is a creative and collaborative leader with over 15 years of nonprofit management experience. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Old North Illuminated, which operates Old North Church & Historic Site, a role that blends her strategic leadership and fundraising expertise with her passion for connecting audiences to local history.

Nikki previously served as the Vice President of Development at United South End Settlements (USES), where she led the organization’s fundraising and communications efforts through an ambitious growth phase that included the implementation of a five-year strategic plan and launch of a capital campaign. For these accomplishments, Nikki was named the 2019 Outstanding Fundraising Rising Star by AFP Massachusetts. Additionally, she launched the Change Maker Dinner series which was awarded the Get Konnected GK10 award in 2018, naming it one of the top 10 ideas advancing racial equity in the City of Boston.

Nikki received a Juris Doctor and bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University. She is a graduate of the Course in Exponential Fundraising at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, as well as the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. Nikki is the co-founder and sometimes host of the Hub History podcast, featuring 300+ episodes on Boston history, and an award-winning apple pie baker.

Here's what to expect during the episode:

• Career Advice for Nonprofit Professionals
• The Importance of Non-Direct Service Roles
• Navigating Small vs. Large Organizations
• Building Relationships and Team Dynamics
• Leadership and Decision-Making

Connect with Nikki:

https://www.oldnorth.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkijstewart

https://www.facebook.com/oldnorth1723

https://www.instagram.com/oldnorth1723/

https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FOldNorth1723

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Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

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Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn>>

On Facebook>>

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Join Sarah Olivieri on Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she hosts Joanne Toller, a fundraising and nonprofit marketing expert with almost three decades of experience. In this episode, Joanne shares crucial insights into year-end campaign planning, emphasizes the importance of starting early, and reveals common pitfalls to avoid. Discover strategies for leveraging different donation channels, tailoring messages to various generations, and employing AI and analytics to optimize fundraising efforts. Joanne also discusses creative ways to engage supporters beyond financial contributions. This episode is packed with actionable tips to help nonprofit leaders elevate their campaigns and achieve their goals.

Joanne Toller has been a pioneering force in fundraising and nonprofit marketing since 1994. With three decades of experience, she has transformed countless organizations while empowering nonprofit professionals to reach new heights in their careers. As a dedicated coach and trainer, Joanne passionately believes that mastering advanced digital skills is crucial for success in today’s nonprofit sector. If you're ready to elevate your professional development, Joanne invites you to contact her for a consultation and discover how her tailored programs can help you achieve your goals.

Here's what to expect during the episode:

• Year-End Campaign Planning Essentials
• Avoiding Common Fundraising Pitfalls
• Tailoring Messages for Different Generations
• Engaging Supporters Beyond Financial Contributions
• The Digital Landscape and AI in Fundraising
• The Importance of Analytics and Data

Connect with Joanne:

www.causespecialists.ca

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFwkrWTgCUReum2ADksK7Ig

https://www.instagram.com/causespecialist/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-toller/

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

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In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership, host Sarah Olivieri welcomes Brady Josephson, VP of Marketing and Growth at Charity Water, to discuss innovative strategies in nonprofit marketing. Brady shares insights on creating future demand, the importance of monthly giving, and how to prioritize donor retention. Learn about the concept of 'future demand' and how it can help build a long-term, sustainable donor base. Brady also emphasizes the value of always testing and experimenting, creating a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. Tune in for valuable tips on nonprofit growth and donor engagement.

HBrady is VP of Marketing & Growth at charity: water — a nonprofit bringing clean and safe water to people around the world — where he leads a team of storytellers, creatives, and marketers responsible for growing, supporting, and celebrating the charity: water community and their impact.

Brady joined charity: water from the NextAfter where he led marketing and helped launch the Institute for Online Fundraising which uses experiments, data, and original research to develop evidence-based tools and training to help nonprofits raise more money online. Previously, he had his own agency providing digital services to charities in Canada and the US, worked for Charitable Impact — an online giving platform and Canada’s fastest-growing Donor Advised Fund — and led marketing for Opportunity International in Canada — a global nonprofit that creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to help end the cycle of generational poverty. He started his career as the 1st full-time employee for a startup nonprofit, Spark Ventures, doing development and impact investing work in Zambia.

A self-described charity nerd, Brady received a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University where he has also been an adjunct professor. Outside of the classroom, Brady has shared his learnings and failings throughout his career as an international speaker, writer, podcaster, and advisor. You can connect with him on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter.

He lives just outside Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Liz, son Hendrix, and dog Melly.

Here's what to expect during the episode:

• The Importance of Future Demand in Nonprofit Marketing
• Strategies for Building Future Demand
• The Role of Monthly Giving in Sustainable Fundraising
• Testing and Optimization in Nonprofit Marketing
• Donor Retention: Challenges and Insights

Connect with Brady:

>>Website >>LinkedIn

>>Twitter

>>Email

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Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

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On Facebook>>

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Join Sarah Olivieri on Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she shares essential strategies for leading change in nonprofit organizations. Sarah, an experienced nonprofit leader, bestselling author, and coach, provides three crucial tips on understanding the psychology of change, securing buy-in from your team, and effective communication throughout the process. Learn how to navigate the challenges of change and solidify a new status quo with insights from your host and seasoned expert.

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I’m the money”?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she’s charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I’m the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she’s very, very good at it.

She’s brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She’s averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she’s created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz.

Here's what to expect during the episode:

• Understanding the Psychology of Change
• Getting Buy-In for Change
• Effective Communication During Change
• Solidifying the New Status Quo

If you found this episode inspiring, check out Sarah’s free training for Nonprofit Executive Directors: Time to THRiVE: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Nonprofit!

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Join the PivotGround newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit! Access it here >>

Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

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Episode #256: Sustainable Fundraising Strategies In this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership my guest, James Thorne, shares invaluable insights into sustainable fundraising and entrepreneurial frameworks for nonprofits. Learn about his innovative approaches to creating revenue streams, managing remote teams, and running successful marketing and fundraising campaigns. Discover how his companies, Quirk and Vehicle for Good, are making a significant impact in supporting smaller nonprofits. Whether you're looking to enhance your fundraising efforts or streamline your operations, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.   James Thorne is a passionate creator dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and communities through entrepreneurial opportunities. In a career that has spanned a range of industries—from hospitality to ministry, from filmmaking to marketing and business coaching—James has managed teams, led departments, and built several businesses from the ground up. James is currently the Owner and Chief People Officer for Quirk, the Founder and CEO of Vehicle for Good, and the Owner of Bow Tie Media. He lives in the heart of Fort Worth with his wife and kids.   Here's what to expect during the episode:  

• Building Sustainable Revenue Streams
• Remote Team Dynamics and Revenue Sharing
• The Launch of Quirk and Vehicle for Good
• Fundraising Challenges and Strategies
• Evaluating Nonprofit Readiness for Marketing

Connect with James! Vehicle for Good: https://vehicleforgood.com Quirk Growth: www.quirkgrowth.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vehicleforgood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vehicleforgood TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vehicleforgood Sponsored Resource Join the PivotGround newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit! Access it here >> Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don’t miss a single episode, and while you’re at it, won’t you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!   Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn. Connect with Sarah: On LinkedIn>> On Facebook>> Subscribe on YouTube>>