In this episode of Lead for Good, host Chris Looney sits down with Nicole Suydam, CEO of Goodwill of Orange County and former CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, for a thoughtful and practical conversation on what it truly takes to lead in the nonprofit sector.

With more than three decades of leadership experience, Nicole shares the formative moments that shaped her journey, from early leadership development in her youth to rising from a development role to CEO of one of the largest nonprofits in Orange County. Along the way, she reflects on the mentors who guided her, the importance of curiosity and stepping beyond defined roles, and the leadership philosophy that anchors her work today.

The conversation explores several critical themes for nonprofit leaders:

The gap between perception and reality in the nonprofit sector, including misconceptions about profitability, overhead, and operational complexity

Why nonprofit leadership is often just as demanding, if not more so, than for-profit leadership

How Goodwill’s social enterprise model integrates mission and revenue to create sustainable impact

The power of collaboration over competition, and how relationships, trust, and intentionality expand impact across organizations

The role funders play in either enabling or limiting innovation and partnership

Practical leadership lessons on listening, continuous learning, and staying focused on what can be controlled

Nicole also offers a candid perspective on servant leadership, values-based decision making, and the ongoing work required to grow as a leader.

This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit executives, emerging leaders, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how to lead with purpose, clarity, and impact in a complex and rapidly evolving sector.

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