In this powerful episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with Claudia Keller, Chief Executive Officer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, for an honest and energizing conversation about nonprofit leadership, courageous decision making, and the strength of collaboration.
Claudia’s leadership journey is anything but traditional. She began in the for profit retail fashion world, rising through the ranks before making a bold transition into nonprofit executive leadership. What followed was a 20 year career marked by grit, growth, and a deep commitment to serving communities with dignity and impact.
In this episode, you will hear:
How transferable skills from the for profit sector can strengthen nonprofit leadership
The difficult early lessons of accountability and making tough personnel decisions
What it was like to join a major food bank just weeks before the COVID 19 pandemic
How crisis reshaped Second Harvest and accelerated the evolution of the “modern food bank”
Why collaboration is not optional in today’s nonprofit landscape
The story behind Orange County’s “Sisters in Good” and what authentic CEO peer support looks like
Practical wisdom for aspiring and current nonprofit leaders navigating frustration, growth, and change
Claudia shares candid insights about leadership under pressure, holding people accountable with compassion, and measuring progress even when the work moves at the speed of collaboration. Her perspective on board engagement, cross sector partnerships, and nonprofit resilience will resonate with leaders at every stage of their journey.
If you are a nonprofit executive, board member, emerging leader, or someone considering a career in the sector, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.
The problems nonprofits tackle are complex and enduring. As Claudia puts it, if they were easy, someone else would have solved them long ago. That is why strong, collaborative, thoughtful leadership matters more than ever.
Listen in and be inspired to lead with courage, collaboration, and conviction.
