Nonprofit Build Up

In this special episode of the Build Up podcast, we’re celebrating five years of growth, evolution, and impact at the Build Up Companies with Katy Thompson, the very first employee and now the Director of Global Operations and Culture. Katy joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney of The Build Up Companies, Nic Campbell, to reflect on the journey of BUC, from its early days to the global presence it holds today.

Katy shares her unique perspective, having started as the Executive Assistant, and now leading operations and culture across the organization. Together, Nic and Katy discuss the challenges and triumphs of growing a small, dynamic team, maintaining strong relational connections, and embodying the core values of being brave, ever-learning, relational, and striving for excellence.

The conversation dives into pivotal moments that shaped BUC’s path, including how brave innovation and a commitment to excellence have driven their success. They explore how these values will guide BUC’s next five years and beyond.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, organizational growth, and the intricacies of building a value-driven and people-centered company culture. Tune in to hear insights from Katy and Nic on how to create lasting impact in a constantly evolving sector.

Katy Thompson, Director of Global Operations and Culture

Katy Thompson is passionate about sparking positive change globally. She holds a BS in Intelligence and National Security and an MS in Environmental Studies from Point Park University and has had diverse professional experiences that have taken her around the globe. Throughout her studies and career, Katy has focused on connecting food security and national security, sustainability, and innovation, finding simple solutions to serve as powerful tools for social and economic development. Katy firmly believes that building effective organizations with robust infrastructure is the key to making a measurable impact.

At Build Up, Katy is responsible for managing The Build Up Companies’ processes and operations around the globe. She directs a portfolio of projects to strengthen the Companies’ internal infrastructure, and ensures that systems, processes, and policies are in place to support internal operations as well as our clients’ work.

Outside of the office, Katy is a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, specializing in yoga for addiction and recovery. When she is not working or on her yoga mat, you can find her getting lost in a good book.

Today’s episode of The Nonprofit Build Up Podcast is part 2 of our deep dive into "Transformative Philanthropy" with Dr. Aleesha Taylor, founder of Herald Advisors. Dr. Taylor passionately shares how Herald Advisors was born from her relentless drive to create real, lasting change in communities.

In this episode, she breaks down the intricate challenges of philanthropic funding, internal power structures, and the bold, systems-level shifts needed to achieve meaningful impact. If you're serious about driving systems change, strategic philanthropy, and effective nonprofit leadership, this episode is essential listening.

Dr. Taylor’s insights will push you to think critically about how we can truly support communities with accountable, authentic, and impactful philanthropy.

Dr. Aleesha Taylor, Principal, Herald Advisors

Dr. Aleesha Taylor is passionate about marshaling resources to benefit vulnerable communities and address pervasive social problems. She has over 20 years of experience leading at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and international development. Aleesha is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Herald Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory firm that helps clients maximize their impact through thought partnership, organizational capacity building, program and strategy design, and leadership and team development. Herald Advisors works with a global range of philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, and networks to strengthen teams and programs and develop sound fundraising and partnership strategies. Sample clients and projects include:

Gender at the Center Initiative: Designed partnership and governance arrangements for the multistakeholder initiative to advance gender equality across eight African countries.

Lever for Change: Impact Partner leading efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across finalists’ proposals for awards ranging from five to one hundred million (USD).

Education.org (formerly Insights for Education): Served as Interim Chief Technical Officer, establishing MOUs with the Government of Kenya and USAID and designing national and global strategies to increase the availability and use of relevant data for decision-making.

Chemonics: Provides design and implementation support for USAID-funded education projects.

Comic Relief-US: Positioned entity to leverage $23 million investment from Salesforce for global programs that address intergenerational poverty.

She is the former Deputy Director of the Open Society Foundations’ global education program, where she managed a team across five countries to implement a global grantmaking portfolio and advanced priorities and partnerships on behalf of the foundations’ Chairman and President. Aleesha was central to the creation of the Private Sector/Foundations constituency of the Global Partnership for Education’s Board of Directors and served as its representative on the Board’s Financial Advisory Committee, which channeled $1.2 billion in grant funding to developing country governments during her tenure.

Aleesha was a Lecturer in International Educational Development at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she also completed her doctoral studies. She also holds degrees in psychology from Spelman College and the Graduate Faculty for Political and Social Sciences of the New School for Social Research. She has written numerous articles and chapters and is the Co-Editor of Partnership Paradox: The Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Liberia’s Education System, Foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Today's Non Profit Build Up podcast episode is an insightful conversation with Dr. Aleesha Taylor, a leading voice in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. We delve into the transformative work being led by Dr. Taylor, with a spotlight on Herald Advisors, a firm she founded after her impactful tenure at the Open Society Foundations.

In this episode, Dr. Taylor shares the genesis of Herald Advisors and how it emerged from her deep desire to facilitate initiatives that profoundly impact communities. We discuss the complex interplay of philanthropic funds, the power dynamics within organizations, and the systems-level changes needed to truly effect lasting impact.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in systems change, strategic philanthropy, and the intricacies of nonprofit leadership. Dr. Taylor’s insights challenge us to think critically about how we can better support communities through authentic, accountable, and impactful philanthropy.

Don’t miss this conversation that will inspire you to reconsider how you engage with the sector. 🎧

Dr. Aleesha Taylor, Principal, Herald Advisors

Dr. Aleesha Taylor is passionate about marshaling resources to benefit vulnerable communities and address pervasive social problems. She has over 20 years of experience leading at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and international development. Aleesha is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Herald Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory firm that helps clients maximize their impact through thought partnership, organizational capacity building, program and strategy design, and leadership and team development. Herald Advisors works with a global range of philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, and networks to strengthen teams and programs and develop sound fundraising and partnership strategies. Sample clients and projects include:

Gender at the Center Initiative: Designed partnership and governance arrangements for the multistakeholder initiative to advance gender equality across eight African countries.

Lever for Change: Impact Partner leading efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across finalists’ proposals for awards ranging from five to one hundred million (USD).

Education.org (formerly Insights for Education): Served as Interim Chief Technical Officer, establishing MOUs with the Government of Kenya and USAID and designing national and global strategies to increase the availability and use of relevant data for decision-making.

Chemonics: Provides design and implementation support for USAID-funded education projects.

Comic Relief-US: Positioned entity to leverage $23 million investment from Salesforce for global programs that address intergenerational poverty.

She is the former Deputy Director of the Open Society Foundations’ global education program, where she managed a team across five countries to implement a global grantmaking portfolio and advanced priorities and partnerships on behalf of the foundations’ Chairman and President. Aleesha was central to the creation of the Private Sector/Foundations constituency of the Global Partnership for Education’s Board of Directors and served as its representative on the Board’s Financial Advisory Committee, which channeled $1.2 billion in grant funding to developing country governments during her tenure.

Aleesha was a Lecturer in International Educational Development at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she also completed her doctoral studies. She also holds degrees in psychology from Spelman College and the Graduate Faculty for Political and Social Sciences of the New School for Social Research. She has written numerous articles and chapters and is the Co-Editor of Partnership Paradox: The Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Liberia’s Education System, Foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Today's Non Profit Build Up podcast episode as we sit in conversation with the one and the only Nic Campbell, our incredible Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney. In today's episode we discuss all things 4 Day Work Week (4DWW). 

From October 2023-January 2024, Build Up has been piloting a 4DWW. In part 1 of 2 part episode, Nic and I discuss how the 4DWW is just one component of the Build Up’s identity as a learning organization to create opportunities for learning and development for each team member as well as within the Build Up framework. Further we discuss how the 4DWW also underscores the importance of a people-centered infrastructure within Build Up that recognizes rest and a rejuvenized team as critical infrastructure components.

We hope that this conversation invites you to consider how can you position yourself for success to transition to your version of a 4DWW. 

You don't want to miss this episode. 

Today's Non Profit Build Up podcast episode as we sit in conversation with the one and the only Nic Campbell, our incredible Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney. In today's episode we discuss all things 4 Day Work Week (4DWW). 

From October 2023-January 2024, Build Up has been piloting a 4DWW. In part 1 of 2 part episode, Nic and I discuss how the 4DWW is just one component of the Build Up’s identity as a learning organization to create opportunities for learning and development for each team member as well as within the Build Up framework. Further we discuss how the 4DWW also underscores the importance of a people-centered infrastructure within Build Up that recognizes rest and a rejuvenized team as critical infrastructure components.

We hope that this conversation invites you to consider how can you position yourself for success to transition to your version of a 4DWW. 

You don't want to miss this episode. 

Today’s episode of The Nonprofit Build Up Podcast is part 2 of a 2 part conversation titled “Drowning in Black Genius with Marcus Littles and A. Nicole Campbell”. While this topic could be discussed any time of the year we wanted to be sure that while the world is celebrating Black History this month, we can allow them to also pay attention to the literal present day genius of Black folks as well. In today’s episode Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner, at Frontline Solutions continues to discuss his organization’s evolution over the last 18 years. Frontline Solutions, while a management consulting firm, was never intended to be just that. This Black-founded and led company is comprised of a diverse team of activists, scholars, advocates, coaches, strategists, and artists. They draw on these multifaceted perspectives and lived experiences to engage with organizations in the journey toward their boldest, most expansive visions. Tune in to learn more about how Frontlines continues to build and support an ecosystem that is "Drowning in Black Genius."

Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner:
A strategist and visionary, Marcus has been instrumental in directing philanthropic investment at the intersection of race and gender. In 2005, he founded Frontline to advise philanthropists on a multi-billion-dollar investment in Gulf Coast recovery in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, Marcus has led Frontline in reimagining the role of “consultant” and becoming an integral part of the racial justice ecosystem.

Marcus is passionate about connecting with members of his network to leverage individual and collective assets to create a more equitable world. Over the course of his career, he has pursued racial justice in several sectors, including government, philanthropy, and education. In 2016, Marcus was named one of Living Cities’ 25 Disruptive Leaders Who Are Working to Close the Racial Opportunity Gaps, alongside Ta-Nehisi Coates and Angela Glover Blackwell.

Marcus is a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He serves on the boards of The Beautiful Project, Brotherhood Sister Sol, and School Justice Project, as well as the advisory boards of Communities for Just Schools Fund and the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Marcus is a graduate of Auburn University. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Delaware.

Today’s episode of The Nonprofit Build Up Podcast is part 1 of a 2 part conversation titled “Drowning in Black Genius with Marcus Littles and A. Nicole Campbell” is a personal favorite. And while this topic could be discussed any time of the year we wanted to be sure that while the world is celebrating Black History this month, we can allow them to also pay attention to the literal present day genius of Black folks as well. In today’s episode Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner, at Frontline Solutions discusses his organization’s evolution over the last 18 years. Frontline Solutions, while a management consulting firm, was never intended to be just that. This Black-founded and led company is comprised of a diverse team of activists, scholars, advocates, coaches, strategists, and artists. They draw on these multifaceted perspectives and lived experiences to engage with organizations in the journey toward their boldest, most expansive visions. Tune in to learn more about how Frontlines continues to build and support an ecosystem that is "Drowning in Black Genius."

Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner

A strategist and visionary, Marcus has been instrumental in directing philanthropic investment at the intersection of race and gender. In 2005, he founded Frontline to advise philanthropists on a multi-billion-dollar investment in Gulf Coast recovery in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, Marcus has led Frontline in reimagining the role of “consultant” and becoming an integral part of the racial justice ecosystem.

Marcus is passionate about connecting with members of his network to leverage individual and collective assets to create a more equitable world. Over the course of his career, he has pursued racial justice in several sectors, including government, philanthropy, and education. In 2016, Marcus was named one of Living Cities’ 25 Disruptive Leaders Who Are Working to Close the Racial Opportunity Gaps, alongside Ta-Nehisi Coates and Angela Glover Blackwell.

Marcus is a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He serves on the boards of The Beautiful Project, Brotherhood Sister Sol, and School Justice Project, as well as the advisory boards of Communities for Just Schools Fund and the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Marcus is a graduate of Auburn University. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Delaware.

Transcript forthcoming. 

In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Build Up, we share the final conversation for 2023 as we close for the holidays and return in the new year.

This part two of a two part episode, “Build Up, Inc.’s Black-led Fiscal Sponsorship” includes Nic speaking with Amanda Nasinyama, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Ajani Husbands, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Senior Counsel, of Build Up Companies, working with Build Up, Inc. a member organization that is a public charity and operates as a fiscal sponsor and capacity builder.

In this episode, Nic, Amanda, and Ajani continue to discuss Build Up, Inc.’s work, the impetus for the organization's creation, and the fiscally sponsored projects it serves. They also explore what sets BUI's mission apart, as they focus on providing capacity building support to brave women and Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations, networks, and collectives.

To read about our speakers, check out their bio and transcript for this conversation here. 

In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Build Up, we share part one of a two part episode, “Build Up, Inc.’s Black-led Fiscal Sponsorship” where Nic speaks with Amanda Nasinyama, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Ajani Husbands, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Senior Counsel, of Build Up Companies, working with Build Up, Inc. a member organization that is a public charity and operates as a fiscal sponsor and capacity builder.

In this episode, Nic, Amanda, and Ajani discuss Build Up, Inc.’s work, the impetus for the organization's creation, and the fiscally sponsored projects it serves. They also explore what sets BUI's mission apart, as they focus on providing capacity building support to brave women and Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations, networks, and collectives.