People challenges are inevitable in every nonprofit, but too often, leaders find themselves navigating employee conflict, performance issues, and difficult conversations without the tools or training to do so effectively.

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell sits down with Bernadette Jones, CEO and Co-Founder of Visionova HR Consulting, to explore how nonprofit leaders can proactively address workplace issues before they become organizational crises.

With more than 20 years of experience helping nonprofits and mission-driven organizations strengthen their workplace culture, Bernadette shares practical strategies for building healthy teams, fostering accountability, and creating a people-first culture that supports both employees and the organization's mission.

Together, Julia and Bernadette discuss why culture and compliance go hand in hand, how to navigate challenging employee situations with confidence, and what nonprofit leaders can do, even without an internal HR department—to create a thriving workplace. 

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

•  Why people management is one of the biggest leadership challenges nonprofit executives face. 
•  How to use Bernadette's People Problem Triage™ Framework to identify and address employee issues before they escalate. 
•  The hidden cost of avoiding difficult conversations or tolerating problematic behavior. 
•  Why culture and compliance should work together—not separately—to build a healthier organization. 
•  Essential HR practices every nonprofit should implement, even without a dedicated HR professional. 
•  Practical ways to prevent burnout, improve employee retention, and create a people-centered workplace. 

About Bernadette Jones

Bernadette Jones is the CEO and Co-Founder of Visionova HR Consulting and a culture-first HR strategist, speaker, and SHRM-SCP certified leader with more than 20 years of experience helping nonprofits, small businesses, and mission-driven organizations navigate workplace culture, employee relations, compliance, and leadership communication.

She specializes in helping organizations build stronger workplace cultures, confidently navigate employee challenges, and develop practical people-management strategies that support both organizational success and mission impact. Through her work, Bernadette empowers nonprofit leaders to address difficult conversations, improve team performance, and create workplaces where people can thrive. 

Resources & Connect with Bernadette

🌐 Website: https://www.visionovahr.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettejones-visionovahr/

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What if your nonprofit's next biggest advocates aren't celebrities, but the creators your audience already trusts every day?

In this week's episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia sits down with Ashwath Narayanan, Founder and CEO of Social Currant, to explore how nonprofits can harness the power of creators and influencer partnerships to expand their reach, build authentic communities, and inspire meaningful action.

As audiences increasingly turn to social media creators for news, education, and recommendations, nonprofits have an incredible opportunity to rethink how they communicate their mission. Ashwath shares why creator partnerships are about much more than marketing, they're about trust, storytelling, and building genuine connections that move people to care and act.

Together, they discuss:

•  Why creators are becoming one of the most trusted voices online
• The biggest misconceptions nonprofits have about influencer marketing
• How to find creators whose values align with your mission
• Why authenticity matters more than polished, branded content
• Best practices for creator briefs, partnerships, and compensation
• The future of social media, algorithms, and nonprofit communications
• Practical first steps for organizations just beginning their creator marketing journey

Ashwath also shares insights into emerging trends shaping the nonprofit sector, including how organizations can stay relevant in an increasingly fast-moving digital landscape while building lasting relationships with supporters through authentic storytelling.

If your nonprofit has ever wondered whether creator partnerships are worth exploring, this conversation offers practical strategies and a fresh perspective on reaching new audiences where they already are.

🎧 Tune in now and discover how creators can help amplify your mission and expand your impact.

About the Guest

Ashwath Narayanan is the Founder and CEO of Social Currant, a platform that connects nonprofits, advocacy organizations, social impact brands, and CSR initiatives with creators to build authentic influencer marketing campaigns. Social Currant helps organizations identify the right creator partners while managing campaign logistics, including contracts, payments, and creator relationships. Ashwath is passionate about helping nonprofits leverage the creator economy to increase awareness, strengthen community engagement, and drive meaningful social impact.

🔗 Learn more about Ashwath and Social Currant:

• Social Currant: https://www.currant.social/ 
• Follow Ashwath on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/ashwathnarayana

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What makes someone truly believe in your nonprofit’s mission enough to give, advocate, and stay connected for the long haul?

In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia sits down with Loree Lipstein, Founder and CEO of Thread Strategies, to unpack one of the most important — and often overlooked — fundraising tools nonprofits need: a compelling case for support.

With more than two decades of experience in nonprofit fundraising and strategy, Loree shares practical insights on how organizations can move beyond generic messaging and clearly communicate their impact in ways that resonate with donors and supporters alike.

Together, they discuss:
 ✨ What a strong case for support actually looks like
 ✨ Common messaging mistakes nonprofits make
 ✨ How to communicate transformation instead of just programs
 ✨ Fundraising trends nonprofit leaders should pay attention to
 ✨ Why authentic donor relationships still matter more than ever
 ✨ How smaller nonprofits can stand out in a crowded funding landscape

Loree also shares thoughtful encouragement for nonprofit leaders navigating donor fatigue, increased demand, and the pressure to constantly do more with less. This episode is packed with practical wisdom, reassurance, and actionable ideas for organizations looking to strengthen their fundraising and messaging strategy.

🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation.

About the Guest

Loree Lipstein is the Founder & CEO of Thread Strategies and a passionate nonprofit leader with more than two decades of experience in fundraising and organizational strategy. She founded Thread Strategies after witnessing many nonprofits struggle to maximize their impact due to funding barriers. Through her work, Loree helps organizations strengthen donor relationships, improve messaging, and build sustainable fundraising systems that support long-term growth and impact. 

🔗 Learn more about Loree and Thread Strategies:
 • Thread Strategies: https://www.threadstrategies.com/
 • Thread Journal: https://www.threadstrategies.com/thread-journal
 • Connect with Loree Lipstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loreelipstein/

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What if the reason most nonprofit strategic plans fail isn’t the strategy itself, but the process behind it?

In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia sits down with nonprofit consultant, educator, and author Renee Rubin Ross to explore what it truly means to create an inclusive strategic planning process. Drawing from her new book, Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits, Renee shares why traditional top-down planning often falls short and how organizations can create plans that people actually believe in, support, and implement.

Together, they discuss:
 ✨ Why inclusive planning leads to stronger alignment and better outcomes
 ✨ The dangers of performative inclusion in nonprofit leadership
 ✨ How to authentically engage staff, boards, and stakeholders
 ✨ The difference between strategy that sits on a shelf vs. strategy that drives action
 ✨ Practical ways small nonprofits can embrace inclusive planning approaches

Whether your organization is preparing for a new strategic plan or struggling to implement an existing one, this episode offers thoughtful guidance for building a process that energizes teams instead of exhausting them.

🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation.

About the Guest

Dr. Renee Rubin Ross is a recognized leader in board and organizational development and the founder of The Ross Collective, a consulting firm that designs and leads inclusive, participatory processes for social sector boards and staff. She is the author of Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits: A Five-Step Process to Expand Energy, Alignment, and Opportunity and guides organizations through strategic planning and governance processes that deepen social change, racial justice, and community strength. Renee also directs the Cal State University East Bay Nonprofit Management Certificate program. 

🔗 Learn more about Renee Rubin Ross:
 • Website: https://www.therosscollective.com/
• Book: https://www.therosscollective.com/book

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What happens when nonprofits stop centering funders and start centering relationships?

In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia sits down with Jacob Adams, founder of Inner Spark Learning Lab, to unpack what he calls the “Disconnection Crisis” — a pattern showing up across education, philanthropy, and social impact work. Drawing from years of experience working with more than 40,000 Black and Brown young people in South Central and East Los Angeles, Jacob shares why so many traditional reform models fail to create lasting change and what becomes possible when organizations build systems rooted in trust, listening, and authentic community partnership.

Together, they explore:
 ✨ Why transactional fundraising weakens long-term impact
 ✨ How disconnection shapes philanthropy and funding decisions
 ✨ What authentic community partnership really looks like
 ✨ Why relationship-centered leadership matters more than ever
 ✨ How nonprofits can stay mission-aligned while navigating funding pressures

This thoughtful and inspiring conversation challenges conventional nonprofit narratives and offers a refreshing framework for leaders who want to deepen trust, strengthen impact, and rethink how meaningful change actually happens.

🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation.

About the Guest

Jacob Adams is a former educator turned nonprofit leader focused on transforming schools from the inside out so they become places where Black and Brown youth want to be. He coined the term “Disconnection Crisis” to describe what happens when traditional systems pull young people away from their purpose, creativity, and community. In 2017, he founded STEM to the Future, now known as Inner Spark Learning Lab, to help schools become places kids and families genuinely want and need them to be. 

🔗 Connect with Jacob Adams:
 • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobadams706/
 • Website: https://www.innersparklab.org/ 

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Live from GiveCon 2026, this special roundtable episode brings together some of the nonprofit sector's most candid voices for a conversation about the advice, lessons, and realities that rarely make it into conference presentations.

Some of the most valuable advice in this industry never makes it onto a conference slide. In this live discussion, we get into the conversations leaders usually save for hallways, coffee breaks, and happy hours, the mistakes nonprofits repeat, the tradeoffs leaders know exist but rarely say out loud, and the places where even experienced professionals genuinely disagree.

🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:

• The mistakes nonprofit leaders see organizations make time and time again
• The hidden challenges that come with growth and scaling impact
• Tough decisions that don't have easy answers
• Fundraising, leadership, and organizational tradeoffs
• Lessons learned from years of experience in the nonprofit sector
• Different perspectives on what success and sustainability really look like
• Practical advice for navigating uncertainty and change

This conversation is honest, insightful, and a little provocative. It's the kind of discussion that reminds you that you're not alone in wrestling with difficult decisions, competing priorities, and the constant pressure to do more with less.

Whether you're a nonprofit executive, fundraiser, marketer, consultant, board member, or emerging leader, you'll walk away with fresh perspectives, practical takeaways, and perhaps a few assumptions challenged along the way.

Come ready to listen, laugh, and maybe rethink something you were sure you had figured out.

🌎 About GiveCon

GiveCon is Bloomerang's annual conference designed to bring together nonprofit professionals, fundraisers, marketers, and industry experts to share ideas, build connections, and learn practical strategies for creating greater impact.

🔗 Learn More About GiveCon & Bloomerang https://bloomerang.com

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Healthcare access remains one of the greatest challenges facing communities around the world. But what does it take to build an organization capable of delivering life-saving medical supplies to hospitals and clinics in more than 135 countries while earning the trust of donors, volunteers, and partners along the way?

In this episode, I sit down with Douglas Jackson, President and CEO of Project C.U.R.E., one of the world's largest distributors of donated medical supplies and equipment. Since 1987, Project C.U.R.E. has delivered critical healthcare resources across the globe, mobilizing thousands of volunteers and shipping hundreds of cargo containers annually to communities in need.

We discuss what it takes to build donor confidence at scale, communicate complex global work in a way that inspires support, and lead an organization that balances heart, impact, and operational excellence. Douglas shares valuable insights on humanitarian logistics, volunteer engagement, measuring impact through technology, and the leadership lessons he's learned while guiding a globally recognized nonprofit.

🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:

• How Project C.U.R.E. grew into a global leader in humanitarian healthcare delivery
• What it takes to build and maintain donor trust at scale
• The logistical challenges of delivering medical supplies around the world
• Strategies for communicating complex nonprofit work in a compelling way
• The role volunteers play in powering large-scale impact
• How technology and data help measure and demonstrate outcomes
• Leadership lessons from managing a high-impact global organization
• What nonprofit leaders can learn about scaling mission-driven work sustainably

This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit executives, fundraisers, board members, and anyone interested in building organizations that create meaningful impact through trust, operational excellence, and mission-focused leadership.

💼 About Douglas Jackson

Douglas Jackson is the President and CEO of Project C.U.R.E., one of the world's largest distributors of donated medical supplies and equipment. Since joining the organization in 1997, he has helped expand its global reach, overseeing the delivery of life-saving healthcare resources to hospitals and clinics in more than 135 countries.

Under Douglas's leadership, Project C.U.R.E. ships approximately 200 cargo containers of medical supplies annually and mobilizes tens of thousands of volunteers to support its mission of improving healthcare access worldwide. The organization has earned national recognition for its impact, transparency, and operational excellence, including being named one of America's top charities.

🔗 Connect with Douglas Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-douglas-jackson 

🌎 Learn More About Project C.U.R.E. https://projectcure.org/ 

📚 Resources & Links

• How Doug Jackson Turns Audacity Into Impact: A Changemaker's Story
• TEDx Talk: What Are You Willing to Trade Your Life For?

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Nonprofits are often told to scale their impact, but what happens when growth risks pulling organizations away from the communities they serve?

In this episode, I sit down with Angelique Albert, CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund, to discuss what it means to grow with intention, stay rooted in community, and lead through trust. Raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation and now leading the largest provider of direct scholarships to Native students in the United States, Angelique brings a powerful perspective on leadership, equity, and philanthropy. 

Native Forward has awarded more than $350 million in scholarships to over 22,000 students across 500 Tribes,  helping Native students pursue higher education while preserving culture, identity, and belonging.

We explore how Angelique's upbringing shaped her leadership philosophy, why scholarships alone aren't enough to ensure student success, and what nonprofits truly need from funders to create lasting change. The conversation also dives into the impact of receiving a transformational $50 million unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott, and what trust-based philanthropy can unlock when organizations are given the flexibility to meet community needs.

Angelique shares candid lessons on scaling impact without losing your roots, navigating a significant increase in demand, and ensuring that growth remains grounded in mission, culture, and community. This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders, funders, and anyone interested in building organizations that lead with trust, equity, and long-term impact.

🎧 In this episode, we discuss:

• What unrestricted funding really makes possible for nonprofits
• Why trust-based philanthropy is essential—not optional
• The challenges and opportunities that come with rapid growth
• How Native Forward is redefining student success
• Building organizations that remain community-centered while scaling
• What funders still misunderstand about nonprofit impact
• Lessons in leadership, equity, and staying true to your roots as you grow

💼 About Angelique Albert

Angelique Albert is the CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest provider of direct scholarships to Native students in the United States. A proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, she is a passionate advocate for educational equity, community empowerment, and expanding opportunities for Native students nationwide.

Since becoming CEO in 2017, Angelique has led Native Forward through a period of remarkable growth, helping the organization award more than $350 million in scholarships to over 20,000 students representing 500 Tribal Nations across all 50 states. Her leadership is rooted in the belief that education is a powerful tool for strengthening individuals, families, and communities.

Recognized nationally for her impact in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, Angelique continues to champion trust-based giving, student success, and sustainable growth while ensuring Native voices and communities remain at the center of the work.

🔗 Connect with Angelique: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelique-albert-a849a741/

🌐 Learn more about Native Forward: https://www.nativeforward.org/

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Nonprofits are producing more digital content than ever - emails, social posts, website updates, advocacy campaigns -yet many practitioners still feel like their work doesn’t add up to a cohesive strategy.

In this episode, I speak with digital strategist Brad Caldana about how nonprofit organizations can move from executing scattered digital tactics to leading with a clear strategic plan.

Brad shares insights from more than two decades of work at the intersection of technology, organizing, and social impact, including his role as Digital Training Director for the Obama 2012 Presidential Campaign. We explore how nonprofits can build digital strategies that align goals, audiences, infrastructure, and budget -especially as AI accelerates the pace of digital work.

The conversation also explores practical ways nonprofits can integrate AI thoughtfully, avoid common pitfalls, and develop digital strategies that truly support their mission.

💼 About Brad Caldana

Brad Caldana has spent over 20 years working at the intersection of technology, digital strategy, and social impact. As the Founder of the Center for Digital Strategy, his work focuses on helping nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and campaigns embrace innovation to build capacity, drive engagement, and deliver measurable results.

 Over the course of his career, Brad has played a pivotal role in several transformative moments within digital organizing.

Brad is the author of The Digital Plan, a comprehensive guide written for practitioners and leaders looking to ground their digital work in scalable strategy.

This same commitment to capacity-building drives his current initiatives through the Center for Digital Strategy, which delivers impact through industry summits, accelerators, and direct advising. Operating as a Fractional Digital Strategy Officer, Brad partners with organizations to safely integrate AI, test innovative approaches, and future-proof their digital ecosystems.

At the core of his work, Brad is dedicated to helping people and organizations maximize the digital tools and opportunities available to them. Whether leading a training, building a community of practice, or advising an executive team, his ultimate goal is to help organizations meet the moment and amplify their impact.

🔗 Connect with Brad on LinkedIn

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In a world defined by uncertainty-funding cuts, global instability, and constant change-what if doubt isn’t something to overcome, but something to lead with?

In this episode, I sit down with Marc A. Pitman, founder of Concord Leadership Group and a leading voice in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and executive coaching.

With more than two decades of experience coaching CEOs and training over 25,000 leaders across the globe, Marc brings a deeply practical and refreshingly human approach to leadership. He is also the author of Ask Without Fear! and his latest book, The Surprising Gift of Doubt.

At a time when nonprofit leaders are facing unprecedented challenges such as shrinking funding streams, rising demand for services, team burnout, and global instability, Marc offers a powerful reframe: doubt is not a liability. It’s a leadership advantage.

In this conversation, we explore how leaders can navigate ambiguity without losing clarity, make thoughtful decisions without perfect information, and foster trust even when the future feels uncertain. Marc shares practical frameworks, coaching insights, and real-world examples to help nonprofit professionals turn uncertainty into a source of strength rather than stress.

Whether you're leading an organization, managing a team, or responsible for fundraising in a volatile environment, this episode will challenge how you think about confidence, control, and what it truly means to lead.

💼 About Marc Pitman

Marc is the founder of Concord Leadership Group and has served as its CEO for 20 years. In that time, he has presented trainings and keynotes to over 27,000 participants in North America, Europe, Mexico, and New Zealand; coached more than 130 CEOs, C-suite executives, directors, and owners — through the dot-com bust, the aftermath of 9/11, the 2008 recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic; and in the last few years has certified an additional 45 Quadrant 3 Leadership Coaches, who have gone on to coach and train more than 45,290 leaders in corporations, government, associations, and nonprofits. Marc holds his masters in organizational leadership from Regent University.

He is a Certified Franklin Covey Coach, a Certified Speaking Professional of the National Speakers Association, and past-president of the South Carolina chapter of the International Coaching Federation. He has appeared in or been recognized by media outlets and publications including NBC, Fox News, Al Jazeera, Success magazine, Real Simple, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Marc is the author of Ask Without Fear!®, which has been translated into Dutch, Polish, Spanish, and Mandarin. His latest book is The Surprising Gift of Doubt: Use Uncertainty to Become the Exceptional Leader You Are Meant to Be. Marc speaks nationally and internationally on leadership, influence, storytelling, and fundraising and is the voice behind FRC, one of the longest-running blogs in the nonprofit sector (est. 2003). He is executive director of The Nonprofit Academy; an advisory board member of innovative fundraising platform Pennybridge in Orebro, Sweden; and a former advisory panel member of the Rogare Think Tank at Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom.

He is married to his best friend and is the father of three amazing kids, who, if he’s belting ’80s tunes, will deny they know him.

🔗 Resources and Links

https://concordleadershipgroup.com/ 

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

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