Nonprofits - Let's Cut to the Chase

Good data can help your nonprofit make educated and strategic decisions about what comes next for your organization. But with limited time and resources many nonprofits struggle with how to best to manage, analyze, and leverage their data. In this episode we are speaking with Will Lester, Vice President of Data Services from Ignite Philanthropy about the challenges and strategies related to nonprofit data management.  

Will Lester leads Ignite’s Data Services division supporting the philanthropic and non-profit sector with an array of data services analytics to help manage, analyze, and leverage data to improve donor relationships and inform community funding decisions. Will comes to Ignite from his firm Blue Fox LLC which he founded in 2017 and served hundreds of arts and cultural, advocacy and social service organizations throughout North America. Will brings over 20 years of non-profit data management consulting experience to his role at Ignite and earned his graduate degree in Customer Analytics at Xavier University.  He lives in Northern Kentucky with his family.

Contact for Will Lester

Vice President of Data Services – Ignite Philanthropy

[email protected]

(719) 505-5977

Today, many funders talk about the importance of investing in social change.  Funders are more likely to grant monies to organizations that can demonstrate the impact of their work through data. In this episode we talk about the importance of data and how it can change how your organization operates with Amy Weber, Chief Impact Officer, from United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

Driven to improve our community through complex problem solving, foresight and innovation, Amy Weber has implemented positive change at United Way for ten years and currently serves as the Chief Impact Officer.  She uses data to understand the current state of community challenges, inform and assess the organization’s impact, and drive continuous learning and improvement. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, a law degree, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in strategic foresight.

A recent study by Fidelity Charitable reported that two out of three volunteers had reduced or halted their volunteer work at a nonprofit during COVID.  Now that we are moving out of the pandemic many nonprofits are struggling with how to rebuild their volunteer programs.  In this episode we are speaking with Diane Isler. Diane serves on the Save the Animals Foundation board and is spearheading the rebuilding of their volunteer program.

Diane T. Isler is a member of the board of director for the Save the Animals Foundation. (STAF.org)  Diane is also the founder and CEO of illuminim a coach and consulting business.  Diane has decades of experience creating award-winning results in both leading and consulting with dozens of organizations, including Procter and Gamble, Nielsen, Kao USA, Target, Walmart, CVS, Hershey’s, L’Oreal and more.  Her passion is driving better decisions, through strategic planning and executive coaching.  You may contact Diane at [email protected]  

Mergers are becoming more commonplace in the nonprofit sector.   Mergers can be exciting but also scary for the staff.  How should the leadership address and manage the expectations and concerns of the staff during a merger?  In this episode, we speak with CEO of Easterseals Redwood, Pam Green, and CEO of Redwood, Sharon Fusco, about staffing challenges and opportunities during a merger.

PAM GREEN, CEO of Easterseals Redwood

Pam has served as the President and CEO of Easterseals Serving Greater Cincinnati since 2011 and headed the agency’s development and community engagement efforts for eight years prior to assuming the leadership role. She is now the CEO of the newly formed Easterseals Redwood.

During her time with the organization, Pam has grown the agency’s social enterprises to more than $4MM, launched a veterans employment program, and headed the movement to community-integrated services for people with disabilities.

SHARON FUSCO, CEO of Redwood

Sharon joined Redwood as CEO in December 2020. As an artist with a passion for strategy, Sharon is known for driving growth and innovation, and she led the agency through the pandemic, ensuring client and employee safety while addressing labor shortages, reduced revenues and increased costs. 

Prior to Redwood, at the Council on Aging, Sharon implemented major initiatives, boosted infrastructure, and managed key business functions for the $100MM non-profit agency. She was instrumental in securing contracts and grants for new programs such as Care Transitions, Positive Choices and home52 Transportation.

Every nonprofit must grapple with how to create the best oversight and accountability for their organization.  Strong accountability builds trust and confidence in your nonprofit.  Creating effective accountability and ownership of oversight can be challenging and feel overwhelming.   In this episode we speak with CPA, Judy Simpson, from Blue & Company about the challenges and strategies for creating accountability.  

Judy Simpson is an Assurance and Accounting Manager at Blue & Co., a regional CPA firm ranked as the 56th largest CPA firm in the U.S by Accounting Today for 2021. Judy moved to the Greater Cincinnati area in the summer of 2021 and brings with her nearly 10 years of experience specializing in not-for-profit accounting. She has a passion for serving her clients and being the person that you can call upon when questions come up. In addition to client work, she has worked hands-on with several organizations serving on various boards and committees throughout her career, including currently serving as Board Treasurer for Kentucky’s state-wide nonprofit association - Kentucky Nonprofit Network, and more recently accepted a board position with CASA for Clermont Kids in Ohio. Her passion for the community spills outside of work – Judy is a proud graduate of BOLD through the Leadership Council, a member of Junior League of Cincinnati, and Impact 100. 

Contact for Judy Simpson, [email protected] or direct 513-834-6901  www.blueandco.com.

Like all industries today there is lots of movement in the nonprofit job market. Are you thinking of switching jobs? How do you decide if it is the right time to make a move to another nonprofit?   Making the decision to stay or leave isn’t as easy – what should you consider before you making the leap?  In this episode we speak with Dedra Perlmutter, Senior Career Coach and Human Resources Manager at JVS Careers.

If you are considering switching jobs or careers in the non-profit world, our website is a great resource for postings and news!

Dedra Perlmutter, CPCC, CPRW, SHRM-CP, PHR, is the Senior Career Coach and Human Resources Manager at JVS Careers. Dedra provides extensive knowledge to clients in the areas of job searching, interviewing, networking, personal branding, image and career strategies. With almost 20 years of HR experience, in a variety of industries, Dedra is well-versed in recruiting and employment, and brings with her “insider knowledge” of what employers are looking for in potential employees. By leading workshops and working with clients individually, Dedra is able to serve as a resource for those that are looking to make a career change or to enhance their current career path.

Dedra is known for her positive motivation and her upbeat approach to the job search process. She also has a sincere interest in getting to know her clients and helping discover their goals. Dedra holds a CCPC, Certified Professional Career Coach, PHR, Professional Human Resources Certification, a SHRM-CP, Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional, as well as a CPRW, Certified Professional Résumé Writer.

To contact Dedra Perlmutter, call (513) 745-2904, or email [email protected].

Does your nonprofit have a marketing plan?  Often nonprofits underestimate the value and benefits of a marketing strategy for their organization.   In this episode we speak with Kelli Tarantino, President of Cincinnati Marketing Solutions, and Tamie Sullivan, Senior Marketing and Nonprofit Specialist from Cincinnati Marketing Solutions.  We explore marketing tips, trends and mistakes nonprofits should avoid.

Kelli Tarantino, President/Small Business Marketing Expert, Fractional CMO/Editor, GC Nonprofit News.  Kelli has over 30 years’ experience in marketing, sales and management in a wide variety of industries.  She is passionate about and specializes in working with small business owners and nonprofit leaders who understand the value of marketing, but simply lack time, resources or expertise to develop and implement results driven marketing strategies and tactics on a consistent basis.  Kelli is also the editor of Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News, she takes great pride in serving the nonprofit community and understanding their unique marketing challenges.  Kelli has lived in the Cincinnati area for over 25 years and support the community through networking and volunteer opportunities.

Tamie Sullivan, Sr. Marketing & Nonprofit Specialist

Tamie Sullivan is a strategic communications consultant with more than 30 years of nonprofit management and public relations experience. Throughout her career, she has developed a reputation for leveraging strategic partnerships, high-value cause marketing and public relations services to raise awareness for her clients and their causes. Her experienced project management goes beyond marketing/communications to include brand positioning, message development, public relations and development strategy, government and community relations, and collective impact.

Sullivan is founder of Girls with Pearls, Cincinnati, which became a program of Most Valuable Kids in 2018. She has held positions with a variety of nonprofit and government organizations. Tamie is a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati Class 30 and currently serves on several local boards.

Firing someone on your staff is one of the most difficult task for any employer.   Terminating  an employee can cause anxiety and raise legal issues.  Does your nonprofit have effective termination protocols and practices in place?    

In this episode we discuss strategies and practices that will help you effectively prepare and manage the termination of an employee.   Our guests are Faith Whittaker a partner with DInsmore & Shohl and Erin Stars an Attorney with Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio.

A recent study found most organizations are heading towards or already have a hybrid workplace.  COVID forced many nonprofits to quickly rethink and embrace remote work.  How is this trend impacting your work place?   Does your organization have in place the practices and policies to effectively manage your remote workers?  In this episode we discuss remote work trends and practices and how they are impacting nonprofits.  

Erin was hired as the Executive Director of Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio when it was founded in 2014. She is responsible for advancing the mission of PBPO and leading the staff and legal programs. Involved in all areas of the organization, Erin sets strategy, provides operations and financial oversight, recruits volunteer attorneys, promotes client outreach and education, and frequently lectures about nonprofit and tax-exempt organization law.

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