Social Impact Level Up

Dive into sustainable impact with Dave Feldman, a visionary in social and environmental change. Dave, the Executive Director of Bethesda Green, shares insights on how businesses, nonprofits, and community members can work together to create lasting impact through sustainability initiatives.

Explore Bethesda Green’s unique model that combines education, business incubation, and innovative community projects to address complex environmental and social issues. Community-driven impact can be scalable and effective in creating sustainable solutions. Dave emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts in solving today’s challenges.

Key Takeaways:

Inspirational Moments:

Meet Our Guest - Dave Feldman:

Dave is a social entrepreneur and passionate advocate for sustainability, community development, and systems change.  He is currently Executive Director of Bethesda Green, a nationally recognized 'best practice' community hub and green business incubator designed to promote sustainable living practices, build a green economy and reduce our collective impact in the DMV.

Dave and his wife, Dara are co-founders of Virtues Matter, a 501(c)(3) that helps positively impact the way people think, speak and act in all areas of their lives. He led development of the Virtues Cards App, a tool to help people strengthen character qualities such as kindness, resilience, gratitude and creativity.

Website: Bethesda Green

LinkedIn: Dave Feldman

Inside Scoop:

Bethesda Green’s approach to sustainability is rooted in community-driven impact and collective efforts. Dave emphasizes that sustainable change requires collaboration across sectors, and that nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders all have a role to play. With their mission to educate, incubate, and initiate, Bethesda Green is at the forefront of bringing people together to address environmental and social issues. 

Important Links:

Podcast audio/video management by Podcast Abundance. Find out more at www.podcastabundance.com/services

Dive deep into the world of marketing and social entrepreneurship with guest Eric Ressler, founder and creative director at Cosmic. Cosmic is a social impact creative agency that has helped nonprofits and social enterprises thrive by integrating marketing strategies that move humanity forward.

Eric shares his wealth of knowledge on how to elevate your social enterprise's marketing game and how to better communicate your impact to the world. Learn the difference between transactional and brand-building marketing, the importance of relationship and community-building, and why aligning your mission with effective communication is key to long-term sustainability. 

Key Takeaways: 

Inspirational Moments: 

Meet Our Guest - Eric Ressler: 

Eric applies his experience working with social impact organizations across the globe to help modern social impact leaders and brands navigate our rapidly-changing, digitally-driven world. As host of the Designing Tomorrow podcast, he challenges listeners to adopt a new playbook to reach their true impact potential. 

As the Founder and Creative Director of Cosmic, the creative agency for modern social impact brands, he brings extensive expertise to helping social impact organizations create and build brands, embody a digital-first culture, and develop brand strategies that win in the attention economy.  

Website: Cosmic 
Podcast: Designing Tomorrow 
LinkedIn: Eric Ressler 

Inside Scoop: 

Eric Ressler believes marketing is not a luxury but an essential component of any social impact strategy. His approach to content creation and distribution focuses on maximizing engagement through thoughtful packaging and channel selection, ensuring that nonprofits and social enterprises communicate effectively. Eric also stresses the importance of collaboration when working with external partners and marketing agencies - to treat them as strategic partners rather than delegating tasks without deep involvement. 

Important Links: 

Lisa Brown-Alexander, founder and CEO of Nonprofit HR shares how she addresses the often-overlooked people management needs within the social impact sector. Nonprofit HR has become a leading talent management firm by focusing exclusively on nonprofits, helping them strengthen their internal capacity and better serve their communities through effective people management strategies.

Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs of the social impact sector, Lisa Brown-Alexander founded Nonprofit HR. Her firm is the leading talent management company in the country working exclusively with social impact organizations. With a career spanning over 23 years, Lisa has helped transform how nonprofits think about talent and culture, providing services that range from consulting and executive search to professional development. Lisa’s influence extends beyond her firm, with contributions to various nonprofit boards and initiatives.

Lisa emphasizes that effective talent management is not just about filling positions but about strategic alignment with an organization’s mission and values. Nonprofit HR’s unique approach includes creating customized solutions that address specific challenges within the social impact sector. Lisa's leadership and the firm’s innovative strategies have proven that better talent practices can significantly enhance nonprofit success.

Podcast audio/video management by Podcast Abundance. Find out more at www.podcastabundance.com/services

Host Wendie Veloz unpacks finding motivation after job loss. Wendie takes a first-hand deep dive into the emotional and mental struggles that come with job loss, the significance of self-belief, and how she harnessed her skills and knowledge to thrive as an entrepreneur. She emphasizes the importance of finding joy, setting a vision, and continuously learning and evolving. 

Key Takeaways:

Inspirational Moments:

[00:00] Winning at Losing Your Job

[01:52] My Personal Journey

[05:54] Building a New Path

[10:40] The Importance of Self-Belief

[16:20] Balancing Work and Personal Life

Meet Our Host- Wendie V.

Wendie Veloz is a social impact strategist, coach, and consultant with over 20 years of experience helping communities and entrepreneurs create sustainable change. As the founder of Wendie Veloz Enterprises, LLC she empowers businesses and nonprofits to drive meaningful, lasting impact. Wendie combines her background in government funding, nonprofit services, and social entrepreneurship to develop innovative solutions aligned with her clients' missions.

With over 15 years in federal leadership roles, Wendie managed programs totaling over $35 million, securing her reputation as a thought leader in social entrepreneurship. She also founded the Social Impact Level Up Collective, a community supporting changemakers in scaling their impact.

Beyond consulting, Wendie hosts the Social Impact Level Up Podcast, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, personal growth, and social impact. She’s committed to helping others lead with authenticity and purpose, using her expertise to create positive change in the entrepreneurial and nonprofit sectors.

Inside Scoop: 

In this heart-rending and insightful episode of the Social Impact Level Up Podcast, host Wendie Veloz, shares her personal journey of recovering from job loss and transitioning into a successful entrepreneurship career. Wendie provides practical advice for those considering entrepreneurship as a path forward, encouraging listeners to seek social connections, maintain a balanced life, and celebrate small successes along the way. 

Read more about Wendie’s journey after she transformed from a federal government worker to a thriving social impact entrepreneur in the book Sister Armor: Healing in Community Chapter 21 “Now What? A Brown Girl’s Guide to Breaking Free.”

Important Links:

Podcast audio/video management by Podcast Abundance. Find out more at www.podcastabundance.com/services

Dr. Jim Kucher shares his extensive knowledge and experiences, providing invaluable insights into the world of social enterprises. Learn about the essential strategies for success, the challenges social entrepreneurs face, and the impact these enterprises can have on communities. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone interested in social entrepreneurship.

Key Takeaways:

Inspirational Moments:

Meet Our Guest - Jim Kucher

Dr. Jim Kucher earned a Doctorate in Public Administration with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship, as well as an MBA with an Entrepreneurship specialization from The University of Baltimore. He holds a B.A. from Kean University and has also earned certification as a project management professional and a new product development professional. Jim has been recognized as a Baltimore Renaissance Seed Scholar, an Unsung Hero of Small Business, and a Fulbright Specialist Scholar in Social Entrepreneurship.

Inside Scoop: 

Jim emphasizes the importance of aligning business strategies with social missions, highlighting real-life examples of social enterprises that have achieved sustainable success. He shares practical advice on how to balance profitability and impact, the significance of community engagement, and the need for continuous innovation. Jim also discusses the role of leadership and the unique challenges faced by social entrepreneurs.

Important Links:

Podcast audio/video management by Podcast Abundance. Find out more at www.podcastabundance.com/services

Client Musu Wheeler, founder of Integrative Health Recreation, shares her comprehensive approach to integrative wellness that focuses on helping people move well, live well, and achieve a pain-free life. Through a holistic model incorporating movement, restorative therapy, and mental well-being, Musu offers unique services like body sculpting, light therapy, and personalized wellness plans. 

Musu highlights her commitment to giving back to the community by providing affordable health wellness educational programs and services to underserved populations. She discusses the importance of small wins in business growth and the value of making a lasting impact on both clients and the broader community. This episode is packed with valuable insights for health and wellness small business owners who are passionate about giving back.

Key Takeaways:

Inspirational Moments:

Musu Wheeler has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology & Health Science. Proficient in pre/post-rehab corrective exercise. Specializes in the cervical spine, neck, and hip alignment corrective exercises. Certified in integrative nutrition lifestyle practices. She is extremely passionate about facilitating nutrition meal prep planning programs. Over ten years’ experience in corporate health & Fitness. I have attained various positions such as Group Exercise specialist, Personal trainer Director, Nutrition wellness coach, and Global Health specialist. Proficient in international/global health addressing underserved populations poverty and the health of people living in lower income communities and countries. Her impact mission is to advocate for affordable health wellness educational programs for all. 

Inside Scoop: 

Musu Wheeler’s passion for integrative wellness is rooted in her belief that functional movement and restorative therapy are keys to a healthy life. She integrates these practices with modern therapies like light therapy and body sculpting, offering a comprehensive approach to wellness. Musu’s emphasis on personalized care ensures that her clients receive tailored solutions to their health challenges, whether it’s through ergonomic consultations for corporate employees or individualized Pilates sessions. Her dedication to community impact through accessible wellness programs sets her apart as a leader in the field.

Important Links:

Podcast audio/video management by Podcast Abundance. Find out more at www.podcastabundance.com/services

Janine Firpo, a pioneer in values-aligned investing, shares her journey from technology and social entrepreneurship to advocating for financial decisions that reflect personal values. Janine offers practical advice and tools to help you navigate the world of impact investing, empowering you to align your investments with your values and make a meaningful impact.

Key Takeaways:

Inspirational Moments:

Meet Our Guest - Janine Firpo: 

Janine Firpo is a seasoned values-aligned investor and social innovator, with a long history of working at the intersection of women and their money. From the early years of Apple Computer to senior positions with Hewlett-Packard, the World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Janine has always found herself making an impact. In 2017 she left a successful 35-year career in technology and international development to focus on how women can create a more just and equitable society through their financial investments. Her book, Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World, a collaborative effort that involved almost 150 women (and a few men) was published in May 2021 by Wiley. Later that year, Janine co-founded Invest for Better, a non-profit organization that helps women invest their money in ways that align with their values. 

Janine walks her talk. She is taking action to move all her own assets into investments she feels good about and is watching them grow with market-rate returns.

Inside Scoop: 

Janine Firpo has made it her mission to empower women to become confident investors who align their financial decisions with their values. Through her nonprofit, Invest for Better, she creates small groups where women can openly discuss and learn about investing. Her approach emphasizes the importance of personal values in investment choices, advocating for a personalized definition of sustainability and impact. Janine also shares practical tools and resources, such as ethos ESG and As You Sow, to help individuals make informed investment decisions.

Important Links:

Podcast audio/video management by Podcast Abundance. Find out more at www.podcastabundance.com/services

Cristin Caine (Charity Connect) shares her journey from special events fundraising and teaching to creating a nonprofit that specializes in matching volunteers with the perfect opportunities. Discover the transformative power of volunteering and how Charity Connect helps individuals find fulfilling and impactful volunteer roles. Uncover how one woman's pursuit of purpose led her to create a thriving business while staying true to her values and finding joy in unexpected places, like pickleball.

Key Takeaways:

Inspirational Moments

Meet Our Guest- Cristin Caine

Cristin’s background in special events fundraising and as a public school teacher combined with her fulfilling volunteer positions led to her creation of the nonprofit Charity Connect. Cristin engages individuals in customized community service by building relationships with her clients (potential

volunteers) and organizations that utilize volunteers. In addition to individual consultations, Cristin conducts workshops to promote strategic volunteering; service which incorporates personal and professional goals.

Website: https://www.charityconnect.us/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charity_connect/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristincaine/

Inside Scoop

Discover the art of impactful giving and work-life harmony with Cristin. She emphasizes the value of diverse contributions beyond financial donations, advocating for volunteering time and skills. Balancing entrepreneurship and family, Cristin illustrates the power of intentional time management and flexibility. 

Cristin leverages a self-inventory form to start the personalized volunteer matching process, ensuring that each volunteer finds a role that aligns with their passions and skills. She also highlights innovative ways to volunteer, such as social volunteering and parties with a purpose, making it easier for busy individuals to integrate volunteering into their lives. Cristin emphasizes the importance of a good match between volunteers and nonprofits to maximize impact and personal fulfillment, sharing stories and insights that illustrate the profound effects of thoughtful and strategic volunteerism.

Important Links

Join the Social Impact Level Up Collective for community and support: https://wendieveloz.com/collective 

DIYers dream- hop in our University for templates and FREE resources: https://wendieveloz.com/university 

Podcast audio/video management by Podcast Abundance. Find out more at www.podcastabundance.com/services

Jump into the essentials of non-profit funding for changemakers looking for resources to do good. Learn the importance of a diversified funding plan using the DPTD framework: Dollars, People, Time, and Donations. Wendie shares actionable strategies for maximizing funding sources, whether you are a non-profit or a social business owner. Discover how to create a sustainable impact by leveraging both restricted and unrestricted funding streams.

Key Takeaways:

Inspirational Moments:

Meet Our Host: Wendie Veloz

Wendie Veloz is a social impact strategist, coach, and consultant with over 20 years of experience. She has a passion for helping communities and entrepreneurs create sustainable change. Wendie brings a unique perspective to her work with a background in government funding, nonprofit management, and social entrepreneurship. Wendie’s expertise helps small business and nonprofit clients develop and implement new solutions to age-old problems: ideas, impact, influence, and income. 

Wendie also uses her skills as a reiki and sound healer to help social entrepreneurs break mindset barriers and change the world. Wendie is the producer and host of the Social Impact Level Up podcast building synergy and impact between nonprofits, businesses, and communities.

Wendie holds a Master's Degree in Social Work Policy from Columbia University and a Bachelor's of Psychology from the University of California, Irvine. Wendie resides in Germantown, MD with her 9-year old labrador retriever Asha.

Website: https://wendieveloz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendieveloz

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendieveloz

Episode Transcript Highlights:

For more detailed discussions and to dive deeper into effective funding strategies, read the full blog post: https://wendieveloz.com/nonprofit-funding

Important Links:

Access our grant writing course here: https://wendieveloz.com/grants

Podcast audio/video management by Podcast Abundance. Find out more at www.podcastabundance.com/services

Explore of the power of crowdfunding with Devin Thorpe as your guide. Transform innovative ideas and compassionate action into meaningful change worldwide. Devin inspires listeners to harness their entrepreneurial spirit for the greater good, demonstrating that impactful leadership knows no bounds. Crowdfunding is just a part of a healthy capital stack, listen to find out how to grow your revenue and impact.

Devin is the CEO of The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation helping diverse founders and social entrepreneurs raise capital via impact crowdfunding. He is also a bestselling author who calls himself a champion of social good. He travels extensively as a volunteer doing service, as a new-media journalist finding heroes and as a speaker sharing what he’s learned. 

As a Forbes Contributor, he covered social entrepreneurship and impact investing, reaching an audience of over 2 million people. He has produced over 1,200 episodes of his podcast featuring luminary change agents, including Bill Gates. His books—read over 1 million times—help people do more good. He has helped nonprofits raise millions of dollars via crowdfunding. He draws on his experience as an investment banker, CFO, treasurer and U.S. Senate staffer. He earned an MBA at Cornell. Frequently finding himself on airplanes, Devin is grateful to be middle-seat-sized.

Website: https://www.superpowers4good.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devindthorpe/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinthorpe/

Devin Thorpe shares his expertise on purpose-driven entrepreneurship and social impact. He emphasizes the vital role of aligning business endeavors with a greater mission, illustrating how profit and purpose can harmoniously coexist. 

Thorpe's advocacy for community engagement resonates strongly, highlighting how grassroots initiatives can drive meaningful change at the local level. 

His emphasis on innovation and adaptability underscores the dynamic nature of social entrepreneurship, showcasing how creative solutions can address complex societal challenges. 

Through Thorpe's engaging dialogue, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the global impact of social entrepreneurship and the transformative power of purpose-driven business models. 

This conversation serves as a compelling call to action for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a positive difference in the world.

Join the Social Impact Level Up Collective for community and support: https://wendieveloz.com/collective 

DIYers dream- hop in our University for templates and FREE resources: https://wendieveloz.com/university