Want to know what it takes to run successful finance departments in leading social impact and non-profit organizations? In this episode, we discuss this and get expert advice on non profit finance with a global CFO- Chief Finance Officer, Rose Adem.  She has not only been a leader for high performing teams but is leading global thinking for non profit finance including the development of a new IFRS standard for non profits with the likes of #Humentum. 

Whereas we think of finance as the lifeblood of an organization, Rose asserts that it is more…Finance is the nervous system. It connects the mission to means. This central role of finance demands that finance should not be treated as a backend, rather a strategic function and mission critical.  Organizations that have understood strategic finance know that it is the growth driver. She notes that financial health is key to the survival of any organization.

In building robust financial management systems for social impact and non profit organizations, policies and procedures are needed and so are people and trust. This combination is critical in periods of rapid change. Change isn’t always popular and many times, social impact leaders encounter resistance. However, with education, and constant communication, even far-reaching reforms in financial management can be achieved.

Rose advises mid-career professionals and aspiring finance leaders to embrace mentorship and coaching. Coaching can help one to work with your allowable weaknesses and bring self awareness that is much needed in leadership. Mentorship and coaching doesn't necessarily need to be formal but could include a buddy, peer or supervisor. In addition, upskilling and understanding that the future is tech is necessary for finance professionals to keep pace with the changing times. 

For success in managing non profit and social impact finance, finance teams must understand programs - knowledge of programs will set you apart as a leader.  Even then, as you advance in your finance career, stop and smell the flowers. She concludes.

Named 100 Most Influential African Leaders in 2023, Nekesa is a passionate advocate for tech and innovation. She has held various roles in the innovation space, including being the CEO of iHUB and also a convener for other innovation hubs across Africa. She continues on that trajectory building community  for open source solutions like the community health tool kit (CHT). 

Are you looking for purpose? Nekesa says that in order to find your purpose and succeed, sometimes it requires of us to support others to further their own. She goes on to challenge us to ask these three core questions,

1. What moves you?
2. What hurts you?
3. What are you willing to fight for?

As a woman leader in tech, she lays out the challenges and biases women in tech face. But there’s hope;  looking out for each other, having fellow advocates, and developing support networks can help overcome these barriers. She advises us not to conform to established molds, be you, network, embrace a learning attitude, and go for shared value.

She closes with a gem - following your heart doesn’t make you crazy! Go find your purpose. You can’t find Nekesa on all social platforms @Nekesa or ⁠www.nekesa.co.ke

“Give until it hurts” is the powerful mantra that sums up Michelle’s view of philanthropy.  Michelle and her family experienced a personal loss that inspired them to give to the world by helping improve health outcomes for those in most need. She quips that all of us are philanthropists.  We give in different ways and we have been called to give not out of abundance but until it hurts. 

Working in private philanthropy, she recognizes the immense power that those who work in philanthropy wield and the need to be conscious of such power and exercise it with humility in service of the mission. Private philanthropy is broad and complex.  Each Foundation is unique and runs its affairs based on the interests of the trustees or investors. With that being said, there is an acknowledgment that private philanthropy needs to be trust-based, equitable, and less onerous for grantees and prospective partners. 

In part one of the episode, Charles centered us on the 3 core questions in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and by extension Impact Measurement. He laid the foundation for Impact measurement and how it is applied in the sector.  In this second part, we shift to leadership and how experience in Impact measurement can position individuals to play strategic roles in the sector as demonstrated by the immense contribution he has made in his stellar career.

Three core questions in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and by extension Impact Measurement are,

1. Are the interventions doing the right thing?
2. Are they doing it right?
3. Are they making a difference? 

Charles Warria is a seasoned expert in impact measurement.  In this episode, Charles takes us on a journey in M&E practice that saw him rise from early career as a data officer to leading social impact organizations in the region.  Charles is a resource and go-to for young professionals who want to understand this field of practice and develop in their careers, and for the industry to develop systems to deepen positive impact on people. Part one of the Episode lays the foundation for Impact measurement and how it is applied in the sector.  In the second part, we shift to leadership and how experience in Impact measurement can position individuals to play strategic roles in the sector.

In this deep dive, Julius Mbeya talks about his story and journey in the nonprofit space. The ups and downs of this journey and the lessons he has picked. He delves into what it means to be a nonprofit leader and the immense responsibility that this comes with. He also shares the thinking behind the podcast and snippets on what to expect as we share the stories of impact from nonprofit and social impact leaders. The podcast is in two parts, deep dives such as this and guest interviews as you shall experience in future episodes. The show can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or www.juliusmbeya.com

Please follow, rate, reshare and share your thoughts to help us improve or recommend guests that you'd like us to bring to the show. 

In this podcast, we explore opportunities in the nonprofit and social impact space and amplify the impact of their leaders. We do this by finding amazing nonprofit and social impact organizations and their leaders, we share their stories, their triumphs, and their struggles in this dynamic, complex, and competitive space. By doing this, we hope to,

• Showcase how the work of these amazing leaders and their organizations is impacting and changing their communities.
• Second, Inspire a new generation of nonprofit and social impact professional determined to create an even better world.
• Third, Inform the sector on new and emerging practices from nonprofit and social impact practice in Africa. And,
• Make them findable so that they can be fundable