The Route to Success

In this episode of The Route to Success, Sara Orellana sits down with Ian Gottesman, founder and CEO of NGOSAC, a nonprofit helping other nonprofits strengthen their cybersecurity. Ian shares why protecting digital systems is critical for mission-driven organizations, the biggest challenges nonprofits face in a “do more with less” environment, and three simple steps that address most cybersecurity risks. He also reflects on his career journey—from Peace Corps service to leading in technology and nonprofit spaces—and offers practical advice for both nonprofits and individuals pursuing a path in cybersecurity.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
 Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
 – Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
Visit the 3 Raptor Consulting website here: https://3raptorconsulting.com/

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Host Sara Orellana talks with Joe Debney, Executive Director of the Summerville Family YMCA, about his unique path from running elections to leading a nonprofit. They discuss the Y’s impact through community health, youth programs, and outreach initiatives like bed-building for kids and Y on the Fly. Joe also shares insights on serving rural communities, building partnerships, and how anyone can get involved with their local YMCA.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
 Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
 – Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
Visit the 3 Raptor Consulting website here: https://3raptorconsulting.com/

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In this episode of The Route to Success, host Sara Orellana sits down with Jesse Rudy, Founder and CEO of Redeem International. Jesse shares how his organization protects widows and orphans in Uganda and Zambia from land grabbing, a violent crime that threatens families at their most vulnerable. Together, they discuss resilience, building strong partnerships, and why nonprofits must stay laser-focused on their mission to create lasting impact.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
 Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
 – Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
Visit the 3 Raptor Consulting website here: https://3raptorconsulting.com/

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Welcome to The Route to Success, the podcast where we explore the journeys of changemakers, innovators, and leaders making an impact in communities across the United States. I’m your host, Sara Orellana, and today we’re spotlighting two incredible women—Aisha and Sandra—the founders of Steady Care LLC.

Their mission is both powerful and deeply personal: to provide comprehensive mental health services to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families as they transition to civilian life. With lived connections to the military community, they’ve designed a program that breaks down barriers, removes red tape, and delivers wraparound support—not just for the individual, but for the entire family.

In this conversation, we’ll talk about the inspiration behind Steady Care, the challenges of balancing clinical work with launching a business, and the strategies they’re using to create a sustainable, purpose-driven venture. If you care about mental health, veterans, or building stronger communities, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
 Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
 – Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
Visit the 3 Raptor Consulting website here: https://3raptorconsulting.com/

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In this episode of The Route to Success, host Sara Orellana sits down with Judy Schramm, CEO of ProResource, a marketing agency specializing in helping CEOs and executives build strong personal brands through LinkedIn.

Judy shares her passion for marketing, her belief in aligning your business with who you are, and why personal branding is more critical than ever in 2025. From overcoming resistance and setting boundaries to evolving your role as you grow, Judy offers actionable advice for entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone seeking to amplify their professional presence.

Listeners will learn:

• How to use LinkedIn effectively to position yourself as a thought leader

• Why passion fuels success—and why boundaries sustain it

• The importance of listening to your audience and using their language

• How to hire the right marketing partner for your business needs

Whether you’re a seasoned CEO or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this conversation is packed with insights on branding, mindset, and creating a business that works for your life.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
 Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
 – Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
Visit the 3 Raptor Consulting website here: https://3raptorconsulting.com/

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In this episode, Sara Orellana speaks with Larry Eason, Executive Director of Richmond Animal League, about how clear vision, strategic communication, and authentic leadership can transform nonprofit organizations. They explore practical ways to break down silos, combat compassion fatigue, and foster alignment between staff and board—plus, the value of listening and leading with humility.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
 Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
 – Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
Visit the 3 Raptor Consulting website here: https://3raptorconsulting.com/

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In this powerful and heartfelt episode, host Sara Orellana sits down with Debi Alexander, Executive Director of Spark Solutions, an organization changing the game for adults with severe multiple disabilities. Debi shares Spark’s inspiring mission of providing inclusion, dignity, and joyful engagement to a population often overlooked and underserved after aging out of the school system.
From karaoke moments that bring tears to your eyes to groundbreaking partnerships with Spirit Exercise, A Place to Be, and George Washington University for adaptive yoga, music therapy, and AI-powered creative programs, this episode is packed with examples of how Spark fosters connection, hope, and transformation.
Debi and Sara also dive deep into the systemic challenges facing this community—like implicit bias, funding gaps, inaccessible medical care, and broken transportation systems—and how advocacy and public awareness can drive meaningful change.
Whether you're a nonprofit professional, aspiring changemaker, or someone looking for a dose of inspiration, this episode reminds us that joy, value, and purpose belong to everyone.

📍Recorded on the road as part of The Route to Success podcast tour.
🎧 Tune in to hear how one woman’s passion is rewriting what’s possible. 

I hope you enjoy this episode!
 Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
 – Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
Visit the 3 Raptor Consulting website here: https://3raptorconsulting.com/

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In this powerful and deeply honest episode of The Route to Success, host Sara Orellana sits down with Leah Fraley, a bold voice in the nonprofit world, to explore what it truly means to lead with passion, purpose, and compassion. Together, they dig into the emotional realities of frontline service work, the urgent need to shift societal perceptions of poverty, and why nonprofit leadership must be more than operational—it must be transformational.

Leah shares personal stories of overcoming adversity, calls for a culture that celebrates growth through transparency and failure, and advocates for systemic solutions that empower rather than enable. Sara brings her own experiences as a former nonprofit executive to the table, creating a heartfelt, no-holds-barred conversation on how to break down barriers, champion dignity, and reignite the spark in mission-driven work.

This episode is for anyone who believes nonprofits can and must be both compassionate and strategic, personal and professional, visionary and grounded.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
 Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
 – Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
Visit the 3 Raptor Consulting website here: https://3raptorconsulting.com/

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In this episode of The Road to Success, host Sara Orellana speaks with Alex Bryant, a visionary nonprofit leader and chief fundraiser at First Chesapeake. Operating across Virginia, DC, Maryland, and West Virginia, First Chesapeake equips the next generation of leaders—not just with STEM knowledge, but with critical 21st-century skills like self-advocacy, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem-solving.

Alex shares how the organization’s unique blend of robotics, mentorship, and “coopertition”—a culture that blends competition with cooperation—is breaking down barriers, fostering community, and offering life-changing opportunities for youth, especially those from underserved communities.

Together, Sara and Alex explore how mentorship, volunteerism, and adult modeling shape the next generation, and why nonprofit leadership is ultimately about resilience, risk-taking, and a belief in systemic change.

This inspiring conversation is a must-listen for educators, nonprofit professionals, and anyone passionate about equity, innovation, and the power of youth leadership.

I hope you enjoy this episode!
 Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
 – Sara and the Route to Success Podcast Team

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-c-orellana/
Visit the 3 Raptor Consulting website here: https://3raptorconsulting.com/

#theroutetosuccess #podcastshow #podcast #futureleaders #coopertition