The Strength Catalyst

Natalie Small, founder of the nonprofit Groundswell, joins Colleen for a live coaching conversation on navigating leadership, transition, and purpose-driven work. As Natalie prepared for motherhood and stepped back from day-to-day operations, she reflected on the realities of leading a mission-centered organization at the intersection of women’s, mental, and ocean health. Together, Natalie and Colleen explore how understanding and intentionally using strengths can help leaders balance inspiration with sustainability by rallying others while also caring for themselves. 

This episode highlights how knowing your strengths can serve as a powerful internal compass, allowing you to become your own wise self-coach during seasons of personal and professional change.

Episode Show Notes

• Groundswell: https://www.thegroundswellinstitute.com/
• Introspective strength affirmation cards: https://www.introspectivecards.com/
• Strengths Profile assessment: https://www.strengthsprofile.com/en-us/products/free
• Have a question or want to suggest a guest for the Strengths Catalyst Podcast? Email Colleen ([email protected]) 

Lauren Baker, Founder and CEO of The Wonderfund, joins Colleen for an unscripted coaching conversation on what it truly means to lead a mission-driven nonprofit with both heart and discipline.

Together, they explore the realities of nonprofit leadership — building and supporting a small team, learning to delegate while staying deeply connected to purpose, and navigating the ongoing demands of fundraising. Lauren reflects on how intentionally using her strengths, including Unrealized Strengths like curiosity, persistence, and self-belief, helps her balance compassion with rigor and sustain her leadership over time.

This episode offers thoughtful insight for leaders who want to grow their impact with clarity, care, and intention.

Episode Show Notes

• Wonderfund Link: https://www.wonderfundma.org/
• Strengths Profile assessment: https://www.strengthsprofile.com/en-us/products/free
• Introspective strength affirmation cards: https://www.introspectivecards.com/
• Have a question or want to suggest a guest for the Strengths Catalyst Podcast? Email Colleen ([email protected]) 

In this episode, Colleen speaks with Sharon Polli, Executive Director of the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Sharon shares how she leads highly creative teams while managing constant context switching—from budgets to donor relationships to staff coaching. Together, they explore how self-awareness, intentional use of strengths, and deep listening support sustainable leadership in creative environments where clarity and flexibility must coexist.

Episode Show Notes

Fine Arts Work Center:  https://fawc.org/

Introspective Strength Affirmation Cards: https://www.introspectivecards.com/

Strengths Profile Assessment: https://www.strengthsprofile.com/en-us/products/free

In this episode of The Strength Catalyst, Colleen Boselli sits down with Jeff Kimball, co-founder and Chief Program Officer of Empower Change, for a coaching conversation about leading through grief. Jeff shares how his personal experience with loss informs his leadership, and how intentionally using his strengths helps him navigate complexity, compassion, and decisive action. Together, they explore practical strategies for reframing draining situations, balancing empathy with clarity, and leading with authenticity during emotionally challenging times.

Episode Shownotes:

Empower Change:  https://empowerchange.org/

Introspective Strength Affirmation Cards: https://www.introspectivecards.com/

Strengths Profile Assessment: https://www.strengthsprofile.com/en-us/products/free

Have a question or want to suggest a guest for the Strengths Catalyst Podcast? Email Colleen ([email protected]) 

Welcome to the Strength Catalyst Podcast, in this Episode 00, Colleen Boselli introduces the vision for the first season of the podcast.