In this episode of Rising Voices of Fundraising: The AFP Emerging Leaders Podcast, Meena Das, founder of NamasteData, joins guest host, Allison Strekal, MBA, CFRE, to explore how emerging fundraisers can use AI tools responsibly and effectively—even in organizations without clear policies. We talk about practical use cases, common mistakes, ethical concerns around donor data, and how AI can both support and challenge equity in fundraising.

Interested in learning more? Join Meena for her upcoming AFP Deep Dive, The AI Advancement Lab, a 4-day virtual series, taking place August 4, 11, 18 & 25.

Guests:

Meena Das (she/her) is the CEO, consultant, and facilitator of two practices - NamasteData and Data Is For Everyone. Namaste Data focuses on advancing data equity for nonprofits and social impact agencies, while Data Is For Everyone provides tools and resources to help people learn how to navigate the world of data. Meena is a specialist in designing and teaching equitable research tools and analyzing engagement. She supports nonprofits in three critical areas: data collection assessments, community surveys, and staff workshops on topics like improving data equity and human-centric algorithms. You can learn more about her work through her two newsletters, ‘Dear Human’ and ‘Data Uncollected’, or directly connect with her on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/meenadas.

Allison Strekal, MBA, CFRE is a nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and philanthropic communications. She currently serves as senior director of philanthropy at Mountain Home Montana, where she leads major gift efforts and helps strengthen development systems organization-wide. A passionate advocate for emerging professionals in the sector, Allison serves on the board of AFP Montana and is a graduate of the AFP Leadership Institute. She is committed to building a strong, inclusive future for fundraising through connection, mentorship, and innovation.