Episodes

Dr. Kristen Brown In this episode, Rob speaks with Dr. Kristen Brown, Senior Research Associate at the Urban Institute, about the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on medical research. Dr. Brown shares insights from her work in maternal health research, highlighting how AI is being used to address critical health disparities and improve healthcare outcomes for mothers and infants in the U.S. The conversation explores: -The role of AI in identifying and managing high-risk pr...

Ben Miller Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the nonprofit landscape, and the question for nonprofit leaders isn’t whether to use AI, but how to use it effectively. In this episode, Rob Harter sits down with Ben Miller, SVP of Data Science at Bonterra, to explore how nonprofits can leverage AI for good. They discuss practical applications like improving donor engagement, optimizing operations, and overcoming barriers to adopting AI. Ben also addresses critical ethical conside...

In this episode, Rob Harter speaks with Scott Key, the founder of Every Shelter, a nonprofit focused on providing innovative shelter solutions for refugees. Scott shares insights into the global refugee crisis, emphasizing the staggering statistic that refugees remain displaced for an average of 20 years. He explains how Every Shelter addresses this challenge by focusing on localization, empowering refugees, and fostering economic opportunities through innovative shelter products and services. ...

Ellena Fortner In this episode, Rob is joined by Ellena Fortner, founder of Nonprofit Bestie, an organization dedicated to empowering women leaders in small and medium-sized nonprofits. With over 15 years of nonprofit experience, Ellena focuses on equipping leaders with practical tools, strategies, and guidance to achieve their fundraising goals with confidence and ease. Ellena shares insights into creating personalized donor journeys, mastering donor retention strategies, and building a suppor...

Mariya Yurukova In today’s episode, Rob Harter is joined by Mariya Yurukova, founder of Charity Search Group (CSG), to discuss the essential connection between recruitment and retention in the nonprofit sector. With years of experience helping organizations find and retain top talent, Mariya shares actionable strategies for building a strong workforce through effective recruitment practices. From incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into hiring to understanding the evolving recru...

Addressing childhood poverty in the U.S. is an enormous challenge, and for nonprofits working to improve children’s lives, understanding the impact of poverty is essential. In this episode, Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician and advocate for early childhood development, joins Rob to discuss how nonprofits can support positive childhood experiences to mitigate the effects of poverty. Dr. Navsaria shares insights from his work with the Reach Out and Read initiative, a program focused on literacy ...

Measuring impact is crucial for nonprofits striving to create sustainable change. In this episode, Dana François, Program Officer for Family Economic Security at the Kellogg Foundation, joins Rob to discuss strategies for effectively measuring program impact. Dana shares insights from the Kellogg Foundation’s Pockets of Hope campaign in Haiti, a targeted initiative to strengthen food systems, education, and local economies. She emphasizes the importance of using locally driven metrics and engagi...

Erin McAleer What does it take to solve food insecurity on a statewide level? In this episode, Erin McAleer, President and CEO of Project Bread, shares how Massachusetts is tackling food insecurity through advocacy, systemic change, and statewide collaboration. Erin discusses Project Bread’s radical approach to ending hunger by addressing both immediate needs and permanent solutions, including the recent passage of free school meals for all K-12 students in Massachusetts. She explains the import...

What does it take to become a successful fundraiser in today’s competitive nonprofit environment? In this episode, Haley Cooper, fundraising expert and host of the Lead with Heart podcast, shares key strategies for becoming a savvy fundraiser. Haley discusses the most pressing challenges nonprofit leaders face, such as staff turnover and donor retention, and how to build sustainable fundraising models. She highlights the importance of recurring giving programs and personalized donor communicatio...

Nonprofit. It is a word we all use to describe our organizations, but are we inadvertently hurting ourselves by using that word? When you hear the name “nonprofit” what comes to mind? Perhaps scarcity, or the opposite of something, or work that we shouldn’t get paid to do? Why do we call this sector by its tax exempt status rather than for what we do? Shouldn’t we be known for the impact and change we bring to the world? Today, we are honored to welcome back four, successful leaders from the no...

Armando Contreras What does it take to turn around a struggling nonprofit? In this episode, Armando Contreras, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), shares his remarkable story of reviving a nonprofit that was on the verge of bankruptcy. Armando discusses the challenges UCP faced and the strategies he implemented to restore financial stability and build trust with affiliates. He also highlights UCP’s broader mission to support individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, along with its ...

Lindsay Kolsch Mental health is a critical issue, especially in today’s world, and Lindsay Kolsch, Co-Executive Director of To Write Love On Her Arms, joins this episode to discuss her organization’s mission. Lindsay shares how TWLOHA provides hope and help to people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. With suicide affecting someone every 40 seconds globally, this conversation highlights the importance of mental health awareness, breaking stigma, and providing resour...

Susanne Kogut, President of Petco Love Humans are not the only ones who suffer through troubling times, their pets do as well. Pets are often the only companion a person may have and they play a big role in one’s mental and physical health, especially during trying times. This episodes’ guest, Susanne Kogut, explains why her nonprofit is committed to the wellbeing of pets and their families. Susanne is the President of Petco Love. Petco Love was founded in 1999 and they serve as a leader and pa...

Kathleen Kelly Janus Have you ever wondered how public-private partnerships can help solve large-scale social issues? Today’s guest, Kathleen Kelly Janus, shares her experience leading impactful collaborations between government, private companies, and nonprofits to tackle challenges like homelessness and recidivism. Kathleen Kelly explains how these partnerships are vital to scaling innovation and creating sustainable social change. Rob’s guest, Kathleen Kelly Janus, is the former Senior Advis...

Being young doesn’t mean one can’t make a difference. In fact, there is a lot we in the nonprofit space can learn from Gen Z leaders who have already made a big impact in their communities. Today’s guests; Sienna Nazarian, Robbie Khazan, and Dylan Zajac are exactly those kinds of leaders. These three are great examples of emerging leaders who are making their world better. Dylan Zajac Sienna, Robbie, and Dylan were each recipients of The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards in 2023. The Diller Teen T...

Now more than ever, it’s essential that nonprofit leaders build a strong, adaptable team. But how do you find, keep, and mold top talent that aligns with your organization’s mission? Today’s guest, William Vanderbloemen, shares key strategies for building, running, and maintaining a great team that is dedicated to your organization’s values and mission. Rob’s guest, William Vanderbloemen, is the Founder and CEO of Vanderbloemen. His company specializes in helping churches, schools, and nonprofi...

How can nonprofits effectively support underserved students in achieving higher education? How do you encourage both the student and their family members to believe in their potential to achieve more? Today’s guest, Dr. Johanna Moya Fabregas, explains how her nonprofit is empowering the next generation through education and emotional support. Rob’s guest, Dr. Johanna Moya Fabregas, is the Executive Director of Con Mi MADRE, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Latina girls and their loved ones t...

In a recent survey of nonprofit workers across the United States, a staggering 74% reported that they are seeking another job. And out of those seeking new employment, 65% are unsure they will remain working in the non-profit sector. This is a serious issue that nonprofit organizations must focus on. Today’s guest, Michelle Flores Vryn, shares more data from this survey and how nonprofit leaders can mitigate this staff retention problem. Rob’s guest, Michelle Flores Vryn, is the co-author of th...

Amy Freitag Most of you have heard of community foundations, but do you know how they work and what makes them unique? These organizations pool donations to support local projects, schools, and charities, ensuring funds stay within the community. Today’s guest, Amy Freitag, shares why community foundations are so powerful, and the benefits of collaborating with your local foundation. Rob’s guest, Amy Freitag, is the President of The New York Community Trust. The New York Community Trust is a gr...

Nikki Clifton Human trafficking today has become one of the most overlooked humanitarian crises of our time. It is a shockingly widespread problem, with an estimated 27.6 million victims worldwide. And on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, it’s time to bring this hidden issue out of the shadows. Rob sits down with Nikki Clifton, the head of the UPS Foundation, to discuss the organization’s efforts to combat this devastating humanitarian crisis. While there are a lot of organizations that...

AI has been a topic of conversation for many of us in the nonprofit sector. Is the reliance on AI a good thing or a bad thing? Will the implementation of AI completely eliminate jobs? Like most things in life, it’s nuanced. Today’s guest, Bertina Ceccarelli, explains how AI is affecting jobs in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, and ways we can utilize this smart technology wisely. Rob’s guest, Bertina Ceccarelli, is the CEO of NPower. Npower is a national nonprofit that seeks to empower un...

Tiara Green As leaders of nonprofits, receiving donations or grants from corporations is essential to our ability to provide services that make an impact. It’s important we are effective in our approach to obtaining financial gifts from these large organizations. Today’s guest, Tiara Green, shares some best practices regarding corporate philanthropy. Rob’s guest, Tiara Green, is the President of the national nonprofit, Accessia Health. They are committed to providing financial assistance and su...

Jacob Harold, author of The Toolbox: Strategies for Crafting Social Impact and Co-founder of Candid Nonprofits are driven by the desire to create social change in their communities and in the world overall. Today’s guest, Jacob Harold, explains why creating a map of your intentions, developing storytelling, and using mathematical modeling are all great tools to bring about social change. Jacob is the author of The Toolbox: Strategies for Crafting Social Impact and Co-founder of Candid. In 2019,...

Lynn Margherio, founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons As nonprofit leaders, we often find we are filling a gap in society by resolving specific needs the government or the private sector is not addressing. Rob’s guest, Lynn Margherio, explains how her twenty year organization has been filling a large gap that affects approximately 1 in 5 children across the United States. Lynn is the founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons. Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in...