WTOP: 5 ways nonprofits can…
Browse below a series of interviews with our Founder & CEO, Lisa Brown Alexander, who is sitting down this season with CEOs, CHROs and other social sector leaders to discuss all things organizational culture. Be sure to follow along wherever you get your podcasts!
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| Episode 10: The Role of Futurism in Transforming Social Impact with Trista Harris
In this episode of The Switch, Lisa Brown Alexander dives into the future of social impact work with Trista Harris, President of FutureGood. Trista shares her insights on leveraging futurism to build resilient organizations, reimagining sustainable work in the sector and fostering creativity through spaciousness. This episode is for any social impact leader looking to refresh and align their organization’s long-term strategy to account for creativity, resilience and technology that will enable greater mission impact. In this episode, you’ll hear:
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About FutureGood
FutureGood is a consultancy that helps foundations, nonprofits, and visionary leaders predict and shape the future. Using futurism tools and best practices from the field, we partner with our clients to envision your ideal future, create a path to get there, and solve problems yet to be imagined. To learn more, visit www.wearefuturegood.com.
About Trista
Trista Harris is a philanthropic futurist and is nationally known as a passionate advocate for leaders in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Trista’s work has been covered by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Forbes, CNN, the New York Times, and numerous social sector blogs. She is also the co-author of the book “How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar” and the author of “FutureGood”. She is the President of FutureGood, a consultancy focused on helping visionaries build a better future. Learn more about Trista.
About Lisa
Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs for the social impact sector, Lisa set out to build a market where one didn’t exist. She founded Nonprofit HR, the leading talent management firm in the country that works exclusively with the nonprofit sector. Read Lisa’s full bio.
About Switch
The Switch offers access to Nonprofit HR’s talent management knowledge presented by our expert consultants, media partners, and guests from across the social impact sector. For over 20 years, Nonprofit HR has produced content that illuminates critical, timely and insightful knowledge for leaders of social impact organizations. Insights from this podcast shine light on the full talent management lifecycle, from employee attraction to organizational culture, engagement, performance management and retention.
| Episode 9: Inspiring Success: Culture, Resilience & AI for Social Good with DeVone Holt
Join Lisa Brown Alexander as she sits down with DeVone Holt, President & CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center. In this lively episode, DeVone shares his inspiring journey from the private sector to the heart of social impact, highlighting the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy. He discusses the vital role of cultivating a healthy organizational culture in sustaining high-performing teams and offers insights into how resilience can inspire and empower staff. In this episode, you’ll hear:
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About the Muhammad Ali Center
The Muhammad Ali Center is much more than a museum. As an athlete, a humanitarian, a global voice and man guided by faith, Muhammad Ali embodied a pursuit and belief in the greatness found in all people. Founded in 2005 by Lonnie and Muhammad Ali in his hometown of Louisville, the Center is dedicated to honoring Ali and continuing work based on his core principles. Our mission is to mobilize Muhammad Ali’s legacy to foster respect, inspire generations of changemakers, and advance social justice. To learn more, visit alicenter.org.
About DeVone Holt
DeVone Holt is a multi-talented executive who combines nearly 30 years of experience as an institutional brand manager, culture creator, strategic communicator and people convener. In 2024, Holt was named president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The museum is a 96,000 square-foot cultural center that showcases the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali, and carries forward his legacy of service to others and fighting for justice for all. Learn more about DeVone.
About Lisa
Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs for the social impact sector, Lisa set out to build a market where one didn’t exist. She founded Nonprofit HR, the leading talent management firm in the country that works exclusively with the nonprofit sector. Read Lisa’s full bio.
About Switch
The Switch offers access to Nonprofit HR’s talent management knowledge presented by our expert consultants, media partners, and guests from across the social impact sector. For over 20 years, Nonprofit HR has produced content that illuminates critical, timely and insightful knowledge for leaders of social impact organizations. Insights from this podcast shine light on the full talent management lifecycle, from employee attraction to organizational culture, engagement, performance management and retention.
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| Episode 8: Leading with Purpose: Justice, Equity and the Future of Work with Marc H. Morial
Join Lisa Brown Alexander as she sits down with Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League, to explore how a sense of purpose and commitment to justice has shaped his career and the way he leads. They discuss how justice manifests internally in an organization and the essential roles leaders play in shaping a culture of equity. From this conversation, you’ll glean tips for how to stay connected to your team as a leader, the most important steps an organization at the beginning of their equity journey can take, and his predictions for the future of hybrid work and the social sector at large. In this episode, you’ll hear:
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About National Urban League
The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality, and social justice. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the Urban League collaborates at the national and local levels with community leaders, policymakers, and corporate partners to elevate the standards of living for African Americans and other historically underserved groups. Learn more about the National Urban League.
About Marc
Marc H. Morial is President and CEO of the National Urban League, the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization. As Mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002, Morial led New Orleans’ renaissance, and left office with a 70% approval rating. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics and African American Studies, he also holds a law degree from Georgetown University. Learn more about Marc and his book, The Gumbo Coalition.
About Lisa
Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs for the social impact sector, Lisa set out to build a market where one didn’t exist. She founded Nonprofit HR, the leading talent management firm in the country that works exclusively with the nonprofit sector. Read Lisa’s full bio.
About Switch
The Switch offers access to Nonprofit HR’s talent management knowledge presented by our expert consultants, media partners, and guests from across the social impact sector. For over 20 years, Nonprofit HR has produced content that illuminates critical, timely and insightful knowledge for leaders of social impact organizations. Insights from this podcast shine light on the full talent management lifecycle, from employee attraction to organizational culture, engagement, performance management and retention.
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| Episode 7: Redefining Nonprofit Data: Nurturing Talent, Leveraging AI, and Advancing Equity Strategies with Sheri Chaney Jones Join Lisa Brown Alexander as she chats with Sheri Chaney Jones, Founder & CEO of SureImpact, about attracting “rockstar talent,” fostering a mission-driven culture and CEO self-care. Delving further, they explore how to leverage AI for efficiency in a way that amplifies the role of the human element. This conversation illuminates the transformative power of data, empathy, and connection in shaping a more impactful and inclusive future for organizations and companies alike.In this episode, you’ll hear:
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About SureImpact
SureImpact is the only technology solution specifically designed for all members of the social-good sector. Our proven collaborative infrastructure combines case management, impact measurement, and reporting to enhance your organization’s delivery of mission-critical services, engage your communities, attract new sources of funding, and increase trust with existing funders. By demonstrating the degree to which you are changing the world, funders and other stakeholders will become more invested in your cause than ever before. Learn more about SureImpact.
About Sheri
For more than 20 years, Sheri Chaney Jones has applied performance management, evaluation, and organization behavior best practices to non-profit organizations and government agencies to improve outcomes and efficiencies. An author, professor, and internationally recognized expert, Sheri believes in data, metrics, and accountability. Read Sheri’s full bio.
About Lisa
Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs for the social impact sector, Lisa set out to build a market where one didn’t exist. She founded Nonprofit HR, the leading talent management firm in the country that works exclusively with the nonprofit sector. Read Lisa’s full bio.
About Switch
The Switch offers access to Nonprofit HR’s talent management knowledge presented by our expert consultants, media partners, and guests from across the social impact sector. For over 20 years, Nonprofit HR has produced content that illuminates critical, timely and insightful knowledge for leaders of social impact organizations. Insights from this podcast shine light on the full talent management lifecycle, from employee attraction to organizational culture, engagement, performance management and retention.
| Watch this episode on Youtube! |
| Episode 6: Deborah Rutter from the Kennedy Center In this episode, Lisa sits down with Deborah Rutter, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, to discuss the historic and cultural value unique to the organization, how they continued to virtually serve their international communities through COVID-19, using the arts as a unifying force among the organization’s employee population and more! In this episode, you’ll hear:
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About The Kennedy Center
As the nation’s cultural center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, the Kennedy Center is a leader for the arts across America and around the world, reaching and connecting with artists, inspiring and educating communities. The organization welcomes all to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts. Learn more about the Kennedy Center on their website.
About Deborah
In an age marked by social and technological change, Deborah Rutter has emerged as one of the nation’s most adroit leaders in the arts, combining artistic daring with fiscal sustainability, inclusivity, and responsiveness to the needs of the community. Ms. Rutter began as President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on September 1, 2014, and serves as curator of the Kennedy presidential memorial, and artistic and administrative director to the world’s busiest performing arts center. Read more about Deborah.
About Lisa
Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs for the social impact sector, Lisa set out to build a market where one didn’t exist. She founded Nonprofit HR, the leading talent management firm in the country that works exclusively with the nonprofit sector. Read Lisa’s full bio.
About Switch
The Switch offers access to Nonprofit HR’s talent management knowledge presented by our expert consultants, media partners, and guests from across the social impact sector. For over 20 years, Nonprofit HR has produced content that illuminates critical, timely and insightful knowledge for leaders of social impact organizations. Insights from this podcast shine light on the full talent management lifecycle, from employee attraction to organizational culture, engagement, performance management and retention.
| Watch this episode on Youtube! |
| Episode 5: Anne Filipic from Share Our Strength In this episode, Lisa sits down with Anne Filipic, CEO of Share Our Strength, who shares insights about how the organization has invested in their employees, its current progress in the DEI space, and why she approaches leadership with empathy, vulnerability and authenticity.In this episode, you’ll hear:
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About Share Our Strength
Share Our Strength’s mission is to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and abroad through campaigns, like No Kid Hungry, which will end childhood hunger in the United States, and Cooking Matters, which helps low-income families learn to shop and cook healthier. The organization believes that everyone has a strength to share to help ensure every individual can live a healthy and productive life. Learn more about Share Our Strength on their website.
About Anne
Over the past twenty years, Anne Filipic has led consequential civic, philanthropic, and political efforts that have helped transform the nation. Most recently, she served as Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Management and Administration and the Office of Administration. In this role, Anne was responsible for building and maintaining the most diverse staff in White House history. Prior to joining the White House, Anne was the Chief Program Officer at the Obama Foundation, where she developed global programs focused on civic engagement and leadership development. She also oversaw the integration of two major initiatives, My Brother’s Keeper and The Girls Opportunity Alliance, into the Obama Foundation. Read Anne’s full bio.
About Lisa
Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs for the social impact sector, Lisa set out to build a market where one didn’t exist. She founded Nonprofit HR, the leading talent management firm in the country that works exclusively with the nonprofit sector. Read Lisa’s full bio.
About Switch
The Switch offers access to Nonprofit HR’s talent management knowledge presented by our expert consultants, media partners, and guests from across the social impact sector. For over 20 years, Nonprofit HR has produced content that illuminates critical, timely and insightful knowledge for leaders of social impact organizations. Insights from this podcast shine light on the full talent management lifecycle, from employee attraction to organizational culture, engagement, performance management and retention.
| Watch this episode on Youtube! |
| Episode 4: Leslie Mays from the Gates Foundation In this episode, Lisa sits down with Leslie Mays, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer of the Gates Foundation, to deliver thoughts and insights about organizational culture, experimenting with a hybrid, globally distributed workforce struck by the pandemic, and navigating your employees and their welfare — first and foremost — to pull them back into an organizational environment! In this episode, you’ll hear:
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About the Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. The Gates Foundation operates in 144 countries around the world. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of co-chairs Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates and the board of trustees. Learn more about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on their website.
About Leslie
Leslie Mays has led significant culture transformation efforts for more than 30 years across industries and sectors. She established and led the creation of innovative diversity and inclusion strategies for some of the world’s largest firms, including Avon Products, Kimberly Clark, Pfizer, Inc, Royal Dutch Shell and General Mills. She currently serves as Chief DEI officer and is responsible for ensuring and integrating the impact of DEI across all areas of the Gates Foundation, including culture, talent, grantmaking and ultimately, program outcomes. Prior to joining the foundation Leslie was a partner at Mercer Consulting based in New York City. Read more about Leslie.
About Lisa
Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs for the social impact sector, Lisa set out to build a market where one didn’t exist. She founded Nonprofit HR, the leading talent management firm in the country that works exclusively with the nonprofit sector. Read Lisa’s full bio.
About Switch
The Switch offers access to Nonprofit HR’s talent management knowledge presented by our expert consultants, media partners, and guests from across the social impact sector. For over 20 years, Nonprofit HR has produced content that illuminates critical, timely and insightful knowledge for leaders of social impact organizations. Insights from this podcast shine light on the full talent management lifecycle, from employee attraction to organizational culture, engagement, performance management and retention.
| Watch this episode on Youtube! |
| Episode 3: Dr. Karen West from The American Dental Education Association In this episode Lisa sits down with Dr. Karen West, President & CEO of The American Dental Education Association, to discuss the organization’s priorities following the pandemic, how they continue to evolve their approach to hybrid/remote work and how the organization is navigating the EDIJ space in terms of diversifying their leadership team, assessing current teachings and more! In this episode, you’ll hear:
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About ADEA
ADEA is the sole national organization representing academic dentistry. Its members include all 80 U.S. and Canadian dental schools, more than 800 allied and advanced dental education programs, more than 55 corporations and approximately 15,000 individuals. Its mission is to lead and support the health professions community in preparing future-ready oral health professionals. Learn more about ADEA on their website.
About Karen
Dr. Karen P. West received her undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville in 1977 and is a 1982 graduate of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry where she received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. She completed a General Practice Residency at the Medical College of Georgia in 1983 and was a 1992 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Public Health where she received her MPH degree in Health Administration. On July 1, 2019, Dr. West became the President and CEO of the American Dental Education Association headquartered in Washington, D.C. Read more about Karen.
About Lisa
Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs for the social impact sector, Lisa set out to build a market where one didn’t exist. She founded Nonprofit HR, the leading talent management firm in the country that works exclusively with the nonprofit sector. Read Lisa’s full bio.
About Switch
The Switch offers access to Nonprofit HR’s talent management knowledge presented by our expert consultants, media partners, and guests from across the social impact sector. For over 20 years, Nonprofit HR has produced content that illuminates critical, timely and insightful knowledge for leaders of social impact organizations. Insights from this podcast shine light on the full talent management lifecycle, from employee attraction to organizational culture, engagement, performance management and retention.
| Watch this episode on Youtube! |
| Episode 2: Martha Liggett from The American Society of Hematology In this episode Lisa sits down with Martha Liggett, Executive Director of ASH, to discuss the organization’s hybrid model, talent management challenges and how they’ve overcome them, and advice to organizations that may be experiencing fatigue in their EDIJ journey. In this episode, you’ll hear:
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About ASH: The American Society of Hematology (ASH) is the world’s largest professional society of hematologists serving both clinicians and scientists around the world who are working to conquer blood diseases. With more than 18,000 members from nearly 100 countries, ASH’s mission is to foster high-quality, equitable care, transformative research, and innovative education to improve the lives of patients with blood and bone marrow disorders. Learn more about ASH on their website.
Follow them on social media!
- Twitter: @ash_hematology
- Facebook: AmericanSocietyofHematology
- Instagram: @American Society of Hematology
- LinkedIn: Ash_hematology
- YouTube: American Society of Hematology
About Lisa
Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs for the social impact sector, Lisa set out to build a market where one didn’t exist. She founded Nonprofit HR, the leading talent management firm in the country that works exclusively with the nonprofit sector. Read Lisa’s full bio.
About Switch
The Switch offers access to Nonprofit HR’s talent management knowledge presented by our expert consultants, media partners, and guests from across the social impact sector. For over 20 years, Nonprofit HR has produced content that illuminates critical, timely and insightful knowledge for leaders of social impact organizations. Insights from this podcast shine light on the full talent management lifecycle, from employee attraction to organizational culture, engagement, performance management and retention.
| Watch this episode on Youtube! |
| Episode 1: Jonna Davis from The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research In this episode Lisa sits down with Jonna Davis, Operations & Impact Director from The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), to discuss her organization’s talent management practices as they navigated the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to navigate organizational growth. In this episode, you’ll hear:
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About FFAR
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) connects funders, researchers and farmers through public-private partnerships to support audacious research addressing the biggest food and agriculture challenges. FFAR’s mission is to build collaborative partnerships to support audacious science addressing today’s food and agriculture challenges. They envision a world in which pioneering, collaborative science provides every person access to affordable, nutritious food grown on thriving farms. Learn more about FFAR on their website.
About Jonna
Jonna Davis joined the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) in November 2021 as the operations and impact director, responsible for enhancing operations and assessing the impact of FFAR’s research funding. After spending over a decade in global development, she joined FFAR with a desire to apply her experience to impactful work in the United States. She’s especially interested in the intersection of agriculture and climate change. Read Jonna’s full bio.
About Lisa
Driven to serve the often-overlooked people management needs for the social impact sector, Lisa set out to build a market where one didn’t exist. She founded Nonprofit HR, the leading talent management firm in the country that works exclusively with the nonprofit sector. Read Lisa’s full bio.
About Switch
The Switch offers access to Nonprofit HR’s talent management knowledge presented by our expert consultants, media partners, and guests from across the social impact sector. For over 20 years, Nonprofit HR has produced content that illuminates critical, timely and insightful knowledge for leaders of social impact organizations. Insights from this podcast shine light on the full talent management lifecycle, from employee attraction to organizational culture, engagement, performance management and retention.
About Lisa: Driven by a vision to transform talent management in the social impact sector, Lisa Brown Alexander founded Nonprofit HR, now recognized as the leading talent management firm in the country dedicated exclusively to the social impact space. Under her leadership, the company has become a trailblazer, helping many of the nation’s most prominent nonprofit organizations excel through innovative people management strategies. Nonprofit HR is reshaping the sector’s approach to talent and culture, positioning itself as the go-to partner for organizations seeking to enhance their operational effectiveness. View Lisa’s full bio.