Write Like a Thought Leader – Now with AI

You can become a thought leader by finding a framing your best ideas. The key is defining a very narrow niche, having an opinion and writing in a journalistic style.

Rhea Wessel is an American writer who helps companies grow their business by enabling their subject-matter experts with journalistic thinking and writing skills. As a journalist, she wrote thousands of stories for magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and BBC. As a writer for companies, she has penned and edited thousands more stories across 30 industries. Rhea is the founder and head of The Institute for Thought Leadership. Her book, Write Like a Thought Leader, was published in 2022. She is at work on version 2, which is focused on using AI to boost your thought leadership.

Website – https://www.instituteforthoughtleadership.com/ 

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Moving from Conversation to Action: Funding Solutions to Empower Teens in the Digital Age 

Message from Katya Hancock: First of all, it’s hard to be a nonprofit leader and I’m cheering you on. I encourage you to: 1. Take care of yourself as much as you can. Take weekends off, take vacations/staycations, and take time to celebrate your wins. It can be so easy to stay in the day-to-day blocking and tackling of issues that pop up and move right past the moments that deserve recognition by you and your team. 2. Culture matters. Take the time to develop a culture guide, including your core values, what you stand for, who you want to emulate, and how you work. Share this openly with your team for feedback and make sure they’re bought in. 3. Borrow some best practices from the startup world. For example, funders want to hear about quarterly and annual goals as well as projections. It can be tough to make projections when you’re in a constant fundraising hustle, but this practice will ultimately help fundraising. Reassess annual and quarterly goals every 90 days with your leadership team. Lastly, if you’re an org working to help teens and preteens navigate tech, we’d love to meet you! Please reach out.

Katya Hancock is a mission-driven executive, entrepreneur, and public health champion with more than two decades of impact leadership across healthcare, technology, and philanthropic ventures. Katya is the founding Executive Director of Young Futures, a nonprofit on a mission to make it easier to grow up in the digital world. Young Futures was founded to help young people and their families to not just survive, but flourish as a team when meeting the uncertainties of this digital wilderness. Prior to Young Futures, Katya spent a decade as a founding team member and Chief Impact Officer of StartUp Health, an organization dedicated to achieving health moonshots: the world’s most pressing health challenges, including mental health, health equity, access to care, children’s health, and women’s health. During Katya’s tenure, StartUp Health’s portfolio grew to 500 companies in 30 countries. Katya has also worked as an operator across multiple startups, including helping to build two successful fintech startups from the seed stage to acquisition by Fortune 500 companies. For Katya the Young Futures mission is personal. She lives in Berkeley, CA with her husband and two young children, Oz (9) and Coco (7).

More information at https://www.youngfutures.org/ 

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Collaborate to Innovate: Unlocking Success in Nonprofit Partnerships

Michelle Shumate is the founder and owner of Social Impact Network Consulting (SINC). Through SINC, she helps social impact leaders find nuanced solutions through coaching and consulting. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Networks for Social Impact (Oxford University Press). Her work has been featured in Stanford Social Innovation Review, Nonprofit Quarterly, and Youth Today. Michelle is the founding director of Network for Nonprofit and Social Impact (NNSI), the Delaney Family University Research Professor, and Associate Faculty at the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University. She is also spouse to Michael, mom to Oliver and Alex, and an avid backyard birdwatcher.

Sustained Collaboration is a powerful strategic tool for nonprofit leaders to build resilience and increase their social impact. I’d like nonprofit leaders and clergy to: 1. Learn about the types of sustained collaboration available, including mergers, asset transfers, shared service arrangements, shared projects, and alliances. 2. Consider these types of collaborations as strategic tools to (a) embark on a strategic transformation, (b) establish new programs or improve and expand existing programs, (c) develop new efficiencies through shared assets, (d) create policy wins, (e) encourage innovation, and (f) produce better quality outcomes for clients and the community.

More information at the following sites:

https://sustainedcollab.org 

https://michelleshumate.com

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Mission Driven, Not Superhuman

If you choose a life in service of others it doesn’t have to come at a cost to your own health and well-being. Leaders and organizations have an obligation to provide a holistic, human-centered duty of care for their staff that protects the whole human being.

Dimple Dhabalia is a writer, podcaster, facilitator, and coach with over twenty years of experience working at the intersection of leadership, mindful awareness, and storytelling. In 2021 Dimple founded Roots in the Clouds, a boutique consulting firm specializing in using the power of story to heal organizational trauma and moral injury. Dimple is the best-selling author of Tell Me My Story—Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self and the creator and host of two podcasts, Service Without Sacrifice and What Would Ted Lasso Do? Follow her @dimpstory across all social media platforms and on Substack at dear humanitarian.

More at – https://www.rootsintheclouds.com 

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Unveiling the Veil: Debunking Myths and Uncovering Truths in Nonprofit HR Practice

Shelley Majors is an accomplished HR consultant with over 25 years of experience, including five years specializing in the nonprofit sector. As the founder of Boardwalk Human Resources Consulting, she strategically aligns human resources with corporate objectives to boost employee engagement and efficiency. Notably, Shelley developed a talent acquisition strategy that improved employee retention by 40% for a leading nonprofit, demonstrating her ability to translate strategic visions into tangible results.

HR is crucial for the success of any nonprofit, extending beyond recruitment to strategic partnership in achieving organizational goals. To nonprofit leaders and clergy, remember that HR professionals are pivotal in developing leadership, nurturing talent, and enhancing organizational culture. They align HR strategies with your objectives, fostering a productive work environment and driving initiatives that boost morale, efficiency, and retention. Investing in strong HR practices is investing in the foundation of your organization’s success, ensuring the right people are in place to effectively carry out your mission.

More information at – https://www.boardwalkhr.com/home 

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Breaking Down Barriers and Bias for Women in Leadership

In this episode of The Nonprofit Exchange, we had the privilege of hosting Linda Fisk, a thought leader in women’s leadership and the founder of LeadHership Global. Linda shared her journey of creating a community of extraordinary women in leadership, focused on unleashing their full potential and creating personal and professional breakthroughs.

The discussion delved into the concept of the glass ceiling, which represents the barriers preventing women and minorities from reaching top leadership positions. Linda highlighted the staggering statistics showing the underrepresentation of women in the C-suite and the persistent gender inequality in the workplace.

Moreover, the conversation expanded to address biases and stereotypes that hinder women’s progress in leadership roles. Linda emphasized the importance of awareness of implicit biases and the need for regular bias and stereotype training in organizations.

Furthermore, the episode explored proactive strategies to break down barriers and bias for women in leadership. Linda suggested setting diversity hiring goals, establishing anti-discrimination policies, and conducting blind screenings in recruitment processes. She also emphasized the significance of networking, mentorship, and seeking alternative funding sources for women entrepreneurs.

The episode concluded with a call to action for individuals to stand up against inequities in the workplace, speak out about unfair practices, and seek support from HR and organizational leaders to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Overall, the episode provided valuable insights and actionable steps to address gender inequality and empower women in leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive and diverse work environments for the advancement of all individuals

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Ask a Funder – What High Impact Funders Look for in Your Funding Requests

To be successful in non-profit fundraising you have to have a plan and a point of view that aligns your infrastructure and your vision. Having integrity, a stellar reputation, and the ability to execute what you promise on is vital to your organization’s sustainability and long term growth. Without these key components developing and executing a successful fundraising strategy is nearly impossible.

Dr. Cathryn Dhanatya is Co-founder and President/CEO of Growing Good Inc., a professional services firm that partners with non-profit organizations and companies who aim to do good in the world. Cathryn has previously held key C-suite executive positions and board director and advisory positions for organizations in the areas of research, higher education, and across the non-profit sector tackling complex social issues from healthcare, education, diversity and gender equity, microfinance, green technology, and food insecurity. She has lived and worked on five continents; earned her Ph.D. in Social Science and Comparative Education from UCLA; and has led and conducted research on media and technology as it relates to health issues around the globe. She has been a keynote speaker at several international and domestic conferences, events, trainings, and featured in numerous media outlets and publications addressing the issues of non-profit leadership, funding, the future of philanthropy, health equity, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, women executives in the workplace, redefining success, and work life balance as a professional and mother.

https://www.growinggoodinc.com/ 

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Unleash Your Leadership Superpowers

Bishop Warner H. Brown is a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church, serving from 2000 to 2016.  He is currently serving as an interim bishop of the Sierra Leone Episcopal Area in the West Africa Central Conference.  



From 2014 to 2016, Bishop Brown was the President of the Council of Bishops.
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Bishop Brown was born and raised as an only child in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Ida and Warner Brown. At the age of thirteen, while reading the New Testament, he felt a call to serve. He began preaching as a youth and was encouraged to continue doing so. As a young adult, he attended the University of Maryland, (B.A. in Sociology, 1969.) He also graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC with a Master of Divinity degree.



In 1973 Warner was ordained deacon in the Baltimore Annual Conference by Bishop James K. Mathews. Yet his movement west had already begun with a pastoral appointment in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference as both the pastor of a church and Director of Bethany House Ministries in Pittsburgh, a social service ministry for two housing projects. While serving in western Pennsylvania, he was ordained elder in 1975 by Bishop Roy C. Nichols. In 1979, he answered a national search for an associate conference staff position in the California-Nevada Conference and transferred there. Once in California, it was only six months later that he was asked to serve as Conference Council Director.



From this role of program and administrative oversight for the Conference, Warner was appointed just four years later to the Superintendency of the Golden Gate District, the richly diverse area including San Francisco and several rural and suburban counties along the Pacific Coast. Four years after that, he was given the charge of the Taylor Memorial UMC in Oakland, CA. While serving this significant congregation, the community was then assaulted by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and two years later the holocaust of fires in the Oakland hills. As chairperson of the Oakland Inter-religious Network for responding to this disaster, Warner led the community’s ecumenical disaster response.



Throughout these years, Warner has been active in the social justice ministries and programs of those communities and church connections where he has been appointed. To list but a sampling: Volunteer Police Chaplain, Trustee of the Glide Foundation, vice-chair of the Community Advisory Commission for Alameda County Medical Center, member of the Governing Board of United Way for Kern County, a member of the. Board of Directors for the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter, recipient of the 1996 Outstanding Leadership and Service Award for Emergency Response Ministries, given by UMCOR, and recipient of a 1998 Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Barbara Lee.



Warner’s leadership in the church has included service as a delegate to General Conference twice, member of the General Commission on Religion and Race, a faculty member for New DS/CCD training, Harry Hoosier Member of and twice the host for the National Black Methodists for Church Renewal, chair of the Board of Missions in California-Nevada Annual Conference as well as numerous other conference boards and agencies, adjunct consultant to the Alban Institute, and a Wesley Seminary Distinguished Alumni.



Following a successful eleven-year pastorate in Oakland, Warner was given a new challenge as Senior Pastor of the predominantly white yet multi-ethnic First UMC of Bakersfield, CA. Only two years into this pastorate, he was nominated and endorsed by his conference for the episcopacy: at the Western Jurisdiction Conference Sessions in Casper, Wyoming, and in July of 2000 he was elected to the episcopacy on the 19th ballot and assigned to the Denver Area. He retired in July 2016.



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Stop selling ice to Eskimos! Give sponsors what they really need!

Let me show you how to increase event profits by turning your experiential event photography from an expense to be paid into an asset to be sold! If your EEP (that tired Photo Booth in the back) isn’t a vibrant, vital front-line asset that showcases your guests, highlights your sponsors, and expands your social reach while generating additional income for your non-profit, you are doing it WRONG! Let me expand your ideas concerning EEP’s and how to identify best practices for your events.

Randy Long is the owner of The Pix Squad, a professional event photography company specializing in corporate gatherings, golf outings, and charity galas. The Pix Squad’s Mobile Pix Cart has turned golf photography upside down and is welcomed by PGA, LPGA, and PGA Canada tournaments as well as hundreds of local tournaments. The Mobile Pix Cart led The Pix Squad to work with 24 pro sports figures such as Von Miller, Ron Jaworski, Patrick Williams and Darren Waller, further bolstering their fundraising galas and events coast to coast, creating a measurable increase in philanthropic donations through the heightened level of entertainment they provide. With a degree in theatre and extensive event management experience, Randy and his Squad leveraged that experience to produce jaw-dropping photo experiences to increase sponsorship income and extend social reach. Randy was first a small-town newspaper reporter/photographer who translated his experience into opportunity when he took a side gig as a mall Santa to pay for his family’s holiday spending. Frustrated with the experience, Randy created Santa Magic (shopping center Santa/Easter Photo) and later The Pix Squad. Huge corporate clients like Microsoft, United Way, Bell Bank, and Great Clips, have also used The Pix Squad to increase brand awareness, corporate goodwill, or employee engagement at their events. One of Randy’s proudest accomplishments as a business owner is his Squad Members who often get job offers from Pix Squad clients due to their enthusiasm and work ethic.

More information at – https://thepixsquad.com 

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The Secrets to Increasing Your Nonprofit Strength and Sustainability

As a nonprofit leader for over 30 years, I love helping nonprofits with their governance, strategy, and long-term sustainability. The keys to long-term success in a nonprofit organization are a clear vision and strategy, an effective board, efficient operations, and building a sustainable business model.

About Jennifer Drago, LFACHE, MHSA, MBA. For over 30 years, Jennifer served as a corporate strategist, operations executive, and award-winning planner. Her work has helped healthcare, senior living, and nonprofit organizations implement a laser-focused vision and data-driven strategies to guide their growth. She has a track record of launching innovative programs in a fiscally responsible manner, including a nationally recognized care transitions program. Today, she serves as a strategy consultant, helping organizations to increase efficiencies and profits while amplifying their impact. Her expertise includes executive leadership, strategic planning, business or service line planning, feasibility analyses, governance and board development, process improvement, performance analytics, and marketing. She is a national speaker, facilitator, best-selling author, and Senior Living Visionaries podcast host. Jen holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance, a master’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from Arizona State University. She is also a Life Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a certified Nonprofit Board Consultant (BoardSource), a certified Mastery Method Coach (Institute of Coaching Mastery), and a Lifecycles Capacity Consultant (Nonprofit Lifecycles Institute).

More information at https://www.peaktoprofit.com 

Free Board Assessment – https://www.peaktoprofit.com/board

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