Inspired Nonprofit Leadership

Latest Episodes:

306: Strategic Planning Tips with Kate Scherr-Adams Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I discuss the importance of strategic planning tailored to the size and needs of your organization with special guest Kate Scherr-Adams. We talk about the significance of stakeholder engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and how to develop focused, actionable plans. Plus insights on right-sizing your strategic initiatives, making data-informed decisions, and fostering a collaborative environment within your team.

Episode Highlights

03:09 Challenges and Changes in Strategic Planning
05:16 Strategic Planning Essentials
07:25 Tailoring Strategic Planning to Organizational Needs
11:31 Importance of Stakeholder Engagement
16:45 Adapting to Organizational Challenges
20:26 Uncovering Organizational Issues Early On
20:58 The Importance of External Perspective
22:15 Strategic Planning vs. Organizational Readiness
24:20 Defining and Engaging Stakeholders
27:41 Collecting and Utilizing Data Effectively
32:47 Incorporating DEI in Strategic Planning

Meet the Guest

Kate Scherr-Adams, is a strategist, trainer, and facilitator dedicated to helping nonprofits and public-sector organizations navigate challenges and drive meaningful change. With a background in social work and nonprofit management, she founded KS Solutions Consulting in 2011, specializing in professional development, DEI, and workplace wellness.

Kate has held senior leadership roles at Business Volunteers Maryland, the Family League of Baltimore City, and more, bringing expertise in strategic planning, board dynamics, and partnership building. She also teaches strategy and community engagement at UMBC.

An avid volunteer, nature lover, and community advocate, Kate believes in listening to the birds, not the thunder—an outlook that guides both her work and life.

Connect with Kate:

website: https://www.kssolution.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katescherr-adams/

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305: Tips for Setting Better Goals with Sarah Olivieri Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Join Sarah Olivieri, your host and nonprofit expert as she delves into effective goal setting. Learn the difference between outcome goals and process goals, how to set them in pairs, and the importance of focusing on execution goals. Discover actionable tips for breaking down larger goals into manageable projects to make a bigger impact with less work. Get insights on evaluating goals and performance and find out how to apply SMART criteria to process goals.

Episode Highlights

01:12 Introduction to Goal Setting
02:46 Understanding Outcome and Process Goals
05:32 When to Apply SMART Goals
06:37 Breaking Down Goals into Projects

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, "I'm the money"?

Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she's charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement "I'm the money" was, as it turned out, right ON the money.

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she's very, very good at it.

She's brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She's averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become "the money" for many of the organizations she works with.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she's created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz. Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

304: The Power of Soft Skills for Nonprofit Leaders with John Whitehead Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Join host Sarah Olivieri on 'Inspired Nonprofit Leadership' as she dives into the crucial topic of soft skills with John Whitehead, a seasoned executive coach and corporate trainer. John brings over 40 years of senior leadership experience to the discussion, sharing insights on the importance of emotional intelligence, communication, and behavioral shifts for impactful leadership. Learn practical tips for improving your nonprofit's effectiveness, including how to manage board relationships and ensure fair compensation for staff. This in-depth will help you work smarter, not harder, and make a lasting impact without burning out.

Episode Highlights

04:21 The Importance of Thinking Time for Leaders
07:04 Defining Soft Skills
09:45 Emotional Intelligence and Communication
10:35 Practical Examples and Stories
12:10 Developing Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
19:09 Natural Leadership Qualities
20:02 Building Relationships and Continuous Learning
20:57 Communication Challenges in Leadership
22:06 Understanding Personal and Team Dynamics
27:15 Nonprofit Leadership Challenges
30:16 Fair Compensation in Nonprofits
33:48 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

Meet the Guest

John Whitehead is a facilitator, and Certified Executive Coach (ICF) who has over 40 years of senior leadership and management experience.

John has held senior operational positions with national organizations achieving significant recognition for his results. Along with his executive and leadership coaching practice, John is currently a Corporate Trainer at Okanagan College, British Columbia, Canada and was previously an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Management, University of British Columbia, Okanagan.

John travels internationally including Europe and the Middle East facilitating leadership workshops. John describes himself as a continuous learner, motivated to learn more so that he can better help others achieve their goals. John's clients have included senior and emerging leaders in both non-profit and for-profit organization.

John holds a master's degree in leadership from Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada along with various certifications in management and leadership

Connect with John:

Website https://johnkwhitehead.ca/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johwhi/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWhitehead_Executive_Coach

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

303: 4 Key Strategies for Building a Strong Nonprofit Team with Sarah Olivieri Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Join host Sarah Olivieri in this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she shares essential tips for building and retaining a dedicated and effective nonprofit team. Drawing from her experience as an executive director, board member, consultant, and coach, Sarah discusses the importance of paying a worthy wage, creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, investing in professional development, and building pathways for career advancement.

Episode Highlights

01:15 The Importance of Building a Stronger Nonprofit Team
01:51 Tip 1: Pay Your People Well
03:35 Tip 2: Create a Supportive and Inclusive Culture
06:41 Tip 3: Invest in Professional Development
07:41 Tip 4: Build Pathways for Career Advancement

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, "I'm the money"?

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she's very, very good at it.

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

302: Addressing Toxicity in Nonprofit Culture with Holly Rustick Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

Join Sarah Olivieri in another insightful episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership where she speaks with Holly Rustick, a world-renowned grant writing and business coach. They dive into the challenges and opportunities faced by nonprofit leaders, including the importance of mindset, the complexities of grant writing, and the necessity of preparation and self-care. Holly shares her expertise on how nonprofits can pivot in response to changes in the funding landscape and offers practical tips for executive directors and board members. If you're involved in nonprofit leadership or considering a transition to consulting, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you unleash your full potential.

Episode Highlights

01:05 Meet Holly Rustick: Grant Writing Expert
03:48 Navigating Change and Pivoting in Nonprofits
11:33 Addressing Toxicity in Nonprofit Culture
19:13 Creating a Better Work Environment in Nonprofits
19:37 Steps to Transition Out of Your Nonprofit Job
19:55 Maximizing Efficiency with Task Management
20:11 The Importance of Data in Nonprofit Management
21:59 Exploring Nonprofit to Consultant Transitions
27:07 Pricing Strategies for Hiring Grant Writers
34:43 Final Advice and Resources for Nonprofit Leaders

Meet the Guest

World-renowned grant writing and business coach Holly Rustick coaches new and seasoned grant writers to quit their toxic nonprofit jobs and replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship. In 18 months alone, Holly's program students in her two programs have collectively secured $137+ million in grant funding, and $2.7 million+ in their businesses.

Being a grant writer and trainer for 20 years, Holly has a mission to coach grant writers to help causes they care about while making an equitable income on flexible hours. Holly is the podcast host of the top grant writing podcast in the world, "Grant Writing & Funding" and author of the Bestselling book, "The Beginner's Guide to Grant Writing."

Holly has an MA in International Political Economy, is past-president of the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce, serves on numerous boards of directors, and is an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. Find out more at www.grantwritingandfunding.com

Connect with Holly: Website: Grant Writing & Funding LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/hollyrustick/ Podcast: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-podcast/ Book: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/book YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrantWritingandFunding Freelance Grant Writer Academy:https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy Grant Professional Mentorship: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

301: Rethink Your Org Chart! with Sarah Olivieri Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

Join nonprofit leadership expert Sarah Olivieri in this episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she challenges the traditional hierarchical organizational chart model. Sarah explores the origins of the org chart, its limitations in fostering innovation and treating people well, and introduces a new model focused on managing outcomes rather than people. She discusses the core functions necessary for all nonprofits and how distributing leadership roles can lead to a more effective, happier, and innovative team. If you're ready to transform your nonprofit's structure and decision-making processes, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Highlights

Rethinking the Traditional Org Chart
Problems with the Hierarchical Model
Shifting Focus to Managing Outcomes
Core Functions of Nonprofits
Distributing Leadership and Decision Making

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, "I'm the money"?

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she's very, very good at it.

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn>>

On Facebook>>

Subscribe on YouTube>>

300: Leading for Innovation with Brandon Dean Johnson Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

We are excited to celebrate our 300th episode of the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership with special guest Brandon Dean Johnson, CEO of Create Now, an LA-based nonprofit focused on empowering underserved youth through arts education. Brandon shares his journey from being unhoused to leading a successful nonprofit, drawing from his background in graphic design and fine arts. He discusses the importance of authentic leadership, the role of AI in nonprofit work, programmatic innovations, and the future vision for Create Now. Tune in for valuable insights on nonprofit leadership and sustainable fundraising.

Episode Highlights

Skills and Leadership Insights
Fundraising and Relationship Building
Programmatic Innovations at Create Now
Future Vision and AI Integration
Words of Wisdom

Meet the Guest

Brandon Dean Johnson is the CEO of Create Now, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved youth through arts education. With a background in graphic design and fine arts from Elizabeth City State University, Brandon has leveraged his talents in both the entertainment industry and community outreach.

He has contributed to projects for major companies such as Disney, Warner Bros, and Netflix, including work on notable titles like Marvel Super Heroes: Black Panther.

As the founder of BigFooters LLC and the creative force behind Hoodlin Mania, Brandon continues to innovate in animation and digital media.

Committed to enriching lives, Brandon continues to lead Create Now into being a pivotal resource for young people, offering creative programs that foster their talents and aspirations.

Connect with Brandon:

Createnow.org

https://www.classy.org/campaign/peer-peer-create-now-a-new-era-of-change/c623336

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn:>>

On Facebook:>>

Subscribe on YouTube:>>

299: 3 Tips for Developing Your Staff with Sarah Olivieri Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode Sarah Olivieri shares her three top tips for developing your staff at your organization, covering both heads vs. hands roles and the importance of understanding key functions. She also delves into opening up the advancement process and moving toward a model of distributed leadership. Whether you're part of a nonprofit or for-profit organization, these actionable strategies will help you build your dream team and drive future success. Tune in now to learn more!

Episode Highlights

Top Tips for Developing Your Staff
Understanding Heads vs. Hands Roles
Key Functions in Your Nonprofit
Balancing Stability and Change
Opening Up the Advancement Process

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, "I'm the money"?

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she's very, very good at it.

As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she's created a framework, called The Impact Method®ï¸, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results.

Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn>>

On Facebook>>

Subscribe on YouTube>>

298: How To Be Prepared For A Disaster With Patrick Hardy Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

This episode of Inspired Nonprofit Leadership features disaster expert Patrick Hardy. Learn about Patrick's unique approach to disaster preparedness for non-profit organizations, focusing on the 'five pockets' strategy to ensure continuous operations during any crisis. Discover Patrick's incredible journey of breaking a world record for the longest CPR marathon and gain practical tips to empower your team and keep your nonprofit resilient. Patrick also shares fascinating stories and emphasizes the importance of flexibility and readiness, making this episode a must-listen for any nonprofit leader.

Episode Highlights Meet Patrick Hardy: Disaster Management Expert Patrick's Record-Breaking CPR Marathon Insights from the CPR Marathon Journey Disaster Preparedness for Nonprofits (the 'five pockets' strategy) Defining and Handling Disasters Creating Effective Disaster Plans Empowering Employees in Disaster Situations Practical Tips for Disaster Readiness Patrick's Unique Disaster Challenges

When disaster and disruption strike there are few voices in the world as knowledgeable as Patrick Hardy. Whether you're reading his book Design Any Disaster: The Revolutionary Blueprint to Master Your Next Crisis or Emergency, or seeing his talks live, Patrick's wealth of experience proves that he is the man with the plan to help you navigate and prevent disruptions. Not only is he a graduate of FEMA's Advanced Academy, but Patrick has gone on to gain numerous certifications such as FEMA's Master of Exercise®, Certified Emergency Manager®, Certified Risk Manager®, and Master Business Continuity Professional®.

Drawing from his deep expertise in disaster preparedness and response, Patrick Hardy equips audiences with practical strategies to break the Crisis Creation Chain, educating people on how to eliminate disasters by turning disruptions into opportunities.

Patrick actively collaborates across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to empower individuals to bolster their resilience and prevent minor disruptions from escalating into full-blown disasters. Having successfully led, managed, and advised teams around the globe through the greatest natural, technological, and security emergencies an organization or community can face, Patrick understands how proper leadership based on simple core principles can prevent a disaster from ever happening at all.

His first book: Design Any Disaster: The Revolutionary Blueprint to Master Your Next Crisis or Emergency was released late Spring 2023.

Sponsored Resource

Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit!

Access it here >>

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn>>

On Facebook>>

Subscribe on YouTube>>

297: Transform Your Board: Overcoming Dysfunction and Creating Harmony with Sarah Olivieri Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Join host and nonprofit leadership expert Sarah Olivieri on Inspired Nonprofit Leadership as she dives into the critical topic of overcoming board dysfunction. In this episode, Sarah shares three essential tips for refining board structures, emphasizing the transition from a governance to an oversight model. She also discusses the importance of continuous learning for board members and building a rewarding and enjoyable board experience. Sarah's insights are designed to help nonprofit leaders create highly functional and harmonious boards that drive organizational success.

Episode Highlights

The Challenges of Board Dysfunction
Tip 1: Adopting an Oversight Model
Tip 2: Continuous Learning for Board Members
Tip 3: Making Board Membership Enjoyable

Resource

The Board Clarity Club

A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible.

Learn More >>

About Your Host

Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, "I'm the money"?

Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she's very, very good at it.

Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application

Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Connect with Sarah:

On LinkedIn>>

On Facebook>>

Subscribe on YouTube>>