Through the Noise

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#170 Raffa - Thomas Raffa Apr 28, 2016

Show notes

We're excited to welcome Thomas Raffa, founder of Raffa, PC, an accounting firm servicing nonprofit, governmental, and other clients while maintaining a firm commitment to making a positive difference in the world. Prior to forming Raffa, PC, Mr. Raffa had a career at one of the "Big Four" accounting firms but became dissatisfied with the pursuit of profit above all else. With a desire to use his skills for the greater good, he founded Raffa PC in 1984 with a model that today fits under the banner of "B Corporation" with a focus on social responsibility. The firm donates 10% of revenue to charitable causes and continues to grow. Find out how they are working to change the face of business to encourage social engagement and community involvement. Could their model help you attract and retain employees and grow your business or organization?

Tom founded Raffa, P.C. over a quarter century ago to service the needs of the nonprofit community. As an owner-partner, Tom turned his vision into reality by building a company designed to improve the business of nonprofits and to focus on its corporate and civic responsibility. Today, the foundation that Tom began laying in 1984 is solid and the business which grew from two to 250 employees has never lost sight of its overarching goal – to strengthen the social fiber of its community.

With nearly 250 on-staff professionals and 17 partners, Raffa is now recognized as one of the 100 largest and best-managed accounting firms in the U.S. They are among the first Washington DC area businesses to earn B Corporation Certification. Serving as advisors and back office solution providers to nonprofit organizations and businesses, Raffa's client-centric, customized approach helps each client meet its potential and ensures that each client's success is sustained and maintained.

#169 International Sign Association - Lori Anderson Apr 25, 2016

Show notes

Lori Anderson, President and CEO of the International Sign Association joins us today to talk about the organization that "points the way for communities to thrive." The International Sign Association is an organization whose work is crucial, omnipresent, and almost totally inconspicuous to the public. Though signs are an essential aspect of modern life -- without which most of us would find ourselves lost almost constantly -- their success is rarely noticed while failures become the fodder of internet memes. Ms. Anderson's passion for way finding and signage is palpable and not to be missed. Bring your sense of curiosity and learn a little bit more about the curious world in which we all live.

Lori Anderson is President & CEO for the International Sign Association (ISA), which serves the international on-premise signage and visual communications industry. ISA's programs include educational conferences, government relations, technology research and the ISA International Sign Expo, which attracts some 20,000 signage and graphics professionals annually. Prior to joining ISA in 2004, Lori was Strategic Planning and Industry Relations Officer for the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) in Washington, DC, where she was responsible for a number of programs, including government and public affairs, industry statistics, international trade policy and strategic planning.

ISA and its Affiliated Associations work to support, promote, and improve the worldwide sign and visual communications industry, which employs more than 200,000 American workers and has an economic impact of $37.5 billion.

#168 Arlington Gov - Christian Dorsey Apr 21, 2016

Show notes

We keep it local again today with Arlington County, Virginia's newest County Board Member, Christian Dorsey, who started his term on January 1. Arlington is just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC and at 26 square miles is the smallest county in the nation in size but one of the most dense and diverse and home to the world's largest office building, the Pentagon, and National Airport. As a lifelong activist, Mr. Dorsey explains that running for County office was the next step for him in becoming more deeply involved in the community where he's lived since 1993, although he jokes that you "must disassociate yourself from rational thought in order to run." While working to set an example for his kids on how to be involved and active in their community, he is working for all residents, with a special focus on affordable housing -- which is increasingly becoming more rare around the country, but especially in the Washington, DC area. To learn more about this fascinating place and hear more about Mr. Dorsey's strong background in public service, don't miss this episode.

Christian Dorsey has dedicated his efforts to improving our community, most recently as a new member of the Arlington County Board beginning in November 2015. Mr. Dorsey has a focus on continuing to enhance the quality of life for all Arlingtonians by charting a course toward sustainable growth, to figure out how we meet our present needs and overcome current challenges without compromising the ability of current and future residents to enjoy our great community.

The Arlington County Board is composed of five at-large members that establish policies, and oversee governance, growth and development.

#167 Arlington Soccer Association - Justin Wilt Apr 18, 2016

Show notes

After a couple of trips around the world with Global Communities and USAID, we return back to our neighborhood and welcome Justin Wilt, Executive Director of the Arlington Soccer Association. Not to be confused with Arlington, TX or Arlington, MA -- as happens with some regularity by enthusiastic parents from the south and north -- this Arlington Soccer Association is based in Virginia and organizes a league for kids as young and tiny as 3 years old up to 19-20. Soccer has been growing in popularity in the US in recent decades and is one of the most accessible and egalitarian sports available. Requiring little equipment -- so, a limited financial investment -- it breaks down barriers and builds friendships and skills. With 9,000 kids playing soccer in Arlington, there's a real need for an official organizational structure. And we're excited to speak with Justin Wilt about making a real difference in the life of kids.

Justin Wilt has more than 30 years of experience leading & improving operations across a variety of industries. In his 7th year as the Executive Director of Arlington Soccer, Justin combines his passion for youth development and the sport of soccer with a strong business drive & discipline."}"

The Arlington Soccer Association offers recreational, developmental and travel soccer, as well as a number of camps, clinics and other programs serving over 9,000 children each year. We provide quality soccer programs and experiences for people of all abilities, backgrounds and financial means to encourage personal growth, promote a love for the game, and advance soccer in Arlington and surrounding communities.

#166 U.S. Global Development - Alexis Bonnell and Lab / USAID DAI - Steven O'Conner Apr 14, 2016

Show notes

Today on Through the Noise we bring you collaborators from different parts of the development world -- Alexis Bonnell from USAID, who is an "Innovation Evaganelist" and Steven O'Connor, Communications Director of DAI -- an employee owned global development firm. Ms. Bonnell is part of USAID's new Global Development Lab which is undertaking the challenge of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030. Technological advancements have made unprecedented changes possible while harnessing the collective brilliance of humanity. Listen up to learn more about their plans to change the world and maybe some of the strategies they emply will be useful in your own work.

Alexis Bonnell is the Head of Applied Innovation at USAID and is focused on harnessing innovation to address humanities greatest challenges. Alexis has delivered over one billion dollars in development and humanitarian programming in over 25 countries, working with over 200 partners across all sectors of aid.

USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.

Steven O'Connor is DAI's Senior Director for Corporate Communications. He oversees internal and external communications for the company, which currently employs some 2,500 people on 150 projects in 92 countries.

DAI is an employee-owned international development company dedicated to shaping a more livable world.

#165 Global Communities - Milton Funes Apr 11, 2016

Show notes

We've recently had David Humphries and Nancy McDonald of Global Communities on the show and today we are pleased to welcome Milton Funes who is the Director of Program Impact and Learning at Global Communities. An engineer by training, he originally became involved in international aid work when Hurricane Mitch struck Honduras in 1998. Global Communities has been operating in Honduras for 35 years and is extremely effective in not only assisting people impacted and traumatized by disaster -- but also giving local people the tools and education necessary to rebuild their lives, livelihood, and communities. A number of aid organizations have made the mistake of going to a country and just talking and talking -- forgetting the importance of listening to learn.

Milton Funes has 15 years of international development experience, with expertise in NGO capacity building, health, social infrastructure, urban/rural planning, micro-finance and economic development. In his current role as Director of Program Impact and Learning, he leads a team focusing on taking lessons learned in the field and disseminating across the development field and other interested parties.

#164 Wilson Center - Caroline Scullin Apr 07, 2016

Show notes

Today we're pleased to welcome Caroline Scullin, Vice President of External Relations for the Wilson Center -- the nation's premier nonpartisan think tank based in Washingon, DC. Created to honor the memory of President Woodrow Wilson, the Center is a place where scholars and experts from around the world gather to do and present research and to make the knowledge of academia more relevant, digestible, and useful for public policy makers, the media, as well as the general public. Ms. Scullin helps explain the role and value of the Center through the recent Iran agreement. The Center has the influence and the means to convene diverse voices and perspectives, ensuring that the research produced incorporates multiple viewpoints.

Caroline Scullin is the Vice President for External Relations at the Wilson Center. Caroline had over 20 years of experience in strategic communications in the public, private and non-profit sectors tackling complex issues and conveying them to a wide range of audiences and stakeholders.

The Wilson Center is a non-partisan think tank and living national memorial to President Woodrow Wilson. The Center addresses global issues through independent research and open dialogue to inform actionable policy ideas.

#163 Grant Thornton & Act for Alexandria - Robert Shea, John Porter Apr 04, 2016

Show notes

Today we're excited to present a show with two guests we've had previously, Robert Shea of Grant Thornton and John Porter of ACT for Alexandria. When they joined us before, we learned of their collaborative relationship so we're pleased to bring them together to pick their brains and talk about their experience and ideas for engaging their community. While they are based in Alexandria, VA, these concepts can be used anywhere. Robert Shea explains the crucial role of being a good corporate citizen in recruiting and retaining talented employees and says it is now an "essential" part of the recruitment process. Having a relationshilp with an organization like ACT for Alexandria allows the company to contribute financially while offering their staff a way to give back to their community with their time, energy, skills, and enthusiasm.

John retired from the Alexandria City Public Schools in 2009 after a distinguished career with the Alexandria City Public Schools, which was highlighted by his twenty-two year tenure as principal of T. C. Williams High School of Remember the Titans movie fame. After retirement, John continued his work in Alexandria and is presently serving as president and CEO of ACT for Alexandria, Alexandria's community foundation.

ACT's mission is to increase the level and effectiveness of giving and engagement in Alexandria.

Robert Shea is a principal and a member of our Global Public Sector practice. He is on the organizational improvement team and has conducted performance management engagements with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts. He was most recently at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget as associate director for administration and government performance. Before joining OMB, Shea served as counsel to the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs.

Grant Thornton works with a broad range of publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations. Core industries served include consumer and industrial products, financial services, not-for-profit, private equity, and technology. Grant Thornton focuses on serving dynamic organizations that pursue growth holistically — whether through revenue improvement, leadership, mission fulfillment, or innovation.

#162 MSM Global Consulting - Maria Morukian Mar 31, 2016

Show notes

Maria Morukian, the president and founder of MSM Global Consulting joins us today to talk about organizational culture change and manages to convert Blake into a giant fan of consultants. She works with organizations that are undergoing (or planning to undergo) a major cultural revamp -- revising and rewriting the norms, values, and behaviors of that organization by including the perspectives of everyone on staff impacted by the transition. Emphasizing the necessity of creating / maintaingin a connection to the organization between staff at all levels, MSM Global Consulting's focus is on developing sustainable change for the long-term.

Maria Morukian is a leadership consultant, coach, and trainer who has spent the last fourteen years helping to grow thoughtful, influential, and inclusive leaders at all levels and to build organizations that maximize the diverse talents of their workforce. She is an adjunct professor at American University's School of International Service.

MSM Global Consulting is a professional services firm that partners with organizations of every size and sector, specializing in organizational culture change and leadership development.

#161 Public Affairs Council - Nick DeSarno Mar 28, 2016

Show notes

Nick DeSarno joins us today from the Public Affairs Council where he manages the grassroots and communications department. The Public Affairs Council is a nonpartisan association assisting, eductating, training and advocating for public affairs professionals around the world. The public affairs field is comprised of people who work to engage influencers and public officials and the Council is a membership association representing 700 different organizations that are primarlily trade associations. If you have struggled to effectively convey your message to lawmakers, this episode will help point you in the right direction.

Nick DeSarno is the manager, grassroots and communications for the Public Affairs Council. In this capacity, he is the Council's lead expert on digital communications and its intersection with advocacy. The Public Affairs Council is the leading nonpartisan, nonpolitical association for public affairs professionals worldwide.

The Public Affairs Council is the leading nonpartisan, nonpolitical association for public affairs professionals worldwide.

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