RKD Group: Thinkers

RKD Group

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RKD Group: Thinkers, the nonprofit marketer's podcast, is a must-listen experience of thought-provoking content that inspires strategic decisions and insight on the industry. Group: Thinkers brings together innovators and curators in nonprofit marketing, branding and direct response to tackle the major issues facing nonprofits today.

11 jun

The power of relationships, curiosity and boundaries in nonprofit leadership

In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Chanpimol, annual fund and advancement services manager for The Salvation Army's Northern New England Division. With two decades of experience at the organization, Stephanie shares how a willingness to learn, strong communication skills and a commitment to building meaningful relationships have shaped her nonprofit career.

31 min.
28 mei

‘Superfans’ and storytelling: What nonprofits can learn from Brittany Hodak

In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Brittany Hodak—author, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and creator of the “superfan” philosophy that has helped brands like Walmart, Disney, Amazon and countless artists build deeper customer loyalty and engagement. Brittany’s journey began in the music industry during a moment of massive disruption. As record labels struggled to respond to file-sharing and digital downloads in the early 2000s, Brittany saw an opportunity others missed: Fans didn’t just want music—they wanted connection, experiences and a sense of belonging. That insight led her to launch a company focused on creating premium fan experiences and collectible products for artists and brands, eventually earning her a spot on Shark Tank and partnerships with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Today, Brittany helps organizations understand what turns casual supporters into passionate advocates. Her core belief is simple but powerful: Superfans are created at the intersection of your story and theirs.

38 min.
14 mei

How Toys for Tots turns seasonal generosity into a year-round monthly giving program

In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, we sit down with Kendra Mungra, Director of Communications at Toys for Tots. With a background in marketing, communications and entrepreneurship, Kendra brings a creative and deeply human-centered approach to donor engagement—especially when it comes to monthly giving and building sustainable support. As Toys for Tots approaches its 80th anniversary, Kendra is helping evolve public perception of the organization from a holiday charity into a year-round force for children in need.

17 min.
2 apr

Opening doors to opportunity: A food bank leader’s nonlinear path to impact

Katherine Fritz’s career journey didn’t follow a straight line. From marine biology to cancer research to nonprofit leadership, her path has been shaped by curiosity, openness and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. Today, as President and CEO of Long Island Cares, Katherine leads one of the region’s most impactful food banks. It’s an organization focused not only on addressing hunger, but on building a stronger, more connected community. Her story begins with a simple but powerful belief passed down from her father: Don’t close doors to opportunity. That mindset led her through decades of nonprofit work across multiple causes, ultimately guiding her to the food bank cause, an area she hadn’t originally planned to enter, but one that deeply aligns with her passion for helping people. Katherine believes that nonprofit work isn’t just about delivering services. It’s about building relationships, creating unexpected partnerships and meeting people where they are, especially in moments when they need support the most. In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, Katherine shares how her unconventional career path shaped her leadership style, how food banks are evolving to meet long-term community needs and why collaboration across sectors is critical to addressing food insecurity.

36 min.
26 mrt

‘Message nerd’ explains what nonprofits get wrong about communication

In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Tom Ahern—copywriter, self-described “message nerd” and one of the most influential voices in donor communications. With decades of experience spanning commercial marketing, direct response and nonprofit fundraising, Tom brings a refreshingly candid perspective on what actually drives donor engagement and what quietly undermines it. Tom started in public relations, moved into high-stakes technology marketing and eventually ran his own ad agency. It wasn’t until around 2000—through his wife’s nonprofit consulting work—that he stepped into the world of fundraising. What began as a favor (writing a single direct mail letter) quickly became a career-long focus on improving how nonprofits communicate with donors. What he discovered early on still shapes his thinking today: Most nonprofit communications aren’t built to succeed. They’re built from imitation, internal priorities and outdated assumptions about what donors care about. And in a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by digital channels, AI and shifting donor expectations, those weaknesses are only becoming more visible. Today, Tom is widely recognized for helping organizations rethink donor communications from the ground up—focusing on clarity, empathy and response-driven messaging. His work challenges fundraisers to move beyond “broadcasting” and toward true communication that resonates and drives action. In this episode, Tom reflects on how his marketing background shaped his approach to fundraising, what nonprofits consistently get wrong about messaging and why the future of fundraising depends on getting the basics right.

38 min.
12 mrt

When play becomes a leadership strategy

In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Gary Ware—founder of Breakthrough Play, author of “Playful Rebellion” and a workplace culture expert helping teams rediscover creativity, connection and resilience through the power of play. Gary began his career in marketing and communications, building a successful track record in the agency world and eventually stepping into agency leadership. But after a difficult professional turning point that forced him to rethink what came next, he found himself returning to something that had long brought him energy and clarity: Improvisation, play and the kind of joyful experimentation that helps people feel more human at work. Today, Gary helps organizations strengthen culture, collaboration and communication by challenging the workplace norms that lead to burnout, disconnection and stale thinking. Through Breakthrough Play, he shows teams how applied improvisation and playful practices can unlock trust, spark creativity and help people navigate uncertainty with more confidence. His work has earned recognition from Culture Amp, which named him one of the top 25 emerging culture creators, and his message continues to resonate with leaders looking for healthier, more effective ways to work. Gary reveals play, rest, joy and goofiness as essential tools for high performance and human connection.

41 min.
5 mrt

From receiving help to leading the mission: A Salvation Army leader’s journey

Major Nesan Kistan’s story begins in apartheid-era South Africa, where he grew up witnessing the injustices of a system that separated people by race and opportunity. His family eventually left the country for a better future and rebuilt their lives in Australia. During a period of financial hardship shortly after arriving, they encountered The Salvation Army for the first time—an experience that left a lasting impression. What they received was more than assistance. They were met with practical compassion and unconditional acceptance. That moment, and another later crisis where The Salvation Army again stepped in to support his family, helped shape the path that would eventually lead Major Kistan into Salvation Army leadership himself. Today, he’s Divisional Commander of the Intermountain Division. In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, Major Kistan shares how his upbringing shaped his worldview, how organizations like The Salvation Army must evolve their communications strategies in a rapidly changing media environment and why resilience, discipline and compassion remain essential for leaders today.

36 min.
26 feb

An entrepreneur on a mission to end slavery, one tea towel at a time

In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Mallory Martin, founder and CEO of Mended, a social impact business partnering with survivors of human trafficking to create hand block–printed textiles. Mallory’s journey spans professional sports, international nonprofit fundraising and now entrepreneurship. What connects each chapter is purpose. From selling six-figure sponsorships for the Dallas Stars to fundraising for the International Justice Mission (IJM), and ultimately launching her own mission-driven brand, Mallory’s path reveals how nothing is wasted when calling and capability align. Her story is one of tension and transformation: loving the for-profit business world while feeling drawn to humanitarian impact, navigating motherhood and career shifts, wrestling with the emotional weight of confronting modern-day slavery and eventually stepping away from stability to build something new. Today, Mended employs 23 survivors of bonded labor slavery in South India who create hand block–printed tea towels, table linens and textiles. Each product carries a story of restoration. What stands out most about Mallory is her clarity. She knows what she’s good at, what she’s not good at and why she’s building what she’s building.

29 min.

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RKD Group: Thinkers, the nonprofit marketer's podcast, is a must-listen experience of thought-provoking content that inspires strategic decisions and insight on the industry. Group: Thinkers brings together innovators and curators in nonprofit marketing, branding and direct response to tackle the major issues facing nonprofits today.

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RKD Group
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2018 - 2026
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