Positive Impact Philanthropy Podcast

Lori Kranczer

The Positive Impact Philanthropy podcast interviews women entrepreneurs that have a philanthropic component to their businesses and personal life to create great impact within their business, life, and communities. Enjoy informational and light-hearted interviews with legacy giving expert and entrepreneur, Lori Kranczer!

  1. JAN 21

    Episode 113: An Interview with Marni Mandell, Founder of Friendraising for Success and CEO of Shalom Orlando

    In this episode of Positive Impact Philanthropy, Lori Kranczer welcomes Marni Mandel, founder and CEO of Fundraising for Success. Marni shares her unique journey from nonprofit leadership to the tech world and back to fundraising, explaining how her passion for relationship building has shaped her approach to philanthropy. She believes that successful fundraising is rooted in authentic human connection, curiosity, and trust, not just asking for money. Marni also discusses how her experience fundraising for the Israeli Children's Fund after October 7th reignited her love for nonprofit work. Through coaching individuals, boards, and organizations, she helps leaders overcome fear around asking for support and shows them how to build meaningful partnerships with donors. She also shares how artificial intelligence can be used as a tool to streamline tasks, strengthen communication, and give fundraisers more time to focus on what matters most, building relationships.   In this episode, Lori and Marni discuss: Why fundraising is really about building friendships and trust How Marni helps leaders feel more confident asking for support The importance of creating a clear and intentional donor profile Common mistakes fundraisers make and how to avoid them Using AI to improve donor communication and strategy How technology can save time and reduce stress for nonprofit professionals The personal legacy Marni hopes to leave for her children and the world   Connect with Marni! Shalom Orlando: https://shalomorlando.org/ Friendraising for Success: https://friendraisingforsuccess.com/ Marni's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnimandell/ Marni's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marni.mandell/ Marni's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marni.mandell/   Connect with Lori Kranczer! Website: https://linkphilanthropic.com Email: info@linkphilanthropic.com

    28 min
  2. JAN 7

    Episode 112: An Interview with Blima Ehrentreu, Founder and CEO of The Designers Group

    In this episode of Positive Impact Philanthropy, Lori Kranczer sits down with Blima Ehrentreu, founder of The Designers Group, to explore how design can be a powerful tool for social impact. Blima shares her journey from Toronto to leading an interior design firm with multiple locations, all rooted in the mission of creating spaces that truly serve the people who use them. Blima explains how designing with purpose goes far beyond aesthetics. By focusing on how spaces function, feel, and support well-being, her work transforms environments such as offices, healthcare facilities, senior living communities, and residences. She also discusses how she uses her firm as a platform to give back through pro bono design, mentorship, and initiatives such as the TDG Furniture Exchange.   In this episode, Lori and Blima discuss: What it means to design with purpose and intentionality How interior design can influence behavior, health, and well-being Using a design firm as a platform for philanthropy and social impact The origins and growth of the TDG Furniture Exchange Supporting future designers through mentorship and real-world exposure Measuring impact through long-term relationships and lived experiences in designed spaces Blima's vision for leaving the world better than she found it through design and giving back   Connect with Blima! The Designers Group Website: https://www.thedesignersgroup.com/ TDG Furniture Exchange Website: https://www.tdgfurnitureexchange.com/ TDG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedesignersgroup/ TDG Furniture Exchange Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tdgfurnitureexchange/ TDG Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedesignersgroup/ TDG Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thedesignersgroup/_created/ Blima's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blimaehrentreu/ TDG LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedesignersg   Connect with Lori Kranczer! Website: https://linkphilanthropic.com Email: info@linkphilanthropic.com

    22 min
  3. 11/19/2025

    Episode 111: An Interview with Krista Gauthier, Executive Director, and Robin Zikmund, Co Founder of IMSE Foundation

    In this episode, Lori speaks with two leaders whose personal stories fueled a shared mission to transform literacy access for children across the country. Robin Zikmund, co-founder of the IMSE Foundation, and Krista Gauthier, the foundation's executive director, open up about their experiences navigating the challenges of raising children with dyslexia and how those journeys led them to create systemic solutions through advocacy, educator training, and innovative literacy programs. Together, they share how the IMSE Foundation is working to equip teachers, empower families, and create long-term impact through community-based programs that pair evidence-based reading instruction with STEM enrichment opportunities.   In this episode, Lori, Robin, and Krista discuss: The personal experiences that led Robin and Krista into advocacy and ultimately into founding and leading the IMSE Foundation The widespread misunderstanding of dyslexia and why early identification is critical for long-term success How teacher scholarships and structured literacy training create exponential impact for students The "Books, Bots, and Beyond" initiative and how combining reading intervention with STEM exploration builds confidence and expands opportunity The harsh realities faced by children who go unidentified and unsupported, including the connection between illiteracy and incarceration The role of community, partnership, and perseverance when launching and growing nonprofit initiatives How both guests think about legacy and the future they hope to create for children nationwide   IMSE Foundation Website: https://imsefoundation.org/ IMSE Foundation Contact Page: https://imsefoundation.org/contact/ IMSE Foundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559285062865 IMSE Foundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imse_foundation/?hl=en   Connect with Lori Kranczer! Website: https://linkphilanthropic.com Email: info@linkphilanthropic.com

    30 min
  4. 11/05/2025

    Episode 110: An Interview with Siobhan Frost, Co-Founder & CEO of Endless

    In this episode of Positive Impact Philanthropy, Lori Kranczer speaks with Siobhan Frost, co-founder and CEO of Endless. Siobhan shares how a surf trip in Portugal sparked her passion to tackle plastic pollution and led her to create Endless, a sunscreen brand built on sustainability, design, and purpose. Growing up in Australia, she learned the importance of environmental stewardship early on, and now she's combining her branding expertise with her commitment to protecting both people and the planet. Through her story, Siobhan highlights how small, thoughtful actions can create ripple effects for meaningful change. From her early inspirations to building a product that merges health, beauty, and environmental care, she's redefining what it means to make business a force for good. You'll hear about: How a moment in the ocean inspired Siobhan's commitment to sustainability The journey from branding and design to building a purpose-driven company How Endless combines sunscreen, style, and sustainability in one refillable product Why collaboration and peer networks are key to growing impactful brands The role of design in making sustainable habits easier for everyone The connection between her upbringing and her environmental values Siobhan's vision for a world free of single-use plastics and her lasting legacy of change   Siobhan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siobhanfrost/ Endless Website: https://www.iamendless.co/ Endless Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamendless.co/   Connect with Lori Kranczer! Website: https://linkphilanthropic.com Email: info@linkphilanthropic.com

    20 min
  5. 10/22/2025

    Episode 109: An Interview with Katie Dunn, Angel Investor, Board Director, and Startup Advisor

    In this episode, Lori speaks with Katie Dunn, angel investor, board director, and startup advisor, about how curiosity, access, and education drive her approach to investing and impact. Katie shares how her career in commercial real estate led her to angel investing and how she now focuses on supporting underrepresented founders while promoting accessibility and transparency in the investment world.   You'll learn about: Katie's journey from real estate lending to angel investing How curiosity and lifelong learning shape her investment decisions The myths and realities of angel investing for new investors Making social impact part of a company's DNA What she looks for in founders and why passion matters Her work supporting women entrepreneurs through board and advisory roles Why accessibility in funding and education is her biggest mission The legacy she hopes to build by opening doors for others   Katie's Business Website: https://www.themastheadstrategy.com/ Katie's Personal Website: https://www.katiedunn.com/ Katie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie--dunn/ Katie's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamkatiedunn Katie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiedunn/ SWITCH Angels: https://switchthefuture.com/capital/the-angel-sessions/ Yale Women on Boards Program: https://som.yale.edu/executive-education/for-individuals/leadership/women-on-boards Wefunder: https://wefunder.com/ StartEngine: https://invest.startengine.com/ Republic: https://republic.com/ Juliet Wine: https://drinkjuliet.com/ Private Directors Association: https://www.privatedirectors.org/   Connect with Lori Kranczer! Website: https://linkphilanthropic.com Email: info@linkphilanthropic.com

    26 min
  6. 10/08/2025

    Episode 108: An Interview with Gigi Danziger, Founder and Investor at Eutopia Foundation

    In this episode, Lori speaks with Gigi Danziger, founder and investor at Eutopia Foundation, about her work creating hyperlocal philanthropic models in Hudson, New York. Gigi shares how her family history, values, and desire for community connection led her to launch initiatives such as a basic income pilot, affordable housing, medical debt relief, and the Spark of Hudson learning hub. Her story highlights how philanthropy can thrive when it's rooted in trust, sustainability, and co-creation with the community.   You'll hear about: How Gigi's family history inspired her philanthropic values The design and impact of Hudson's basic income pilot Why seeding power and trust are key to community-based philanthropy Clearing medical debt as a model for other communities The role of Spark of Hudson as a learning hub and gathering place Building sustainable, equitable models for affordable housing and farming Why starting small and hyperlocal creates scalable models for broader impact How Gigi views her legacy as sparking others to thrive   Gigi's Email: founders@sparkofhudson.org Spark of Hudson Website: https://sparkofhudson.org/ Spark of Hudson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Spark-of-Hudson-100063508631540/ Spark of Hudson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkofhudson/?hl=en Wally Farms Website: https://wallyfarms.com/ HudsonUp Basic Income Pilot: https://sparkofhudson.org/hudsonup HudsonDots Innovative Housing: https://sparkofhudson.org/hudsondots HudsonStep Initiative: https://sparkofhudson.org/hudsonstep HudsonNest Residence: https://sparkofhudson.org/hudsonnest Connect with Lori Kranczer! Website: https://linkphilanthropic.com Email: info@linkphilanthropic.com

    21 min
5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The Positive Impact Philanthropy podcast interviews women entrepreneurs that have a philanthropic component to their businesses and personal life to create great impact within their business, life, and communities. Enjoy informational and light-hearted interviews with legacy giving expert and entrepreneur, Lori Kranczer!