AI and Executive Search: Navigating Nonprofit Hiring with Kat Landa

In this episode of The AI Dude podcast, host Josh Hirsch, MS sits down with Kat Landa, CFRE, CSD, Senior Vice President of Talent Solutions at Dickerson Bakker, to discuss how AI is revolutionizing the hiring process within nonprofit organizations. With over 15 years of experience in the sector, Kat shares invaluable insights on the integration of AI tools in recruitment, the psychology behind decision-making, and the future of talent acquisition for nonprofits.

A key part of the discussion revolves around the candidate's perspective. Kat emphasizes the importance of having an optimized LinkedIn profile, sharing how AI-powered systems rely heavily on specific keywords to surface the best candidates. She provides practical tips on how professionals can ensure they are discoverable in these AI-driven searches and discusses how nonprofits can use AI to prepare better interview questions tailored to their specific needs.

The conversation also explores the impact of AI on professional acumen, noting how AI can assist with more routine aspects of the recruitment process, such as note-taking and summarizing candidate interactions, freeing up human capital for more strategic work. Kat explains how AI tools are already being used to develop opportunity profiles more quickly and efficiently, allowing recruiters to focus on what makes a role truly unique.

Josh and Kat also touch on the potential future of nonprofit recruitment, with Kat predicting that AI will continue to evolve and improve both the efficiency and quality of hiring decisions. However, she also acknowledges the need to remain cautious about the ethical implications of AI, particularly around bias in the recruitment process.

Key Topics:

• The most daunting fundraising asks often involve board presentations.
• Transitioning from marketing to nonprofit work can be a smoother process if one is seeking meaningful engagement.
• AI is revolutionizing recruitment by filtering through large volumes of applicants efficiently.
• Using AI tools can significantly streamline note-taking and data collection processes.
• The future of recruitment will see a blend of human insight and AI efficiency.
• Candidates must optimize their online presence to be visible in AI-driven searches.
• AI can assist in generating interview questions for both candidates and nonprofits.
• Preparation and adding value are crucial in professional interactions.
• Ethical considerations in AI usage are paramount to avoid bias and discrimination.
• LinkedIn remains a vital platform for professional networking and recruitment.

Guest Bio: Kat Landa, CFRE, CSD, is the Senior Vice President of Talent Solutions at Dickerson Bakker. Kat brings 22 years of nonprofit fundraising and marketing experience to her work of partnering with nonprofits to recruit the talented professionals and leaders they need. Kat has also been responsible for developing and executing multi-channel fundraising campaigns for 100+ charities across the U.S. and Canada, raising over $65 million dollars. Her clients across these disciplines have included Ikea, Nissan, Blackbaud's Kintera, World Vision, Mercy Ships, AARP, Jews For Jesus, and Dress For Success. Kat is also a Certified Fundraising Executive, a two-time technology start up alumna, and now a Certified Spiritual Director.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Daunting Fundraising Experiences
• 05:38 Transitioning from Marketing to Nonprofit Consulting
• 09:59 The Role of AI in Recruitment
• 14:55 Streamlining Processes with AI Tools
• 20:55 The Future of AI in Nonprofit Recruitment
• 29:38 Ethical Considerations in AI Usage

Resources:

• Learn more about Dickerson Bakker: