Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

Patton McDowell
  • 5.0 (110)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Looking for your next nonprofit job? Want to lead a nonprofit organization? Dr. Patton McDowell (www.pmanonprofit.com) brings the best in nonprofit career development to each episode, helping you find the perfect nonprofit opportunity and guiding you along the path to senior leadership in the philanthropic sector. Patton brings 30 years of nonprofit leadership, coaching and consulting experience, and shares best practices for individual and organizational success based on his work with over 250 nonprofit organizations and their staff and board leaders. Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership features more than 120 interviews with nonprofit leaders and philanthropy experts, as well as deep-dive solo episodes and other special editions. Hit subscribe, and accelerate your journey on a nonprofit career path that can change your life. Learn more at: https://www.podpage.com/your-path-to-nonprofit-leadership/

  1. 3D AGO

    361: 5 Reasons Your Professional Development Isn't Working (Megan Joseph)

    361: 5 Reasons Your Professional Development Isn't Working (Megan Joseph) Episode Summary Most nonprofit leaders are spending on professional development - and still not seeing results. The workshops get attended, the boxes get checked, and the notebook sits on the shelf. In this episode, Megan Joseph, Founder of Impact Launch, makes the case that the problem isn’t effort or intention, it’s strategy. Drawing on eight years of working hands-on with organizations across the country, she identifies the five reasons PD consistently fails to deliver: disconnected from strategy, scattered and episodic, reactive instead of preventative, aimed at the wrong problems, and lacking the leadership support to translate learning into lasting change. Megan offers a practical framework for measuring real ROI through behavioral change and organizational outcomes - not attendance or satisfaction surveys - along with clear action steps leaders can take in the next 60–90 days. Listeners will walk away with better questions, a sharper PD lens, and one guiding principle: define what success looks like before you spend a dollar. About Megan Megan Joseph is the Founding Director of Impact Launch, a collective of social impact practitioners who partner with nonprofits, philanthropy, and local government to design and implement effective organizational, systems, and community change. Impact Launch supports leaders across leadership capacity building, equity-centered initiatives, strategic planning, and expert facilitation - and to date has worked with over 40 organizations, impacted more than 50,000 teams and communities, and developed over 1,700 leaders through its Radical Transformational Leadership program. Before launching Impact Launch, Megan spent 20 years as a nonprofit leader and practitioner, gaining hands-on experience across nearly every role a mission-driven organization requires - from executive leadership, coaching, and fundraising to the behind-the-scenes work she describes as “mastering the art of hummus procurement.” She has worked across philanthropy, social services, criminal justice, homelessness, economic opportunity, education, and public health, and brings that full range of lived experience to every engagement - grounded in the belief that everyone, regardless of title, has the capacity to lead. Resources Megan Joseph on LinkedInImpact Launch — impactlaunch.orgBook: Radical Transformational Leadership: Strategic Action for Change Agents by Dr. Monica SharmaBook: Clear and Compelling: Communication Strategies for Big Thinkers with Bold Ideas by Salvatore Manzi — past guest on Episode 322Follow Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership — and please leave a review!Learn more about the leadership resources at Armstrong McGuire

    42 min

  2. MAR 19

    360: The ABCs of Grassroots to Grasstops Community Impact (Tchernavia Montgomery)

    360: The ABCs of Grassroots to Grasstops Community Impact (Tchernavia Montgomery) Episode Summary Most nonprofit leaders understand that community impact requires both frontline relationships and institutional influence — but building a strategy that connects those two worlds takes a very different kind of leadership. In this episode, Tchernavia Montgomery, CEO of Care Ring in Charlotte, NC, shares her ABCs of grassroots to grasstops community impact: Authentic Leadership, Board Engagement, and Capital Campaign Navigation. Drawing on five years of leading one of Charlotte’s most vital health and human services organizations through a facility relocation and a capital campaign without a chief development officer, Tchernavia speaks with the directness of a leader who has lived every lesson she teaches — from what vulnerability actually looks like in the CEO seat, to building a board culture that moves beyond governance into genuine advocacy, to the trust-based relationships that made a seemingly impossible campaign possible. Listeners will walk away with a clear picture of what it means to lead from proximity to the problem, and why emotional intelligence and the courage to ask hard questions are the real engine of sustainable impact. About Tchernavia Tchernavia Montgomery is the CEO of Care Ring, a Charlotte-based nonprofit that has served the community since 1955, connecting approximately 10,000 uninsured and underserved individuals each year to primary care, maternal and child health programs, and a $70 million donated care network of more than 1,600 specialists. A licensed clinical social worker with two decades of experience in health and human services, she is a double graduate of UNC Charlotte’s School of Social Work (BSW ’08, MSW ’09). Under her leadership, Care Ring completed a major facility relocation and a successful capital campaign, expanding its capacity to deliver integrated, community-centered care. Tchernavia is a member of the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and brings a deep personal commitment to humanizing systems of care — ensuring that every person served feels seen, supported, and able to dream beyond today. Resources Tchernavia Montgomery on LinkedIn — linkedin.com/in/tchernavia-montgomeryCare Ring — carering.orgBlack Love Charlotte — blacklovecharlotte.orgBells Board — bellsboard.comBank of America Study on PhilanthropyBook: The Let Them Theory by Mel RobbinsFollow the Podcast — podpage.com/your-path-to-nonprofit-leadershipMore leadership resources at Armstrong McGuire (ArmstrongMcGuire.com)

    48 min

  3. MAR 12

    359: Why Your Board Is Checked Out (and What Actually Re-Engages Them) (Katie Spencer)

    359: Why Your Board Is Checked Out (and What Actually Re-Engages Them) (Katie Spencer) SUMMARY When nonprofit leaders say their board is disengaged, Katie Spencer argues the real issue is usually clarity, not commitment. Executives want board members to show up, follow through, and be proactive. But many board members are thinking, “I don’t know what my job is,” where the lines are, or how to be helpful, so disengagement becomes the predictable outcome. Katie explains why more emails and more asks don’t solve the problem in today’s noisy, overloaded environment. Instead, she recommends an intentional reset: get explicit about what the board’s role is right now (and revisit it annually), co-create the board’s work plan for the next 12 to 24 months, and put an accountability system in place so the board holds itself to its commitments. She also stresses early engagement, giving new board members a meaningful quick win within the first 30 days, then another within the first 90. Finally, Katie reframes fundraising expectations so board members can contribute without feeling like professional fundraisers. She shares simple, confidence-building steps, introductions, thank-you calls, and short activation moments built directly into board meetings, so board service becomes real leadership, not passive listening. ABOUT KATIE Katie Spencer is the Founder of Zipline Consulting, where she helps nonprofit boards and executive teams strengthen governance, clarify roles, and build more effective partnerships. She brings 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including national work with Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and more than a decade as a consultant supporting organizations across the country. With training in cultural anthropology, Katie brings a systems lens to board dynamics, spotting patterns, naming disconnects, and helping leaders create practical structures for accountability. Her work frequently includes board retreats, strategic planning, and facilitation that turns board service into real leadership. RESOURCES Zipline ConsultingKatie Spencer on LinkedInAsk Like a Leader by Lauren ReedyLearn more about the leadership resources at Armstrong McGuire

    46 min

  4. MAR 5

    358: What Nonprofit Leaders Need Now: Guidance from Four Sector Experts

    358: What Nonprofit Leaders Need Now: Guidance from Four Sector Experts SUMMARY For this special multi-state panel, we convened four statewide nonprofit leaders: Ivan Canada, Mariane Asad Doyle, Karen Riordan, and Kevin Dean, to explore what organizations need most as they prepare for an uncertain 2026. From financial volatility and policy change to workforce burnout and collaboration, these experts share frontline insights drawn from the thousands of nonprofit leaders they support. Their guidance is clear: diversify funding, strengthen advocacy, engage peer networks, and invest in the wellbeing of your people. The conversation offers timely clarity and practical tools for emerging leaders, mid-career professionals, and senior executives committed to navigating complexity with confidence. ABOUT THE PANELISTS Ivan Canada – NC Center for Nonprofits. Ivan leads statewide efforts in research, policy, and nonprofit capacity-building, helping North Carolina organizations strengthen sustainability and navigate emerging sector trends. Mariane Asad Doyle, Ph.D. – Center for Nonprofit Excellence (VA). Mariane supports organizations across Virginia through governance, advocacy, and rural leadership development, equipping nonprofits to manage workforce strain and policy shifts. Karen Riordan – Together SC. Karen guides South Carolina’s nonprofit ecosystem through peer convenings, leadership development, and a focus on operational excellence rooted in guiding principles. Kevin Dean, Ed.D. – Tennessee Nonprofit Network. Kevin emphasizes organizational resilience, partnership, and the human side of leadership, helping Tennessee nonprofits navigate burnout, collaboration, and long-term sustainability. RESOURCES NC Center for NonprofitsCenter for Nonprofit ExcellenceTogether SCTennessee Nonprofit NetworkArmstrong McGuireFollow the Podcast

    1h 4m

  5. FEB 26

    357: Rethinking How Organizations Are Built to Change Lives (Logan Herring)

    357: Rethinking How Organizations Are Built to Change Lives (Logan Herring) Episode Summary Five years after his first appearance on Episode #128, Logan Herring returns with a dramatically expanded vision and impact. What began as an ambitious community revitalization effort has evolved into a nationally recognized model for integrated, place-based change. As CEO of The WRK Group, Logan leads a vertically integrated set of tax-exempt businesses focused on housing, cradle-to-career education, workforce development, and community wellness in Riverside, Wilmington. In this conversation, he challenges leaders to rethink how organizations are structured, funded, measured, and branded. From rejecting the term nonprofit in favor of tax-exempt business, to treating those served as customers, to measuring Net Promoter Scores and social return on investment, Logan makes the case that lasting change requires business discipline, upstream strategy, and the courage to build institutions designed to solve problems permanently rather than manage them indefinitely. About Logan Logan Herring is the CEO of The WRK Group, a collective of tax-exempt businesses in Wilmington, Delaware focused on housing, education, workforce development, and community wellness. Under his leadership, the organization has evolved into a nationally recognized model for vertically integrated, place-based revitalization. Logan oversees the strategic direction of Kingswood Community Center, The Warehouse, and REACH Riverside, aligning infrastructure, programming, and capital investment to address intergenerational poverty through upstream, systemic solutions. He is a frequent national speaker on community development, impact measurement, and sustainable social enterprise models, and continues to advocate for business discipline and long-term accountability in the social sector. Resources The WRK GroupPurpose Built CommunitiesSharehouse (technical assistance initiative of REACH Riverside)Book Recommendation: Jump by Larry MillerFollow Your Path to Nonprofit LeadershipLearn more about Armstrong McGuire

    50 min

  6. FEB 19

    356: AI Without Overwhelm: 4 Insights Nonprofit Leaders Can Use Now (Mary Gallivan)

    356: AI Without Overwhelm: 4 Insights Nonprofit Leaders Can Use Now (Mary Gallivan) Episode Summary AI is already reshaping how nonprofit teams work, and leaders who avoid it risk falling behind. In this episode, Mary Gallivan, Founder of Joyline Consulting, shares a practical, nonprofit-centered approach to adopting generative AI without fear or overwhelm. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience across fundraising, operations, grant management, and partnership development, Mary explains why AI literacy is quickly becoming a workplace expectation, why adoption is primarily a people and change management challenge, and how clear guardrails can actually speed progress. She offers simple, actionable steps for getting started, from picking one tool and creating a login to using prompts for faster first drafts, better tone, and more time for the human relationships that build trust and impact. About Mary Mary Gallivan, MBA, helps nonprofits and mission-driven small businesses build sustainable capacity by improving how work actually gets done. As the founder of Joyline Consulting, she serves as a capacity partner to leaders and teams, helping them improve operations, adopt AI and modern tools, and implement practical systems that reduce friction, increase effectiveness, and support long-term sustainability. Her work is especially focused on organizations navigating growth, change, or tool overload who want hands-on support, not just strategy decks. Prior to founding Joyline, Mary held leadership roles at CNM Ingenuity, CCS Fundraising, Foundation For The Carolinas, E4E Relief, and the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. She holds a BA from Duke University and an MBA from Queens University and has completed multiple leadership fellowships and civic leadership programs. Resources Mary Gallivan on LinkedinJoyline Consulting WebsiteEveryday AI One Pager (tips, guardrails, and starter guidance)SkillPop, Everyday AIBook: Zingerman’s Guide to Giving Great ServiceFollow Your Path to Nonprofit LeadershipLearn more about the PMA and Armstrong McGuire merger

    41 min

  7. FEB 12

    355: Thinking Differently to Solve Nonprofit Problems (Sarah Tucker)

    355: Thinking Differently to Solve Nonprofit Problems (Sarah Tucker) EPISODE SUMMARY: Nonprofit leaders are often expected to solve complex problems with limited resources, increasing pressure, and entrenched ways of working. In this episode, Sarah Tucker introduces the work of Edward de Bono and explains why better outcomes require not just harder work, but different thinking. Sarah unpacks the concept of lateral thinking and how it differs from traditional linear or vertical problem solving. She explains why the human brain gets trapped in familiar patterns and how leaders can intentionally break those patterns to surface new options. The conversation explores practical applications for nonprofit leaders, including how Six Thinking Hats can reduce groupthink, rebalance power dynamics in meetings, and make decision-making more productive and inclusive. ABOUT SARAH: Sarah Tucker is a polymath with a portfolio career spanning journalism, broadcasting, publishing, education and corporate advisory work. An award-winning presenter and lecturer, she translates storytelling and lateral thinking into commercial success for global organisations. Discover more at www.theboardroombard.com and on LinkedIn through keynote talks, boardrooms, classrooms and conferences. Resources and Links: Sarah’s WebsiteSarah’s LinkedInEdward de Bono: Love Laterally by Sarah Tucker:Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking HatsFollow Your Path to Nonprofit LeadershipLearn more about the PMA and Armstrong McGuire merger

    48 min

  8. FEB 5

    354: A Lifelong Learning Framework for Nonprofit Leaders (Kelsey Picken)

    354: A Lifelong Learning Framework for Nonprofit Leaders (Kelsey Picken) SUMMARY Nonprofit leaders are surrounded by professional development options - degrees, certifications, conferences, and credentials - but many still struggle to build a learning plan that feels intentional rather than reactive. In this episode, Kelsey Picken offers a practical framework to help leaders step back, clarify their why, and make smarter decisions about how they invest in their own growth. Kelsey breaks lifelong learning into three distinct but connected areas: formal learning (degrees, certificates, and structured programs), informal learning (peer groups, mentoring, reading, and networks), and leadership as multiplication, the idea that helping others grow is one of the most powerful ways leaders deepen their own development. The conversation also explores how organizations and funders can better support leadership development, and why modeling learning from the top matters more than policies or budgets alone. ABOUT KELSEY Kelsey Picken is Senior Director of Legacy Giving at The Dallas Foundation, where she works with donors to build charitable legacies that strengthen communities over time. Based in Dallas, Texas, Kelsey brings experience across multiple nonprofit and philanthropic contexts, with a particular focus on connecting academic learning, professional practice, and leadership development. A lifelong learner herself, Kelsey regularly writes, speaks, and facilitates conversations on philanthropy, credentials, and the evolving expectations of nonprofit leadership. RESOURCES & LINKS The Dallas Foundation Kelsey Picken on LinkedInOrganization mentioned: National Association of Charitable Gift PlannersBook recommendation: Atlas of the Heart by Brené BrownFollow Your Path to Nonprofit LeadershipLearn more about the PMA & Armstrong McGuire merger

    46 min
See All (361)

Trailer

5
out of 5
110 Ratings

About

Looking for your next nonprofit job? Want to lead a nonprofit organization? Dr. Patton McDowell (www.pmanonprofit.com) brings the best in nonprofit career development to each episode, helping you find the perfect nonprofit opportunity and guiding you along the path to senior leadership in the philanthropic sector. Patton brings 30 years of nonprofit leadership, coaching and consulting experience, and shares best practices for individual and organizational success based on his work with over 250 nonprofit organizations and their staff and board leaders. Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership features more than 120 interviews with nonprofit leaders and philanthropy experts, as well as deep-dive solo episodes and other special editions. Hit subscribe, and accelerate your journey on a nonprofit career path that can change your life. Learn more at: https://www.podpage.com/your-path-to-nonprofit-leadership/

Information

  • Creator
    Patton McDowell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    361
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership
  • Show Website
    Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

You Might Also Like