Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

Patton McDowell
  • 5.0 (111)
  • NON-PROFIT
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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. 1D AGO

    365: The Long Game: Building a Fundraising Career That Lasts (Jim Broschart)

    365: The Long Game: Building a Fundraising Career That Lasts (Jim Broschart) Episode SummaryWhat does it take to build a fundraising career that spans decades, and still choose a challenge over comfort when the next opportunity calls? In Episode 365, Jim Broschart, Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement at the University of Louisville, shares the leadership philosophy behind a career that has taken him from community health centers in Syracuse to leading NC State’s $2.1 billion campaign, to his latest challenge of building a top-tier philanthropy program at UofL. Jim breaks down what makes a fundraising shop truly effective (hint: it starts with talent, not strategy), how he assesses emotional intelligence in candidates, why organizational health outperforms any strategic plan, and what leaders at every level can do to stay focused on the core work amid constant noise. Practical, candid, and grounded in hard-won experience, this conversation is essential listening for anyone navigating the long game in fundraising leadership. About JimJim Broschart is Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement at the University of Louisville, where he oversees the university’s advancement, fundraising, and alumni relations efforts. He comes to UofL from North Carolina State University, where he served as Associate Vice Chancellor for University Development and Vice President of the NC State Foundation, Inc., leading the Think and Do The Extraordinary Campaign, which surpassed its $1.6 billion goal to raise $2.1 billion. Prior to NC State, Jim served as Vice President for Advancement at Binghamton University and held a range of leadership roles at Hartwick College, Syracuse University, and the State University of New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree in health services administration from Ithaca College and an MBA in marketing from Binghamton University. ResourcesConnect with Jim on LinkedInUniversity of Louisville — louisville.eduThe Advantage by Patrick LencioniMastermind Leadership Development Program — Learn moreFollow Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership — and please leave a review!Learn more about the leadership resources at Armstrong McGuire — ArmstrongMcGuire.com

    47 min

  2. APR 16

    364: What Will Your Donor Remember? (Norman Gildin)

    Episode 364: What Will Your Donor Remember? (Norman Gildin) Episode SummaryFundraiser burnout is real — and with average tenure in the profession hovering between two and four years, the sector is losing talent it can’t afford to lose. In Episode 364, Norman Gildin, a fundraising consultant and author with more than four decades in the field and over $100 million raised, cuts through the noise with the kind of plain-talk wisdom that only comes from doing this work at every level. Drawing on his framework of common sense, moral compass, and his RDC doctrine — respect, dignity, and consideration — Norman walks listeners through what’s really driving burnout, why fundraisers overwhelm donors instead of connecting with them, and how the fundamentals of annual giving, capital campaigns, planned giving, and endowments still come down to patience, persistence, and knowing what your donor actually wants. This is a master class from someone who has lived it, written about it, and is still in the room. About NormanNorman Gildin is a fundraising consultant, author, and sector veteran with more than four decades of experience in nonprofit development. Over the course of his career - which began with a master’s in healthcare administration from George Washington University and an administrative residency at Fairfax Hospital Association - Norm has served in senior leadership roles including executive vice president, directing fundraising strategy across annual giving, capital campaigns, planned giving, and endowments. He has raised more than $100 million under his direction and spearheaded multiple successful campaigns, case statements, and strategic plans for nonprofit organizations. Norman is the author of two books - Learn From My Experiences: A Collection of Essays in Fundraising for Professionals, Lay Leaders, Volunteers and the Public, and Fundraising Insights for Nonprofits (2025) - with a third book currently in development. ResourcesConnect with Norman on LinkedInNorman’s website, essays, and blog — normangildin.comFundraising Insights for Nonprofits by Norman Gildin (2025)Learn From My Experiences: A Collection of Essays in Fundraising for Professionals, Lay Leaders, Volunteers and the Public by Norman GildinDaily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find Inspiration, and Get to Work by Mason CurryPatton’s Mastermind Leadership Development Program — Learn moreFollow Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership — and please leave a review!Learn more about the leadership resources at Armstrong McGuire — ArmstrongMcGuire.com

    39 min

  3. APR 9

    363: Your Mission Is Clear. Is Your Story? (Brandy Walker)

    Episode 363: Your Mission Is Clear. Is Your Story? (Brandy Walker) Episode SummaryMost nonprofit leaders are skilled at communicating their mission, but far fewer know how to tell their own story, and that gap is costing them donors, alignment, and influence. In Episode 363, Brandy Walker, M.A., CPC, founder of Brand Worthy Solutions and a former nonprofit fundraiser and educator, breaks down why personal storytelling isn’t self-promotion, it’s strategy. Drawing on her frameworks for trust, team alignment, and clarity, Brandy explains the three story types every leader needs in their toolkit (origin, impact, and transformation), why audience misalignment is the most common fundraising mistake she sees, and how even the most introverted leader can build visibility through a ladder of communication that starts with a simple weekly message. Practical, direct, and immediately actionable, this conversation will change how nonprofit leaders think about showing up, and who they’re showing up for. About BrandyBrandy Walker, M.A., CPC, is the founder of Brand Worthy Solutions and a strategist, storyteller, and trusted thought partner with more than 20 years of experience across education, nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and organizational strategy. A former K–12 educator, seven-figure grant writer, and nonprofit C-suite leader, Brandy stands at the intersection of strategy and storytelling — helping leaders and organizations tell better stories to, about, and for themselves so their work is understood, valued, and positioned for growth. Through Brand Worthy Solutions, she works with leaders navigating personal brand evolution, organizational reinvention, and new chapters of leadership, offering support across brand strategy and positioning, storytelling and messaging, and consulting and advisory services. She is based in Chicago, Illinois. ResourcesConnect with Brandy on LinkedInBrand Worthy Solutions — youarebrandworthy.comUnreasonable Hospitality by Will GuidaraPatton’s Mastermind Leadership Development Program — Learn moreFollow Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership — and please leave a review!Learn more about the leadership resources at Armstrong McGuire — ArmstrongMcGuire.comYour Path to Nonprofit Leadership | ArmstrongMcGuire.com/podcasts

    42 min

  4. APR 2

    362: It’s Never Just the Money: What Donor Psychology Means for Nonprofit Leaders (Marcia Dawood)

    362: It’s Never Just the Money: What Donor Psychology Means for Nonprofit Leaders (Marcia Dawood) Episode SummaryMost nonprofit leaders approach fundraising as a logical transaction — make the case, present the data, close the gift. But according to Marcia Dawood, angel investor, author, and TEDx speaker, that approach misses the deeper psychology driving every giving decision. In Episode 362, Marcia draws on her experience investing in 50+ startups and chairing the Angel Capital Association to reveal what truly motivates donors — and it has far more to do with money stories, values alignment, and identity than logic ever will. From unpacking the scarcity mindset that keeps even wealthy donors from giving, to reframing legacy conversations as something donors can experience while they’re still alive, Marcia offers nonprofit leaders a practical shift in how they engage prospects. Listeners will walk away with new language for donor conversations, a powerful group exercise for unlocking money stories at events, and a fresh understanding of why the most effective fundraising ask isn’t an ask at all — it’s an invitation. About MarciaMarcia Dawood is an early-stage investor, author, and advocate for expanding access to capital across both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Having invested in over 50 startups and funds, she serves as a Venture Partner at Mindshift Capital, a member of Golden Seeds, and as Chair Emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), the global professional society for angel investors, where she chaired the board for a decade. Marcia also serves as Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee and is the founder and chair of the ACA’s Growing Women’s Capital Group, which builds syndication and collaboration among U.S. investment groups focused on women-led companies. A TEDx Charlotte speaker and host of The Angel Next Door Podcast — now more than 170 episodes — she is the author of Do Good While Doing Well (2024) and Unapologetic Wealth (2026), and served as an Associate Producer on the documentary Show Her the Money, which debuted at the Women’s Film Festival in Philadelphia in 2023. She splits her time between New York City and Charlotte, North Carolina. ResourcesUnapologetic Wealth: Rewrite Your Money Story From Any Beginning by Marcia Dawood — releasing this week! Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.orgConnect with Marcia on LinkedInMarcia’s website and free resources — marciadawood.comThe Angel Next Door PodcastDo Good While Doing Well: Invest For Change, Reap Financial Rewards and Increase Your Happiness by Marcia DawoodBuoyant: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free by Susie DeVilleFollow Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership — and please leave a review!Learn more about the leadership resources at Armstrong McGuire — ArmstrongMcGuire.com

    45 min

  5. MAR 26

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    365
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership
  • Show Website
    Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

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