Learning for Good | L&D Solutions and Leadership Development for Nonprofit Organizations

Heather Burright, Learning and Development Leader, Leadership Development Consultant, Instructional Designer.
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As nonprofit learning and development leaders, we want a seat at the table. We want to be viewed as true business partners who can help solve problems. We want to create meaningful learning solutions that fit in the flow of work and yield real results for the organization and for the staff.That's why in this podcast, we will not only explore instructional design and leadership development best practices, but we will also explore change management, belonging, and influence - helping you build the case for the solutions your organization needs so you can show up confidently in conversations with other senior leaders, subject matter experts, staff, and partners.If we haven't met yet, I'm Heather, and I’ve been in your shoes. I'm a learning and development consultant and the founder and principal consultant at Skill Masters Market. Before starting Skill Masters Market, I worked for a large national nonprofit where I led learning and development leadership initiatives. I know what it’s like to need to develop your staff quickly and effectively, and to build the relationships and cut through the organizational layers to be successful. With an eye for the larger strategy and the creative design process, I've created hundreds of learning experiences - in-person, self-paced, and virtual classroom - and have worked with dozens of leaders and their staff to help them achieve their organization’s professional development goals. So if you're ready to bust through the barriers and start creating behavior change in your nonprofit, this podcast is for you. Let's dive in. It's Learning for Good. Nonprofit Management | Leadership Training | Leadership Development | Staff Management | Change Management | Instructional Design | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Learn more: www.skillmastersmarket.comConnect with me: www.linkedin.com/in/heather-burrightSchedule a call: https://bit.ly/3GQT6Yg

  1. 2D AGO

    2025 Was a Wild Ride. Here's What We Have Planned for 2026

    We are already at the end of 2025. This is a time of reflection, goal setting, and a renewed commitment to being our best selves. I love this time of year, and each year I like to spend some time reflecting on my goals, what I've been able to accomplish, and where I missed a little bit. So, in this episode, I'm going to share some details about what's going on inside Skill Masters Market, my consulting business, Learning for Good, this podcast, and the Nonprofit L&D Collective, our private community for nonprofit training pros. You'll hear about the transformations of 2025 and what's coming in 2026. ▶️ Key Points: 0:00:00 My personal mission 0:03:52 Skill Masters Market 0:05:29 Learning for Good 0:07:42 Nonprofit L&D Collective Resources from this episode: Top 5 Learning For Good Podcast episodes: #1 Are Your Nonprofit Leaders The Best They Can Be? Your Leadership Skills Might Be Lagging And THIS Is Why #2 Using a Blended, Cohort Training Model to Create Behavior Change with Nonprofit Leader Rebecca Kelley #3 Want to Work in Nonprofit L&D? Here’s What You Should Know #4 Using AI to Create Persuasive, Visual Stories for Your Training with Nicholas Leonard #5 How to Conduct a Training Needs Analysis for Nonprofit Staff Development  If you're looking for a way to make connection and one-on-one networking easier for your organization, check out Community Hives. Join us January 12th-16th for Career Week at the Collective, an event designed to help you grow your nonprofit L&D careers together. Learn all the details and grab your ticket at https://collective.skillmastersmarket.com/invitation?code=3CG346 We want to hear from you. Tell me what you want to hear more of or less of on the podcast. Ask a question or make a request through our Speakpipe link. Connect with Heather LinkedIn: Heather Burright Website: skillmastersmarket.com Book an interest call with Heather here. Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations. Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions! Produced by Ideablossoms

    12 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    How to Position Training as an Investment (from the Perspective of a CFO) with Rick Dahlseid

    As learning and development leaders, it feels like we're always trying to get a seat at the table, but are we truly prepared to have effective conversations with our nonprofit's executives when we get there? To get you ready, in this episode, I invited Rick Dahlseid to help us position training as a worthwhile investment. He is a nonprofit CFO with over 20 years in the sector, with expertise in financial management, operations, and governance. You'll learn about his unique point of view on the role of training and development in a nonprofit, where your conversations about people development should start, the kind of language that will be most effective, and what you should actually focus on to get your point across. ▶️ How to Position Training as an Investment (from the Perspective of a CFO) with Rick Dahlseid  ▶️ Key Points: 0:00:00 Rick's mission and  nonprofit financial leadership 0:09:49 How a seasoned nonprofit CFO views training 0:16:23 Define ROI for learning and development first 0:22:16 How to get the nonprofit to invest in your training 0:31:30 Focus on the outcomes and keep the end in mind Resources from this episode: Catch up with my recent episode about this topic, The Real Cost of Bad Training. Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review! 👇👇👇 Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends. 🔗 Connect with Rick LinkedIn: Rick Dahlseid Website: janussc.org Connect with Heather LinkedIn: Heather Burright Website: skillmastersmarket.com Book an interest call with Heather here. Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations. Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions! Produced by Ideablossoms

    37 min

  3. 12/15/2025

    Your Brand Is Your Influence: Building Credibility Inside Your Nonprofit with Lauren Davis

    Are you an HR leader or L&D pro who finds themselves having to prove themselves to everyone over and over again, or being brought to the table too late? If you want that to change, you have to build your influence in the organization. You can do it by strengthening your personal brand, which will help you build credibility inside your nonprofit and be seen as a valuable strategic partner.  In this episode, I'm joined by branding expert Lauren Davis. She is the founder of Lauren Davis Creative, where she helps  speakers and entrepreneurs establish their memorable personal brands , but today, she's focused on helping you establish your influence in your nonprofit. We talk about why being in control of your personal brand is important, even if you work at a nonprofit, how to start getting yours where you want it to be, and even a fun tip on how to walk into any meeting with confidence. ▶️ Your Brand Is Your Influence: Building Credibility Inside Your Nonprofit with Lauren Davis ▶️ Key Points: 0:00:00 How Lauren learned and shared along the way 0:11:27 What a personal brand is and why it matters 0:14:23 How to be seen as a strategic partner 0:21:05 Get clear on your personal brand 0:25:43 Personal branding principles to start with 0:32:34 How to not get discouraged along the way Resources from this episode: Join us January 12th-16th for Career Week at the Collective, an event designed to help you grow your nonprofit L&D careers together. Learn all the details and grab your ticket at https://collective.skillmastersmarket.com/invitation?code=3CG346  Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Connect with Guest LinkedIn: Lauren Davis Website: laurendaviscreative.com Podcast: The Real Personal Branding Podcast Connect with Heather LinkedIn: Heather Burright Website: skillmastersmarket.com Book an interest call with Heather here. Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations. Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions! Produced by Ideablossoms

    36 min

  4. 12/08/2025

    How to Spot a Mindset or Motivation Problem (Not a Skill One)

    It's very common for leaders to throw training at every performance problem we see. Yet not all performance problems result from a skill gap.  In fact, many are due to other factors, such as mindset or motivation. The problem with this is that performance won't change if you offer training in these cases. So, in this episode, I'm breaking down how to  determine if something is a mindset, motivation, or skill gap problem, and why this matters for successful behavior change. ▶️ How to Spot a Mindset or Motivation Problem (Not a Skill One)  ▶️ Key Points: 0:00:00 Why training isn't always the right solution 0:02:44 A quick lesson on behavior change 0:05:18 Four questions to spot the root cause of a problem Resources from this episode: Check out The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Learn more about James Clear and his book Atomic Habits. Catch up with these previous episodes if there's a lack of trust or psychological safety in your organization: Episode 151: How to Build a High-Performance Team Starting with TrustEpisode 149: Key Ingredients in a High-Performance CultureJoin the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review! 👇👇👇 Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends. 🔗 Connect with Heather LinkedIn: Heather Burright Website: skillmastersmarket.com Book an interest call with Heather here. Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations. Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions! Produced by Ideablossoms

    9 min

  5. 12/01/2025

    From Burnout to Breakthrough: Tools to Restore Yourself in Times of Change and Disruption with Dr. Reggie Thomas

    In times of change and disruption, burnout has become a major epidemic. In fact, according to statistics, over half of the workforce is burnt out, with the nonprofit sector being hit the hardest. Because we must address this issue, I have Dr. Reggie Thomas with me today. He is the founder of PeakePotential, Inc., and a professional speaker  who gives keynote talks and teaches workshops on burnout prevention and recovery, and workplace wellness. You will understand burnout and its symptoms, discover how it impacts both the individual and the organization, and learn practical tools to prevent burnout, support recovery, and strengthen your and your people's well-being. ▶️ From Burnout to Breakthrough: Tools to Restore Yourself in Times of Change and Disruption with Dr. Reggie Thomas ▶️ Key Points: 0:00:00 From his own burnout to helping others recover 0:07:33 The increase in burnout across the workplace  0:09:52 How burnout impacts individuals and organizations 0:12:57 Strategies to prevent burnout and support recovery 0:20:25 Normalize burnout and pay attention to the symptoms Resources from this episode: Check out Dr. Thomas' best-selling books, People Pains and Burnout Pains. Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review! 👇👇👇 Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends. 🔗 Connect with Guest LinkedIn: Dr. Reggie Thomas Website: peakepotential.com Connect with Heather LinkedIn: Heather Burright Website: skillmastersmarket.com Book an interest call with Heather here. Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations. Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions! Produced by Ideablossoms

    27 min

  6. 11/24/2025

    Training Isn't a Cost: Here's How Nonprofits Actually Save Money through Learning and Development with Nancy Bacon

    Nonprofits often view training as a cost. I've heard it, and I'm sure you've heard it as well. However, it's actually an investment in the very thing that moves your mission forward: your people. That's why, in this episode, I'm sitting down with Nancy Bacon to debunk the idea that training is a cost and highlight all the value it brings when done right. She is a teacher, instructional designer, and learning strategist who has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years. This episode is a game-changer for nonprofit leaders who are struggling with the decision to invest in training, and for nonprofit L&D pros who are struggling to frame up the value of what they do to secure the partners and funding they need. ▶️ Training Isn't a Cost: Here's How Nonprofits Actually Save Money Through Learning and Development with Nancy Bacon  ▶️ Key Points: 0:00:00 How Nancy became a nonprofit learning strategist  0:06:05 Cost vs. investment: the ROI of training 0:11:02 Hidden costs of  not investing in L&D 0:16:48 Effectively communicate the real value of training 21:31 The need to shift our mindset from scarcity to abundance Resources from this episode: Check out Mark Nilles and Nancy Bacon's ebook  Conferences That Make a Difference. Catch up with Episode 156 of Learning For Good, where I talk about the cost of training. Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective If you're a nonprofit leader who's ready to invest in your people, complete our consulting application form. Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review! 👇👇👇 Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends. 🔗 Connect with Nancy LinkedIn: Nancy Bacon Website: nancybacon.com and nonprofitlearning.center Podcast: Nonprofit Radio Show Connect with Heather LinkedIn: Heather Burright Website: skillmastersmarket.com Book an interest call with Heather here. Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations. Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions! Produced by Ideablossoms

    27 min

  7. 11/17/2025

    Build Teams that Don't Need Babysitting

    Do you ever feel like you have to constantly babysit your team instead of focusing on your own job? It's like you can't take your eyes off them, so you always find yourself in their work and in their decisions, double-checking everything. If that's your case, then this episode is for nonprofit leaders like yourself. I'm bringing five lessons from past clients and past podcast episodes to help you build high-performance nonprofit people managers. This way, you'll get to finally operate as the leader and executive you are, and not the babysitter you've been forced to be. ▶️ Build Teams that Don't Need Babysitting  ▶️ Key Points: 0:01:20 What teams that need babysitting look like 0:04:14 Building trust 0:05:09 Providing clarity 0:05:55 Building skills 0:06:59 Developing your leaders 0:08:08 Using coaching techniques Resources from this episode:  If you want my support  in building teams that are aligned, efficient, and consistent, fill out this form so we can work together on your organization. Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review! 👇👇👇 Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends. 🔗 Connect with Heather LinkedIn: Heather Burright Website: skillmastersmarket.com Book an interest call with Heather here. Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations. Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions! Produced by Ideablossoms

    10 min

  8. 11/10/2025

    Five Steps to Align Your People Development Efforts with Your Nonprofit Strategy

    Your nonprofit has a strong 2026 strategy. But is your team ready to bring it to life? If your team isn't fully equipped to deliver on your goals, you could be missing the bridge between strategy and success. That's why, in this episode, I'm sharing a little of what it takes to align your L&D efforts and your nonprofit strategy by breaking down the five steps you can take to build a training plan that enables your organization and your people to achieve those 2026 goals. ▶️ Five Steps to Align Your People Development Efforts with Your Nonprofit Strategy ▶️ Key Points: 01:20 The value of getting support to build  the right training plan 04:38 Step 1: Review your organization's strategies 05:15 Step 2: Define what your people need to do 05:48 Step 3: Identify the gaps, roadblocks, or pain points 07:08 Step 4: Prioritize the needs 08:41 Step 5: Determine how to close the gaps Resources from this episode:  If you want to learn more about how I can support you  in creating a plan for your team, fill out this form.  Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review! 👇👇👇 Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends. 🔗 Connect with Heather LinkedIn: Heather Burright Website: skillmastersmarket.com Book an interest call with Heather here. Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations. Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions! Produced by Ideablossoms

    11 min
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About

As nonprofit learning and development leaders, we want a seat at the table. We want to be viewed as true business partners who can help solve problems. We want to create meaningful learning solutions that fit in the flow of work and yield real results for the organization and for the staff.That's why in this podcast, we will not only explore instructional design and leadership development best practices, but we will also explore change management, belonging, and influence - helping you build the case for the solutions your organization needs so you can show up confidently in conversations with other senior leaders, subject matter experts, staff, and partners.If we haven't met yet, I'm Heather, and I’ve been in your shoes. I'm a learning and development consultant and the founder and principal consultant at Skill Masters Market. Before starting Skill Masters Market, I worked for a large national nonprofit where I led learning and development leadership initiatives. I know what it’s like to need to develop your staff quickly and effectively, and to build the relationships and cut through the organizational layers to be successful. With an eye for the larger strategy and the creative design process, I've created hundreds of learning experiences - in-person, self-paced, and virtual classroom - and have worked with dozens of leaders and their staff to help them achieve their organization’s professional development goals. So if you're ready to bust through the barriers and start creating behavior change in your nonprofit, this podcast is for you. Let's dive in. It's Learning for Good. Nonprofit Management | Leadership Training | Leadership Development | Staff Management | Change Management | Instructional Design | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Learn more: www.skillmastersmarket.comConnect with me: www.linkedin.com/in/heather-burrightSchedule a call: https://bit.ly/3GQT6Yg

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