Lead for Good

LeadforGood
  • 5.0 (1)
  • NON-PROFIT

Welcome to the ”Lead for Good” podcast, designed for nonprofit leaders at every level. Join us as we connect with top nonprofit professionals, diving deep into the traits, strategies, and actions that drive successful leadership in the sector. Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge and insights needed to elevate your leadership skills and maximize your impact. In each episode, our host, Chris Looney, interviews an inspiring leader committed to making a difference. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that will inspire you to lead for good! Don’t forget to like and share this video with fellow nonprofit leaders! #nonprofitleadership #leadershipdevelopment #nonprofitpodcast #inspiration #leadforgood

  1. Lead for Good: A Conversation with John Kobara - Episode 30

    10H AGO

    Lead for Good: A Conversation with John Kobara - Episode 30

    Lead for Good Podcast | John Kobara: Getting Unstuck, Rediscovering Purpose, and Leading with Proximity What does it really mean to feel stuck as a leader and more importantly, how do you move forward with clarity, energy, and purpose? In this powerful episode of Lead for Good, host Chris Looney sits down with longtime nonprofit leader and thought partner John Kobara for a deeply reflective and practical conversation on what it takes to get unstuck in leadership and life. Drawing on decades of experience in philanthropy, coaching, and organizational leadership, John challenges conventional thinking and offers a refreshing perspective on purpose, resilience, and impact. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but transformative idea: proximity matters. John shares why the most effective leaders stay close to the people, communities, and realities they serve and how distance from that truth is often what leads to disconnection and stuckness. Together, Chris and John explore: Why feeling stuck is not a failure, but a natural and necessary part of leadership The hidden dangers of certainty and outdated assumptions How misalignment between expectations and reality creates frustration and stagnation The role of purpose as a source of energy, not just inspiration Practical ways to reconnect with what truly matters, including reflection, writing, and stillness A simple but powerful framework to reset in moments of stress: Stop. Breathe. Notice. Reflect. Respond. John also introduces a mindset shift that can change everything: the obstacle is the way. Instead of avoiding challenges, great leaders move toward them with curiosity and openness, using them as a path to growth and clarity. Whether you are leading an organization, building a fundraising program, or navigating your own career journey, this episode offers both grounding wisdom and actionable insights to help you move forward with intention. If you’ve been feeling stuck, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone and that what you’re experiencing may be the very signal that something meaningful is ready to change. Listen now and rediscover what it means to lead with purpose, energy, and impact.

    56 min
  2. Lead for Good: A Conversation with Burgandie Onekea - Episode 29

    APR 20

    Lead for Good: A Conversation with Burgandie Onekea - Episode 29

    Lead for Good with Burgandie Kuuipo Onekea Episode Title: Confusion Is Expensive: The Leadership Discipline of Clarity In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with Burgandie Kuuipo Onekea, Chief Regional Officer and Executive Director of Junior Achievement of Southern California, for a candid and deeply practical conversation about one of the most underused leadership advantages in the nonprofit sector: clarity. With more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Burgandie shares lessons from her journey from fundraising at March of Dimes in Hawaii to executive leadership roles with the American Cancer Society and now Junior Achievement. Along the way, she discovered a powerful truth: many of the problems leaders attribute to people, culture, or performance are often rooted in something far more basic and far more costly, a lack of clarity. In this episode, you will learn: • Why confusion is expensive and how it silently drains time, morale, trust, and momentum • The warning signs that your team or board may be operating without clarity • How unclear expectations, not disengagement, often cause boards to pull back • The difference between verification and micromanagement • Practical steps leaders can take immediately to strengthen priorities, alignment, and ownership • The one question every CEO should ask their leadership team this quarter Burgandie challenges leaders not to rush to fix people, but to first examine whether priorities, expectations, and pathways to success are truly clear. She explains how clarity builds speed, confidence, ownership, and trust, while reducing second guessing and micromanagement. If you are leading a nonprofit team, serving alongside a board, or navigating underperformance, this conversation will help you rethink where to start. Before assuming culture is broken, ask whether clarity is missing. Unlock performance. Strengthen engagement. Lead with clarity. Subscribe to Lead for Good for more conversations with nonprofit leaders who are truly leading for good.

    44 min
  3. Lead for Good: A Conversation with Tom West - Episode 28

    MAR 24

    Lead for Good: A Conversation with Tom West - Episode 28

    Every leader will face a moment when the ground shifts. A financial shortfall. A reputational threat. An external shock no one saw coming. The question is never if a crisis will come. It is how you will lead when it does. In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with Tom West, Executive Director of Atlanta Ballet, to explore what it truly means to manage through crisis when the stakes are real and the responsibility rests squarely on your shoulders. Tom shares a candid account of navigating a post-pandemic financial crisis that threatened payroll, stability, and long term sustainability. From a seven figure revenue shortfall to a pulled line of credit, he opens up about the weight leaders carry when livelihoods and mission are on the line. In this conversation, you will learn: • How to define a true crisis versus normal turbulence • What leaders must do in the first 24 to 72 hours • Why “work the problem” is more powerful than panic • How transparency builds trust during uncertainty • The critical role of boards in crisis recovery • Why building a strong network may be your best preparation • How crisis can sharpen mission and strengthen strategy Tom offers practical wisdom drawn from decades in arts leadership, including lessons from 9/11, the 2008 recession, COVID, and a multi year cash flow crisis where making payroll came down to days. This is a masterclass in calm, clarity, communication, and courage. If you are leading a nonprofit organization, serving on a board, or preparing for the inevitable storm ahead, this episode will equip you with the mindset and tools to lead with steadiness when it matters most. Listen now and learn how to lead for good, even in the hardest seasons.

    51 min
  4. Lead for Good: A Conversation with Steve Delgado - Episode 27

    FEB 24

    Lead for Good: A Conversation with Steve Delgado - Episode 27

    Can two CEOs really lead one of the most complex nonprofits in the country? In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with Steve Delgado, Co-CEO of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention and re-entry organization in the world. With 10,000 people walking through their doors each year, 16 social enterprises, 300 staff members, and a powerful mission rooted in radical kinship, Homeboy Industries is no small operation. Yet instead of one executive at the top, they chose a shared leadership model. In this conversation, you will discover: Why Homeboy adopted the co-CEO structure as part of intentional succession planning How shared leadership actually works in a large, complex organization The role of humility, patience, and trust in co-leadership Why values alignment is the foundation of independent decision-making How the model strengthens fundraising through a blend of soul and strategy What boards must consider before embracing a co-CEO structure Why Steve believes the nonprofit sector may see a major shift in executive leadership models over the next five years One of the most compelling takeaways? Scaling love and tenderness is at the heart of Homeboy’s next strategic vision. If you are a nonprofit executive, board member, or emerging leader navigating complexity, growth, or succession planning, this episode will challenge the way you think about the CEO role. 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership conversations shaping the future of mission-driven organizations.

    49 min
  5. Lead for Good: A Conversation with Robin Sinclair - Episode 26

    FEB 19

    Lead for Good: A Conversation with Robin Sinclair - Episode 26

    Leadership Is Not Meant to Be Lonely with Robin Sinclair In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney welcomes Robin Sinclair, Executive Director of the Fieldstone Leadership Network, for a powerful conversation about camaraderie and connection in nonprofit leadership. Robin reflects on: The moment she was told to “get your running shoes on” and step into leadership Leading during the Great Recession and learning to “act as if” The early loneliness of becoming the boss of former peers How imposter syndrome followed her into her first peer cohort They discuss why nonprofit leaders often feel isolated: You cannot fully confide in your board You protect your staff You may compete for the same funding Revenue is unpredictable Burnout is common but rarely admitted Robin explains how trusted peer cohorts create something different from networking or training. In these spaces, leaders feel validated, heard, refreshed, and supported. Vulnerability happens organically when trust is built intentionally. You will hear why: Culture matters more than control Curiosity is stronger than quick fixes Coaching reduces isolation Camaraderie multiplies impact across entire communities If you are a nonprofit leader searching for clarity, resilience, and connection, this episode offers both encouragement and practical direction. Leadership is not meant to be endured alone.

    48 min
  6. Lead for Good: A Conversation with Art Groeneveld - Episode 25

    FEB 17

    Lead for Good: A Conversation with Art Groeneveld - Episode 25

    In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney interviews Art Groeneveld, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley, about culture, values, and leadership growth. After years of investing in staff development and rebuilding post COVID, BGCHV formalized a new organizational values framework developed by its management team. Art explains how the organization identified four cultural pillars, engaged staff through a values exercise, and is now rolling the framework out across 300 employees. Key themes include: • Leadership growth and self awareness • Connecting personal values to organizational culture • Building trust after crisis • Financial stewardship and donor partnership • Creating career pathways within nonprofit teams • Sustaining culture beyond the initial rollout Art also shares powerful stories about mentorship, humility, service, and why leaders must “not believe their own press releases” while still confidently telling their story. A thoughtful and practical conversation for nonprofit executives, board members, and emerging leaders seeking to build strong, values aligned organizations.

    52 min
  7. Lead for Good: A Conversation with Jennifer Wise - Episode 24

    FEB 5

    Lead for Good: A Conversation with Jennifer Wise - Episode 24

    In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney speaks with Jennifer Wise, Vice President for Regional Development in the Southeast for the National MS Society. Jennifer brings more than twenty years of experience in fundraising, volunteer leadership, and organizational development, and she shares a thoughtful look at what it takes to build strong boards and activate them in meaningful ways. Jennifer begins by reflecting on her leadership journey across higher education, Habitat for Humanity, and the MS Society. She highlights the mentors who shaped her, the importance of being both a learner and a teacher, and her commitment to building people centered teams. The conversation then turns to board recruitment, board engagement, and the growing role of boards in corporate relations. Jennifer outlines practical tools and strategies that any nonprofit can adopt, including the use of board matrices, mentorship programs, clear expectations, and intentional systems that help trustees feel confident, connected, and ready to lead. Listeners will hear how her chapters strengthened their work with corporate partners by breaking the process into simple steps, providing clear templates and support, and creating space during board retreats for trustees to take action together. These efforts produced new connections, new partnerships, and a more engaged board culture. Topics include • What strong, balanced boards look like in practice • How to use a board matrix to guide intentional recruitment • The power of mentorship, retreat time, and peer engagement • How mission moments strengthen trustees’ connection to the cause • Why small, specific action steps lead to better board involvement • Building board supported corporate relationships that actually work • How regional collaboration can reduce silos and expand opportunities • Practical advice for organizations hesitant to involve trustees in corporate outreach A grounded and practical episode for any nonprofit aiming to build a stronger, more engaged board and deepen its partnership work with the corporate sector. Listen and subscribe for more conversations on leadership, strategy, and the future of nonprofit work.

    52 min
  8. Lead for Good: A Conversation with Christy Ward - Episode 23

    JAN 28

    Lead for Good: A Conversation with Christy Ward - Episode 23

    This episode of Lead for Good features a thoughtful conversation with Christy Ward, CEO of Share Ourselves, on what it truly takes to develop people inside a nonprofit organization. Christy talks with host Chris Looney about the importance of creating a culture where staff have room to grow, how leaders can provide honest and supportive feedback, and what it looks like when someone is in the right role versus when they may thrive somewhere else. Christy discusses her own leadership journey, the mentors who helped shape her path, and the intentional practices she uses to build strong teams. The conversation covers recruitment and retention, succession planning, career ladders, and the role of leaders in creating an environment where exploration and growth feel possible. Key themes • Developing people as a core responsibility of leadership • Recognizing potential and guiding staff toward roles where they succeed • Addressing performance challenges with clarity and compassion • Creating organizational systems that support long term stability • The positive impact on culture and morale when leaders invest in their teams A great episode for nonprofit executives, managers, emerging leaders, and anyone committed to building healthy organizations.

    49 min
See All (30)

About

Welcome to the ”Lead for Good” podcast, designed for nonprofit leaders at every level. Join us as we connect with top nonprofit professionals, diving deep into the traits, strategies, and actions that drive successful leadership in the sector. Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge and insights needed to elevate your leadership skills and maximize your impact. In each episode, our host, Chris Looney, interviews an inspiring leader committed to making a difference. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that will inspire you to lead for good! Don’t forget to like and share this video with fellow nonprofit leaders! #nonprofitleadership #leadershipdevelopment #nonprofitpodcast #inspiration #leadforgood

Information

  • Creator
    LeadforGood
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Lead for Good