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

Heather Burright, Learning and Development Leader, Leadership Development Consultant, Instructional Designer.
  • 5.0 (53)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 3D AGO

    You're Not a Training Factory. You are a Change Agent.

    When our stakeholders come to us asking for training, they are usually thinking of traditional training.  So, they treat us, nonprofit L&D pros, like training factories that can easily produce a new training in a day. But we are here to create behavior change, and that takes time. In this episode, I'm sharing four recommendations that will help you embody the change agent you already are and learn what you need to create real change in your organization. ▶️ You're Not a Training Factory. You are a Change Agent.  ▶️ Key Points: 0:00:00 The process of creating real behavior change 0:05:41 Shift from learning designer to change agent 0:06:35 Sell real change to your stakeholders 0:07:31 Simplify the scope of the training request 0:09:05 Study learning science to get the buy-in you need Resources from this episode: Read the books I recommended:  James Clear's Atomic Habits and BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits. 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

  2. FEB 2

    The Real ROI of Reducing Turnover (and How Training Helps) with Rachel Platt

    It's estimated that organizations spend somewhere between 50% to 200% of an employee's annual salary to replace them, depending on the level and complexity of their role. Not only that, when someone leaves, it impacts morale, our organization, and ultimately our mission. So, it benefits nonprofits to keep our employees. In this episode, we talk to Rachel Platt, an HR leader and people strategist with  over 20 years of experience who helps nonprofits think through their entire talent lifecycle from hiring to exiting. We are exploring the reasons behind the seemingly normal high turnover in the nonprofit sector, the role of learning and development in reversing this talent loss, how to use this to get buy-in, and low-cost ways to develop and engage your staff. ▶️ The Real ROI of Reducing Turnover (and How Training Helps) with Rachel Platt  ▶️ Key Points: 0:00:00 From in-house HR to Plattinum Consulting 0:08:45 What's really behind high nonprofit turnover 0:12:59 Low-cost ways to develop your staff 0:17:55 The far-reaching benefits of training your staff 0:24:06 How to get training buy-in from a retention POV 0:29:04 What the best learning leaders are doing Resources from this episode: Catch up with Episode 103: 5 Low-Cost Leadership Development Activities for Organizations with Tight Budgets. Also listen to Episode 168: Create Environments Where People Stay, Grow, and Thrive with Julie Winkle Giulioni. 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 Rachel LinkedIn: Rachel Platt Website: plattinumconsulting.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

    34 min

  3. JAN 26

    How Most Nonprofits Approach Women's Leadership Development (and What You Should Do Instead) with Marisa Ciesluk

    Recent data shows that more than half of all nonprofit leaders in the US are women. Unfortunately, we also know that many nonprofit leaders are on the brink of burnout. This calls into question what we are doing to support these female leaders and prompts us to consider how we can give them the support they truly need. In this episode, I'm joined by Marisa Ciesluk, a women's  leadership development facilitator and coach, to help us figure out how to do that at a time when women's leadership development is under scrutiny. You'll learn practical strategies at the organizational and individual levels to make a difference. ▶️ How Most Nonprofits Approach Women's Leadership Development (and What You Should Do Instead) with Marisa Ciesluk  ▶️ Key Points: 0:00:00 From burnout to women's leadership coaching 0:09:33 Beyond skills: do the inner work, build capacity 0:18:35 How nonprofits are supporting female leaders 0:20:42 Organizational shifts to better support women 0:24:59 Ways nonprofit L&D pros can help women 0:29:19 A conversation that must continue to happen Resources from this episode: Check out the book Marisa recommends: Playing Big by Tara Mohr. 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 Marisa LinkedIn: Marisa Wheeling Ciesluk  Website: mwcleadership.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

    32 min

  4. JAN 19

    Is This a Training Problem? A Quick Diagnostic Tool for Nonprofit Learning & Development Leaders

    It can be frustrating when nonprofit leaders and other stakeholders approach us demanding training to solve a problem. However, it's important to remember that people outside of learning and development don't always know which tools are available or which one is right for each situation, so they stick to the familiar. But it's our job as nonprofit L&D pros to diagnose the problem and offer the right solution. That's why in this episode, I'm sharing a quick diagnostic process to help you determine whether the issue brought to you is a training problem or if another solution will work better. ▶️ Is This a Training Problem? A Quick Diagnostic Tool for Nonprofit Learning & Development Leaders ▶️ Key Points: 0:00:00 Why we often go for training as the solution 0:04:19 Two questions to diagnose a training problem 0:09:46 Navigating the diagnostic and stakeholders Resources from this episode: 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

    12 min

  5. JAN 12

    Create Environments Where People Stay, Grow, and Thrive with Julie Winkle Giulioni

    Nonprofit leadership development is about far more than offering training. It’s about creating an environment where people want to stay, grow, and contribute meaningfully to your mission.  In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author and workplace growth champion Julie Winkle Giulioni, who challenges nonprofits to rethink how they approach staff development and build truly supportive cultures of learning. You’ll hear strategies for building a culture of learning in nonprofits and why effective leadership training programs for nonprofit staff require more than a single workshop. We explore why training alone cannot drive behavior change, how managers can become true growth partners, and the role technology (especially AI) now plays in sustaining learning. ▶️ Create Environments Where People Stay, Grow, and Thrive with Julie Winkle Giulioni  ▶️ Key Points: 00:03:24 Julie’s winding career path and early lessons in learning 00:09:41 Why training isn’t enough to drive real change 00:15:03 A manager’s influence on performance and growth 00:24:34 How L&D leaders can operationalize better learning environments 00:28:37 Bringing learning into everyday work Resources from this episode:  Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go by Julie Winkle Giulioni Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective 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. 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 Julie LinkedIn: Julie Winkle Giulioni Website: juliewinklegiulioni.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

    32 min

  6. JAN 5

    3 Skills Your Nonprofit Needs in 2026

    As nonprofit leaders look ahead to the new year, it’s essential to understand which capabilities will matter most.  In this episode, I’m breaking down the top skills nonprofits will need in 2026 so teams can stay resilient, adaptive, and mission-focused. Plus, I’m sharing a simple three-step process to help you identify the specific skills your organization should prioritize this year. If you’re planning your Learning and Development strategies for 2026, you’ll walk away with clarity on where to focus your efforts and how to better support your people. ▶️ 3 Skills Your Nonprofit Needs in 2026  ▶️ Key Points: 00:00:00 Welcoming A New Nonprofit Year 00:04:29 Exploring Key Capabilities 00:10:13 Mapping Needed Skills Resources from this episode: Start by catching up with Episode 113: How to Set Values-Based Goals for 2025. Read the article I’m referring to in the episode: 10 Critical Skills Every Leader Must Master In 2026 Take a look at my episode with Dr. Reggie Thomas: Episode 162: Why Wellbeing is Mission Critical for Your Nonprofit 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 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. 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

    14 min

  7. 12/29/2025

    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

  8. 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
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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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