Agents of Nonprofit

In this inspiring episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I sit down with Francesca Frederick to explore her unique path from aspiring dancer to nonprofit fundraiser—and now, tech startup CEO. Francesca opens up about how her early arts background led her to fall in love with the purpose-driven world of fundraising. From exploring different sectors to co-founding Grantyd , a platform that automates grant...

In this inspiring episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I speak with Amina Mohamed, founder of Cameras For Girls, about her transformative work empowering women in East Africa through photography and ethical storytelling. Drawing from her personal journey as a Ugandan refugee turned filmmaker, Amina shares how a single trip back to Uganda led to a grassroots movement that equips women with the skills,...

 In this insightful episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I welcome Rohit Mehta, founder of Do Good Funding, to discuss the challenges nonprofits face in today’s funding landscape. Rohit exposes the flaws of commission-based grant writing, explains how his team brings transparency and long-term strategy to the process, and offers expert advice on navigating the current economic and political hurdles. T...

In this thought-provoking episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I sit down with Elena Yunusov, founder of the Human Feedback Foundation and former AI advocate at RBC’s Borealis AI lab. Together, we explore the crucial role nonprofits can play in steering artificial intelligence toward ethical, responsible, and human-centered outcomes. Topics We Cover: Why Elena left corporate AI to start the Human Feed...

In this heartfelt and tactical episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I speak with Kel Haney, a fundraising coach who champions the old-school power of the phone call. She breaks down why personal calls still work, even in the age of declining answer rates, and how nonprofits can use warm outreach to foster lasting donor relationships. From crafting compelling voicemails to replacing rigid scripts with...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I speak with Tammy Kyte of GiveWise, a digital platform that’s reshaping how Canadians approach charitable giving through donor-advised funds (DAFs). From stock donations to crypto, GiveWise is making generosity more flexible, accessible, and joyful—for both donors and the charities they support. Topics We Cover: What donor-advised funds (DAFs) are—and how...

In this powerful and compassionate episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I sit down with Loretta Turner, a wellness educator and nonprofit advocate, to explore how nonprofit organizations can create sustainable, people-centered work cultures. Together, we dive into the roots of burnout, the importance of embedding care into organizational strategy, and how reimagining nonprofit careers as fulfilling, e...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I'm joined by Daniel Francavilla to explore the intersection of marketing, storytelling, and nonprofit success. We discuss the critical role of strategic messaging, thought leadership, and authentic storytelling in helping organizations connect with their audience and drive real change. Topics We Cover: How a high school nonprofit project sparked Danie...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I sit down with Khalid Cannon to discuss how sports and community mentorship can help children of incarcerated parents break free from societal stigma. Through long-term mentorship, structured funding, and a business-minded approach, the organization ensures kids have the opportunity to thrive beyond their circumstances. Topics We Cover: Khalid Cannon’s per...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I sit down with Carmen Reis to explore the critical role of training in nonprofit success. The conversation also delves into AI’s growing influence in nonprofit education and the long-term benefits of investing in professional development. Topics We Cover: Why specialized training is essential for nonprofit professionals The best approach to training employ...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , we welcome Maria Rio to explore Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) —a fresh, equity-driven approach to fundraising that prioritizes the needs of the community over individual donors. Maria breaks down the ten principles of CCF, compares it to traditional donor-centric models, and shares actionable insights for nonprofits looking to make the shift. Topics W...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , host Alexander Lapa speaks with Nagi Alsubai, founder of Peer Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting mental health in the Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian (MENASA) communities. Nagi shares his personal journey, from struggling with mental health stigma to creating a peer mentorship program that fosters open conversations and real change. T...

How can nonprofits build stronger, long-term donor relationships? In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I sit down with Leigh Sandison, founder of Real Path, to discuss the importance of modernizing donor engagement strategies. Leigh shares insights from her journey in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, highlighting the gaps she noticed in fundraising approaches. She explains why many organi...

The nonprofit sector is facing a major HR crisis, with high turnover rates and a shortage of experienced professionals. In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit I speak with Cindy Wagman about the root causes of these challenges and explores innovative solutions like fractional fundraising. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, consultant, or industry professional, this episode provides actionable...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I'm joined by Sharon Lee, a nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience. With the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Sharon challenges outdated industry practices and embraces innovative strategies to increase engagement and funding.  Topics We Cover: How Sharon’s unexpected career shift led her to nonprofit work The importance of questionin...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I sit down with fundraising expert Jessie Katz to uncover the secrets of quick wins in nonprofit fundraising. From high-ROI fundraising events to long-term donor engagement tactics, this conversation is packed with actionable insights that can transform any nonprofit’s fundraising approach. Topics We Cover: Jesse Katz’s journey from social work to nonprofit...

 In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I sit down with Jennifer Gardner, a former trial lawyer turned leadership coach, to discuss the vital role of emotional intelligence, empathy, and storytelling in effective leadership. Jennifer shares her journey from the courtroom to coaching, revealing how neuroscience and persuasion techniques can help nonprofit leaders engage stakeholders, influence ch...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I welcome Katelyn Baughan, founder of KB Digital, to explore the untapped potential of email marketing for nonprofits. Katelyn shares her journey from the tech world to nonprofit marketing and dives deep into strategies that drive engagement, retain donors, and boost fundraising success.  Topics We Cover: Katelyn's journey from tech to nonprofit market...

In this powerful episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I speak with Ken Miller, whose life journey is nothing short of transformative. After overcoming a tumultuous childhood, addiction, and time in prison, Ken turned his life around to become a mentor and advocate for young Black men facing similar challenges. Ken’s story highlights the importance of self-belief, mentorship, and breaking through menta...

In this insightful episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I'm joined by Lacey Kempinski, a former fundraiser turned entrepreneur, to explore the evolving concept of work-life balance in the nonprofit sector. Lacey shares her personal journey of navigating motherhood while maintaining her career and the founding of Balanced Good, a company that supports nonprofit leaders, particularly women, with pa...

In this special New Year episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I'm joined by my niece Ruby for a refreshingly candid conversation about artificial intelligence, technology’s impact on jobs, and the possibilities of a utopian future. Ruby, a bright and curious sixth-grader, shares her concerns about robots replacing humans in the workforce and discusses her hopes for a world where people can pursue...

 In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I speak with Puneet Luthra, a government relations expert with a deep commitment to the nonprofit sector. Puneet discusses the critical role these relationships play in influencing policy, securing funding, and driving change on social issues. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Puneet provides practical advice on building strategic partnerships with go...

In this insightful episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I sit down with Jarrett Ransom, affectionately known as "The Nonprofit Nerd," to discuss her passion for nonprofit work, her unique journey, and her philosophy on fostering wellness and abundance within the sector. Together, we explore the importance of moving away from scarcity-driven mindsets, embracing wellness in nonprofit organizat...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit , I chat with Caroline Griffin about the transformative power of donor-centric messaging. Caroline shares her unique journey from aspiring Broadway performer to nonprofit professional, weaving together her passion for communication and storytelling. This conversation offers actionable tips for strengthening donor retention and deepening connections through th...

In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, we welcome Emma Cotner, co-founder of Learn and Earn, an inspiring initiative providing essential online education resources to Ukrainian refugee students affected by the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Emma discusses the program’s unique approach to supporting students aged 9-16 with critical resources like Chromebooks and internet access, the challenges of scalin...