MACC Conversations

Melanie Ho, founder of Strategic Imagination , joins Laurel Hansen for a conversation on what it really takes to lead in uncertain times. From burnout and boundary saboteurs to leading from the middle, Melanie offers practical tools and a powerful reframe: the emotions we're tempted to push away are actually intelligence we need. A must-listen for human services professionals at every level.

This Juneteenth episode of our Powerful Voices, Lasting Impact, mini-series features Linda Bryant, Director of Business Operations at V3 Sports , and explores how this North Minneapolis hub is reclaiming a legacy denied to generations before: safe, joyful access to water and wellness. Linda shares how V3 is building a true and needed "third space" for their community. A space where everyone belong...

This episode of our mini-series Powerful Voices, Lasting Impact features Janeen Dednam-Wright from Phyllis Wheatley Community Center for a special Juneteenth conversation about the Center’s century-long role as a trusted, Black-centered anchor in North Minneapolis, supporting education, economic mobility, and cultural belonging. The conversation highlights programs like early childhood educa...

This episode of our mini-series Powerful Voices, Lasting Impact features a special conversation with Bryan Tyner, CEO of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center , reflecting on Juneteenth, the Center’s 102-year legacy, and how it cultivates freedom, resilience, and opportunity for Black identity in North Minneapolis. Hear how Phyllis Wheatley helps youth and families thrive and ways listeners...

Tune in to hear from Elder Atum Azzahir from Cultural Wellness Center and AsaleSol Young, Executive Director at Housing in Action, who join Laurel Hansen, MACC’s Program Manager, for a thoughtful conversation about healthy connections, staying grounded, cultural healing, and building wellness-centered communities. Elder Atum and AsaleSol provide a masterclass focusing on how people can stay ground...

In this episode of Powerful Voices: Lasting Impact, Mya Corbin MACC's Communications Specialist talks with Maitzeng Chang about supporting immigrant and refugee communities. Maitzeng shares what it is like to work as an Asian woman in the nonprofit world and why smaller communities are often overlooked. She explains how important it is for nonprofits to learn about different cultures and make peop...

Tune in to hear from Sipra Jha, the Shelter Director at Asian Women United of Minnesota and Laurel Hansen, MACC's Program Manager as they dive into the importance of cultural practices and supporting one another. Sipra shares her story of growing up in India and how her early experiences shaped her passion for helping others. She talks about her journey as an immigrant and how she found her purpos...

MACC is celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with our recurring series Powerful Voices, Lasting Impact! In this first episode Jennifer So, the Director of Community-based Evaluation and Impact from Neighborhood House, joins Mya Corbin, MACC's Communication's Specialist! Jennifer shares her story working with immigrant and refugee communities. Jennifer talks about how Asian communities are often seen as...

Tune in to hear from Sook Jin Ong, consultant and poet-storyteller and MACC's Program Director, Laurel Hansen. They discuss rest, equity, and caring for people who do hard work in their communities. Sook Jin Ong is a coach and storyteller who helps people think about rest in a deeper way. She explains that rest is not just sleep, but also feeling safe, seen, and at peace in your body and life. She...

Tune in to hear from Chief Program Officer at FamilyWise Services, Brittany Seidel, and MACC's Program Director, Laurel Hansen, as they discuss how to help employees grow and become strong leaders. They talk about how FamilyWise creates a positive and safe workplace where everyone feels supported and has a chance to learn new skills. They encourage and are committed to advancement and Brittany sha...

For this Black History Month, tune in to hear from Khadijah Cooper, the Education Director at Annex Teen Clinic and Laurel Hansen, MACC's Program Manager! Khadijah talks about being a Black woman leader while facing challenges in our communities in Minnesota. Right now, a lot of people are feeling fear and stress, she explains that oppression has always existed, but right now it feels more visible...

Tune in to hear from Simpson Housing's Steve Horsfield, Executive Director of Simpson Housing, and Christina Jacobson, Equity and Human Resources Director joining MACC's Program Manager, Laurel Hansen about their work to end homelessness one household at a time. They share how Simpson Housing is building a new shelter and housing space designed to treat people with dignity and help families move i...

Tune in to hear from Sharon Day, Executive Director of the Indigenous Peoples Task Force, and MACC's Program Manager, Laurel Hansen, joined by MACC's Communications Director, Clara Owen! The three talk about how to support young people, building strong communities, and staying connected to culture and identity. For this Native American Heritage Month, Sharon shares the story of how the Indigenous...

In this episode of Powerful Voices, Lasting Impact, Hispanic Heritage Month edition, Michelle Sanchez, MACC Human Resources Generalist, holds an insightful conversation with Claudia Lainez, Director of the Workers' Center at COPAL. She shares her story of moving from El Salvador to the U.S. and how her childhood shaped her belief in working together as a community. Claudia explains how these value...

In this episode of Powerful Voices, Lasting Impact, Hispanic Heritage Month edition, Michelle Sanchez, MACC's Human Resources Generalist, holds an insightful conversation with Rosa Gomez, the office manager at COPAL. Rosa shares her story of growing up in a blended, multi-ethnic family and how her identity shaped her passion for helping communities. She explains how education and collectivist valu...

In this episode of Powerful Voices, Lasting Impact, Hispanic Heritage Month edition, Mya Corbin, MACC's Communication's Specialist, holds an insightful conversation with Victoria Campoverde, manager of Latino Leadership at Neighborhood House. Victoria shares her journey as an immigrant from Peru and how her cultural identity has shaped her career in nonprofits supporting immigrant and refugee fami...

Tune in as Laurel Hansen, MACC program manager, talks with Francisco Segovia, the leader of COPAL, for Hispanic Heritage Month! Francisco tells the story of moving from El Salvador to Minnesota and how his culture has shaped the way he leads at his organization. Francisco shares why he started COPAL, to give Latinos a stronger voice through community work, jobs, and policy change. Francisco also e...

Tune in to hear from Warren Duncan from People Incorporated Training Insititute, and Laurel Hansen, MACC's Program Manager. In this episode they discuss the burnout, compassion fatigue, and mental health challenges that nonprofit staff face, especially in uncertain times with limited resources. Duncan speaks on how organizations can better support staff by implementing psychological safety, normal...

In this recruitment-focused episode, Cheryl Jensen from Strategic Consulting and Coaching talks with Laurel Hansen, MACC's Program Manager, about how to lead nonprofits during times of big change. Cheryl discusses building and leading strong teams and shares what she's learned when guiding organizations through leadership change. She shares that it’s important to listen to each organization’s need...

Tune in to hear from Ashley Burris, MACC's HR Business Partner and DHop, Director of Youth Programs and Best Buy Teen Tech Center at PCYC! DHop discusses how his work resists the erasure of Blackness by ensuring that Black communities lead youth programming, not just participate in it. He reflects on growing up with Black mentors and emphasizes the importance of representation in leadership. He al...

Tune in to hear from Ashley Burris, MACC's Human Resources Business Partner, and Sherri Green Director of Family Services from Sabathani Community Center about preserving Black history through intentional staffing, community events, and centering Black voices. Sherri highlights events like Black Wall Street and Community Day, which showcase Black-owned businesses and uplift local culture. She emph...

Tune in to hear from Mya Corbin, MACC's Communications Specialist and Amondo Dickerson, Managing Director of Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, about preserving Black history and building community resilience. Amondo highlights the Center’s 100-year legacy of uplifting Black voices and serving youth. He stresses the need for nonprofit solidarity and shared resources, especially as funding decrease...

Tune in to hear from host, Mya Corbin, MACC's Communications Specialist and Karen Bauer, The Forum's Design Strategist to discuss the experience of being the only Black woman in mostly white academic and professional spaces. Karen shares the importance of uplifting diverse Black voices, resisting erasure, and creating spaces that honor both the pain and joy of Black history. The episode highlights...

Tune in to hear from Laurel Hansen, MACC's program manager, and Jean Loyd, founder of Real Life Real Talk, to discuss how our values can support our boundaries and safeguard our identities in today's challenging world. In this conversation, Jean shares her journey as a transformational coach, speaker, and facilitator, and dives into how Real Life Real Talk began as a space for women to process the...

Tune in to hear from MACC's Program Manager, Laurel Hansen, joined by Lisa Negstad of Negstad Consulting, to discuss what makes for successful leadership transitions, why investing in shared leadership practices is essential, and how funders can support these efforts. Drawing from the experiences of MACC and Negstad Consulting, they highlight practices and frameworks that support collaborative lea...