RKD Group: Thinkers

In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Chanpimol, annual fund and advancement services manager for The Salvation Army's Northern New England Division. With two decades of experience at the organization, Stephanie shares how a willingness to learn, strong communication skills and a commitment to building meaningful relationships have shaped her nonprofit career.

In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Brittany Hodak—author, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and creator of the “superfan” philosophy that has helped brands like Walmart, Disney, Amazon and countless artists build deeper customer loyalty and engagement. Brittany’s journey began in the music industry during a moment of massive disruption. As record labels struggled to respond to fi...

In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, we sit down with Kendra Mungra, Director of Communications at Toys for Tots. With a background in marketing, communications and entrepreneurship, Kendra brings a creative and deeply human-centered approach to donor engagement—especially when it comes to monthly giving and building sustainable support. As Toys for Tots approaches its 80th anniversary,...

Katherine Fritz’s career journey didn’t follow a straight line. From marine biology to cancer research to nonprofit leadership, her path has been shaped by curiosity, openness and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. Today, as President and CEO of Long Island Cares, Katherine leads one of the region’s most impactful food banks. It’s an organization focused not only on addressing hunger, but on...

In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Tom Ahern—copywriter, self-described “message nerd” and one of the most influential voices in donor communications. With decades of experience spanning commercial marketing, direct response and nonprofit fundraising, Tom brings a refreshingly candid perspective on what actually drives donor engagement and what quietly undermines it. Tom st...

In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Gary Ware—founder of Breakthrough Play, author of “Playful Rebellion” and a workplace culture expert helping teams rediscover creativity, connection and resilience through the power of play. Gary began his career in marketing and communications, building a successful track record in the agency world and eventually stepping into agency leader...

Major Nesan Kistan’s story begins in apartheid-era South Africa, where he grew up witnessing the injustices of a system that separated people by race and opportunity. His family eventually left the country for a better future and rebuilt their lives in Australia. During a period of financial hardship shortly after arriving, they encountered The Salvation Army for the first time—an experience that...

In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Mallory Martin, founder and CEO of Mended, a social impact business partnering with survivors of human trafficking to create hand block–printed textiles. Mallory’s journey spans professional sports, international nonprofit fundraising and now entrepreneurship. What connects each chapter is purpose. From selling six-figure sponsorships for...

Becky Ruska’s path into the nonprofit world didn’t follow a traditional trajectory. After spending more than two decades in retail leadership as a district manager for Express, she made a bold decision to step away in her early 40s. What began as a period of rest and reflection quickly evolved into something more meaningful when she started volunteering weekly at the newly formed St. Croix Valley...

In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Hilary Noon, global head of strategy, engagement and growth at AWS Nonprofits, to explore what it means to lead at the intersection of humanity and technology. With more than 25 years of experience spanning nonprofits, agencies and Big Tech, Hilary has navigated three very different “planets”—each with its own culture, constraints and oppo...

In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Kimberly O’Donnell, chief fundraising officer at Bonterra and former executive director. Kimberly shares how growing up in a family of seven, early exposure to service and a career defined by curiosity shaped her leadership philosophy, and how that mindset is more critical than ever as nonprofits navigate uncertainty, AI and rapid change. As...

In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, host Nipa Eason sits down with Jaime Buxton of The City Mission in Cleveland, Ohio. She’s an advocate, community builder and longtime nonprofit leader whose heart for people experiencing homelessness has shaped more than two decades of service.  Jaime's path into nonprofit work wasn’t mapped out with a rigid plan. W...

In this special edition of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard take a step back to reflect on another year of conversations, insights and moments that shaped the podcast, and the nonprofit sector, throughout 2025. Inspired by high-impact conversations, Justin and Ronnie examine what those conversations revealed about the evolving landscape of nonprofit marketing, fund...

Abby Graf, vice president of programs at the Nonprofit Alliance (TNPA), is one of the most thoughtful leadership facilitators in the sector. On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, Abby shares how a lifelong pattern of bringing people together, from organizing Earth Day as a teenager to guiding leadership labs for nonprofit executives, has shaped her approach to helping leaders navigat...

In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Mike Esposito—fundraiser, consultant, coach, CFRE and deeply engaged advocate for nonprofit professionals. Mike shares how a mix of chance encounters, community involvement, thoughtful mentors and one pivotal leap of faith shaped both his career and his philosophy of service. Mike’s journey into the sector didn’t begin with a master plan....

We’re excited to relaunch our podcast "RKD Group: Chat" now hosted by Nipa Eason, Creative Director at RKD Group. "RKD Group: Chat" brings you behind the scenes of nonprofit life, shedding light on the compassion and purpose that drive the individuals solving the world’s most challenging problems.  In this episode, we chatted with Sarah Trudeau from the Wisconsin Humane Society. She star...

As the child of immigrants from West Africa, Floyd Jones recalls going back home to visit and seeing people lined up outside his family’s house, knowing his parents were always there to offer resources and work. So helping others has always been “part of my DNA,” Jones says. Fast forward to today, Jones is a speaker, a coach and a community builder. The founder of BackBlack, he’s raised over $2 mi...

In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we talk with Mark Cross, the current Head of Sales at Hatch, who shares how a winding career journey, personal purpose and the rise of AI intersect in service of social impact.

In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” Lori Collins shares how her left-brain passion for research blends seamlessly with her right-brain love of yoga and aerial arts. From her early days in pay-per-view television to more than 15 years in nonprofit fundraising, Lori has built a career on applied math, curiosity and a desire to “use your powers for good.”

With nearly 20 years of experience, Jen Newmeyer has witnessed the dawn of digital fundraising, navigated leadership roadblocks and championed collaboration in legacy organizations. She speaks candidly about the challenges facing nonprofits today, the lessons from her career pivots and why the future of digital fundraising may rest on embracing innovation.

Stacy Huston's path to becoming a social impact leader is a tapestry woven with diverse experiences and a deep commitment to community. From her early days exploring faith and creative writing to her current role as Executive Director of SixDegrees.org, Stacy's journey is a testament to the power of connection and purpose.

What happens when a technologist trades code for cause-driven impact? In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” Salvatore Salpietro—Chief Experience Officer at Fundraise Up—shares his personal journey from IT projects in Rome to co-founding a platform that’s reshaping the online giving experience. Salvatore opens up about his career pivots, the moment nonprofit work became personal, and how frustr...

In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, host Justin McCord sits down with Charles Lehosit, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital at RKD Group, for a candid and compelling conversation about the shifting landscape of nonprofit marketing. From the early days of digital—when it felt like the Wild West—to today's rapid rise of AI and compliance demands, Charles reflects on how the industry has evo...

On this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, Tim Sarrantonio—Nonprofit Ecosystems Theorist, Director of Community Engagement at Neon One, and Chair of the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP)—joins Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard for a deeply reflective and forward-thinking conversation.

On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard sit down with fundraising veteran Kevin Gentry—CEO of TenX Strategies and host of the “Going Big!” podcast—to trace his unconventional path into nonprofit fundraising and unpack the lessons learned from raising over $3 billion.