RKD Group: Thinkers

Carlos Whittaker is a bestselling author, speaker, and host of a powerful global community affectionately known as his "Instafamilia." Known for creating spaces—both online and in person—where people feel truly seen, Carlos lives by the motto: "Don’t stand on issues, walk with people."

In this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, we welcome Katy Jordan, a seasoned consultant and coach in the nonprofit sector. Katy explores her unique journey from a background in chemical engineering and music to her extensive experience in fundraising and agency life. The conversation delves into the importance of adaptability, the challenges of maintaining boundaries in purpose-driven wo...

Donna Tschiffely has spent decades shaping the nonprofit space, guiding some of the most influential fundraising and marketing initiatives through her leadership at the Bridge Conference, DMAW and beyond. While often working behind the scenes, her impact on the sector is undeniable. In this episode, Donna steps into the spotlight to share her journey, the evolution of industry collaboration, and w...

In a captivating episode, Clint O’Brien shares insights from his time as a Moscow correspondent during the fall of the Soviet Union, weaving a narrative that connects historical events to the contemporary challenges and opportunities within the nonprofit sector. He delves into the vital lessons on democracy and freedom he learned during these transformative years and discusses the impact of techno...

In this conversation, Laura Baker, Executive Director of Nashville Humane Association, shares her journey into animal welfare, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, community engagement and inclusivity. She discusses the shift in focus towards keeping animals in homes, the challenges of fundraising, and the significance of creating a sensory-inclusive environment.  Follow RKD Group on...

In this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard sit down with Gabe Cooper, founder and CEO of Virtuous, for an insightful conversation on the intersection of technology and generosity. Gabe shares his journey from software development to the nonprofit sector, reflecting on lessons from past failures, the importance of leadership and maintaining work-life...

In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, Carl Ferrara, a product innovation specialist at Children International, shares his journey from a childhood influenced by his father's work in healthcare to his current role in leveraging technology for philanthropy. He discusses the importance of user testing in understanding donor motivations and the evolving role of AI in streamlining processes....

In this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard engage with Kishshana Palmer, CEO of ManageMint Inc. and author of “Busy is a Four-Letter Word.” The conversation explores Kishshana's journey of embracing authenticity, navigating personal and professional challenges, and the importance of asking for help. Kishshana shares insights from her new book, which...

In this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard discuss with guest Dave Raley a range of topics, including Dave's journey in the nonprofit sector, his entrepreneurial ventures, and the rise of sustainable giving. Dave shares insights from his career in digital fundraising, the importance of mentorship, and his experiences launching Imago Consulting. The c...

In this episode of the RKD Group: GroupThinkers podcast, we’re thrilled to feature Thomas Mantz, President and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay. From a challenging start in school to leading one of the nation’s most impactful hunger-relief organizations, Thomas shares his inspiring journey into the nonprofit world. In this conversation, he dives into the pivotal role of volunteering, the importance of ali...

On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome T. Clay Buck, a seasoned expert in nonprofit fundraising and communications. With over 30 years of experience spanning roles from Grant Writer to Chief Development Officer, Clay has honed his expertise in individual giving, strategic planning, storytelling and building ethical fundraising systems that empower organizatio...

In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, Scott Bjork, the President and CEO of Memphis Union Mission, shares his unconventional journey to nonprofit leadership, emphasizing the importance of faith in his work. He discusses the lessons learned from his diverse career, including his time in the trucking industry, and how these experiences have shaped his approach to leadership. Scott highligh...

On this episode of the RKD Thinkers Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Tasha Van Vlack, founder of The Nonprofit Hive and a passionate advocate for community-building within the nonprofit sector. Tasha’s journey, which spans an unconventional path from studying biology and teaching ESL to becoming a pivotal voice for nonprofits, offers inspiring insights into creating meaningful connections and su...

On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, we’re excited to sit down with Michelle Flores Vryn, CFRE, a seasoned leader in nonprofit marketing and fundraising. With a career spanning across sectors like climate change and biodiversity, higher education and civic engagement, Michelle has driven impactful change by leading initiatives in major gifts, institutional giving, capital campaigns...

On this episode of the RKD Thinkers Podcast, we’re excited to sit down with Woodrow Rosenbaum, a prominent leader in the philanthropic sector and the Data and Insights Lead for GivingTuesday. Woodrow has been instrumental in shaping the global GivingTuesday movement, leading groundbreaking research and analysis on individual giving behaviors. His insights have significantly influenced how organiza...

Jane Flower is a youth outreach specialist at Guide Dogs for the Blind. Jane has worked in the nonprofit industry for more than two decades and uses her lived experience as a person with vision loss and her journey as a Guide Dogs for the Blind client to connect with young people going through a similar path. Her story is incredible and there is so much heart and passion behind why she does what s...

On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers Podcast, we’re excited to sit down with Steve MacLaughlin, an accomplished leader in nonprofit technology, serving as Vice President of Client Success at SJ Consulting and author of the book, “Data Driven Nonprofits.” His thought leadership has been featured in publications like The Washington Post and The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and he’s a regular con...

On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers Podcast, we’re excited to sit down with Dana Snyder, a dynamic speaker, author, entrepreneur, and the mastermind behind cultivating passionate audiences for nonprofits. With a career that spans coast to coast, from New York to Los Angeles, Dana has worked with notable organizations like American Idol, Movember, and Dress for Success. She’s dedicated to he...

We’re sitting down with Mallory Erickson, a seasoned executive coach, fundraising consultant and the founder of The Power Partners Formula™. With her expertise in empowering nonprofit leaders to raise more from their current donor base, Mallory brings a fresh perspective on leveraging data and emotional intelligence to drive impactful donor engagement. Follow RKD Group on LinkedIn, Instagram, and...

We're excited to introduce Matt DiBenedetti, the new Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Director at RKD Group. With over 25 years of experience and a deep commitment to the nonprofit sector, Matt leads our omni-channel Performance Creative practice. His unique expertise in blending data, technology, and creative strategy is set to transform how we support our clients, helping them engage...

Cherian Koshy is the Vice President of Product Strategy at Kindsight. He started in the nonprofit sector working in IT for the National Speech and Debate Association before transitioning to fundraising. He later founded an AI platform that helps create fundraising content easier. Follow RKD Group on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook @RKD Group For more information, info.rkdgroup.com/podcast.

Jon McCoy, co-founder of We Are For Good, shares his takeaways from 550 conversations on We Are For Good and how it has changed him. The conversation also touches on the formation of We Are For Good and the vision behind it. Jon McCoy and Justin McCord discuss the journey of We Are For Good and the launch of Impact Uprising. They express gratitude for the support and belief of their community and...

Vivian Borja shares her career journey from working in the for-profit sector to becoming the Chief Marketing Officer at Food for the Poor. She highlights the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and the importance of facilitating paths to self-sufficiency for communities. Follow RKD Group on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook @RKD Group For more information, info.rkdgroup.com/podcast.

Writer, illustrator, and director Brad Montague shares his origin story and how he found his passion for storytelling and celebrating children. He discusses the journey of Kid President and the impact it had on people around the world. Brad also talks about the importance of embracing failure and creating a safe space for growth and learning. Listen as he highlights the beauty of childlike creativ...

Christa Stelzmuller, Chief Technology Officer discusses her experience as a data architect at Myspace, the evolution of technology and data architecture, and her transition to the nonprofit sector at charity: water. In this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, Christa emphasizes the importance of thoughtful data collection and governance and the long-term roadmap for data and technology at...