The Nonprofit Leader's Guide by Boundless

In this two-episode series, we are delving into the announcement that Boundless and Merakey USA agreed to formally affiliate and advance a new national model for human services.  Episode 1— we give you a behind-the-scenes look at the affiliation itself . You’ll hear directly from leadership about how this came together, what drove the decision, and what it means from both a strategic and operation...

2026 isn’t just another turn of the nonprofit M&A cycle. The choices leaders make over the next few quarters can decide whether they’re steering their own strategy or getting swept into someone else’s plan, and that’s a very different kind of pressure than “growth for growth’s sake.” We sit down with Chris Wolf (COO of Boundless), Rich Yanoski (VP of Corporate Business Development at Merakey),...

Good work is everywhere. Scalable work is rare. We sit down with three leaders who live at the intersection of innovation, inclusion, and scale to answer the question nonprofit leaders can’t avoid anymore: can your solution expand and still deliver real outcomes across different people, policies, and places? Host, Scott Light, is joined by Jennifer Riha, Chief Strategy Officer at Boundless and a 2...

Burnout is still everywhere, even though workplace wellness spending and mental health benefits keep rising. So, we ask the uncomfortable question: are we solving real employee well-being problems, or just adding more programs that people do not trust enough to use? Host, Scott Light, sits down with Melanie Huffman (VP of People and Culture at Boundless), Dr. Natasha Prince (mental health professi...

Work feels heavier even when the tools look great.  Scott and his guests dig into why strategy can be sound, dashboards can be green, and yet momentum still stalls. His guests — Quiana Tolliver, Director of People and Culture at I Am Boundless, Karen Carloni, Director of Integration at I Am Boundless and Courtney Hughes O’Connell, consultant with CFHS — lead the discussion to make culture an opera...

Policy doesn’t move because of one meeting or a flashy stat—it moves when people align around a mission, build trust over time, and show up with care and consistency. We sit down with government affairs pros Anthony Kukura (Boundless), Casey Davison (Roberti Global), and Kelly Keyes (Kallner & Associates) to lift the curtain on what truly works on Capitol Hill and in statehouses. We explore wh...

Legal shouldn’t be the brake pedal on your mission. We sit down with two seasoned leaders—Anne Garcia, SVP and General Counsel at The Ohio State University, and Trent Stechschulte, Chief Legal Officer at I Am Boundless—to show how legal and compliance can be the engine for trust, speed, and sustainable growth. From personal paths that span litigation, healthcare, and university governance to build...

Strategy should feel like motion, not maintenance. We sat down with two chief strategy officers—Jennifer Riha of I Am Boundless and Ravi Dahiya of YAI—to explore how nonprofits serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs can make disciplined choices amid shifting regulations, payer demands, workforce shortages, and rapid technology change. We dig int...

Recent headlines suggested a link between acetaminophen during pregnancy and autism or ADHD, sparking fear and second-guessing. We dig into what the studies actually say, why association is not causation, and how large sibling-based analyses change the picture.  Boundless Medical Director Dr. Cynthia Ripsin and State Director of Behavioral Health and Education Services Kendra Hill join host, Scott...

Rebranding a nonprofit isn’t about swapping logos or picking trendier colors— it’s about removing friction between people and the help they need. We sit down with three dynamic marketing leaders who have guided large behavioral health and human services organizations through bold transformations, unifying dozens of legacy brands, clarifying their promise, and building trust where it counts: at the...

"Criticism is the cost of entry to success. Most people aren't willing to pay it." This powerful quote sets the stage for a compelling conversation about why nonprofits must embrace business principles to thrive in today's complex landscape. Our expert panel features Chris Wolf (COO at I Am Boundless), Rich Yanoski (Corporate VP at Merakey), and James Button (President/CEO of C...

Nonprofit organizations face unprecedented challenges in today's uncertain environment. With financial pressures mounting and workforce shortages continuing, many organizations are exploring strategic partnerships as a path forward. But what separates successful nonprofit mergers from failed ones? The answer lies in mission alignment. The most effective mergers begin not from financial desper...

Navigating nonprofit mergers requires strategic vision, cultural alignment, and unwavering focus on mission. Diane Beastrom, consultant and former CEO of Koinonia, takes us behind the scenes of a successful merger that dramatically expanded services for people with developmental disabilities. After leading Koinonia for decades and orchestrating several acquisitions, Diane faced a pivotal decision:...

Nonprofit mergers and partnerships aren't just survival tactics—they're strategic opportunities to multiply impact and secure long-term sustainability. This compelling conversation with Jennifer Riha, Chief Strategy Officer, and Trent Stechschulte, Chief Legal Officer at Boundless, unveils how strategic growth has transformed their organization's ability to fulfill its mission of re...

The autism conversation in America is at a critical turning point. As public figures make sweeping statements about vaccines, research quality, and the capabilities of autistic individuals, our experts step in to separate fact from fiction with clarity and compassion. Dr. Karen Lindgren and Dr. Cynthia Ripsin bring over 50 years of combined clinical experience to dismantle persistent myths—most no...

What happens when society builds systems that leave people with disabilities isolated, unemployed, and without essential services? Nick Comstock has lived that reality—and he's speaking up about it. Nick joins us to share his journey living with cytomegalovirus (CMV), a condition that's left him wheelchair-dependent with spasticity and dystonia. With remarkable candor and humor, he opens...

A magical night under twinkling lights, a dance floor filled with laughter, and the joy of feeling fully included—these are the experiences every high schooler deserves. Yet for many students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, traditional proms can feel overwhelming or unwelcoming. Meet Greg Shetter, the visionary Behavioral Health Specialist behind Boundless Nights Prom, an extraor...

We learn from our Boundless Nurse Practitioner, Carla O'Neal, and friends from the City of Dublin Recreation Center (Mollie Steiner, Recreation Administrator and Meaghan Campbell, Adaptive Recreation Coordinator), how to set realistic health goals this year that set us all up for success. Little changes made consistently throughout the year can add up to huge health improvements! Also hear ab...

Explore the importance and benefits of having a support system of good friends. Boundless proudly hosts Girls Night Out (GNO) programs for teenage girls that provide opportunities for authentic connection in a safe environment. A mix of neurotypical and neurodiverse girls gather to visit restaurants, cafes, Aveda spa treatments and more while strengthening their social circles. Join host Scott Lig...

As the holiday season approaches, we often hear "it's the most wonderful time of the year", but for some, the added stressors or loss of a loved one make it an extremely difficult time. Join Nathanael Bloss, Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Program Coordinator at Boundless and Darcel Theiss, volunteer GriefShare leader, with our host, Scott Light, and get practical...

Where can you find a dental clinic that understands the unique needs of an individual who has intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) or behavior health challenges? The Boundless Health dental clinic is prepared to provide patients (and their families) with dental treatments tailored to them in a sensory-friendly environment where they will be given the time needed to feel comfortable. L...

This is a special episode that was recorded in front of a live audience at Land Grant Brewing as a part of the Columbus Foundation's Big Table events. Celebrity Emcee Alissa Henry, ABC6/FOX 28, guides panelists through hot topics that ensure adults with disabilities have the right to choose if they date, drink alcohol and where they work. Panelists include Angela Bellin (Boundless program lea...

Discover the path to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) recovery! In this episode, join our host, Scott Light, as we sit down with Morgan Maffett, a licensed social worker at Boundless, and Maggie Kinkopf, who shares her powerful lived experience with PTSD. Dive into the transformative power of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as our guests discuss its effectiveness...

Learn about the power of advocacy! In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Kukura, Manager of Advocacy and Government Affairs at Boundless, Teresa Lampl, CEO of The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers, and Marci Straughter, a passionate self-advocate. With our host, Scott Light, we dive into how grassroot efforts and legislative actions are making a significant impact...

Step into the world of inclusive sports with us! In this episode, we sit down with Will Gibson, an extraordinary athlete and coach with Down syndrome, alongside Beth Gibson, the visionary executive director and founder of Buddy Up for Life and Tracie Reddy, the dedicated residential operations manager for Boundless and Buddy Ball volunteer. With our host, Scott Light, we dive into Will's spor...