Hart & Hustle Podcast

In this powerful Hart & Hustle episode, Debbie Simmons, CEO of Anchor Point, shares how unimaginable loss became the catalyst for a $1.4M nonprofit transforming thousands of lives. From losing quadruplets to adopting nine children and launching a trauma-informed ministry, Debbie opens up about resilience, leadership, and building legacy. She unpacks how Anchor Point helps families break cycles...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with David Wollman, a former corporate executive who left it all behind to launch a thriving senior care agency. David shares how caregiving filled the void left by corporate success, why mission-driven leadership matters, and what sets his low-turnover agency apart in a high-burnout industry. We dive into challenges with staffing, integrating AI i...

In this powerful episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Cindy Odom, CEO of New City Kids, to explore how she went from pre-med dreams to purpose-driven nonprofit leadership. Cindy shares how New City Kids transforms youth through teen employment, music, mentorship, and leadership development. We talk about confidence-building, authentic leadership, using AI in nonprofits, and t...

What happens when a casino exec becomes a small-town mayor and then redefines how a Chamber of Commerce serves its people? In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Bruce Flax, President of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and former Mayor of Groton, Connecticut. From leading 24/7 operations at Foxwoods to launching the viral “Five Things in Mystic” series, Bruce sha...

In this heartfelt episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Korrie Mae Wiszniak, CEO of Kids at Churchill Park, to explore what it really takes to raise resilient, emotionally intelligent kids in today’s chaotic world. Korrie shares powerful insights on redefining childcare as early education, shifting nonprofit mindsets, honoring parental roles, and building values-driven teams....

Join us for an inspiring Hart & Hustle episode with Brad Kinkema, CEO of the YMCA of Martinsville-Henry County, as he redefines what it means to lead a nonprofit with heart and strategy. From coaching swim teams to championing a $28M community center build, Brad shares how he’s transforming the “gym and swim” perception of the YMCA into a hub for mental health, mentorship, and connection. Disc...

In this inspiring episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Tiffany Hamilton, CEO of YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester, shares her journey from teen motherhood and tech to nonprofit leadership. Discover how she turned adversity into advocacy, the power of saying “yes” to purpose, and how she navigates DEI challenges in today’s climate. Tiffany dives deep into leading with faith, authenti...

What happens when a leader refuses to play it safe? In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Danielle Sanders, CEO of Good Samaritan Home, an 83-year-old nonprofit, shares how she turned burnout, near-homelessness, and a multiple sclerosis diagnosis into fuel for impact. Learn how Danielle rebuilt a crumbling organization, ditched government funding, leveraged AI for grant writing, and re...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, Angela Calzone, CEO of Inroads to Opportunities, shares her journey from the corporate world to leading one of New Jersey’s most innovative nonprofits serving individuals with disabilities. Angela dives into redefining impact, scaling nonprofit operations with business discipline, embracing neurodiversity, and building emotionally intelligent teams. Discover h...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Lisa Tepper Bates, CEO of United Way of Connecticut, to explore her incredible journey from U.S. diplomat to nonprofit leader. Lisa shares what it means to lead with empathy, scale crisis response using AI, and support the “invisible majority” struggling to stay afloat. From mental health hotlines to AI-powered training and bold public policy...

What happens when a volunteer crisis counselor becomes the $15M CEO of one of Maryland’s most vital nonprofits? In this powerful Hart & Hustle episode, Tim Jansen, CEO of Community Crisis Services, shares his 30-year journey from hotline nights to leading life-saving programs across shelters, suicide prevention, and trauma response. Tim opens up about leadership, LGBTQ+ advocacy, growing throu...

What happens when a Broadway-trained performer leads a rural tech revolution? Meet Keralee Clay, CEO of the Amarillo Area Foundation, who’s redefining nonprofit leadership in the Texas Panhandle. In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we dive into donor myths, AI-powered equity, disaster resilience, and the real cost of doing good in overlooked communities. From fighting broadband deserts to leveragi...

What happens when a successful businesswoman trades profit for purpose? In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Jennifer Mylenek, Executive Director of CASA in Southern Oregon, to explore her bold leap from corporate life to nonprofit leadership. Jennifer shares hard-earned lessons on fundraising, volunteer engagement, burnout prevention, and how she's using AI to scale impact—even af...

Lindsey Schiro went from pediatric nurse to powerhouse CEO of 51Vets.org, a nonprofit helping elite special operations veterans transition into high-impact careers. In this episode of Hart & Hustle, Lindsey opens up about imposter syndrome, scaling 51 Vets from 120 to over 500 members, navigating fundraising as a woman in a male-dominated space, and why she’s eyeing public office next. We talk...

What does it really take to break cycles of poverty, addiction, and homelessness? In this powerful Hart & Hustle episode, we sit down with Dr. Julie Hayden, CEO of East County Transitional Living Center, to unpack her faith-driven journey building one of California’s most impactful nonprofits. From trauma-informed leadership to scaling with for-profit discipline, Dr. Hayden shares hard-won ins...

What happens when a top banking executive trades corner office success for a faith-driven mission? In this episode of Hart & Hustle, Rick Boxx shares how he left the corporate world to launch a nonprofit dedicated to bringing biblical wisdom into the workplace. From nearly going broke to building a global movement reaching over 1 million business leaders by 2027, Rick gets real about fear, obe...

What happens when you lead with mission, scale like a startup, and treat donors like investors? In this episode, Cathe Dykstra, CEO of Family Scholar House, shares how she turned a local nonprofit into a $20M nationwide force across 48 states. We explore how modular housing, AI-powered platforms, and a business-minded nonprofit model are reshaping generational poverty. From serving four clients to...

In this inspiring episode of the Hart and Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Joseph Tornello, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Staten Island. With over 40 years of community leadership, Joseph shares how he scaled a small nonprofit into a powerhouse operation serving thousands without a waiting list. We dive into lessons on sustainable growth, volunteer management, leadership mindset, and ho...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Jaime Klein, Founder and CEO of Inspire Human Resources. Jaime shares how she pioneered the concept of fractional HR before it became a mainstream strategy, building a flexible, mission-driven business around real-life challenges. We dive into the future of HR, how DEI, AI, and return-to-office trends are reshaping the workplace, a...

In this powerful episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Karen Rubel, CEO of Nathan Adelson Hospice, to explore leadership, resilience, and the true meaning of purpose-driven business. Karen shares her inspiring journey from teacher to nonprofit leader, how she pivoted careers with courage, and why culture beats strategy every time. We also dive deep into the growing challenges of the hospice...

In this episode of Hart and Hustle, we sit down with Erin Ryan, CEO of Shore Community Services, to explore leadership, innovation, and building community impact. Erin shares her journey from leading as the eldest of six siblings to reshaping a 75-year-old nonprofit to meet the evolving needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We dive into lessons on leading through uncert...

In this episode of Hart & Hustle, we sit down with Kelley St Clair, CEO of Clarity ABA, to explore how leading with kindness, clarity, and purpose can transform businesses and communities. Kelley shares how she scaled Clarity ABA from her kitchen table to serving 18+ communities, all while staying true to compassionate, trauma-informed care. We dive into the future of ABA therapy, the emotiona...

In this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we dive deep with Steve McFarland, CEO of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Silicon Valley and Los Angeles. Steve shares lessons from fighting international fraud, leading teams with heart, and handling over 1,100 scam complaints daily. From saving lives as a teen to building a family-like work culture, Steve reveals how trust, leadership, and re...

What happens when purpose meets community? In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Malana Maher, founder of Aging Connections, to explore how she transformed a simple networking circle into a 200+ member, multi-chapter nonprofit supporting seniors. From being raised by her grandparents to leaving healthcare during COVID, Malana shares her journey, leadership lessons, and...

What happens when you combine wilderness, mentorship, and mission-driven leadership? In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Melissa Millward, President of Trails Youth Initiatives, shares how she scaled a life-changing nonprofit from $500K to $2.5M while preserving its heart-centered mission. We dive into emotional regulation, long-term youth development, unplugging from tech, and what...