RKD Group: Thinkers

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 leadership. But after a difficult professional turning point that forced him to rethink what came next, he found himself returning to something that had long brought him energy and clarity: Improvisation, play and the kind of joyful experimentation that helps people feel more human at work. Today, Gary helps organizations strengthen culture, collaboration and communication by challenging the workplace norms that lead to burnout, disconnection and stale thinking. Through Breakthrough Play, he shows teams how applied improvisation and playful practices can unlock trust, spark creativity and help people navigate uncertainty with more confidence. His work has earned recognition from Culture Amp, which named him one of the top 25 emerging culture creators, and his message continues to resonate with leaders looking for healthier, more effective ways to work. Gary reveals play, rest, joy and goofiness as essential tools for high performance and human connection.

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 left a lasting impression. What they received was more than assistance. They were met with practical compassion and unconditional acceptance. That moment, and another later crisis where The Salvation Army again stepped in to support his family, helped shape the path that would eventually lead Major Kistan into Salvation Army leadership himself. Today, he’s Divisional Commander of the Intermountain Division. In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, Major Kistan shares how his upbringing shaped his worldview, how organizations like The Salvation Army must evolve their communications strategies in a rapidly changing media environment and why resilience, discipline and compassion remain essential for leaders today.

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 the Dallas Stars to fundraising for the International Justice Mission (IJM), and ultimately launching her own mission-driven brand, Mallory’s path reveals how nothing is wasted when calling and capability align. Her story is one of tension and transformation: loving the for-profit business world while feeling drawn to humanitarian impact, navigating motherhood and career shifts, wrestling with the emotional weight of confronting modern-day slavery and eventually stepping away from stability to build something new. Today, Mended employs 23 survivors of bonded labor slavery in South India who create hand block–printed tea towels, table linens and textiles. Each product carries a story of restoration. What stands out most about Mallory is her clarity. She knows what she’s good at, what she’s not good at and why she’s building what she’s building.

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 Food Bank in Wisconsin. That volunteer role turned into an opportunity and ultimately a second career rooted in service, community and purpose. Today, Becky plays a central part in connecting volunteers, donors, businesses and community members to the food bank’s mission. From managing volunteer programs and community events to growing brand awareness through social media and partnerships, she brings people together around a shared goal: making sure food gets to those who need it most. Since its launch just over four years ago, the St. Croix Valley Food Bank has grown rapidly and now distributes nearly five million pounds of food annually across four counties through more than 55 partner programs. With a new permanent facility on the horizon, the organization is preparing to scale its impact even further, aiming to distribute up to eight million pounds of food in the coming years. Becky believes that fundraising and community building aren’t about asking for money—they’re about relationships. Whether she’s giving a tour to a first-time volunteer, standing at a local festival booth or calling a donor who scribbled “call me if you need a volunteer” on a donation slip, Becky shows how meaningful impact often starts with simply showing up. In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, Becky reflects on career change, building trust from the ground up and what it takes to create lasting community connections around a growing nonprofit.

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 opportunities. Yet throughout her career, one thread has remained constant: a deep belief that data, technology and analytics can, and should, be leveraged to amplify good.Hilary’s path into the sector wasn’t a straight line. Raised in a family grounded in service and community, she gravitated toward work that carried meaning and impact. Early roles at institutions like the Smithsonian and the American Cancer Society allowed her to explore the business side of nonprofit work, applying commercially oriented skills to mission-driven organizations. From there, her journey expanded into agency leadership and, ultimately into AWS, where she now helps thousands of nonprofits navigate rapid technological change.Today, Hilary leads strategy and growth for AWS Nonprofits, partnering with organizations around the world as they adopt cloud technology, build data maturity and innovate responsibly, even amid resource constraints and uncertainty. Her leadership stands out not just for its technical depth, but for its people-first approach. She speaks candidly about building strong teams, learning how to manage before she was ready and why coaching and trust matter more than control.

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 the sixth of seven children, Kimberly learned early how to listen, collaborate, negotiate and find her voice. That upbringing, paired with parents who modeled philanthropy and volunteerism, created a foundation rooted in compassion and service. From candy striping in middle school to working on a bipartisan federal commission early in her career, Kimberly’s path into the sector wasn’t linear, but it was intentional. Throughout her career, she discovered that curiosity, not fear, was the throughline that helped her take risks, grow as a leader and step confidently into new challenges. Today, Kimberly works at the intersection of nonprofit strategy, fundraising and technology, where she helps organizations adapt, innovate and build confidence in a rapidly evolving landscape. From AI readiness to innovation funds, leadership development to intentional living, her perspective offers both reassurance and a call to action for nonprofit professionals heading into 2026.

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. What began as a calling to help people—sparked by youth ministry and mission work in Belize—evolved into a lifelong vocation centered on dignity, compassion and community. Over the past 20 years, Jaime has grown alongside The City Mission, serving in multiple roles while helping shape programs that empower men, women and children navigating homelessness. Today, Jaime serves in a community engagement and development role, acting as a bridge between The City Mission and churches, corporations, volunteers and donors. She advocates for the people the Mission serves by educating the community, challenging misconceptions about homelessness and helping others see the humanity behind the statistics. Her work spans partnership development, volunteer engagement, fundraising events and donor programs, including a women’s giving circle that has grown into a powerful force for connection and impact. What stands out most about Jaime is her commitment to dignity—both in how services are delivered and in how stories are told. Whether it’s reshaping the Mission’s Christmas program to give mothers the ability to choose gifts for their children, leading Bridges Out of Poverty trainings to foster empathy and understanding or creating spaces where volunteers and residents can form healthy, respectful relationships, Jamie consistently centers the voices and experiences of those she serves. In this conversation, Jaime reflects on her journey, the moments that affirmed her calling and what continues to motivate her through the hardest parts of nonprofit work.

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, fundraising, leadership and purpose.Over the course of the episode, four defining themes emerge: the maturation of AI in the sector, the enduring importance of human-centered fundraising, the power of purpose-driven career shifts and the resilience required to navigate constant change. In this conversation, Justin and Ronnie reflect on the year behind them, the lessons surfaced through their guests and even a spilled Topo Chico.

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 navigate change with clarity, courage and community.Abby’s path to “dream job” status didn’t come from chasing a job title. It came from noticing what makes groups work, asking better questions and creating the conditions where leaders can learn from one another. In her world, leadership isn’t a solo act. It’s a shared practice that happens at the me, we and community level.Today, Abby leads TNPA’s program work focused on developing nonprofit leaders across the sector, supporting individuals, teams and organizations as they build practical skills, strengthen decision-making and respond to the realities of a shifting landscape. Whether the topic is budgets, AI, risk aversion or big-picture threats to the sector, Abby’s goal is consistent: help leaders step back from the urgent and make space for what matters most.What stands out about Abby is her ability to pair strategic thinking with real humanity, encouraging leaders to experiment responsibly, stay grounded in mission and keep moving even when the path forward feels uncertain.In this conversation, Abby reflects on the experiences that shaped her leadership lens, how creativity strengthens leaders, why nonprofits struggle with risk and what she’s hearing from leaders as 2025 wraps up.

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. It began with a spontaneous fundraising challenge in college that sparked something deeper: a curiosity for the science behind human generosity and the systems that drive people to give. Over the next decade, that curiosity evolved into a career rooted in relationships, leadership and empowerment. Today, he's the founder and lead fundraising strategist of Mike Esposito Fundraising, a consultancy that helps social service and community-focused nonprofits grow individual giving and build sustainable donor revenue. A CFRE-certified strategist and coach, Mike partners with executive directors and fundraising leads to strengthen stewardship, clarify donor strategy, and create systems that make donor engagement consistent and manageable. His work includes individual giving strategy, donor communications, stewardship, portfolio development, and board coaching, helping nonprofits build practical fundraising programs that last. He also gives back to the sector through AFP New York, Nonprofit Hive and his mentorship of emerging leaders. What stands out most about Mike is his willingness to map his course, surround himself with community, trust his instincts and push others to grow. In this conversation, Mike reflects on how early experiences shaped him, why he took the leap into consulting and how he thinks fundraisers can navigate the uncertainty of the philanthropic landscape ahead.

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 started as an adoption counselor, and 17 years later, she’s now the Director of Data & Annual Fund.

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 million for black-led nonprofits. He is a catalyst for change, and energizes everyone in his vicinity.In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” Floyd chats about how music and movement-building shaped his approach to fundraising and why he treats AI as an amplifier, not a replacement, for human connection.

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 frustration often fuels innovation. From building human-first technologies to mentoring others in the space, Salvatore speaks candidly about the values driving his work—and the metrics that truly matter. If you're a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or simply curious about how passion and technology can collide to create real impact, this episode is for you.

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 evolved and where it’s headed.

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.