Lead for Good

What happens when a nonprofit founder, a school superintendent, a police lieutenant, and a retired Army colonel walk into a podcast? It sounds like the beginning of a joke. Instead, it became a powerful conversation about what can happen when leaders from very different worlds come together around a shared purpose. In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with Julie Hudash, Founder and CEO of Team Kids, along with three leaders who have become important partners in advancing its mission: • Lt. Steve Peña, Anaheim Police Department • Dr. Sue Johnson, Superintendent, Savanna School District • Ret. Col. John Chu, Team Kids Board Member For 25 years, Team Kids has operated from a simple but powerful belief: children should not merely be the recipients of adult solutions. They should have meaningful opportunities to lead, serve, make decisions, and help shape their communities. Julie puts it another way: children often know they are cared for. But do they know they are needed? That question has helped shape a model that brings schools, law enforcement, firefighters, veterans, universities, businesses, nonprofits, and families together, not simply to serve kids, but to serve with them. The conversation explores: • Why giving children genuine responsibility can transform how they see themselves and their futures • What happens when police officers and young people work together as teammates • Why schools need community partners to help children develop belonging, confidence, purpose, and connection • How veterans can rediscover purpose through mentoring and serving the next generation • Why Team Kids invested in rigorous research to determine whether its model actually works • What it takes to move an idea from “cute to critical” and build something capable of scaling nationally • Why human relationships may become even more important as technology occupies a larger part of children's lives Perhaps most importantly, the conversation challenges a common assumption about leadership. Adults have plenty to teach young people. But young people have plenty to teach us, too. As Julie reflects after 25 years of working with children, they have not yet given up on their dreams. They still see possibility. They still believe they can make a difference. Sometimes adults need to stop trying to shape that out of them and simply give them the opportunity to lead. This is a conversation about kids, but it is also a conversation about collaboration, purpose, evidence, relationships, and a different way of thinking about leadership. Because the biggest challenges facing our communities will not be solved by one organization, one institution, or one leader. Leadership is a team sport. And if you're breathing, as Julie says, you're on the team.

What really happens when you become a nonprofit CEO for the first time? In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with David Nungaray, President and CEO of the California Council on Economic Education, for a candid conversation about David’s first 100 days in the CEO seat. David stepped into the role ready to hit the ground running. He launched a 100-day fundraising initiative, conducted listening tours with staff and every board member, got closer to the organization’s programs, met with donors and partners, and began navigating the difficult balance between listening and leading. Along the way, he discovered that being CEO also means being what he calls the Chief Relationship Officer. Chris and David explore: • What changes when you become the person ultimately responsible for the organization • Why the first 100 days offer a unique window to listen and learn • How to determine the right rate of change when entering a new organization • Why relationships are foundational to fundraising, leadership, and impact • The importance of developing a trusted “personal board of directors” around you • Why aspiring CEOs should understand finance, strategy, fundraising, and nonprofit governance • The three areas every new CEO needs to understand quickly: people, finances, and the board • Why new leaders need to listen broadly while still learning to trust their instincts • The importance of protecting your own health and well-being if you want to lead for the long term David also offers practical advice for aspiring CEOs and anyone preparing to enter the role for the first time. Perhaps the biggest lesson from his first 100 days is this: You may be the person at the top of the organizational chart, but you were never meant to lead alone. Watch or listen to this episode of Lead for Good for an honest look at the transition from aspiring CEO to actually sitting in the seat. Lead for Good is a production of Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership, dedicated to helping nonprofit leaders grow their knowledge and capabilities and reach their full potential as leaders.

Lead for Good with Lisa Wood | Why the Best Nonprofit CEOs Lead Through Relationships What if one of the greatest competitive advantages a nonprofit CEO can have isn't strategy, operations, or even fundraising? What if it's relationships? In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with Lisa Wood, CEO of Casa Teresa, to explore why relationship-centered leadership creates stronger organizations, healthier cultures, more engaged boards, and more inspired donors. Drawing on more than a decade of executive leadership and a career rooted in philanthropy, Lisa shares why authentic relationships, not transactions, are the foundation of lasting nonprofit success. Throughout the conversation, Lisa explains why CEOs who embrace fundraising as a core leadership responsibility are uniquely positioned to build trust with donors, foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, and inspire greater investment in the mission. She also shares practical leadership lessons on vulnerability, servant leadership, emotional intelligence, board engagement, and creating workplaces where people genuinely feel seen, valued, and connected. Whether you're an executive director, CEO, fundraiser, board member, or aspiring nonprofit leader, this episode is a powerful reminder that leadership begins and ends with people. In this episode you'll learn: • Why relational leadership outperforms transactional leadership • The unique advantages of a fundraising-oriented CEO • How vulnerability builds trust with donors, staff, and boards • Practical ways to strengthen organizational culture through relationships • Why authentic curiosity is one of a leader's greatest fundraising tools • How to cultivate a culture of philanthropy across your organization • Why listening may be the most underappreciated leadership skill If you believe nonprofit leadership is ultimately about people, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. If you enjoy this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with another nonprofit leader who is committed to leading with authenticity, purpose, and impact. #LeadForGood #NonprofitLeadership #Leadership #NonprofitCEO #Fundraising #Philanthropy #ExecutiveLeadership #BoardLeadership #ServantLeadership #CultureOfPhilanthropy #RelationalLeadership #CasaTeresa

From borrowing $50 and selling Rice Krispie bars at quarterly bake sales to leading a nonprofit organization that now generates more than $1 million annually through a single auction event, Billy Henry shares one of the most inspiring grassroots nonprofit growth stories you will hear. In this episode of Lead for Good, Billy reflects on founding the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes at just 15 years old while navigating life as someone who is legally blind himself. What began as a desire to participate in powerlifting alongside friends evolved into a nationally respected organization serving children, youth, adults, and veterans who are blind or visually impaired across the United States. This conversation goes far beyond fundraising tactics. Billy shares practical leadership lessons on scaling with intention, building authentic community relationships, engaging volunteers, developing a culture of philanthropy, stewarding donors well, and staying relentlessly focused on mission while growing organizational complexity. Key themes explored in this episode include: • Scaling a grassroots organization from bake sales to a $1.1M auction • Building momentum through community engagement and relationship development • Why major gifts and donor relationships transformed fundraising growth • The importance of humility, resilience, and adaptability in nonprofit leadership • How storytelling strengthens donor engagement and organizational growth • Creating a healthy organizational culture while avoiding burnout • Why mission alignment must always outweigh growth for growth’s sake • Practical advice for nonprofit leaders intimidated by fundraising or scaling efforts Billy also shares candid reflections about setbacks, leadership evolution, the realities of sustaining nonprofit growth, and the importance of continually becoming the leader the organization needs next. This episode is a powerful reminder that transformational organizations are often built slowly, intentionally, and relationally through trust, consistency, vision, and leaders willing to keep showing up for the people they serve. #LeadForGood #NonprofitLeadership #Fundraising #Philanthropy #Leadership #Nonprofit #MajorGifts #CommunityLeadership #VolunteerLeadership #MissionDriven #FundraisingEvents #BoardLeadership #NonprofitGrowth #Podcast

Cybersecurity is no longer a side conversation for nonprofit organizations. It is a core leadership and governance responsibility. In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge Podcast, Chris Looney sits down with Jeff Steadman of RSM for a practical and timely discussion on fiduciary duty in the digital age. Together, they explore why nonprofit leaders and boards must now think differently about cybersecurity, operational resilience, digital stewardship, and organizational risk. The conversation examines the growing threats nonprofit organizations face today, including ransomware, business email compromise, third-party vendor vulnerabilities, and the emerging risks associated with AI. Jeff also shares actionable guidance nonprofit leaders can implement immediately, including the importance of multi-factor authentication, incident response planning, employee training, and properly managing access controls. Key topics include: • Why cybersecurity is now directly tied to financial stewardship • The evolving responsibilities of nonprofit boards and executives • Common cyber threats impacting nonprofit organizations • How auditors are increasingly evaluating digital environments and IT controls • Why inventorying systems, access, and vendors matters • The importance of employee awareness and training • AI, deepfakes, and the future of organizational risk • Practical first steps nonprofit leaders can take today One of the most important reminders from the conversation: Protecting systems is ultimately about protecting mission, trust, donors, and the communities organizations serve. This episode is essential listening for nonprofit executives, board members, advancement leaders, finance professionals, and mission-driven organizations navigating today’s increasingly digital landscape. Check out the full episode on YouTube with this link: https://youtu.be/s1PGwPFGOrM