Leading with purpose: Practical tips for purpose-driven work

Dottie Schindlinger is Executive Director of the Diligent Institute and a founding member of BoardEffect and Nithya Das is General Manager of Diligent’s Governance Business Unit and Chief Legal Officer. Together, Dottie and Nithya bring deep expertise on how purpose-driven organizations can strategically harness technology and AI to transform their impact.We discussed why the urgency to modernize governance is greater than ever for nonprofits, foundations, school boards and local governments. Dottie and Nithya share how economic pressures and shifting regulations make nimble, tech-enabled governance absolutely critical — and how AI is moving mission-driven boards toward more efficient, transparent and equitable practices.We also talk about what practical impact looks like, discussing real examples from boards using tools like Diligent Community and BoardEffect to streamline meetings, track strategic goals, boost community engagement and improve decision-making with AI-powered features.Listen in as we explore the ethical side of AI adoption, touching on data privacy, bias and the importance of thoughtful policies. Dottie and Nithya offer actionable advice for leaders starting their digital transformation journeys, including the value of pilot programs, upskilling and collaborative change.Plus, they share bold predictions about the future of governance that you’ll want to hear. And do stick around to the end for their great advice to help boards future-proof their governance and embrace technology confidently.Further resources on technology and AI for governance for public facing boardsYou can find the guides mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

James Page is Chief Information Officer at the New York State School Boards Association, and Jay Worona is a partner at Jasper Schlesinger & Narendra and former Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel for NYSSBA. Together, they bring a wealth of experience in school board governance, legal policy and technology strategy.In this episode, James and Jay share their insights on how AI and digital tools are reshaping governance in school districts. From streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing board decision-making to improving transparency and equity. We explore the opportunities AI presents for strategic planning, risk management and community trust, while also addressing the ethical and practical challenges that come with rapid technological change.We discuss the importance of human oversight, professional development and creating clear policies to guide responsible AI adoption. Jay and James offer thoughtful advice on how school boards can foster innovation while safeguarding student data, ensuring equitable access and maintaining accountability.Listen now as we explore how school boards can move from reactive to proactive governance, what skills board members need to develop, and why curiosity, courage and critical thinking are essential in the age of AI. Stick around to the end for their top tips on future-proofing governance in K-12 education with technology.Further resources on technology and AI for governance for public facing boardsYou can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Nonie Dalton is Vice President of Product Management and Phil Lim is Director of Product Management at Diligent. Together, they bring deep expertise in how mission-driven organizations like nonprofits, school boards and local governments can harness emerging technologies such as AI while keeping ethical governance at the core of their mission.Nonie and Phil share their perspectives on how AI is transforming governance from a reactive function to a proactive, insights-driven practice. We explore the opportunities AI presents for efficiency, transparency and impact measurement, while also addressing the ethical challenges around accountability, bias and data security.Listen in as we find out how Diligent is building cool AI tools with privacy and control in mind, and how features like Smart Prep, AI Search and risk management tools are helping boards make better decisions with less effort. From community engagement to multilingual access, they share exciting developments that are shaping the future of governance for mission-driven boards.Stick around to the end to hear their excellent advice for how boards can future-proof their governance and why human judgment remains essential.Further resources on technology and AI for governanceOur technology and AI guide for nonprofit boards mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources can be found at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose while the technology and AI guide for public facing boards can be found at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Darian Rodriguez Heyman, a speaker, consultant and best-selling author with deep expertise in fundraising, governance and AI. Darian has worked with mission-driven organizations around the world and recently released his latest book, “AI for Nonprofits”.In this episode, Darian shares practical insights on how AI is transforming nonprofit governance, from streamlining board recruitment and engagement to enhancing meeting efficiency and impact measurement. He emphasizes the importance of intentional adoption, data security and creating clear policies to guide responsible use of AI.We explore how leaders can overcome skepticism, build trust and use AI as a thought partner to unlock efficiencies and improve effectiveness. Darian also offers actionable best practices for board development, orientation, and strategic oversight, all while keeping the human element front and center.Listen now as we discuss how to future-proof governance structures, the role of co-intelligence and why mission-driven leaders must embrace AI with thoughtfulness and purpose.Stick around to the end for Darian’s one piece of advice every nonprofit board should hear when it comes to using technology and AI for governance. Further resources on technology and AI for governance for nonprofit boardsYou can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Scott Bridgen is the General Manager of the Audit and Risk Division at Diligent. Scott brings a wealth of experience and unique insights into the critical role of financial and risk oversight in the public sector.In this episode, we talked about how public sector boards can manage their financial resources responsibly and effectively identify, mitigate and monitor risks. Scott highlights the need for a risk-aware culture that focuses on objectives and potential obstacles, rather than just the term 'risk.'He also advocates for transparency and clear communication with your community to build trust, and the importance of speaking to that audience in a way that they're going to understand. Scott and I also explored leveraging technology for oversight, such as the Diligent One platform, how to manage and present risk information efficiently, and ensure a single source of truth for operational effectiveness.Stick around to the end of the conversation to find out what advice he gives for boards that realize they don’t have a good handle on risks. Further resources on financial oversight and risk management for public facing boardsYou can find the financial oversight guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Heather Rich is Executive Director of the American Board of Genetic Counseling, the national certifying body that sets and upholds professional standards for genetic counselors across the United States.Heather shares her insights on the critical role of the board in ensuring financial transparency, proactive management and strategic oversight. She also emphasizes the importance of a robust onboarding process for new board members, which should include financial training to cover the basics as well as the organization's financial philosophy.We also discuss the importance of a strong, supportive relationship between the board and the CEO, where the board has ultimate responsibility for financial and risk oversight, while the CEO and staff handle day-to-day operations and provide necessary information and training.Heather shares real-life anecdotes, including how the American Board of Genetic Counseling manages its financial review process. We also discuss effective financial and risk oversight, and how board members can make informed decisions based on past data and trends for good oversight.Stick around to the end to find out what advice Heather gives for maintaining financial integrity and oversight, including scenario planning to assess risks and opportunities.Further resources on financial oversight and risk management for volunteer boardsYou can find the financial oversight guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Dr. Chad Bledsoe is President of Montgomery Community College in North Carolina. The College offers a wide range of educational opportunities including associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates and continuing education programs.In this episode, we explore why financial and risk oversight is essential for effective governance and decision-making in community colleges. Dr. Bledsoe emphasizes the importance of aligning financial strategies with the institution's mission and goals, and ensuring that resources are used effectively to support student success and community engagement.He shares his perspective on how boards can function efficiently by fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. We also discuss the importance of ongoing education for the board in areas such as financial management and risk assessment. And how the integration of technology to enhance board operations can help boards function more efficiently and enhance their oversight.Stick around to the end to find out what advice Dr. Bledsoe gives for public leaders and board members for managing risk and financials. Further resources on financial oversight and risk management for public facing boardsYou can find the financial oversight guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew is the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, an organization dedicated to helping leaders with executive coaching, community engagement and culture development, as well as assisting nonprofits with board governance and capacity building.Dr. Booker-Drew shares her insights on financial and risk oversight for nonprofit boards. From her perspective, this means being proactive rather than reactive, asking questions about financial management, ensuring the board has members with financial expertise, and integrating finances and risk into strategic planning.She also shares real-life anecdotes and practical advice on fostering a culture of financial responsibility and risk awareness. We discussed the importance of intentional conversations about finances and risk, the right committee structure, and why finances and risk need to be part of board member orientation.Stick around to the end to find out what advice Dr. Booker-Drew gives for using tools and resources to improve financial and risk oversight. Further resources on financial oversight and risk management for volunteer boardsYou can find the financial oversight guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Ben Niehaus is Director of Member Services for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. He also worked as a school superintendent in Northern Wisconsin so brings lots of experience.Ben shares his expertise on several key areas that school board members need to stay informed about, as well as the importance of effective communication with stakeholders. He talks about the importance of continuous improvement and staying updated on best practices in school board governance.Ben gave some really practical strategies for making training programs more flexible and accessible, and we also discussed how technology can support and help board members to stay informed and engaged. Enjoy the conversation as we explore all of this and more.And find out at the end what advice Ben gives for how to use technology for board member training, he has some great tips. Further resources on board development and training for school boardsYou can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Cheretta A. Clerkley, is the Executive Director of the Association for Positive Behavior Support, a nonprofit based in New Jersey. APBS is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to promoting positive behavior support across various settings such as schools, families and communities.Cheretta and I discussed the critical role that continuous learning and development plays in enhancing the effectiveness of volunteer boards. Cheretta shares her journey of streamlining the board from over 30 members to a more manageable 11, and discusses the importance of governance training and communication skills.She also emphasizes the significance of ongoing training and effective onboarding processes to ensure that board members are well-prepared and aligned with the organization's goals.Stick around to the end to hear Cheretta's top tips for how to keep board members motivated and engaged in their own development. Further resources on board development and training for volunteer boardsYou can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Dr. Audrey Young is a member of the Texas State Board of Education and the Chair of the Committee on Instruction for TSBE. Dr. Young represents District 8 and brings a wealth of experience and insight into the critical role of school board training and development, in fact she covered this in her dissertation for her PhD.In this episode, we explore why board training is essential for effective governance and decision-making in public education, how it can help school boards function efficiently and the importance of ongoing education in areas such as AI and cyber risk.We also discuss the challenges of onboarding new board members and the vital role superintendents play in supporting board development.Find out what advice Audrey gives for how to keep board members motivated and engaged in their own development. Further resources on board development and training for school boardsYou can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Julie Castro Abrams is the CEO of How Women Lead, an organization dedicated to empowering women to take on leadership roles and she has also served on many nonprofit boards.  Julie shares her insights on how board training and development can transform organizations. For nonprofits, this means understanding the unique role of the board, from governance to strategic oversight, and how to ensure that board members are equipped to ask the right questions and add value without overstepping. We also discuss the importance of a strong, supportive relationship between the board and the CEO. Julie shares real-life anecdotes and practical advice on board training and development. Stick around to the end to find out what advice Julie gives for leaders to ensure that board training is ongoing and not just a one-time event. Further resources on board development and training for volunteer boardsYou can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.

From recruiting and onboarding members to fostering collaboration and navigating complex decision-making, this 4-part series covers critical aspects of building boards that can drive meaningful impact.Whether you're an experienced executive or an emerging leader, these episodes offer valuable takeaways for enhancing your organization’s governance practices.We hear from 4 experts who share their practical guidance and real-world examples.We hope you enjoy the conversations and find them insightful and interesting!For more resources on board development and training:Nonprofit: www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurposeEducation and government: www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose