Welcome to Fostering Solutions, where we explore the real stories of leaders who are making a difference in their communities. I'm your host, and today we're continuing our Fall 2025 Nonprofit Series: "Holding the Mission Together: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty."

Our guest today is Dr. Clinton Arnold, a leader who embodies what it means to transform challenge into opportunity. As the CEO of Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action, or KISRA, Dr. Arnold took the helm in March 2022 during a critical moment for the organization. What he's accomplished since then is nothing short of remarkable—growing revenue from $600,000 to $1.5 million, turning struggling programs like the Urban Farm, After-School Initiatives, and Affordable Housing from financial deficits into sustainable operations.

But Dr. Arnold's story goes far beyond balance sheets and strategic plans. Before leading KISRA's revitalization, he spent years in the corporate world, leading multi-billion-dollar initiatives at Verizon Communications and earning multiple President's Leadership awards. He's also a professor at West Virginia State University, where he's shaping the next generation of business leaders.

What makes Dr. Arnold's perspective so valuable is this unique blend of experiences—Fortune 100 corporate strategy, nonprofit leadership during crisis, academic rigor, and grassroots mentorship. He understands what it takes to lead when resources are scarce, when the mission is critical, and when giving up isn't an option.

In today's conversation, Dr. Arnold opens up about the moment he realized KISRA was facing serious challenges, the principles that guided his decision-making, and how he communicated with staff and stakeholders when the path forward wasn't clear. He shares stories of resilience, innovation born from necessity, and what he learned about himself as a leader through the process.

Whether you're leading a nonprofit facing funding uncertainty, managing a team through transition, or simply trying to understand what it takes to hold a mission together when everything seems unstable, this conversation offers practical wisdom and genuine hope.

So let's dive in. Here's my conversation with Dr. Clinton Arnold.