This week, I had the pleasure of having Lydia Knight on the Lead with Heart podcast. Lydia Knight is the founder and CEO of The She Center, an internationally recognized eating disorder expert and a pioneer in the field of female empowerment.

Lydia shares her personal journey from struggling with disordered eating to helping over 1,000 women achieve lasting freedom. She discusses applying neuroscience principles to reprogram limiting beliefs around thoughts, emotions, and leadership.

We discussed the importance of creating psychologically safe environments where difficult emotions can be faced directly. Our conversation delves into fostering inclusive cultures and unlocking women's leadership potential in nonprofits.

Listen now to feel both empowered and inspired.

In this episode:

• [06:26] Thought patterns influence our emotions and physical health
• [11:45] Getting to the root cause will create lasting change
• [13:59] We don’t need coping mechanisms, we need to face the reality
• [20:23] Creating a psychologically safe culture is important for nonprofits
• [26:17] Shifting from diversity as an obligation to a self-interest argument can help organizations truly embrace inclusion for better outcomes
• [33:29] Both individual patterns and structural barriers need to be addressed to unlock women's leadership potential and benefit missions
• [37:43] Mentorship and coaching provide awareness of blindspots and a path forward that individuals cannot see for themselves

RESOURCES
Take the leap into successful fundraising with the Savvy Fundraiser Fundamentals Course. The ultimate guide designed for nonprofits that have been around for a while, but haven’t delved into the world of fundraising yet. This course covers everything from crafting compelling campaigns to collaborating effectively with your team, ensuring you have all the tools you need to elevate your fundraising efforts.

CONNECT WITH LYDIA KNIGHT
Facebook: @CenterOfShe
Instagram: @theshecenter
TikTok: @theshecenter
LinkedIn: The She Center
Website: https://theshecenter.org/

The EmC Masterclass by Dr. Lola Gershfeld will help you enhance your communication skills to raise more revenue for your mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations. Use code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a -10%.

CONNECT WITH HALEY

Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, and Certified EmC train the trainer. She is the Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business. She has worked in both small and large nonprofit teams in the human services, homelessness, and youth sectors; and she specializes in the EmC process, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Haley is a passionate, impact-driven, experienced nonprofit professional whose mission is to empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations.

Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com

Today, on the Lead with Heart podcast, I’m selfishly so excited to have Patton McDowell on the show and to share our conversation with you. We are discussing his path to becoming a leader in the nonprofit sector and the lessons he has learned over his career.
Focusing on why nonprofit leaders often face high turnover, we talk about things like unrealistic expectations, generational shifts, and lack of professional development opportunities.
We chatted about practical tools and resources nonprofit pros can apply to strengthen their skills and experience – such as building a personal board of directors and participating in mastermind groups.
You will walk away after listening to this episode with actionable advice on topics like goal-setting, networking, productivity, and the importance of investing in staff to fulfill organizational missions and retain donors long-term.

In this episode:

• [01:31] Patton's path to nonprofit leadership started with an internship at Special Olympics International
• [04:00] Common reasons for high turnover in the nonprofit sector
• [06:08] Impact of generational shifts and how organizations can support different age groups
• [09:34] How staff retention impacts donor retention
• [11:40] Developing leadership goals and Patton's Vision Framework exercise
• [14:07] Benefits of strategic networking, building a personal board, and participating in mastermind groups
• [16:56] Essential leadership skills and the importance of self-assessment
• [20:28] Tips for improving productivity while avoiding burnout
• [34:34] The importance of identifying and focusing on one's "highest value role" and delegating other tasks to maximize impact

RESOURCES
Take the leap into successful fundraising with the Savvy Fundraiser Fundamentals Course. The ultimate guide designed for nonprofits that have been around for a while, but haven’t delved into the world of fundraising yet. This course covers everything from crafting compelling campaigns to collaborating effectively with your team, ensuring you have all the tools you need to elevate your fundraising efforts.

CONNECT WITH PATTON
As the founder of PMA Nonprofit Leadership, Patton has worked with over 275 nonprofit organizations, providing consulting, coaching, and training on leadership development, fundraising, and strategic planning. Drawing from his 20 years of

The EmC Masterclass by Dr. Lola Gershfeld will help you enhance your communication skills to raise more revenue for your mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations. Use code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a -10%.

CONNECT WITH HALEY

Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, and Certified EmC train the trainer. She is the Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business. She has worked in both small and large nonprofit teams in the human services, homelessness, and youth sectors; and she specializes in the EmC process, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Haley is a passionate, impact-driven, experienced nonprofit professional whose mission is to empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations.

Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com

In this episode of the Lead with Heart podcast, I’m having a meaningful conversation with leadership and strategy advisor Kristin Harrington. We delve into Kristin's unique journey into nonprofit leadership, the importance of culture and workforce development, and funding strategies for enhancing an organization's impact.

Highlighting the challenges faced by nonprofit professionals in leadership roles, our discussion covered themes of innovation, the significance of fostering a culture of safety and belonging, and the crucial role of having a people focused strategy. Tune in for practical advice specially crafted for nonprofit leaders aiming to drive meaningful change – starting from within.

In this episode:

• [01:20] How Kristin became a leadership and strategy advisor for nonprofits
• [03:50] Upward mobility and how it can help nonprofits reduce high turnover
• [07:17] How to coach nonprofit leaders to innovate while keeping the mission at the forefront of their decisions?
• [10:09] Firefighting vs. fireproofing: being less reactive and more intentional
• [12:53] Succession planning and people-focused leadership strategy
• [15:05] Developing a healthy organizational culture and a solid strategy for true impact
• [25:00] Engaging board members and staff when developing your nonprofit strategy
• [35:06] The power of coaching and community in leadership development

RESOURCES

Visit https://leadstar.us/ to learn more about their work and their mission.

Take the leap into successful fundraising with the Savvy Fundraiser Fundamentals Course. This course covers everything from crafting compelling campaigns to collaborating effectively with your team, ensuring you have all the tools you need to elevate your fundraising efforts.

CONNECT WITH KRISTIN
Kristin Harrington is a partner at Lead Star and an esteemed leadership and strategy advisor for nonprofits. From frontline roles to establishing a nonprofit with statewide success, Kristin's dedication to fostering innovation, mentorship, and strategic growth in nonprofits makes her a compelling voice in leadership and organizational development.

Linkedin: Kristin Harrington
Website: leadstar.us

The EmC Masterclass by Dr. Lola Gershfeld will help you enhance your communication skills to raise more revenue for your mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations. Use code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a -10%.

CONNECT WITH HALEY

Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, and Certified EmC train the trainer. She is the Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business. She has worked in both small and large nonprofit teams in the human services, homelessness, and youth sectors; and she specializes in the EmC process, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Haley is a passionate, impact-driven, experienced nonprofit professional whose mission is to empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations.

Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com