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Strong organizational cultures are built with intention. At South Coast Botanic Garden, CEO Adrienne Nakashima and her team have been investing deeply in what it means to create an organizationally healthy culture, drawing on Patrick Lencioni’s The Advantage as a framework for the journey. In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney talks with Adrienne about what that work looks like in practice, from strengthening trust and encouraging productive conversations to creating greater clarity around purpose, priorities, and how the team works together. Adrienne shares candidly about what she and her team are learning along the way, including the Garden’s own term for conversations that sometimes happen after the meeting instead of in the room: “palm circle conversations.” Their goal is not to eliminate disagreement. It is to create the trust and organizational health that allow people to have important conversations together. In this conversation, Adrienne explores: • Why organizational health deserves the same attention as strategy • How trust and vulnerability strengthen leadership teams • The value of productive conflict and honest conversation • How the Garden is creating greater clarity around purpose, values, and priorities • The six questions they are using to strengthen organizational alignment • How culture becomes embedded in meetings, hiring, accountability, and everyday decisions • The challenge of investing in organizational health while also leading growth • What Adrienne has learned about her own role as CEO throughout the process One of the most valuable aspects of this conversation is that Adrienne is sharing the journey while the work is still underway. This is not a retrospective about a culture transformation that has already been completed. It is a candid look at what it takes to intentionally build a healthier organization while continuing to lead it every day. Culture is shaped through countless conversations, decisions, behaviors, and interactions. Adrienne and her team are demonstrating the value of being intentional about shaping it together. Listen to this episode of Lead for Good with Adrienne Nakashima, CEO of South Coast Botanic Garden and Foundation.

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

Leadership is not something you take. It’s something you give. In this powerful episode of Lead for Good, we sit down with Edward Amey for a deeply practical and inspiring conversation about how nonprofit leaders can build genuine loyalty within their organizations in ways that develop future leaders, reduce turnover, and dramatically strengthen mission outcomes. Edward shares his remarkable personal leadership journey, including the teacher who once told him he would “never amount to anything” and the transformational educator who changed the trajectory of his life by believing in his potential. That experience shaped a leadership philosophy centered on listening, investing in people, humility, accountability, and creating environments where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. Throughout the conversation, Edward offers tangible strategies leaders can implement immediately, including: • Why loyalty must be built around mission and values, not personalities • How listening creates trust, retention, and leadership growth • The connection between employee loyalty and stronger client outcomes • Practical ways to reduce turnover and create a healthier organizational culture • How feedback, recognition, and leadership development transform teams • Why leaders must create safe environments where people can speak honestly • The importance of humility, self-reflection, and succession planning • How investing in people ultimately strengthens the mission itself Edward also shares extraordinary real-world examples from his leadership at Jay Nolan Community Services, including how frontline employee feedback led to changes in benefits design, how internal leadership development created future organizational leaders, and why organizations that truly listen to their people create lasting impact. This episode is a masterclass in servant leadership, culture building, and the idea that people thrive when leaders genuinely invest in them.

In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with Ronnetta Johnson for a thoughtful and deeply relevant conversation about leading teams through emotionally heavy work while sustaining personal resilience as a leader. Drawing from more than three decades of nonprofit leadership and her experience leading Waymakers, Ronnetta shares practical wisdom on how leaders can support their teams with empathy without sacrificing accountability, clarity, or their own well-being. Throughout the conversation, Ronnetta explores the realities of leading people who work in crisis-centered environments and explains why nonprofit leadership requires far more than task management. She discusses the importance of psychological safety, healthy boundaries, intentional debriefing, and recognizing the warning signs of emotional overload before burnout takes hold. She also offers powerful insights into servant leadership, resilience, gratitude, emotional regulation, and the responsibility leaders have to model healthy behavior for their teams. Key themes from this episode include: • Leading teams when the work carries emotional weight • Balancing compassion with accountability • Recognizing signs of burnout in yourself and others • Building resilient and emotionally healthy organizational cultures • Creating sustainable leadership practices and boundaries • Supporting people without carrying their burdens for them • Why self-care is essential, not selfish, for nonprofit leaders One of the most impactful moments of the episode comes when Ronnetta shares this perspective: “We shift from believing people need us to carry their burden to understanding they need us to support them while they carry it.” This conversation is an essential listen for nonprofit leaders, executives, managers, and anyone seeking to lead people with wisdom, empathy, and sustainability in demanding environments.

Lead for Good Podcast | John Kobara: Getting Unstuck, Rediscovering Purpose, and Leading with Proximity What does it really mean to feel stuck as a leader and more importantly, how do you move forward with clarity, energy, and purpose? In this powerful episode of Lead for Good, host Chris Looney sits down with longtime nonprofit leader and thought partner John Kobara for a deeply reflective and practical conversation on what it takes to get unstuck in leadership and life. Drawing on decades of experience in philanthropy, coaching, and organizational leadership, John challenges conventional thinking and offers a refreshing perspective on purpose, resilience, and impact. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but transformative idea: proximity matters. John shares why the most effective leaders stay close to the people, communities, and realities they serve and how distance from that truth is often what leads to disconnection and stuckness. Together, Chris and John explore: Why feeling stuck is not a failure, but a natural and necessary part of leadership The hidden dangers of certainty and outdated assumptions How misalignment between expectations and reality creates frustration and stagnation The role of purpose as a source of energy, not just inspiration Practical ways to reconnect with what truly matters, including reflection, writing, and stillness A simple but powerful framework to reset in moments of stress: Stop. Breathe. Notice. Reflect. Respond. John also introduces a mindset shift that can change everything: the obstacle is the way. Instead of avoiding challenges, great leaders move toward them with curiosity and openness, using them as a path to growth and clarity. Whether you are leading an organization, building a fundraising program, or navigating your own career journey, this episode offers both grounding wisdom and actionable insights to help you move forward with intention. If you’ve been feeling stuck, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone and that what you’re experiencing may be the very signal that something meaningful is ready to change. Listen now and rediscover what it means to lead with purpose, energy, and impact.

Lead for Good with Burgandie Kuuipo Onekea Episode Title: Confusion Is Expensive: The Leadership Discipline of Clarity In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with Burgandie Kuuipo Onekea, Chief Regional Officer and Executive Director of Junior Achievement of Southern California, for a candid and deeply practical conversation about one of the most underused leadership advantages in the nonprofit sector: clarity. With more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Burgandie shares lessons from her journey from fundraising at March of Dimes in Hawaii to executive leadership roles with the American Cancer Society and now Junior Achievement. Along the way, she discovered a powerful truth: many of the problems leaders attribute to people, culture, or performance are often rooted in something far more basic and far more costly, a lack of clarity. In this episode, you will learn: • Why confusion is expensive and how it silently drains time, morale, trust, and momentum • The warning signs that your team or board may be operating without clarity • How unclear expectations, not disengagement, often cause boards to pull back • The difference between verification and micromanagement • Practical steps leaders can take immediately to strengthen priorities, alignment, and ownership • The one question every CEO should ask their leadership team this quarter Burgandie challenges leaders not to rush to fix people, but to first examine whether priorities, expectations, and pathways to success are truly clear. She explains how clarity builds speed, confidence, ownership, and trust, while reducing second guessing and micromanagement. If you are leading a nonprofit team, serving alongside a board, or navigating underperformance, this conversation will help you rethink where to start. Before assuming culture is broken, ask whether clarity is missing. Unlock performance. Strengthen engagement. Lead with clarity. Subscribe to Lead for Good for more conversations with nonprofit leaders who are truly leading for good.

Every leader will face a moment when the ground shifts. A financial shortfall. A reputational threat. An external shock no one saw coming. The question is never if a crisis will come. It is how you will lead when it does. In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with Tom West, Executive Director of Atlanta Ballet, to explore what it truly means to manage through crisis when the stakes are real and the responsibility rests squarely on your shoulders. Tom shares a candid account of navigating a post-pandemic financial crisis that threatened payroll, stability, and long term sustainability. From a seven figure revenue shortfall to a pulled line of credit, he opens up about the weight leaders carry when livelihoods and mission are on the line. In this conversation, you will learn: • How to define a true crisis versus normal turbulence • What leaders must do in the first 24 to 72 hours • Why “work the problem” is more powerful than panic • How transparency builds trust during uncertainty • The critical role of boards in crisis recovery • Why building a strong network may be your best preparation • How crisis can sharpen mission and strengthen strategy Tom offers practical wisdom drawn from decades in arts leadership, including lessons from 9/11, the 2008 recession, COVID, and a multi year cash flow crisis where making payroll came down to days. This is a masterclass in calm, clarity, communication, and courage. If you are leading a nonprofit organization, serving on a board, or preparing for the inevitable storm ahead, this episode will equip you with the mindset and tools to lead with steadiness when it matters most. Listen now and learn how to lead for good, even in the hardest seasons.

Can two CEOs really lead one of the most complex nonprofits in the country? In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney sits down with Steve Delgado, Co-CEO of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention and re-entry organization in the world. With 10,000 people walking through their doors each year, 16 social enterprises, 300 staff members, and a powerful mission rooted in radical kinship, Homeboy Industries is no small operation. Yet instead of one executive at the top, they chose a shared leadership model. In this conversation, you will discover: Why Homeboy adopted the co-CEO structure as part of intentional succession planning How shared leadership actually works in a large, complex organization The role of humility, patience, and trust in co-leadership Why values alignment is the foundation of independent decision-making How the model strengthens fundraising through a blend of soul and strategy What boards must consider before embracing a co-CEO structure Why Steve believes the nonprofit sector may see a major shift in executive leadership models over the next five years One of the most compelling takeaways? Scaling love and tenderness is at the heart of Homeboy’s next strategic vision. If you are a nonprofit executive, board member, or emerging leader navigating complexity, growth, or succession planning, this episode will challenge the way you think about the CEO role. 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership conversations shaping the future of mission-driven organizations.

Leadership Is Not Meant to Be Lonely with Robin Sinclair In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney welcomes Robin Sinclair, Executive Director of the Fieldstone Leadership Network, for a powerful conversation about camaraderie and connection in nonprofit leadership. Robin reflects on: The moment she was told to “get your running shoes on” and step into leadership Leading during the Great Recession and learning to “act as if” The early loneliness of becoming the boss of former peers How imposter syndrome followed her into her first peer cohort They discuss why nonprofit leaders often feel isolated: You cannot fully confide in your board You protect your staff You may compete for the same funding Revenue is unpredictable Burnout is common but rarely admitted Robin explains how trusted peer cohorts create something different from networking or training. In these spaces, leaders feel validated, heard, refreshed, and supported. Vulnerability happens organically when trust is built intentionally. You will hear why: Culture matters more than control Curiosity is stronger than quick fixes Coaching reduces isolation Camaraderie multiplies impact across entire communities If you are a nonprofit leader searching for clarity, resilience, and connection, this episode offers both encouragement and practical direction. Leadership is not meant to be endured alone.

In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney interviews Art Groeneveld, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley, about culture, values, and leadership growth. After years of investing in staff development and rebuilding post COVID, BGCHV formalized a new organizational values framework developed by its management team. Art explains how the organization identified four cultural pillars, engaged staff through a values exercise, and is now rolling the framework out across 300 employees. Key themes include: • Leadership growth and self awareness • Connecting personal values to organizational culture • Building trust after crisis • Financial stewardship and donor partnership • Creating career pathways within nonprofit teams • Sustaining culture beyond the initial rollout Art also shares powerful stories about mentorship, humility, service, and why leaders must “not believe their own press releases” while still confidently telling their story. A thoughtful and practical conversation for nonprofit executives, board members, and emerging leaders seeking to build strong, values aligned organizations.

In this episode of Lead for Good, Chris Looney speaks with Jennifer Wise, Vice President for Regional Development in the Southeast for the National MS Society. Jennifer brings more than twenty years of experience in fundraising, volunteer leadership, and organizational development, and she shares a thoughtful look at what it takes to build strong boards and activate them in meaningful ways. Jennifer begins by reflecting on her leadership journey across higher education, Habitat for Humanity, and the MS Society. She highlights the mentors who shaped her, the importance of being both a learner and a teacher, and her commitment to building people centered teams. The conversation then turns to board recruitment, board engagement, and the growing role of boards in corporate relations. Jennifer outlines practical tools and strategies that any nonprofit can adopt, including the use of board matrices, mentorship programs, clear expectations, and intentional systems that help trustees feel confident, connected, and ready to lead. Listeners will hear how her chapters strengthened their work with corporate partners by breaking the process into simple steps, providing clear templates and support, and creating space during board retreats for trustees to take action together. These efforts produced new connections, new partnerships, and a more engaged board culture. Topics include • What strong, balanced boards look like in practice • How to use a board matrix to guide intentional recruitment • The power of mentorship, retreat time, and peer engagement • How mission moments strengthen trustees’ connection to the cause • Why small, specific action steps lead to better board involvement • Building board supported corporate relationships that actually work • How regional collaboration can reduce silos and expand opportunities • Practical advice for organizations hesitant to involve trustees in corporate outreach A grounded and practical episode for any nonprofit aiming to build a stronger, more engaged board and deepen its partnership work with the corporate sector. Listen and subscribe for more conversations on leadership, strategy, and the future of nonprofit work.