What does a Chief Engagement Officer do and why is the role so important in nonprofit organizations? Tony talks to Mary Frances-Wain from Prosperity Now to dive into how her role has been instrumental in integrating different departmental goals into one aligned organizational purpose.

Tony talks to Mary-Frances Wain about the role of Chief Engagement Officer in the nonprofit world

What data do you use to measure your organization’s outreach campaigns? How do you get team buy-in on your communications and brand guidelines? Kate Shatzkin shares the role that inter-departmental collaboration plays in her organization, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, and how foundations can take a ‘programmatic-first’ communications approach.

Tony talks with Kate Shatzkin about governance when designing effective communication strategies

Encouraging a “culture of analytics” in your organization creates opportunity for your staff to take a data-first approach- but how do you do it? A.J. Minogue, Director of Analysis and Reporting for the UJA-Federation of New York, shares with Tony his thoughts on the emergence of Analytics roles in nonprofits and how expectations for these roles have changed over time.

Tony chats with A.J. Minogue about the shift of analytics roles in nonprofits

Organizations of all sizes have struggled to find an engaging replacement for in person events since the pandemic. Andrew Kolb of the German Marshall Fund discusses how his organization adapted digital and online communications to conduct virtual events for community building. Andrew also shares strategies for audience self-selection that can improve how your team navigates multiple audiences.

Tony and Andrew also dive into the business of think tanks, what role policy organizations can play to increase access to informed thought on complex ideas and issues that can reach global scales but that impact everyday life. They also contemplate if major news media outlets like the New York Times or World Convening Events like the World Economic Forum are taking over the space once occupied by think tanks.

This episode was recorded in February of 2022, preceding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Tony talks with Andrew about the business of think tanks and reaching audiences beyond the Beltway

From CEOs to budgeting to philanthropy and funding; Tony and Beeta cover the gambit when it comes to nonprofits. Listen in and find out what Dr. Jahedi has to say about her research for her dissertation on CEOs and how they learn to make strategic decisions. Listen in and stay tuned till the end for a very fun song of the day!

Tony and Beeta talk about leadership and learning in the mission-driven sector

In this episode Tony Koptechny talks with Nardos Alemayehu, Communications Team Manager at The Black Future Labs, to discuss the origins and effects of racial silos within the marketing world. Based on her involvement in Black activism and experience in public relations, Nardos shares strategies to fix this breakdown by creating a unique counter-narrative. Tune in to this episode to learn how to establish a feedback-driven relationship to attract new diverse audiences while avoiding tokenism.

Tony and Nardos talk about The power of story, gathering data, and the Black Census

In this episode, we dig deep into why digital collections and digital libraries are important for communities and how expensive they can be to distribute.

Tony and Eric talk about Digital Asset Management in cultural institutions

In this special episode, we talk to the founder of LGBTQ SAVES, a support group for LGBTQ+ youth, Sharon Herrera (aka everyone's FairyGAY Mother). We discuss the challenges and struggles that come with being LGBTQ+, and how this group provides a safe and welcoming space for its members. Tony and Sharon touch on topics ranging from laws endangering trans youth in Texas,  to being an Air Force Veteran, and the Wizard of Oz. Sharon didn't have a "somewhere over the rainbow" where there was safety and comfort to be herself, so she created one for others.

Tony and Sharon talk about #NationalComingOutDay and the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ youth

Tony speaks with Fred Dews the producer and host of the award-winning Brookings Cafeteria Podcast, which spanned 8.5 years and 432 episodes. In this episode, Fred shares his experiences and advice for starting a podcast along with insights for building an audience.

Tony and Fred talk about getting started on your organization's podcast and why it can be an asset

In this episode, we explore the idea of trust as an organizational goal, and how it can be applied in the context of the non-profit sector. We discuss the importance of trust in building strong relationships and effective teams, and how it can be cultivated within an organization. We also share some tips on how to create a culture of trust, and how to overcome challenges that may arise.

Tony and Ann talk about trust as an organizational goal and its context in the non-profit sector

In this episode, Tony gets together with Pond Co-Founder and CEO, Mitch Stein. From investment banking to the mission-driven workforce, Mitch has created an organization that flips the marketplace model upside down to create an engaging and supportive space where nonprofit leaders can save time, empower their search, and earn money. Tony and Mitch talk about corporate Request for Approvals (RFP) and how to use them in your favor in the nonprofit sector.

Tony and Mitch discuss non-profit procurement, RFPs, and finding safe places to ask hard questions

When it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), there is more to it than selecting the right keywords or phrases and applying them to different areas of your content. Join Tony and Katherine as they take a deep dive into what it takes to utilize SEO in a more informed way to better reach your target audience. Together, they discuss keyword gathering and gaming to understand artificial intelligence and how it impacts your content creation process and positioning.

Tony and Katherine demystify Search Engine Optimization for nonprofits

Tony and Jenna walk through the 5-point manifesto of The Data Values campaign that calls for change in how we design, collect, fund, manage, and use data. The 5 primary points are: 1) Support people to shape how they are represented in data. 2) Invest in public participation for accountability 3) Democratize data skills for greater equality 4) Create cultures of transparency, data sharing, and use 5) Fund open and responsive data systems so that all people share in the benefits of data.
Listen along as Jenna Slotin gives her insights on data governance to create a fairer data future.

Tony and Jenna discuss data values and the leadership gap in creating change

In this episode, Tony and Kerry discuss the importance of making changes to your organization's infrastructure and internal communications to enact change that creates an equitable space for your staff and constituents. No matter how small the changes may seem, it is important to build in order to make progress toward achieving long-term goals. Change is slow but necessary for the kind of “urgent lifelong work” many organizations are doing. Putting a finer focus on your platform to call out disparities can produce a more accessible and equitable world for everyone.

Tony and Kerry discuss how organizations can build equity into their everyday practices

In this episode of Engaging Ideas, we dive into the world of roadmapping and digital strategy. Our expert guests, Kathleen Heckman and Geoff Barttlet from University at Buffalo share their reflections on how they created an effective roadmap that aligns with business goals and drives staff competency. We discuss the key elements of a successful roadmapping process, including the 9 goals for the roadmap they created and how it differs from a digital marketing strategy. Our guests also share their personal experiences and tips on how to gain leadership and cross-departmental buy-in to overcome common challenges in the roadmapping and digital strategy process.  Tune in now to learn more about why and how you can deploy a roadmapping effort to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape in your own organization!

Tony talks with the University at Buffalo Advancement team about digital transformation

In this episode, we explore the importance of shifting our perspective on failure and how it can lead to more innovative and effective grant-making. We dive into the challenges faced by the nonprofit sector in capturing and reporting qualitative data, and the critical role technology infrastructure plays in enabling strategic decision-making. Join us as we hear from Rachel Kimber about innovative and alternative approaches being explored to develop more equitable and fair approaches in grantmaking. Get ready to challenge your thinking and learn how reframing failure can lead to new perspectives and insights.

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