The PM Podcast

Apra Unplugged: Leaders on Today’s Data-Driven Philanthropy

Formed in 1988, Apra is the premier organization for professionals who strategically harness information and data to drive fundraising for philanthropic institutions. At this year's international gathering, Apra Prospect Development 2023, we pulled together four of the field's leading voices--Carrick Davis, Rodger Devine, Lindsey Nadeau, and Melissa Bank Stepno--to discuss the organization's and the field's past, present, and future, from DEI to data science and from AI to due diligence. This is a window on that discussion.

The Real Story: A Conversation with Chris Miano

In this episode, we speak with Chris Miano, Founder of MemoryFox, the software platform that aims to help nonprofits raise funds and stand out on social media by leveraging grassroots content. We learn about Chris' journey from Buffalo to Army Platoon Leader and Company Commander in Iraq and Afghanistan and back again and discover the stories he heard in the field and at home that fuel his passion to make authentic life stories available and accessible at last. 

Do We Have The Courage? A Conversation with Beth Kanter

Beth Kanter is an international thought leader on digital transformation and well-being in the nonprofit workplace. Named the most influential woman in technology by Fast Company, she is the coauthor of The Network Nonprofit, The Happy Healthy Nonprofit, and The Smart Nonprofit, the voice behind her popular, long-running Beth's Blog, and a consultant and trainer, leading nonprofits and grant makers around the world. She recently received the Lifetime Achievement award from NTEN. In this episode, we speak with Beth about her life and work, beginning with her days as a flute student unafraid to knock on the door of an admired musical giant. 

The Inheritance and The Gift: A Conversation with Carlton Ford

Carlton Ford is an innovative changemaker, nonprofit sector leader, and fundraiser for the arts. A native of southside Chicago, he found his calling for music early and pursued a successful career as an operatic baritone, performing at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and beyond before taking his talent and vision to nonprofit leadership. Today he serves as Chief Effective Philanthropy Officer at The Taproot Foundation, which drives social change by connecting social good organizations with skilled volunteers. In this conversation, we hear about the trajectory of his career as an artist and leader, the gift, and the inheritance. We begin with his earliest memories of finding his way to music. 

Philanthropy Needs to Change: A Conversation with Sean McCarthy

In April, Sean E. McCarthy was honored as an Outstanding Young Professional by AFP, an award reserved for individuals under 31 displaying excellence in raising funds, inspiring donors, managing campaigns, and demonstrating dedication to the charitable sector. Following corporate and foundation fundraising successes at both the Center for American Progress and CSIS, Sean took on the role of Development Manager at the National Center for Transgender Equality, advocating for trans youth, conducting groundbreaking surveys, and increasing corporate support 100-fold in just over two years. Today, Sean serves as Development Manager at the National Housing Trust (NHT), which works to protect and improves existing affordable rental homes so that low-income individuals and families can live in quality neighborhoods with access to opportunities. In this episode, we speak with Sean about reimagining philanthropy for the 21st century and how both donors and fundraisers must be held to a higher standard.
 

Once a Nurse, Always a Nurse: A Conversation with Lynnie Meyer

In this episode, we speak with Lynnie Meyer, RN, EdD, CFRE, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Norton Healthcare, and recipient of the Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award from AFP, the association’s highest honor. 
Lynnie has been leading the operations of the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation and Norton Healthcare Foundation since 2004, generating over $300 million in support, following key roles at The Center for Women and Families in Louisville, Caritas Health Services, University of Louisville Hospital, Caretenders, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 
She has received numerous honors during her career, including the Center for Nonprofit Excellence Art of Leadership Award, the National Conference for Community and Justice Humanitarian Award, the Presentation Academy Tower Award, and the National Philanthropy Frank W. Penick Founders Award for excellence in fundraising.
In this interview, she talks about how her beginnings as a registered nurse in clinical care still inform her work as a fundraising leader today.

The Dream I’ve Had My Whole Life: A Conversation with CNN Hero Nelly Cheboi

In this episode, we speak with Nelly Cheboi, Founder of TechLit Africa, one of Forbes' "30 Under 30 for Social Impact," and 2022 CNN Hero. She shares her journey from childhood poverty in rural Kenya to raising money to build a school while only a junior in college, bringing computers and training to thousands of children in her home country, and her vision of a world where young girls have enough to eat, a roof over their heads, the resources to go to school, and can grow into women who will be known by their own names.

Creating a New Capitalism: A Conversation with Masataka Uo

In this special episode, we speak with Masataka Uo, Founder and CEO of the Japan Fundraising Association, the nationwide network that promotes philanthropic giving and social impact investment. He discusses the rapid evolution of the nonprofit sector and the fast growth of the association, his efforts to expand links between nonprofits throughout Asia, and how charitable fundraising is key to creating "a new capitalism." This interview was recorded live in the exhibit hall at AFP ICON in New Orleans.