The PM Podcast

Breaking News - A Conversation with Stacy Palmer of The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Stacy Palmer has served as a top editor at The Chronicle of Philanthropy since its founding in 1988, overseeing its growth and development from the print to the digital era. In this episode, we talk about the arc of her career, from her early days as a lifestyle reporter to her work today in shepherding her influential publication into an independent nonprofit, as well as her thoughts about the media’s coverage of the nonprofit world, and her hopes for the future of the sector.

You Can Go Home Again - The Epic Journey of Krista Slade

Krista Slade is an international leader whose epic voyage from Toronto to Hong Kong, Melbourne, Singapore, Oxford, and back again has had a lasting impact on the size, shape, and scope of advancement programs around the world. In today's episode, we take that journey with her, learning about each of these unique environments, the challenges and the successes, and the enduring characteristic which continues to fuel her optimism for the work we do in fundraising and philanthropy.

Philanthropy Revolutionary - A Conversation with Lisa Greer

In today's episode, we speak with Lisa Zola Greer, an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who has managed her family's giving for the last decade. She has served on dozens of boards and commissions, including the Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission, the international board of the New Israel Fund, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and the Los Angeles District Attorney Crime Prevention Foundation. In her new book, Philanthropy Revolution, she describes how she and her husband found themselves in the 1% virtually overnight and how their efforts to give generously to charity were often thwarted by the seemingly inflexible processes and scripts of fundraisers who suddenly saw them as piggy banks. Now the self-described "fixer" is working to reverse the decline in the number of Americans who give to charity by showing how nonprofits can establish and maintain truly collaborative and effective relationships.

This Awakened Moment: A Conversation with Ava Willis-Barksdale

A child of the great migration, Ava Willis-Barksdale has risen from a stint as a student in the steel mills to the Vice Presidency of Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting HBCU. She has made her mark in both healthcare and higher ed fundraising, demonstrating a unique capacity for combining teaching and leadership with mentoring the people in her teams, leading to the development of cultures of transformational philanthropy. Ava shared some of her journey with us in this conversation.

Innovating the Capital Campaign - A Conversation with Amy Eisenstein

Amy Eisenstein, CEO and Co-Founder of the Capital Campaign Toolkit, is one of the leading voices in the field of fundraising. Amy is an AFP certified Master Trainer, former president of the board of AFP-NJ, and one of the few ACFRE designation holders in the profession. Her books include Major Gift Fundraising for Small Shops, Raising More with Less, and 50 A$ks in 50 Weeks. In our conversation, Amy gives us a window into her highly innovative approach to the campaign feasibility study, showing how she guides nonprofit leaders to greater success.

A Life Sustained through Faith, Family, and Philanthropy - A Conversation with Brian Lacy

In today's episode, we speak with Brian Lacy, a long-time leader in the field of sustained giving in the US and Canada. Brian takes us on a journey from his college days at the University of Toronto through to leading the program at the University of Connecticut and, finally, running his own firm today out of Texas today. Along the way, he shares his reflections on the faith, family, and philanthropy that have sustained him in the darkest hours and given him the strength to help others navigate their own greatest challenges at work and at home. 

Billions: A Journey Through Campaigns in Healthcare, Higher Education, and Beyond with David Woodruff

David Woodruff has been a key figure in some of the largest and most successful fundraising efforts in healthcare and higher education. He oversaw the $1.5 billion Campaign for the Third Century of Massachusetts General Hospital and then directed a record-setting $6 Billion Campaign for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. David joined Marts & Lundy as a consulting partner following his retirement as Associate Vice President and COO of Resource Development at MIT this month. In this episode, we speak with him about his journey, lessons learned, and opportunities for engaging the rising generation of donors.

”Finish It!” - Reflections of a Master Fundraiser, Teacher, and Storyteller

In this episode, we speak with Karen E. Osborne, a master fundraiser, teacher, and storyteller who loves and believes in the power of philanthropy and nonprofits. She built her career around these passions not only as a frontline fundraiser, speaker, trainer, teacher, consultant, and coach but also as a donor, volunteer, and board member. She has served in senior positions at colleges and universities and, for the past 25 years, as President and now as Senior Strategist at The Osborne Group. Nationally and internationally recognized, Karen is the recipient of CASE’s Crystal Apple for Outstanding Teaching and Public Speaking and the Ashmore Award for Outstanding Service to the Profession and is an adjunct faculty member for Johns Hopkins University’s graduate certificate program in nonprofit management. Karen is also a published author. Her first novel, “Getting It Right,” debuted in 2017 followed by the thriller “Tangled Lies” in 2021. Her third novel, “Reckonings,” will be released this summer.

Sí, Se Puede: How Latinx Philanthropy is Changing America

Today's guest is Armando Zumaya, a man who has been a significant force in major fundraising efforts since the 1980s. From door-knocking to billion dollar plus campaigns and, more recently, leading development efforts for top arts and social service institutions, Armando has become synonymous with fearless, data-driven fundraising. He is also a leading advocate for Latinx philanthropy and fundraising, putting this topic front and center through his newly formed organization, Somos El Poder. We spoke with him about the origins of this work, its importance, and the change he envisions is possible through this advocacy.

Building a Community of Support with Special Events

Today's guest is Lisa Wolf. She is a self-described accidental fundraiser whose work has taken her from major political campaigns to advancing the work of CURE International and now fueling the work of non-profits around the country through Westfall Gold. At the heart of it all has been a focus on building successful relationships. In our conversation, she shares details on the importance of identifying and connecting with donors, helping them to understand the case, building a community of support, and her personal reflections on the concept of generosity.