How Skills Based Volunteering Strengthens Nonprofit Capacity

How Skills Based Volunteering Strengthens Nonprofit Capacity

Rachel Hutchisson, Senior Advisor at Pyxera Global, explores how skills-based volunteering can help mission-driven organizations strengthen capacity beyond traditional volunteer roles. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Rachel joins Del Martin to discuss how leaders can align professional expertise with real organizational needs, from strategy and technology to marketing and operations. The takeaway is practical: start with the strategic need, then match the right talent to the right work.

Attention is Currency

Ian Adair, CEO of the Seattle Police Foundation, makes a compelling case for attention-focused fundraising in a noisy world. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Ian joins Dr. Stuart Gulley to discuss how mission-driven organizations can move beyond transactional messaging and hold donor attention through relational, value-based storytelling. The takeaway is practical: your board members, staff, donors and volunteers may be among your most powerful storytellers.

Advancement Leadership in a Changing Higher Education Landscape

Josh Newton, senior vice president for Advancement and Alumni Engagement at Emory University, joins host John Stephenson on The Beacon Podcast for a conversation on how advancement leaders are adapting to shifting donor expectations, rising competition and changing institutional priorities. Drawing on his leadership of Emory’s record-setting 2O36 campaign, which surpassed its $4 billion goal, Josh shares perspective on donor engagement, campaign strategy, long-term institutional priorities and the leadership qualities advancement professionals will need in the years ahead.

Leading Through the AI Era

Shawn Olds makes a compelling case that AI adoption starts with leadership, not technology. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Shawn, founder of Ike Papalua and former co-founder and founding CEO of boodleAI, explains why nonprofit leaders should engage AI directly, set responsible policies and focus on practical value. His message is clear: AI can strengthen nonprofit leadership, communications, donor engagement and organizational capacity, but only when human judgment stays at the center.

What Great Boards Get Right

Strong boards do more than govern. They help shape culture, elevate leadership, and position organizations for lasting impact. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Rodney Bullard joins host John O’Kane to discuss the qualities of effective boards, common warning signs of underperformance and how organizations can identify future board leaders. Rodney Bullard is CEO of The Same House, a public benefit corporation focused on advancing economic mobility and bridging social division. He previously served as an officer at Chick-fil-A, where he established and led the company’s global corporate social responsibility platform, including community affairs, engagement, sustainability and the Chick-fil-A Foundation. A former JAG officer, White House Fellow, board director, and bestselling author of Heroes Wanted, Rodney brings a distinctive perspective on leadership and service.