My Friends in Philanthropy

007 – Sue Rueb – Hidden Wounds and Real Help: How BRAIN Rebuilds Lives After Brain Injury

Welcome to My Friends in Philanthropy, the podcast dedicated to sharing the stories, struggles, and hope behind the organizations and individuals making a real difference. In this episode, Patti Parker sits down with Sue Rueb, the founder of BRAIN (Brain Rehabilitation and Injury Network), a Southern California nonprofit that started with one family's heartbreak and grew into a lifeline for adults navigating life after traumatic brain injury, stroke, and blast-related injuries. Their conversation is a reminder that brain injury does not always look like what we expect, and that the people who need help most are often the least likely to ask for it. This episode is for everyone: survivors, caregivers, moms who are still not "over it," and veterans who were told to be strong when they needed support. It is also for the donors and volunteers who make organizations like BRAIN possible. Here's what we cover: - How BRAIN was founded after Sue's daughter Kristin was born with a brain injury and why the organization grew to serve everyone, not just one person - Why brain injury is often called a "hidden injury" and how it affects communication, cognition, emotion, and daily life in ways that are invisible to others - The wide range of causes BRAIN serves: car accidents, strokes, aneurysms, blast injuries, falls, gunshot wounds, sports injuries, and more - Who BRAIN serves: adults 18 and older, because programs for children exist but there is a massive gap in services for adult survivors - The therapies available, including speech, cognitive, emotional counseling, strength training, acupuncture, and massage, all under one roof in Cypress, California - How BRAIN operates completely independently from the government, insurance companies, and hospital systems, and why that matters for privacy - The scholarship program BRAIN quietly offers to veterans from all branches and all conflicts, so cost is never a barrier to care - The zoom option for those who cannot make it in person, and why Sue still believes nothing replaces the personal touch - How charitable contributions to BRAIN as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit may be tax deductible, and how Patti can help donors maximize that impact through strategic financial planning - The first step to reaching out: a real voice-to-voice conversation with someone who will listen, no clicking through a website alone To reach BRAIN and get connected with services: 📞 Call: 714 - 828 - 1760 🌐 Visit: www.thebrainsite.org [http://www.thebrainsite.org] 📧 Email: inquiry@thebrainsite.org [inquiry@thebrainsite.org] Patti Parker, CFP®, is the host of My Friends in Philanthropy and the founder of Discovery Financial, an independent advisory firm specializing in guiding clients through major life transitions such as retirement, marriage, divorce, or loss. With more than 20 years of experience in financial planning—and a prior career as a Registered Nurse—Parker brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion to her work, helping hundreds of individuals make confident financial decisions during challenging times. Through her podcast and her advisory practice, she is committed to elevating community impact and empowering people to navigate change with clarity and trust. Learn more about Patti's advising here: discoverywealthmanagement(.)com/our-team

006 – Cindy Parsons – Beyond the Battlefield: How Wounded Warrior Project Fights the Wounds You Can't See

Welcome to My Friends in Philanthropy, the podcast dedicated to sharing the stories, struggles, and hope behind the organizations and individuals making a real difference. What does it really mean to serve, and what happens after? In this episode, Patti Parker sits down again with Cindy Parsons, a Wounded Warrior Project representative who doesn't just speak about the mission, she has lived it. Together, Patti and Cindy speak directly to warriors, caregivers, and families who feel alone, afraid, or unsure of where to turn. They break down the critical work of Wounded Warrior Project, its no-cost programs, and how they support both families and veterans emotionally, physically, financially, and practically. This is an emotional, heartfelt episode about courage, loss, community, and the bravery it takes to ask for help. If you or someone you love has been impacted by military service, PTSD, or life-changing injury, this conversation may be the most important one you hear today. Here's what we cover: * How Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2003 and what it stands for today * Why invisible wounds, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, survivor's guilt, and military sexual trauma, are just as real as physical ones * The Warrior Care Network: a free, world-renowned outpatient mental health program * How WWP now supports active duty service members, not just post-9/11 veterans * The free services available including mental health care, adaptive sports, career counseling, financial wellness, and benefits guidance * How WWP supports the families and children of wounded warriors * The WWP Talk App that connects alumni to local events and peer support * Why WWP is 100% donation-funded and how charitable contributions may be tax deductible * How to access WWP services and what documentation post-9/11 veterans need to get started If you are a veteran, service member, caregiver, or family member in need of support: 📞 Call: 877-TEAM-WWP (832-6997) 🌐 Visit: woundedwarriorproject.org [http://woundedwarriorproject.org] Patti Parker, CFP®, is the host of My Friends in Philanthropy and the founder of Discovery Financial, an independent advisory firm specializing in guiding clients through major life transitions such as retirement, marriage, divorce, or loss. With more than 20 years of experience in financial planning—and a prior career as a Registered Nurse—Parker brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion to her work, helping hundreds of individuals make confident financial decisions during challenging times. Through her podcast and her advisory practice, she is committed to elevating community impact and empowering people to navigate change with clarity and trust. Learn more about Patti's advising here: https://www.discoverywealthmanagement.com/our-team [https://www.discoverywealthmanagement.com/our-team]

005 – Erinn Andrews – Making Giving Meaningful: A Human-Centered Model for Purposeful Philanthropy with GiveTeam

Welcome to My Friends in Philanthropy, the podcast dedicated to the people and organizations driving meaningful change. In this episode, Patti Parker sits down with Erinn Andrews, Founder & CEO of Give Team, an innovative philanthropic advising organization designed to help everyday generous Americans move from reactive giving to intentional, purpose-driven impact. Erinn brings more than a decade of research and practice—including her work at Stanford’s Effective Philanthropy Lab—to a mission of making high-quality philanthropic advising accessible, approachable, and deeply human. Erinn explains why so many donors feel stuck giving only when asked, how busy lives limit even the best intentions, and what she discovered about the unmet needs of donors giving between $10,000 and $1 million per year. She breaks down the three essential components donors need to shift into meaningful, strategic giving: clarifying values, understanding financial tools, and identifying high-impact nonprofits aligned with their personal mission. Patti and Erinn also explore how Give Team partners with financial advisors, why human conversation is irreplaceable in philanthropic planning, and how a simple two-meeting process can unlock clarity that strengthens families, honors personal values, and thoughtfully guides charitable dollars where they can do the most good. This episode is a must-listen for donors, advisors, and anyone who believes generosity should be intentional, personal, and empowering—not overwhelming. Erinn Andrews is a social entrepreneur and innovator who has been actively engaged in the philanthropic sector for almost 15 years. Most recently, she led the Effective Philanthropy Learning Initiative at Stanford’s Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS) where she conducted research to understand donor behavior, published resources for high-capacity donors and advisors supporting high-capacity donors, and developed innovative education programs—for donors and financial advisors. Prior to Stanford PACS, Erinn led GuideStar’s (now Candid) nonprofit strategy, managing the largest database of nonprofit information in the US. While at GuideStar, she developed and launched the GuideStar bronze, silver, gold, and platinum levels of distinction, encouraging more organizations to self-report qualitative and (standardized) quantitative impact data. After earning her B.A. and M.A. from Stanford University, she launched a start-up nonprofit called Philanthropedia (with funding from the Hewlett Foundation) to identify high-impact nonprofits across multiple cause-areas. Philanthropedia was ultimately acquired by GuideStar. Erinn serves as the President of the national board of International Advisors in Philanthropy, is a member of P150 (a global network of philanthropy advisors), acts as a “Kitchen Cabinet” advisor to Northern California Grantmakers, and is a member of the Peninsula Latina Giving Circle. She lives in Menlo Park, CA with her husband, two children, and their fluffy pup, Nugget. Patti Parker, CFP®, is the host of My Friends in Philanthropy and the founder of Discovery Financial, an independent advisory firm specializing in guiding clients through major life transitions such as retirement, marriage, divorce, or loss. With more than 20 years of experience in financial planning—and a prior career as a Registered Nurse—Parker brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion to her work, helping hundreds of individuals make confident financial decisions during challenging times. Through her podcast and her advisory practice, she is committed to elevating community impact and empowering people to navigate change with clarity and trust. Learn more about Patti's advising here: https://www.discoverywealthmanagement.com/our-team [https://www.discoverywealthmanagement.com/our-team]

004 – Cindy Parsons – Surviving the Invisible Wounds: A Mother’s Story of Tragedy, Resilience and the Lifesaving Work of Wounded Warrior Project

Welcome to My Friends in Philanthropy, the podcast dedicated to sharing the stories, struggles, and hope behind the organizations and individuals making a real difference. In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Patti Parker sits down with Cindy Parsons of the Wounded Warrior Project — but this conversation is about far more than a nonprofit. Together, Patti and Cindy speak directly to warriors, caregivers, and families who feel alone, afraid, or unsure of where to turn. They highlight the critical work of Wounded Warrior Project, its no-cost programs, and how they support not just the veteran but the entire family — emotionally, physically, and practically. This is an emotional, heartfelt episode about courage, loss, community, and the bravery it takes to ask for help. If you or someone you love has been impacted by military service, PTSD, or life-changing injury, this conversation may be the most important one you hear today. If you are a veteran, service member, caregiver, or family member in need of support, call the Wounded Warrior Project at 877-TEAM-WWP (832-6997), or visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ [https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/] Patti Parker, CFP®, is the host of My Friends in Philanthropy and the founder of Discovery Financial, an independent advisory firm specializing in guiding clients through major life transitions such as retirement, marriage, divorce, or loss. With more than 20 years of experience in financial planning—and a prior career as a Registered Nurse—Parker brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion to her work, helping hundreds of individuals make confident financial decisions during challenging times. Through her podcast and her advisory practice, she is committed to elevating community impact and empowering people to navigate change with clarity and trust. Learn more about Patti's advising here: https://www.discoverywealthmanagement.com/our-team [https://www.discoverywealthmanagement.com/our-team]

003 – Neli Rowland – Rebuilding Lives with Dignity: A 30-Year Blueprint for Ending Homelessness at the Root

Welcome to My Friends in Philanthropy, the podcast dedicated to the people and organizations driving meaningful change. In this episode, Patti Parker sits down with longtime community innovator Neli Rowland, a leader with a 30-year track record of transforming how we address homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Neli shares how she and her husband built one of the nation’s earliest vertically integrated ecosystems—combining supportive housing, social services, and social enterprises—to help individuals rebuild their lives with dignity, purpose, and long-term stability. They discuss the limitations of traditional shelter models, the power of transitional employment, the importance of addressing root causes rather than symptoms, and why real estate and economic development are essential tools for breaking cycles of crisis. Neli opens up about proof-of-concept results, lessons learned across thousands of cases, and her forthcoming book designed to help cities nationwide replicate sustainable, compassionate systems of care. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who believes that people deserve more than a meal and a bed—they deserve opportunity, community, and a path back to independence. Neli Vazquez- Rowland is the Co-Founder & President of A Safe Haven Foundation (ASHF). Founded in 1994, ASHF is a vertically integrated eco- system that supports social service delivery along with vibrant social business enterprises in order to create a sustainable environment that fosters positive change in the lives of homeless individuals. Learn more about Neli and her incredible organization at: https://www.asafehaven.org/ [https://www.asafehaven.org/] Patti Parker, CFP®, is the host of My Friends in Philanthropy and the founder of Discovery Financial, an independent advisory firm specializing in guiding clients through major life transitions such as retirement, marriage, divorce, or loss. With more than 20 years of experience in financial planning—and a prior career as a Registered Nurse—Parker brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion to her work, helping hundreds of individuals make confident financial decisions during challenging times. Through her podcast and her advisory practice, she is committed to elevating community impact and empowering people to navigate change with clarity and trust. Learn more about Patti's advising here: https://www.discoverywealthmanagement.com/our-team [https://www.discoverywealthmanagement.com/our-team]