Episodes

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Join me as I welcome Rachel Prettyman, newly announced Executive Director and Emily Calanchini, Community Outreach Manager, to the Nonprofit Podcast Network for an inspiring discussion about Project R.I.D.E, an amazing equine therapy program. Discover how this incredible initiative uses horseback riding to support individuals with disabilities, enhancing their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills through...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... As a high school freshman, Katie Escajeda's passion for community service was ignited when she joined Kiwanis. Katie, Divison leader and President of the Citrus Heights Kiwanis, along with fellow guest and board member, Louise Brown, joins me to explore the shifting landscape of service organizations like Kiwanis, Rotary, and Elks clubs. As time constraints and outdated traditions challenge these clubs, Katie and Louis...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... This episode highlights a significant leadership transition at My Sister's House. Christine Nguyen steps into the role of CEO, while Yen Marshall moves back on to the board of directors after a well-deserved break. This change marks a new chapter for the organization, which has been committed to serving the Southeast Asian communities for 24 years. Christine shares a personal story that underscores the profound impac...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Continuing our theme of organizations serving mother's and children in the month of May, Single Mom Strong brings us yet another perspective on how properly addressing a need can really change lives for the better. Ever wondered how a single mother's personal journey could transform into a life-changing support network for others like her? Tara Taylor, founder and Executive Director of Single Mom Strong, is here to s...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What role do endowments and foundations play in ensuring the financial health of nonprofits? Scott Thomas, Principal and Financial Advisor at CapTrust Sacramento, joins us to share. Drawing from the 2024 CapTrust report, Scott sheds light on the current trends shaping the nonprofit sector, including inflation concerns and the strategic involvement of outsourced chief investment officers. He explains how these trends ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Genelle Smith, Executive Director of Wellspring Women's Center joins me to share the inspiring journey of an organization that started with a simple act of kindness and blossomed into a vital community sanctuary. Founded over 38 years ago by two sisters with a passion for service, Wellspring began in the 1980s with just donuts and coffee. Today, it stands as as an icon of love for mothers, children, and seniors in Sa...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if you found yourself on the brink of losing everything, only to rise stronger than ever before? Join me in conversation with Scott Richards, CEO of Saint John's Program for Real Change and Monica, a resilient alum of the organization, who shares her remarkable journey from homelessness to a fulfilling career at UC Davis Medical Center. In a candid conversation, Monica reveals how the program helped her brea...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Maria Medrano joins me this episode to share her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming a trailblazer in educational technology. Her dedication to breaking the cycles of generational poverty led to the creation of Inspirame, a tech company that empowers students transitioning from community college to a four-year institution. Maria's personal story and her parents' unwavering support highlight the power of...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Ready to transform your understanding of nonprofit sustainability? Join me in conversation with Niva Flor, Chief Impact Officer at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. Together, we unravel the complexities of what sustainability truly means for nonprofits—beyond just surviving, it's about thriving. Discover how the Foundation's Big Day of Giving is a game-changer, emphasizing the power of unrestricted gifts and t...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Michael Lynch, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), brings his compelling insights on bridging education and health equity for young men of color. We explore how IYT provides robust support from seventh grade through college to close the college opportunity gap. Michael shares inspiring stories like that of Oscar, a former student turned board member, showcasing IYT's transformational impact ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if everyone had the chance to unlock their musical potential, regardless of their background or financial situation? Meet Buddy Hale, the visionary behind Musiclandria, who turned his challenging foster system childhood into a driving force for change. Buddy's personal experience with music as a lifeline inspired him to create Musiclandria, a groundbreaking nonprofit that's now the largest free music instrument len...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Sal Ramirez, Executive Director of Yolo Farm to Fork, joins me on this newspod as he shares his dedication to promoting health equity in child development. Listen as Sal unpacks the vital work being done to ensure that every child, regardless of their socioeconomic background, has access to fresh, healthy food. He passionately discusses the challenges faced by children in lower-income communities, where food insecurity ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if the secret to a thriving nonprofit sector lies in the power of trust and flexibility? Join me as we uncover the potential of unrestricted funds and trust-based philanthropy with insights from Carrie Wood, CEO of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation and their Big Day of Giving event. We explore the shifting dynamics of giving, especially in a post-COVID world, where younger donors are stepping up through gi...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Can you imagine a world where reaching the age of 100 is not just a milestone but a joyful norm? This latest episode uncovers the secrets of aging well as shared by Sheri Peifer, President and CEO of Eskaton. Gain insights into how community and connections are vital in promoting a longer, richer life. Sheri reveals how Eskaton, a leading nonprofit in Northern California, is redefining senior living through personalized...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if the key to sustaining community colleges lies within our own communities? Join me as I explore the critical role of local support in the enduring success of institutions like Sierra College, featuring insights from Sonbol Aliabadi, Executive Director of the Sierra College Foundation. With over half of Sierra College's students eligible for aid, discover how the foundation bridges the financial gap through commun...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Growing up in foster care, Jodi Mottashed's childhood was anything but ordinary. Her experiences sparked a passion to change lives, leading her to establish Aspire Kids El Dorado, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth in rural communities. Join us as Jodi shares how her personal journey fueled a mission to break down barriers for children in El Dorado County, providing scholarships for transformative experiences, cl...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What are the secrets to creating a thriving animal welfare community? How about one that has celebrated a 50-year journey in Placer County? The Placer SPCA is all that. I'm speaking with Leilani Fratis, CEO of the organization, this episode. From its humble beginnings with volunteers outside grocery stores with tin cans to evolving into a key pillar of compassion in Roseville, you'll discover how dedication and innovati...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... How did a humble Discovery Center transform into a bustling hub of scientific exploration? Join me, Jeff Holden, as I chat with Andrea Durham, Executive Director of SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC) in Sacramento. Andrea shares engaging stories of how MOSAC captivates its visitors with sensory-rich exhibits, offering a space for families and friends to foster lifelong curiosity and learning in STEM. Imagine m...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if your child could gain the entrepreneurial mindset they need for lifetime success before even finishing high school? Susan Nelson, the driving force behind Junior Achievement, Sacramento joins us to explore how this pioneering organization equips young minds with the skills needed for financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. With a rich history dating back to 1919, Junior Achievement has transfor...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What led the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera from a state of chaos to becoming a cultural icon in the city? Meet Giuliano Kornberg, CEO of the organization who shares the remarkable transformation of this unique organization that merges the best of both the philharmonic and opera worlds. Together, we explore the historic 2013 merger that created one of the most innovative cultural institutions in Sacramento, providing...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Paula Allison, President of Los Rios Colleges Foundation joins me, Jeff Holden, on the Nonprofit Podcast Network to share her fascinating insight into the Los Rios College District, an extensive community college system enhancing accessibility for students across four main campuses and several additional centers, including a unique collaboration with UC Davis. We explore how these strategically placed campuses are pivot...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What makes Sacramento the perfect home for an aerospace museum? Join me as we welcome Tom Jones, President and CEO of the Aerospace Museum of California to the program where we'll explore how over a century of aviation history has shaped this vibrant hub of education and inspiration. From the strategic roles of McClellan and Mather air bases during wartime to the museum's STEM-focused programs and interactive simulators...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... How is nonprofit journalism transforming the media landscape? Explore this intriguing shift with my guest, Neil Chase, CEO of Cal Matters, as we unpack how organizations like his are stepping up amidst the decline of traditional newspapers. Discover how CalMatters' innovative nonprofit model collaborates with local news outlets, NPR stations, and public television to deliver reliable, free access to information on state...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Ever wondered how the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) brings together a community of women entrepreneurs to support and inspire each other? Join me as I chat with Christina Dixon about NAWBO’s vibrant Sacramento chapter, a standout in California with its innovative initiatives. Discover how they're fostering the next generation of businesswomen through partnerships with schools and organizations li...