People in Fundraising: A Nonprofit Podcast by Tim Wilson

People in Fundraising, ep. 134: Sarah Hall, Director of Data Governance, Harvard University

It is wonderful to share this fun and engaging conversation I had with Sarah Hall, who was my manager at Harvard Business School for almost 12 consecutive years! During that time, our team moved from a heavily reactive-prospect research model into prospect management and data, over two capital fundraising campaigns. She is hilarious, smart, and supportive, which was especially helpful for my career - during our time working together, I went from single to married, renter to homeowner, and then welcomed four kids with my wife. Having constancy in key aspects of work life was terrific.
In our conversation, Sarah talks about some things that I've long known are always important to her, and other topics:
* What experiences as an undergrad at Kenyon College transformed her life, and what have compelled her to be a longtime advocate for her alma mater.
* Insights into her current role as the Director of Data Governance for Harvard University's Alumni Affairs & Development.
* Sarah's thoughts on one of my all-time favorite quotes: "If you need a machine and don't buy it, you will ultimately find that you have paid for it and don't have it," from Henry Ford.
* Experiences from Sarah's career evolution, going from prospect research to prospect management and now data governance, and as a manager, that reflect this quote from one of my favorite actors, John Malkovich: "I'm wary of all the things that people believe which make them think, 'This is me.'"
* Several meaningful anecdotes from our time working together. We both started at HBS in fall 2000, and Sarah became the prospect research director in spring 2003.
Thank you, Sarah, for a delightful conversation! I loved reconnecting with you and learning more about your current role, while sharing laughs and reflections about our earlier career days.

People in Fundraising ep. 133: Cherian Koshy, VP at Kindsight

Cherian Koshy, my first "People in Fundraising" guest from Iowa, joins this weekly nonprofit podcast to share incredible insights about his career. Early on, he developed a fascination with "why people give, why people make a gift." Over the last 15 years, Cherian has since become deeply interested in neuroscience and behavioral science, leading to what he terms "neurophilanthropy," along with AI and ethics.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Cherian also discusses:
* What led Cherian to develop and launch NonprofitOS during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. NonprofitOS was later acquired by Kindsight. Also, what Cherian learned about himself through this significant endeavor.
* Why "there isn't another sector like the nonprofit sector, where people are open and dive in, and say, for example, 'I have a template and here's how it can be useful!'" * What led Cherian to become a board member of AFP Global, and why he feels that volunteer service at any level - the local, national, or international landscapes - is so important to our profession and can enrich people's experiences.
* His response to the "Eat, Pray, Love" author Elizabeth Gilbert's quote that "grace will take you places hustling can't." And how he, as a person of faith, realized that he had been doing things (like working hard) for the wrong reasons (to achieve), and how striving for more markers of achievement will be unsatisfying compared to understand one's identity. This realization now "makes me hustle harder, because I am doing this in the service of others."
* His thoughtful reply to actor Kyle MacLachlan's quote about his longtime collaborator, the late director David Lynch: "I was willing to follow [David] anywhere, because joining him on the journey of discovery, searching and finding together, was the whole point. I stepped out into the unknown because I knew David was floating out there with me."
Thank you Cherian for an incredible interview! I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and the depth of your commitment to the social impact world and the many people striving to improve it.

People in Fundraising, ep. 132: Chris McGown, Fractional Planned Giving Specialist, Peak9860

Chris McGown delivers a fascinating conversation in today's "People in Fundraising" episode! He speaks energetically about his passion for demystifying planned giving for prospects, donors, and nonprofit employers alike. Chris is the founder of Peak 9860 (listen for the reason behind his company's name) and a fractional planned giving leader for small- and medium-sized nonprofits.
In our conversation, Chris discusses:
* Why he is committed to demystifying planned giving, and several common misconceptions or lack of awareness around planned giving/legacy giving.
* How, over his three decades in nonprofit leadership, he has seen planned giving evolve to be a more integral and resource-dedicated segment of overall frontline development work.
* "the tyranny of the urgent" in nonprofit work, and how hustle culture and its impact on nonprofit leaders' well-being are persistent topics in the fundraising world. Chris shares how he has experienced "the tyranny of the urgent," and what he does to mitigate its impact, both on him and his Peak9860 clients.
Thank you for a wonderful conversation, Chris! I learned a good deal about planned giving's evolution as a charitable vehicle, and I appreciate the enthusiasm you bring to doing and discussing this work!

People in Fundraising ep. 131: Ben Parker Sutter and Maynard Knepp, Mennonite Central Committee

Kansas gets on the "People in Fundraising" global map today, thanks to two terrific guests - Ben Parker Sutter and Maynard Knepp. They focus on fundraising work and resources management for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). MCC covers 16 U.S. states representing 15 religious communities (Amish, Brethren in Christ, and Mennonite), and has been in operation for over 100 years. I especially enjoyed hearing them talk about how their roles put faith into action.
In our conversation, Ben and Maynard share:
* MCC's origin as an international humanitarian services provider, with a focus on relief work, development, and promoting peace in the name of Christ.
* What drew Maynard and Ben to MCC and how this organization's "life-giving work" provides assistance people around the world, "setting aside particularities of different theologies," as Ben describes. For example, Maynard has been on-site in Rwanda and Burundi to see humanitarian resources deployed to communities in need of water via boreholes (similar to a well, but narrower and deeper underground).
* People interested in learning more about MCC's mission and how to support it can find a ton of info at MCC.org.
Thank you Maynard and Ben for an enlightening conversation, including touching on the intersection of faith/spirituality and development work in the service of providing aid to our fellow humans around the planet!

People in Fundraising, ep. 130: Wayne Olson, planned giving leader and author

Wayne Olson and I worked together at the Intermountain Health Foundation before and during the pandemic. He was its Planned Giving Officer, and we hit it off well. I am grateful to call Wayne a friend and share his insightful conversation today with the "People in Fundraising" audience.
In our chat, Wayne discusses and shares his thoughts on:
* How he entered the social impact/nonprofit world, and becoming focused on planned gifts
* Being a keynote speaker, author, mentor, and trainer for two decades. In fact, Wayne is presenting later this week at the annual, multi-day NEDRA Conference in Portland, Maine. His topic? "What Gift Officers Want to Tell You [in Prospect Development] But Don't Know How." Wayne discusses how he develops ideas for his presentations.
* His authorship of books including "Think Like a Donor," "The Disney Difference," "Fund-raising for Nonprofit Board Members," and "Big Gifts, Small Effort." Wayne has generously offered a discount on his books via his website at wayneolson.com/books; please use discount code "nonprofit," without the quotes or comma.
* What he has learned from a lifetime of public-facing employment and speakership, including how he has developed ways to energize himself and get over customary nerves that many people feel when speaking before large audiences.
Wayne, thank you very much for a delightful conversation! Please check out Wayne's website for the books he has written, all of which have direct application to nonprofit development.

People in Fundraising, ep. 129: Tim Lockie, CEO and Founder, The Human Stack

Tim Lockie, my first "People in Fundraising" guest from Montana, shares deeply thought-provoking and very interesting commentaries on a host of topics in today's interview. How he entered the nonprofit world is fascinating, studying economics in order to contribute to the social good economy. Tim first became concerned about nonprofit work while living in San Francisco and seeing the drastic challenges facing homeless people. Later lived in a commune for 13 years, working for an order that launched teams in low-income neighborhoods around the world. He quickly saw "the challenges that face orgs. solving the world's biggest problems with the world's worst technology over and over! Most data challenges are rooted in behavior issues created by human end-users."
In our conversation, Tim also discusses:
* How behavior does not come from utilitarian forces around getting my job done well. It comes from forces of 'am I appreciated for my work and my contribution?'"
* His deep interest in the intersection between faith and technology. "Thank you for asking the thing that people just don't ask!" Tim says to me at one point. He also mentions technologist Rev. Tracy Kronzak, and asks "How does our faith inform what we do?" "There is something that aligns around humans that is mysterious and beautiful and amazing, and so fragile and easy to destroy, and so resilient. If I understood it, it wouldn't be faith any more."
* Mental health, imposter syndrome, and the benefits of therapy.
* How much of what Tim does now is empowerment for individuals working with AI. He has launched a course called "AI for Anyone" and is writing a playbook that will help enable teams to use AI. It aims, for example, to help teams struggling with AI to save six months of work within just the first two steps of his playbook, allocating just four hours! More at the 18-minute mark.
* Two influential nonprofit leaders, Mallory Erickson - who has spoken about the nervous system re-sets and aligned fundraising - and Tasha Van Vlack - who launched "The Nonprofit Hive" two years ago.
Thank you very much, Tim, for an such a wonderful and expansive conversation touching on technology, spirituality, community, curiosity, mental health, and social good - all of the key themes that are of interest to many in the social impact world!

People in Fundraising, ep. 128: Brooke Wiley Burke, Geisel School of Medicine

Yesterday marked seven years since I left my first employer, Harvard Business School - and today I am honored to share a conversation with the outstanding person who immediately succeeded me there, Brooke Wiley Burke! I left a legacy of multiple daily chocolate milk cartons in Brooke's office.
In our conversation, Brooke, a first-generation college student who worked two jobs through college in addition to a work-study job, shares:
* Why past "People in Fundraising" guest Bruce Berg remains her #1 mentor
* Why prospect research is "the coolest job."
* The exhilaration of embracing challenge in one's career, and Brooke's desire to "do bigger and bigger things." How this internal drive resulted in Brooke's career stops at Milton Academy, Babson College, and elsewhere, and how she wanted to manage a team and develop prospect management programs at various places.
* Brooke's advice for people considering transitioning from education to healthcare fundraising, for example: "Be ready to learn, be ready to cry." The learning piece is because "things rapidly change in a healthcare fundraising setting," while the cry piece is because of how moving hearing about patient stories is.
Thank you Brooke for a wonderful conversation! I was delighted to connect with you and have you share some of your career story and advice.

People in Fundraising ep. 127: Alicea Glover Gaston, Wellstar Health System

With thanks to a great past guest, Jenny Kleintop, I am so pleased to share today's "People in Fundraising" interview featuring another terrific nonprofit leader, Alicea Glover Gaston! Alicea is my first guest from Georgia.
In our conversation, Alicea discusses:
* Development responsibilities in communications and stewardship at Wellstar Health.
* Her service on the Black Alumni Leadership Council at her alma mater, the University of Georgia - how this volunteer role came about, and what's been most meaningful to Alicea about her time on the Council.
* A self-professed "theater geek," Alicea's response to a quote from native Georgian novelist and activist Alice Walker, who "lamented that she lacked role models of enough Black female writers who could serve as exemplars and inspirations as [Alice] tried to perceive her world and tell her stories." Alicea shares what art has moved her, and who has served as "exemplars and inspirations" in her life and career, including activist Charlayne Hunter-Galt.
Thank you for an outstanding and insightful conversation, Alicea! I am excited to share your reflections and thoughts with our audience.

People in Fundraising, ep. 126: Patrick Kirby, Author of "Fundraise Like a 5th Grader"

Today, March 17th, 2025, my "People in Fundraising" guest Patrick Kirby launches his latest book, "Fundraise Like a 5th Grader!" I am excited to time his interview going public with his book launch. You can find this book on Amazon and at Patrick's website, dogoodbetterconsulting.com/fundraiselikea5thgrader. 
Patrick is also my first guest from North Dakota, and he joins "People in Fundraising" to discuss these and other exciting topics:
* Why he launched his company, Do Good Better Consulting and what services it provides, to which types of nonprofit clients
* With burnout such a topic in the nonprofit world, how Patrick kept momentum going for his company, an associated podcast, publishing a book, "Fundraise Awesomer" in 2017, all while being an active and engaged family man.
* How Patrick strives "to make fundraising less boring!" This is a dynamic conversation full of Patrick's energy and positivity.
Patrick, thank you very much for being an awesome guest! I really enjoyed our conversation and the opportunity to spotlight the good work you're doing in our profession! Best wishes for your latest book.

People in Fundraising ep. 125: Dina Zelleke, longtime Harvard University Director of Prospect Research

I was honored to meet today's guest, Dina Zelleke, within my first week ever of working in prospect research in the Harvard fundraising world! To welcome her on "People in Fundraising" is a real treat. At the time we talked, Dina had just announced her decision to move on from Harvard University after 25+ years, though the news was not yet public. For me, and countless other fundraising and prospect development people within Harvard, across New England, and in our associations like NEDRA and Apra, it is hard to imagine Harvard with Dina Zelleke!
In our conversation, Dina discusses:
* The fascinating story of how she entered the fundraising profession.
* The changes she has seen, and participated in, during her career in prospect management and research.
* What she hopes 2025 will bring for her.
* Her lifelong passion for The Rolling Stones, having traveled domestically and internationally to see them live in concert many times. We chat about our favorite Rolling Stones songs (mine are "Ruby Tuesday" and "She's a Rainbow," so tune in to find out Dina's!).
I wish you all the best in your next endeavors and adventures, Dina! Thank you for being a mentor to me and many others!