560. How It's Built: Leadership Transition Planning - Amber Melanie Smith

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits
560. How It's Built: Leadership Transition Planning - Amber Melanie Smith
Aug 07, 2024 Season 9
We Are For Good

Meet Amber. Her journey through nonprofit work is winding (literally!)🛣️  In college, she took off on a 3-month cross-country road trip with her best friend to volunteer in over 20 states. When she returned home, she launched Activate Good, a nonprofit that has mobilized over 50,000 volunteers to help hundreds of causes in her hometown, Raleigh, NC. She recently transitioned out of her Executive Director role and is sharing how she did it in this “How It’s Built” episode. Tune in to hear how organizations can priotize succession and transition planning that takes care of all the people involved.


đź’ˇ Learn

  • Warning Signs of Burnout
  • How It's Built: Leadership Transition Planning 
  • Pro Tips + Lessons Learned

Today’s Guest

Amber Melanie Smith, speaker, nonprofit founder, social entrepreneur + YouTuber

Episode Highlights

  • Amber’s story and journey to where she is today (3:55)
  • Barriers to people getting started volunteering (10:30)
  • Amber’s observations around turnover in the nonprofit sector (14:55)
  • How It’s Built: Creating a plan for nonprofit leadership transition and succession (20:50)
  • Pro tips and critical lessons (35:55)
  • A powerful moment of philanthropy in Amber’s life (40:20)
  • Amber’s One Good Thing: If you're in a leadership position, make sure that you're listening and paying attention to those in your circle. (42:30)
  • How to connect with Amber (44:30)


For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/559.

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