Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising
Welcome to the Lead with Heart Podcast, where the heartbeat of philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and fundraising resonates in every episode. I'm Haley, your host—a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, Certified EmC trainer, and, most importantly, a recovering nonprofit burnout survivor.
In this empowering space, we invite nonprofit professionals to amplify their voices and unveil the heart behind their missions.
Our mission is clear: to empower, elevate, and engage nonprofit leaders, fostering the growth of healthy, thriving organizations.
Join me and a lineup of inspiring guests as we delve into real stories of Philanthropy, Leadership, Courage, and Empathy. Together, we explore the strategies and practices employed by these remarkable leaders to heal from burnout, propel their missions forward, raise crucial funds, and ultimately, make a lasting impact in the nonprofit world.
Discover the unwavering commitment to making a difference, the resilience required to navigate the challenges of philanthropy, and the innovative approaches to leadership that drive positive change.
Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit professional or just starting your journey, the Lead with Heart Podcast is your go-to resource for insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies to enhance your leadership, elevate your organization, and amplify your impact on the world of philanthropy. Tune in and let the heartbeat of leadership guide your nonprofit journey.
Episodes
124 episodes
E123: Choosing Clarity Over Burnout: Why I’m Pausing the Podcast
Friends, this episode is a vulnerable one.For the first time since launching Lead with Heart, I’m pressing pause on the podcast for Q1 of 2026. Not because I’m quitting. Not because the mission has dimmed. But because clarity asked me to...
E122: Leading Through Trauma, Burnout & Transformational Philanthropy with Laura Bode
I am so honored to share today’s conversation with Laura Bode, the newly appointed Chief Philanthropy Officer at A New Leaf. A survivor of childhood trauma, Laura rebuilt her confidence as an adult with the support of key mentors who saw her po...
E121: Breaking the Cycle of “I’m Too Busy” – Intentional Leadership & Sustainable Energy with Jen Recla
I am so excited to welcome leadership coach Jen Recla to the Lead with Heart Podcast. Jen helps senior nonprofit leaders break free from burnout, reclaim their clarity and energy, and build teams that thrive even in seasons of complexity and ch...
E120: Digital Fundraising Trends and Donor Trust in 2026 with Javan Van Gronigen
On this episode of the Lead with Heart podcast, I’m joined by Javan Van Gronigen, the founder of the creative agency Fifty & Fifty and the nonprofit fundraising platform Donately, which has helped organizations raise more than $180 million ...
E119: Decolonizing Nonprofit Leadership: Redefining Risk, Safety & Imagination with Pierre Berastain
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Pierre Berastain, former Regional Director for North America at the Center for Public Impact and co-founder of Caminar Latino-Latinos United for Peace and Equity. Pierre has spent over 15 years adv...
E118: The Evolving Landscape of Generosity: Key Insights from the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy with William Jarvis
I am thrilled to welcome William Jarvis, Managing Director and Philanthropy Executive at Bank of America Private Bank, to the Lead with Heart podcast. In this episode, we unpack the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy—a fascinating deep ...
E117: Declutter Your Mind and Mission - How Nonprofit Leaders Can Find Focus Through Organization with Tracy Hoth
I am thrilled to welcome Tracy Hoth, founder of Simply Squared Away and host of The Organized Coach Podcast, to Lead with Heart! Tracy brings over 17 years of experience transforming chaos into clarity. She specializes in helping leaders create...
E116: Breaking the Stigma: Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces with Dru Wischhover
I am so excited to welcome Dru Wischhover to the Lead with Heart Podcast. Over the past 20 years, Dru has founded three real estate companies — Inspired Title Group, Inspired Development Group, and Winspire LLC — dedicated not just to business...
E115: How to Thrive with ADHD as a Nonprofit Leader with Dr. Jennifer Dall
I am so excited to welcome Dr. Jennifer Dall, a grief-informed neurodivergent specialist and founder of ADHD Holistically, to the Lead with Heart Podcast. This episode explores how understanding and embracing ADHD can actually help nonprofit pr...
E114: Balancing Inclusive Philanthropy and Motherhood in Nonprofit Leadership with Bree Muehlbauer
I’m so excited to bring you this conversation with Bree Muehlbauer, an accomplished fundraiser, nonprofit leader, and senior director of philanthropy at Digital Health Strategies - a healthcare-focused digital marketing and fundraising agency....
E113: Building Bridges with Empathy, Purpose, and Action with Neil Ghosh
I am thrilled to welcome Neil Ghosh to the Lead with Heart Podcast. Neil is the former CEO of SOS Children’s Village USA, Senior Advisor to the Ousri Family Foundation, and the author of Do More Good - a #1 new release praised by President Bill...
E112: Building Brave Spaces for Leaders of Color with Frank Velásquez Jr.
I am so excited to introduce you to Frank Velásquez Jr., a storyteller, social justice leader, and founder of 4 Da Hood. Frank is passionate about equity, authenticity, and helping leaders of color rise into their power with unapologetic joy.
E111: Mastering Difficult Conversations & Building Trust in Nonprofit Leadership with Chris Wong
I am so excited to welcome Chris Wong to the Lead with Heart Podcast. Chris is a licensed therapist, executive coach, and host of The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations podcast. With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and heal...
E110: Nonprofit Strategic Planning - How to Grow Without Burning Out with Amanda Pearce
I am so excited to welcome Amanda Pearce to the Lead with Heart Podcast! Mandy is the powerhouse founder and CEO of Funding for Good, bringing over two decades of expertise in nonprofit fundraising, organizational development, and business gro...
E109: Building an Equitable Future for Fundraising with Maria Rio
I am so excited to welcome Maria Rio to the podcast! Maria is the founder of Further Together, a fundraising consultancy helping nonprofit leaders raise money without stress, scarcity, or burnout. As a former refugee and user of charitable serv...
E108: Why Small Stories Create Big Impact for Nonprofit Leaders with Seth Donlin
I am thrilled to be joined by Seth Donlin, a seasoned marketing and communications coach who helps leaders master the art of authentic storytelling. With decades of experience in journalism, politics, and marketing, Seth now empowers leaders an...
E107: Combining Venture Capitalism and Philanthropy for More Sustainable Food Systems with Nick Cooney
In this episode of the Lead With Heart Podcast, I sit down with Nick Cooney, the founder and Managing Partner at Lever VC, a trailblazing early-stage venture capital fund focused on food tech, ag tech, and sustainable food innovation that is c...
E106: Lessons from a Nonprofit Incubator for Founders Who Want to Create Real Impact with Ben Williamson
I'm excited to welcome Ben Williamson to the Lead With Heart Podcast. Ben is the Director of Recruitment at Ambitious Impact, a dynamic organization, reshaping how we identify and support the next generation of nonprofit leaders. He works with...
E105: Trust-Based Philanthropy and Sustainable Giving Strategies for Greater Impact with Sara Garske
In this episode of the Lead with Heart Podcast, I’m honored to welcome someone I've known my whole career, Sara Garske, the principal and founder of Elwood Advisors. With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she works with nonpr...
E104: Transforming Youth Mentorship Through Culinary Arts with Catherine De Orio
In this episode of the Lead with Heart Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Catherine De Orio, executive director of the Foundation for Culinary Arts, Emmy Award-winning TV host, and culinary changemaker, who is transforming the way youth find...
E103: Transforming Personal Adversity into Powerful Fundraising with Ron Katz
In this episode of the Lead with Heart Podcast, I’m honored to welcome Ron Katz - a seasoned fundraising leader with over three decades of impact in healthcare, education, and social services. Ron has raised over $100 million for mission-driven...
E102: Rethinking Women's Giving: Insights on Philanthropy, Data & Donor Engagement with Jacqueline Ackerman
I am thrilled to welcome Jacqueline Ackerman, interim director of the Women's Philanthropy Institute (WPI), to the podcast. In this episode, we’re unpacking how women give and why understanding those patterns can completely reshape how we appro...
E101: Turning Personal Tragedy into Teen Mental Health Advocacy with Elliot Kallen
I’m honored to welcome Elliot Kallen to the Lead with Heart Podcast. Elliot is the president and co-founder of A Brighter Day, a nonprofit organization that has turned the devastating loss of his teenage son into a powerful mission to prevent t...
E100: Leading with Heart Intelligence to Build a Culture of Belonging with Susan Inouye
I can’t think of a more powerful way to celebrate 100 episodes than with Susan Inouye, a transformational executive coach and bestselling author whose work bridges neuroscience, somatics, and leadership.In this milestone conversation, we...
E99: Why Passion Isn’t Enough: Building Strong Nonprofit Boards and Brands with David Rhode
I’m thrilled to welcome David Rhode. David is a seasoned leader, nonprofit coach, strategic consultant, and author of Passion Isn’t Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders. His career spans marketing, founding and running a non...