.jpg)
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.
Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising
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 teen suicide and offer hope to thousands of families.
In this deeply moving and empowering conversation, Elliot shares how his nonprofit is supporting 3,000–6,000 families each month with free mental health toolkits, a 24/7 teen crisis text line, and Zoom counseling sessions. We explore how emotional intelligence, real communication, and parent-teen connection can create protective factors against the alarming rise in teen suicide.
In this episode:
- [02:47] The loss that sparked a movement
- [05:34] Early warning signs of teen depression and suicidal thoughts
- [08:07] How social media affects teen self-worth
- [11:04] The hidden epidemic of cyberbullying
- [14:53] Practical strategies for emotionally connecting with teens
- [17:57] Programs at A Brighter Day - from text lines to Zoom therapy
- [21:14] The power of nonprofit partnerships
- [22:55] Destigmatizing suicide and mental health struggles
- [28:33] Elliot’s vision for reaching 37 million high schoolers
- [33:51] Leadership lessons from scaling a grief-born mission
RESOURCES
Teen Crisis Text Line: Text “BRIGHTER” to 741741
CONNECT WITH ELLIOT
LinkedIn: Elliot Kallen
Instagram: @abrighterdaycharity
Website: https://abrighterday.info/
Email: elliot@abrighterday.info
Phone: 510 206 1103
Send Haley a suggestion or request via text HERE!
My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to create real impact.
Trusted by 80,000+ organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox offers easy fundraising tools to help you raise more. From fast donation forms to crowdfunding, events, and Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, grow your impact with donorbox.org
CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a CFRE, Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, she brings experience in human services, homelessness, and youth nonprofits. She specializes in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, empowering nonprofit leaders to build thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com
Produced by Ideablossoms