E114: Balancing Inclusive Philanthropy and Motherhood in Nonprofit Leadership with Bree Muehlbauer Artwork

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.

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Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising

E114: Balancing Inclusive Philanthropy and Motherhood in Nonprofit Leadership with Bree Muehlbauer

October 21, 2025 • Haley Cooper | Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, Certified EmC Trainer • Episode 114

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. Bree is a CFRE and inclusive philanthropy certificate holder who blends her technical fundraising expertise with a deep commitment to equity and inclusion—all while navigating motherhood and leadership.

In this episode, we explore the intersection of data-informed fundraising, inclusive philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership culture. Bree opens up about how becoming a mother transformed her perspective on leadership and the critical importance of creating supportive, flexible workplaces for parents and caregivers in the sector.

In this episode:

[02:47] Bree's journey from educator to nonprofit fundraiser
[04:31] What inclusive philanthropy really means
[06:48] The risks of bias in data and AI for nonprofits
[08:48] Becoming a data-informed fundraiser
[12:23] How motherhood transforms leadership perspectives
[14:44] Planning for maternity leave and reentry in nonprofits
[18:27] Building a supportive workplace culture for mothers
[23:14] Inclusivity and caregiver support in nonprofit work
[25:41] Work-life balance, perfectionism, and urgency
[29:03] Trust, flexibility, and building resilient nonprofit teams

RESOURCES

E17: Empowering Nonprofits through Data Equity and Communication Strategies with Meenakshi Das

E26: How Employers Can Provide Psychological Safety And Support for Working Parents with Lacey Kempinski, CFRE & Founder of Balanced Good

CONNECT WITH BREE

LinkedIn: Bree Muehlbauer

Instagram: @breeheartskale

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