Ep 243: What 2025 Taught Us About Real Leadership with Darlene Nipper
2025 felt like a year when everything became more and harder. More crises. More fear. More civic strain. More communities under pressure. And yet – more leadership, too.
In this episode, Glennda connects with Darlene Nipper, President of the Rockwood Leadership Institute, for a grounded look at what leadership truly looked like in 2025.
Darlene shares what she and her team witnessed across the country: communities organizing, mutual-aid volunteers pivoting to meet urgent needs, families creating rapid-response communication networks, and leaders of small organizations adapting and strategizing for the future.
This wasn’t leadership from the podium. It was leadership from the sidewalk, school hallway, boardroom, and living room.
Together, Glennda and Darlene talk about what broke, what held, and what grew stronger this year:
How democracy became a shared responsibility, not just a political concept
What “leading from the inside out” looks like in high-pressure environments
Why the long view and the short view have to coexist
What nonprofit leaders need to prioritize amid uncertainty
And through it all, one truth kept surfacing: leadership is no longer reserved for the chosen few. It is happening everywhere, often in people who never expected to step into the role.
Whether you lead a nonprofit, neighborhood group, faith community, or simply your own family, this episode offers clarity on what your leadership means right now, and what it needs next.
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
How 2025 redefined who counts as a leader: This year showed us that leadership doesn’t just come from titles or org charts – neighbors, parents, volunteers, and everyday people stepped in where systems fell short.
Why democracy became a litmus test for leadership this year: In 2025, leaders weren’t just asked to run programs. They were asked to choose whether to protect democratic values or remain silent as they eroded.
How easy on-ramps – rather than professional gatekeeping – brought more people into meaningful action: Grassroots movements gained momentum because people could simply show up, proving accessibility is what fuels community power.
What nonprofit leaders need to prioritize amid uncertainty: From pivoting quickly to listening deeply, this episode breaks down the practices that helped organizations stay grounded and effective.
How leaders are thinking ahead while addressing immediate crises: Even while navigating fires, funding losses, and political turmoil, visionary leaders shifted into long-view strategy – imagining a future they may never personally see.
KEY QUOTES:
“I think this notion of leadership is this far-off behavior or category of people that's not us, totally is a thing, you know, and it's like – no, actually it is all of us.” - Darlene Nipper
“I do think this moment is calling a lot of people into leadership in ways that are really motivating.” - Glennda Testone
“So money should not be a problem. You know? That should not even be an issue. If we believe in the work, we need to give it away is such a level that people are just not even leaders are not even thinking about where the money is going to come from.” - Darlene Nipper
“Listen to your constituents, your community, your people, and come out with what you know, because your role, your place, your space is very unique to you and the work that you're doing.” - Darlene Nipper
ABOUT GUEST:
With over 25 years of leadership and advocacy experience, Darlene Nipper joined Rockwood as a trainer in 2012 and now serves as CEO. Darlene’s knowledge of the challenges facing leaders and the practices required for effective leadership is informed by her own background at a range of organizations. She has held key leadership roles in nonprofit and social justice organizations, as well as city government and foundations.
Darlene previously served as the executive director of the BET Foundation, and as the chief operating officer at National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), during which time she founded NAMI’s Multicultural and International Policy Center. She is the former director of LGBT Affairs in the Executive Office of the Mayor of D.C., and the 2024-25 Visiting Senior Fellow for Movement Infrastructure and Explorations at the Freedom Together Foundation. A native Washingtonian, Darlene is an ordained interfaith minister, and practices mindfulness meditation, deep presence, and living joy.
RESOURCES:
Darlene Nipper LinkedIn
Rockwood Leadership Institute
Glennda Testone LinkedIn
Nonprofit Leadership Lab
DRG Talent Consulting Experts
Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership – 2nd Edition by Joan Garry
FREE WORKSHOP: Let’s Build the Nonprofit Board of Your Dreams!
FREE WORKSHOP: The 5 Practices of Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders
Music by Jukebox the Ghost
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