[RECAST-PART II] Episode 87: Leading within Organizational Change with Nancy Murphy

In this episode of the Nonprofit Build Up Podcast, we delve into the transformative concept of decolonizing fiscal sponsorship with Build Up Inc. team members Ajani Husbands, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Senior Counsel, Amanda Nasinyama, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Chioma Amaechi, Program Associate. Together, with the President of BUI, Nic Campbell they reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, share valuable insights, and discuss how centering cultural relevance and equity has reshaped their approach to supporting BIPOC-led projects and initiatives. From onboarding impactful projects to leading thought-provoking discussions at national conferences, the team explores their commitment to creating inclusive, flexible, and collaborative fiscal sponsorship models. They share their experiences supporting grassroots organizations, addressing systemic inequities, and building sustainable infrastructure for long-term success. Join us as we unpack how Build Up Inc. is driving systemic change through their innovative pillars of decolonization, fostering trust, and empowering leaders to achieve meaningful impact. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, funder, or advocate, this episode will leave you inspired to reimagine fiscal sponsorship for equity and justice. 

In this episode of the Nonprofit Build Up Podcast, we delve into the transformative concept of decolonizing fiscal sponsorship with Build Up Inc. team members Ajani Husbands, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Senior Counsel, Amanda Nasinyama, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Chioma Amaechi, Program Associate. Together, with the President of BUI, Nic Campbell they reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, share valuable insights, and discuss how centering cultural relevance and equity has reshaped their approach to supporting BIPOC-led projects and initiatives. From onboarding impactful projects to leading thought-provoking discussions at national conferences, the team explores their commitment to creating inclusive, flexible, and collaborative fiscal sponsorship models. They share their experiences supporting grassroots organizations, addressing systemic inequities, and building sustainable infrastructure for long-term success. Join us as we unpack how Build Up Inc. is driving systemic change through their innovative pillars of decolonization, fostering trust, and empowering leaders to achieve meaningful impact. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, funder, or advocate, this episode will leave you inspired to reimagine fiscal sponsorship for equity and justice. 

In this episode of the Non-Profit Build Up Podcast, we explore the critical role of fiscal sponsorship in justice reform with special guest Jennifer Toon. Jennifer, Executive Director for Lioness JIWA and a powerful advocate for system-impacted women, joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney, Nic Campbell, to discuss how fiscal sponsorship creates capacity and provides essential support for justice-impacted communities. Together, they dive into the unique challenges and opportunities of building infrastructure, securing funding, and sustaining advocacy work. Jennifer shares her personal journey, offering insights into why trauma-informed leadership is essential and how fiscal sponsorship can be a pathway to amplify the voices and efforts of marginalized communities. Join us as we unpack strategies for developing sustainable support structures, fostering partnerships, and navigating the complexities of justice reform funding. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, funder, or advocate looking to better understand the impact of fiscal sponsorship, this conversation is for you! 🎧 Tune in here at our website https://buildupcompanies.com/podcast/ or on Apple and Spotify Podcasts. 

In this episode of the Non-Profit Build Up Podcast, we explore the critical role of fiscal sponsorship in justice reform with special guest Jennifer Toon. Jennifer, Executive Director for Lioness JIWA and a powerful advocate for system-impacted women, joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney, Nic Campbell, to discuss how fiscal sponsorship creates capacity and provides essential support for justice-impacted communities. Together, they dive into the unique challenges and opportunities of building infrastructure, securing funding, and sustaining advocacy work. Jennifer shares her personal journey, offering insights into why trauma-informed leadership is essential and how fiscal sponsorship can be a pathway to amplify the voices and efforts of marginalized communities. Join us as we unpack strategies for developing sustainable support structures, fostering partnerships, and navigating the complexities of justice reform funding. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, funder, or advocate looking to better understand the impact of fiscal sponsorship, this conversation is for you! Jennifer Toon, Project Director for Lioness: JIWAJennifer Toon is a passionate prison abolitionist. As a formerly incarcerated woman, her experience with the criminal legal system began at age 15 when she was adjudicated under Texas determinate sentencing laws. Her conviction started a long journey through 27 years of criminal justice involvement. Jennifer has been published in The Texas Observer, The Marshall Project, The Guardian and is also the co-host of On the Rec Yard: Women’s Prison Podcast. As the Project Director for Lioness, Jennifer aspires to use her lived experience to bring attention to the often-forgotten voices of other system-impacted women, youth, and people with disabilities. She lives in Austin, Texas with her cat Taylor, who embodies the mischievous energy of Taylor Swift.

Two weeks ago, we shared part 1 of our conversation on the Non Profit Build Up Podcast. Now, we're excited to present part 2! In this episode, our Vice President of Strategic Impact and Principal, Hayley Smith, continues the discussion with our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney, Nic Campbell. We delve deeper into creating an innovative grant-making fund, overcoming limited resource allocation, and the significance of establishing a solid internal infrastructure before trying new grant-making methods. We also cover promoting innovation funds, attracting high-quality proposals, and building essential partnerships with potential grantees, community members, and partner organizations.Join us as we continue on defining priority funding areas, evaluate project success, and ensure an innovation fund remains effective and relevant over time. Whether you're a funder, nonprofit leader, or simply interested in reshaping resource allocation for greater impact, this conversation is for you! 🎧 Tune in now to catch part two of this inspiring conversation: https://lnkd.in/eQtDX372

In this episode of Non Profit Build Up Podcast, we dive into the key components of creating an innovative grant-making fund with our Vice President of Strategic Impact and Principal, Hayley Smith. Hayley joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney, Nic Campbell to explore strategies for overcoming limited resource allocation, including the importance of getting your internal infrastructure in order before experimenting with new grant-making methods. We also discuss how to promote innovation funds, attract high-quality proposals, and foster critical partnerships with those most impacted by grant funding—like potential grantees, community members, and partner organizations. Join us as we examine how to define priority funding areas, evaluate project success, and ensure an innovation fund remains effective and relevant over time. Whether you're a funder, nonprofit leader, or simply interested in reshaping resource allocation for greater impact, this conversation is for you! 

In this special episode of the Build Up podcast, we’re celebrating five years of growth, evolution, and impact at the Build Up Companies with Katy Thompson, the very first employee and now the Director of Global Operations and Culture. Katy joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney of The Build Up Companies, Nic Campbell, to reflect on the journey of BUC, from its early days to the global presence it holds today. Katy shares her unique perspective, having started as the Executive Assistant, and now leading operations and culture across the organization. Together, Nic and Katy discuss the challenges and triumphs of growing a small, dynamic team, maintaining strong relational connections, and embodying the core values of being brave, ever-learning, relational, and striving for excellence. The conversation dives into pivotal moments that shaped BUC’s path, including how brave innovation and a commitment to excellence have driven their success. They explore how these values will guide BUC’s next five years and beyond. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, organizational growth, and the intricacies of building a value-driven and people-centered company culture. Tune in to hear insights from Katy and Nic on how to create lasting impact in a constantly evolving sector.  

In this special episode of the Build Up podcast, we’re celebrating five years of growth, evolution, and impact at the Build Up Companies with Katy Thompson, the very first employee and now the Director of Global Operations and Culture. Katy joins our Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney of The Build Up Companies, Nic Campbell, to reflect on the journey of BUC, from its early days to the global presence it holds today.Katy shares her unique perspective, having started as the Executive Assistant, and now leading operations and culture across the organization. Together, Nic and Katy discuss the challenges and triumphs of growing a small, dynamic team, maintaining strong relational connections, and embodying the core values of being brave, ever-learning, relational, and striving for excellence.The conversation dives into pivotal moments that shaped BUC’s path, including how brave innovation and a commitment to excellence have driven their success. They explore how these values will guide BUC’s next five years and beyond.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, organizational growth, and the intricacies of building a value-driven and people-centered company culture. Tune in to hear insights from Katy and Nic on how to create lasting impact in a constantly evolving sector.Katy Thompson, Director of Global Operations and CultureKaty Thompson is passionate about sparking positive change globally. She holds a BS in Intelligence and National Security and an MS in Environmental Studies from Point Park University and has had diverse professional experiences that have taken her around the globe. Throughout her studies and career, Katy has focused on connecting food security and national security, sustainability, and innovation, finding simple solutions to serve as powerful tools for social and economic development. Katy firmly believes that building effective organizations with robust infrastructure is the key to making a measurable impact.At Build Up, Katy is responsible for managing The Build Up Companies’ processes and operations around the globe. She directs a portfolio of projects to strengthen the Companies’ internal infrastructure, and ensures that systems, processes, and policies are in place to support internal operations as well as our clients’ work.Outside of the office, Katy is a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, specializing in yoga for addiction and recovery. When she is not working or on her yoga mat, you can find her getting lost in a good book.

Today’s episode of The Nonprofit Build Up Podcast is part 2 of our deep dive into "Transformative Philanthropy" with Dr. Aleesha Taylor, founder of Herald Advisors. Dr. Taylor passionately shares how Herald Advisors was born from her relentless drive to create real, lasting change in communities.In this episode, she breaks down the intricate challenges of philanthropic funding, internal power structures, and the bold, systems-level shifts needed to achieve meaningful impact. If you're serious about driving systems change, strategic philanthropy, and effective nonprofit leadership, this episode is essential listening.Dr. Taylor’s insights will push you to think critically about how we can truly support communities with accountable, authentic, and impactful philanthropy.Dr. Aleesha Taylor, Principal, Herald AdvisorsDr. Aleesha Taylor is passionate about marshaling resources to benefit vulnerable communities and address pervasive social problems. She has over 20 years of experience leading at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and international development. Aleesha is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Herald Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory firm that helps clients maximize their impact through thought partnership, organizational capacity building, program and strategy design, and leadership and team development. Herald Advisors works with a global range of philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, and networks to strengthen teams and programs and develop sound fundraising and partnership strategies. Sample clients and projects include:Gender at the Center Initiative: Designed partnership and governance arrangements for the multistakeholder initiative to advance gender equality across eight African countries.Lever for Change: Impact Partner leading efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across finalists’ proposals for awards ranging from five to one hundred million (USD).Education.org (formerly Insights for Education): Served as Interim Chief Technical Officer, establishing MOUs with the Government of Kenya and USAID and designing national and global strategies to increase the availability and use of relevant data for decision-making.Chemonics: Provides design and implementation support for USAID-funded education projects.Comic Relief-US: Positioned entity to leverage $23 million investment from Salesforce for global programs that address intergenerational poverty.She is the former Deputy Director of the Open Society Foundations’ global education program, where she managed a team across five countries to implement a global grantmaking portfolio and advanced priorities and partnerships on behalf of the foundations’ Chairman and President. Aleesha was central to the creation of the Private Sector/Foundations constituency of the Global Partnership for Education’s Board of Directors and served as its representative on the Board’s Financial Advisory Committee, which channeled $1.2 billion in grant funding to developing country governments during her tenure.Aleesha was a Lecturer in International Educational Development at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she also completed her doctoral studies. She also holds degrees in psychology from Spelman College and the Graduate Faculty for Political and Social Sciences of the New School for Social Research. She has written numerous articles and chapters and is the Co-Editor of Partnership Paradox: The Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Liberia’s Education System, Foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Today's Non Profit Build Up podcast episode is an insightful conversation with Dr. Aleesha Taylor, a leading voice in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. We delve into the transformative work being led by Dr. Taylor, with a spotlight on Herald Advisors, a firm she founded after her impactful tenure at the Open Society Foundations.In this episode, Dr. Taylor shares the genesis of Herald Advisors and how it emerged from her deep desire to facilitate initiatives that profoundly impact communities. We discuss the complex interplay of philanthropic funds, the power dynamics within organizations, and the systems-level changes needed to truly effect lasting impact.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in systems change, strategic philanthropy, and the intricacies of nonprofit leadership. Dr. Taylor’s insights challenge us to think critically about how we can better support communities through authentic, accountable, and impactful philanthropy.Don’t miss this conversation that will inspire you to reconsider how you engage with the sector. 🎧Dr. Aleesha Taylor, Principal, Herald AdvisorsDr. Aleesha Taylor is passionate about marshaling resources to benefit vulnerable communities and address pervasive social problems. She has over 20 years of experience leading at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and international development. Aleesha is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Herald Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory firm that helps clients maximize their impact through thought partnership, organizational capacity building, program and strategy design, and leadership and team development. Herald Advisors works with a global range of philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, and networks to strengthen teams and programs and develop sound fundraising and partnership strategies. Sample clients and projects include:Gender at the Center Initiative: Designed partnership and governance arrangements for the multistakeholder initiative to advance gender equality across eight African countries.Lever for Change: Impact Partner leading efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across finalists’ proposals for awards ranging from five to one hundred million (USD).Education.org (formerly Insights for Education): Served as Interim Chief Technical Officer, establishing MOUs with the Government of Kenya and USAID and designing national and global strategies to increase the availability and use of relevant data for decision-making.Chemonics: Provides design and implementation support for USAID-funded education projects.Comic Relief-US: Positioned entity to leverage $23 million investment from Salesforce for global programs that address intergenerational poverty.She is the former Deputy Director of the Open Society Foundations’ global education program, where she managed a team across five countries to implement a global grantmaking portfolio and advanced priorities and partnerships on behalf of the foundations’ Chairman and President. Aleesha was central to the creation of the Private Sector/Foundations constituency of the Global Partnership for Education’s Board of Directors and served as its representative on the Board’s Financial Advisory Committee, which channeled $1.2 billion in grant funding to developing country governments during her tenure.Aleesha was a Lecturer in International Educational Development at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she also completed her doctoral studies. She also holds degrees in psychology from Spelman College and the Graduate Faculty for Political and Social Sciences of the New School for Social Research. She has written numerous articles and chapters and is the Co-Editor of Partnership Paradox: The Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Liberia’s Education System, Foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.