RKD Group: Thinkers
Business & Finance
About
RKD Group: Thinkers, the nonprofit marketer's podcast, is a must-listen experience of thought-provoking content that inspires strategic decisions and insight on the industry.Group: Thinkers brings together innovators and curators in nonprofit marketing, branding and direct response to tackle the major issues facing nonprofits today.
Episodes
- ‘Message nerd’ explains what nonprofits get wrong about communication
In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Tom Ahern—copywriter, self-described “message nerd” and one of the most influential voices in donor communications. With decades of experience spanning commercial marketing, direct…
- When play becomes a leadership strategy
In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Gary Ware—founder of Breakthrough Play, author of “Playful Rebellion” and a workplace culture expert helping teams rediscover creativity, connection and resilience through the power…
- An entrepreneur on a mission to end slavery, one tea towel at a time
In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Mallory Martin, founder and CEO of Mended, a social impact business partnering with survivors of human trafficking to create hand block–printed textiles. Mallory’s journey spans pr…
- What it means to lead with humanity in a data-driven world
In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Hilary Noon, global head of strategy, engagement and growth at AWS Nonprofits, to explore what it means to lead at the intersection of humanity and technology. With more than 25 ye…
- Chief fundraising officer calls on nonprofit leaders to embrace curiosity over fear
In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Kimberly O’Donnell, chief fundraising officer at Bonterra and former executive director. Kimberly shares how growing up in a family of seven, early exposure to service and a career d…
- What nonprofit leaders learned in 2025
In this special edition of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard take a step back to reflect on another year of conversations, insights and moments that shaped the podcast, and the nonprofit sector, throughout 2…
- Why the nonprofit sector’s future depends on leaders learning together
Abby Graf, vice president of programs at the Nonprofit Alliance (TNPA), is one of the most thoughtful leadership facilitators in the sector. On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, Abby shares how a lifelong pattern of bringing…
- The college challenge that created a nonprofit changemaker
In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Mike Esposito—fundraiser, consultant, coach, CFRE and deeply engaged advocate for nonprofit professionals. Mike shares how a mix of chance encounters, community involvement, though…
- Living on purpose: How Floyd Jones builds community and raised $2M for Black-led nonprofits
As the child of immigrants from West Africa, Floyd Jones recalls going back home to visit and seeing people lined up outside his family’s house, knowing his parents were always there to offer resources and work. So helping others has alway…
- Finding purpose and passion in the nonprofit tech space with Mark Cross
In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we talk with Mark Cross, the current Head of Sales at Hatch, who shares how a winding career journey, personal purpose and the rise of AI intersect in service of social impact.
- Balancing data and creativity: Lori Collins on finding the “why” behind the numbers
In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” Lori Collins shares how her left-brain passion for research blends seamlessly with her right-brain love of yoga and aerial arts. From her early days in pay-per-view television to more than 15 years…
- From food banks to PBS: Jen Newmeyer’s journey alongside digital fundraising
With nearly 20 years of experience, Jen Newmeyer has witnessed the dawn of digital fundraising, navigated leadership roadblocks and championed collaboration in legacy organizations. She speaks candidly about the challenges facing nonprofit…
- Stacy Huston shares her journey of impact in social leadership
Stacy Huston's path to becoming a social impact leader is a tapestry woven with diverse experiences and a deep commitment to community. From her early days exploring faith and creative writing to her current role as Executive Director of S…
- From Rome to Fundraise Up: Salvatore Salpietro’s journey from tech to impact
What happens when a technologist trades code for cause-driven impact? In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” Salvatore Salpietro—Chief Experience Officer at Fundraise Up—shares his personal journey from IT projects in Rome to co-foundin…
- How can nonprofits navigate the digital front? A conversation with technology expert Charles Lehosit
In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, host Justin McCord sits down with Charles Lehosit, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital at RKD Group, for a candid and compelling conversation about the shifting landscape of nonprofit marketing…
- You can’t surge trust: Lessons in community & philanthropy with Tim Sarrantonio
On this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, Tim Sarrantonio—Nonprofit Ecosystems Theorist, Director of Community Engagement at Neon One, and Chair of the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP)—joins Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard fo…
- The journey to fundraising $3 billion and more with Kevin Gentry
On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard sit down with fundraising veteran Kevin Gentry—CEO of TenX Strategies and host of the “Going Big!” podcast—to trace his unconventional path into non…
- Finding identity beyond fitting in with Carlos Whittaker
Carlos Whittaker is a bestselling author, speaker, and host of a powerful global community affectionately known as his "Instafamilia." Known for creating spaces—both online and in person—where people feel truly seen, Carlos lives by the mo…
- Finding balance and setting boundaries with Katy Jordan
In this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, we welcome Katy Jordan, a seasoned consultant and coach in the nonprofit sector. Katy explores her unique journey from a background in chemical engineering and music to her extensive expe…
- From behind the scenes to center stage: Donna's Tschiffely's journey
Donna Tschiffely has spent decades shaping the nonprofit space, guiding some of the most influential fundraising and marketing initiatives through her leadership at the Bridge Conference, DMAW and beyond. While often working behind the sce…
- From start to finish fundraising with Clint O'Brien
In a captivating episode, Clint O’Brien shares insights from his time as a Moscow correspondent during the fall of the Soviet Union, weaving a narrative that connects historical events to the contemporary challenges and opportunities withi…
- The fusion of nonprofits and technology with Gabe Cooper
In this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard sit down with Gabe Cooper, founder and CEO of Virtuous, for an insightful conversation on the intersection of technology and generosity. Gabe shares…
- Navigating life's challenges: A conversation with Kishshana Palmer
In this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard engage with Kishshana Palmer, CEO of ManageMint Inc. and author of “Busy is a Four-Letter Word.” The conversation explores Kishshana's journey of em…
- The rise of sustainable giving explained with Dave Raley
In this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard discuss with guest Dave Raley a range of topics, including Dave's journey in the nonprofit sector, his entrepreneurial ventures, and the rise of sus…
- The need for balance between innovation and tradition with T. Clay Buck
On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome T. Clay Buck, a seasoned expert in nonprofit fundraising and communications. With over 30 years of experience spanning roles from Grant Writer to Chief Developme…
- Finding your support system in the nonprofit world with Tasha Van Vlack
On this episode of the RKD Thinkers Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Tasha Van Vlack, founder of The Nonprofit Hive and a passionate advocate for community-building within the nonprofit sector. Tasha’s journey, which spans an unconventio…
- Leadership and transforming the nonprofit sector with Michelle Flores Vryn
On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, we’re excited to sit down with Michelle Flores Vryn, CFRE, a seasoned leader in nonprofit marketing and fundraising. With a career spanning across sectors like climate change and biodiver…
- From Marketing to Meaning with Woodrow Rosenbaum
On this episode of the RKD Thinkers Podcast, we’re excited to sit down with Woodrow Rosenbaum, a prominent leader in the philanthropic sector and the Data and Insights Lead for GivingTuesday. Woodrow has been instrumental in shaping the gl…
- The ups and downs of your data with Steve MacLaughlin
On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers Podcast, we’re excited to sit down with Steve MacLaughlin, an accomplished leader in nonprofit technology, serving as Vice President of Client Success at SJ Consulting and author of the book, “Dat…
- The big deal about monthly giving with Dana Snyder
On this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers Podcast, we’re excited to sit down with Dana Snyder, a dynamic speaker, author, entrepreneur, and the mastermind behind cultivating passionate audiences for nonprofits. With a career that spans co…
- Overcoming overwhelm and Scarcity Mindset with Mallory Erickson
We’re sitting down with Mallory Erickson, a seasoned executive coach, fundraising consultant and the founder of The Power Partners Formula™. With her expertise in empowering nonprofit leaders to raise more from their current donor base, Ma…
- Revolutionizing Creative: Matt DiBenedetti’s Audience-First Approach at RKD Group
We're excited to introduce Matt DiBenedetti, the new Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Director at RKD Group. With over 25 years of experience and a deep commitment to the nonprofit sector, Matt leads our omni-channel Performanc…
- From IT to AI: Transforming nonprofit fundraising with Cherian Koshy
Cherian Koshy is the Vice President of Product Strategy at Kindsight. He started in the nonprofit sector working in IT for the National Speech and Debate Association before transitioning to fundraising. He later founded an AI platform that…
- The Evolution of We Are For Good with Jon McCoy
Jon McCoy, co-founder of We Are For Good, shares his takeaways from 550 conversations on We Are For Good and how it has changed him. The conversation also touches on the formation of We Are For Good and the vision behind it. Jon McCoy and…
- Kindness and Compassion: Building a Better World with Brad Montague
Writer, illustrator, and director Brad Montague shares his origin story and how he found his passion for storytelling and celebrating children. He discusses the journey of Kid President and the impact it had on people around the world. Bra…
- Transitioning to the nonprofit sector with Christa Stelzmuller
Christa Stelzmuller, Chief Technology Officer discusses her experience as a data architect at Myspace, the evolution of technology and data architecture, and her transition to the nonprofit sector at charity: water. In this episode of the…
- Behind Neon One’s Recurring Giving Report with Abby Jarvis
Abby Jarvis is the Sr. Content Marketing Manager at Neon One. Abby is a content creator and thought leader on LinkedIn, and recently produced Neon One’s Recurring Giving Report. In this episode of the RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, Abby disc…
- Leveraging AI for more engaging content with Ross Simmonds
Ross Simmonds is the founder and CEO of Foundation Marketing and author of “Create Once, Distribute Forever.” Ross is a serial content creator and expert in AI and encourages nonprofits to leverage AI tools for added efficiency and effecti…
- Conscious leadership with Jeff Shuck and Jennifer Mulholland
Jeff Shuck and Jennifer Mulholland are co-authors of “Leading with Light” and principals at Plenty Consulting. Experts in conscious leadership and business, Jeff and Jennifer have helped some of the world’s largest commercial and nonprofit…
- Cultural translation with Dr. Marcus Collins
Dr. Marcus Collins is the author of “For the Culture” and an award-winning marketer and cultural translator. Marcus has held roles as the chief of strategy at Wieden+ Kennedy, head of digital strategy for Beyoncé, has been inducted into th…
- Building human-centered workplaces with Dimple Dhabalia
Dimple Dhabalia is the founder of Roots in the Clouds and author of "Tell Me My Story." A human-centered leadership coach, Dimple is dedicated to normalizing workplace mental health care and healing individual and organizational trauma. Fi…
- Human-centered technology with Tim Lockie
Tim Lockie is the CEO of The Human Stack. As a nonprofit technology expert, Tim is dedicated to evolving the humans that use technology by creating digital maturity in organizations. Find RKD Group on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Faceb…
- Showing up authentically and creating space with Sterrin Bird
Sterrin Bird is the Senior Director, Nonprofit Industry Advisor at Salesforce. An influential voice in the nonprofit sector, Sterrin sits down to discuss how her early experiences with philanthropy shaped her career and her current role at…
- Promoting equity and inclusion through nonprofit data with Meena Das
Meena Das is the CEO of Namaste Data. A rising thought leader in nonprofit data and artificial intelligence, Meena blends storytelling with human-centric data tactics to promote an inclusive and equitable sector. In this episode of the RKD…
- Meet Julie Puzzo, Chief Development Officer at American Kidney Fund
Julie Puzzo is the Chief Development Officer at American Kidney Fund. For more than two decades, Julie has served the health and disease sector at organizations like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education)…
- The evolution of audience-centric fundraising strategy with Stephanie Russell
Stephanie Russell is RKD Group’s new Executive Vice President of Strategy & Data Science. A pioneer in fundraising and marketing strategy, Stephanie uses her expertise in research, analytics and data to guide how she thinks about audience-…
- Tying everything together: Justin and Ronnie think about 2023's key themes
This is a special episode where we revisit a few of this year’s impactful conversations and unwrap the themes that emerged. Join Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard as they take a trip down memory lane to recap this year's guests and discuss:…
- Erik Tomalis thinks about the role of new tech in fundraising
Erik Tomalis is the Chief Evangelist of Virtuous. In this episode of Group Thinkers, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard sit down with Erik to discuss his thoughts on responsive fundraising and the role of new tech in the future of fund…
- Mallory Erickson thinks about Fundraising.AI and the future of fundraising
Mallory Erickson is the founder of Mallory Erickson Coaching and host of the Fundraising.AI Virtual Global Summit. In this episode of Group Thinkers, host Justin McCord sits down with Mallory to discuss her career path and journey, how she…
- Becky Endicott thinks about mental health in the fundraising sector
Becky Endicott, Co-Founder and Chief Storyteller of "We Are For Good." In this episode of Group Thinkers, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard sit down with Becky to discuss how she got started in the fundraising sector, creating the We…