Nonprofit leadership is evolving fast, and hiring the right senior talent has never been more critical. Jarrett Ransom sits down with Barrett Krise, partner at Bell Oaks Executive Search, for a candid conversation about what boards are prioritizing in turbulent times: innovative thinking, authentic people leadership, and cross-sector experience that strengthens mission impact. They unpack shifting candidate expectations around flexibility and compensation, how to evaluate the intangibles that do not show up on a résumé, and why professional development is essential to preparing the next generation of nonprofit leaders. Barrett also shares a clear warning for boards: few things derail a nonprofit faster than a bad leadership hire, and investing in the hiring process is an investment in long-term resilience.

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Enjoyed this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

• Click here to learn more about Bloomerang.
• Click here to learn more about Fundraising Academy at Nonprofit University.

And of course, thanks for listening! We appreciate you being part of our community, and we’ll see you next time!

Season 9 of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed is officially here. In this kickoff episode, host Jarrett Ransom welcomes nonprofit leaders into a new year of reflection, momentum, and possibility. Celebrating past milestones while looking ahead to 2026, Jarrett sets the stage for a season filled with honest conversations, practical insights, and inspiring voices from across the sector. From fundraising and finance to HR, branding, and leadership, this season is designed to equip nonprofit professionals with actionable strategies to strengthen their organizations and deepen their impact. Tune in as we embrace curiosity, community, and the power of our nerdy passion, one conversation at a time.

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Enjoyed this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

• Click here to learn more about Bloomerang.
• Click here to learn more about Fundraising Academy at Nonprofit University.

And of course, thanks for listening! We appreciate you being part of our community, and we’ll see you next time!

As the year comes to a close, host Jarrett Ransom pauses to reflect on another milestone for Nonprofit Nerd Impact Unleashed; 80 episodes and a season filled with insight, resilience, and heart.

In this special post-holiday episode, Jarrett acknowledges the exhaustion, complexity, and emotional weight many nonprofit leaders carry at year’s end, while offering encouragement, gratitude, and perspective. It’s a thoughtful reminder that investing in people, systems, and community is what sustains impact.

As we look ahead to 2026, this episode invites nonprofit professionals to breathe, celebrate their accomplishments, and move forward with kindness, patience, and hope.

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Enjoyed this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

• Click here to learn more about Bloomerang.
• Click here to learn more about Fundraising Academy at Nonprofit University.

And of course, thanks for listening! We appreciate you being part of our community, and we’ll see you next time!

In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Deb Nelson, Tax Partner at Eide Bailly, to unpack the financial fundamentals every nonprofit leader needs to understand. With more than 20 years of experience serving the nonprofit sector, Deb shares practical insights on managing cash flow, building collaborative and realistic budgets, avoiding common financial pitfalls, and using timely financial data to support strategic decision-making.

The conversation also explores financial narratives, compliance essentials like the Form 990, and guidance tailored to smaller or newer nonprofits working with limited resources. This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit executives, board members, and leaders seeking to strengthen financial sustainability while keeping mission front and center.

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Enjoyed this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

• Click here to learn more about Bloomerang.
• Click here to learn more about Fundraising Academy at Nonprofit University.

And of course, thanks for listening! We appreciate you being part of our community, and we’ll see you next time!

In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters, to explore what values-centered leadership looks like in practice. Jaclyn shares her journey from volunteer coordinator to CEO, reflecting on stepping into executive leadership at a young age, leading through the uncertainty of the pandemic, and building an organizational culture grounded in trust, authenticity, and psychological safety.

Together, they discuss servant and authentic leadership, generational shifts in nonprofit management, and how seasoned leaders can better support emerging talent. This conversation offers thoughtful insights for nonprofit professionals navigating leadership growth, culture-building, and sustainable impact in a rapidly changing sector.

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Enjoyed this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

• Click here to learn more about Bloomerang.
• Click here to learn more about Fundraising Academy at Nonprofit University.

And of course, thanks for listening! We appreciate you being part of our community, and we’ll see you next time!

In this powerful conversation, Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Dr. Melanie Gray, leader, professor, and lifelong nonprofit advocate, to explore how trauma-informed leadership can transform today’s nonprofit workplaces.

Drawing from over 20 years of experience, Dr. Gray explains the realities of compassion fatigue, the growing pressures on nonprofit teams, and why leaders must prioritize empathy, emotional safety, and authentic connection.

She offers practical steps for supporting staff well-being, managing personal stressors, and reshaping organizational culture for future generations. A must-listen for any nonprofit leader committed to creating healthier, more compassionate workplaces.

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Enjoyed this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

• Click here to learn more about Bloomerang.
• Click here to learn more about Fundraising Academy at Nonprofit University.

And of course, thanks for listening! We appreciate you being part of our community, and we’ll see you next time!

In this thought-provoking episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Christine Thompson for a candid conversation about the evolving dynamics between funders and nonprofits. Together, they unpack what it really means to share power, promote transparency, and move toward more trust-based and equitable funding models.

Christine also shares insights from the CEO roundtable she facilitates — a space fostering collaboration over competition — and offers practical advice for leaders seeking stronger, more sustainable relationships with funders. Tune in for honest dialogue, actionable takeaways, and inspiration to transform how you approach philanthropy and leadership.

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Enjoyed this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

• Click here to learn more about Bloomerang.
• Click here to learn more about Fundraising Academy at Nonprofit University.

And of course, thanks for listening! We appreciate you being part of our community, and we’ll see you next time!

In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Eva Fordham, founder and principal of Expert Philanthropy, to unpack the art and strategy of giving. Eva shares how she helps high-net-worth donors align their values with meaningful causes, and offers insight into what separates a good donor experience from a great one. From the motivations that drive modern philanthropists to the challenges of navigating today’s crowded nonprofit landscape, this conversation explores how authentic relationships, intentional communication, and family engagement can transform the way we approach philanthropy. Plus, Eva reveals key trends shaping charitable giving in Los Angeles from donor-advised funds to the evolving role of wealth advisors.

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Enjoyed this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

• Click here to learn more about Bloomerang.
• Click here to learn more about Fundraising Academy at Nonprofit University.

And of course, thanks for listening! We appreciate you being part of our community, and we’ll see you next time!