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On the show
Recent episodes
How to design successful orientation for new board members
Mar 26, 2026
34m 15s
Transparency, trust and the power of public records
Feb 27, 2026
24m 07s
How to create an AI policy for your mission-driven organization
Feb 4, 2026
39m 41s
The why behind the policy: Navigating regulations in education
Dec 16, 2025
25m 58s
From compliance to resilience: Building smarter nonprofit governance
Dec 16, 2025
30m 51s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/26/26 | How to design successful orientation for new board members | Liz Thompson is Executive Assistant to the President, Corporate Secretary, and Corporate Compliance Officer at Presbyterian Senior Care Network. Chandu Vemuri is Executive Assistant for the Board and Superintendent Leadership at Sun Prairie School District in Wisconsin. Together, Liz and Chandu bring deep, hands‑on experience supporting nonprofit and public‑facing boards as they welcome new members into governance.In this conversation, we explore why thoughtful board orientation matters more than ever, what’s at risk when onboarding is rushed or unclear, and how organizations can set new board members up for success from day one. From clarifying roles and legal responsibilities to building confidence, culture, and trust, this episode looks at what effective orientation really takes — especially in highly regulated, highly visible environments like healthcare and public education.Liz and Chandu share practical approaches to self‑guided onboarding, peer mentoring, and using technology to make orientation more accessible, consistent, and engaging. Listen in as they discuss how good orientation strengthens governance over the long term — not just in the first 30 days — and why onboarding should be the start of a continuous learning journey for every board member.And be sure to listen to the end for their best advice for board administrators and clerks looking to move beyond a one‑and‑done orientation and build confident, effective boards.Further resources on board member onboarding:Our guide to onboarding and orienting nonprofit board members can be downloaded here.Our guides to onboarding and orienting public board members can be downloaded for public education and local government. | 34m 15s | ||||||
| 2/27/26 | Transparency, trust and the power of public records | Andrea Messina is CEO of Florida School Boards Association and Kathy McFarland is Executive Director of COSSBA. Together, Andrea and Kathy bring deep experience supporting school boards and school districts across the country. In our conversation, we explore why transparency is so critical for public-facing boards, where organizations sometimes fall short, and how open meetings, clear communication, and consistent records management help build trust — even when decisions are complex or controversial.From livestreamed meetings and accessible agendas to records retention and board accountability, this Sunshine Week conversation reinforces a core leadership principle: transparency isn’t about doing things perfectly — it’s about doing them openly, consistently and with the public in mind.Listen in as Andrea and Kathy share their advice and experience for public‑facing boards navigating the whole area of transparency.And do stick around to the end to hear their excellent advice for building a strong culture of transparency and trust. Further resources on transparency for public boards:Our guide to transparency through technology for education can be downloaded here.Our guide to transparency through technology for government can be downloaded here. | 24m 07s | ||||||
| 2/4/26 | How to create an AI policy for your mission-driven organization | Dominique Shelton‑Leipzig is CEO of Global Data Innovation and Dr. Andrea Bonime‑Blanc is founder and CEO of GEC Risk Advisory.In this episode, we explore why AI governance has become such a pressing priority for mission‑driven organizations, we look at where organizations tend to go wrong, and why trust, accuracy and continuous testing must sit at the heart of any AI program.We also talk about the risks of deploying AI without a framework. We discuss the importance of tone from the top, lifecycle oversight, strengthening cybersecurity, and how boards can embed principles like fairness and accountability into daily practice—not just policy documents.Listen now as we explore privacy considerations, bias in AI systems, human‑in‑the‑loop safeguards, third‑party oversight, and why AI policies should be living, breathing documents.And stick around to the end for Dominique and Andrea’s excellent advice for mission‑driven boards for creating AI policy.Further resources on AI governance for mission boardsYou can find the toolkits mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 39m 41s | ||||||
| 12/16/25 | The why behind the policy: Navigating regulations in education | John Thomsen is Director of Engagement and Policy at NEOLA, working with school districts across multiple states to support legally compliant policies and governance frameworks that reflect community values.John unpacks the “why” behind policy for public sector boards — especially K‑12 school districts — and how leaders can navigate changing regulations without losing sight of student success. He explains why boards must stay anchored in mission, vision and values while scanning the horizon for potential and actual regulation, so they’re ready to respond quickly and confidently when change arrives.The discussion also covered the big challenges for the year ahead, from the sheer pace and volume of new rules to funding constraints and rising expectations for real‑time transparency through live‑streamed and more accessible board meetings. We also talked about policy in practice: how to tell the story behind a policy change, articulate the “why” before the “how,” and proactively review and update policies rather than scrambling reactively when mandates hit.We also touch on the role of technology in governance, from using tools to manage policies, track legislation and increase transparency, to supporting accessible, compliant meetings without replacing the essential work of elected officials.Stay tuned to the end as John shares his recommendation for how boards can embrace the change process, respond to evolving regulations and continuously improve outcomes for students year after year.Further resources on regulations for public facing boardsYou can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 25m 58s | ||||||
| 12/16/25 | From compliance to resilience: Building smarter nonprofit governance | Dale Waterman is a Solution Designer and regulatory expert at Diligent, with deep experience translating evolving mandates into practical governance requirements for organizations. In this episode, we look at how today’s shifting risk universe is reshaping the regulatory landscape for nonprofits and what boards need to do now to move from basic compliance to true resilience.We explore why diverging global regulations on issues like AI, cybersecurity and operational resilience make life more complex for mission‑driven organizations operating across multiple jurisdictions, and how boards can adapt to a “tsunami” of change without losing sight of their purpose. Dale explains the shift from rules‑based to risk‑based regulation, what “appropriate and proportionate” controls really mean in practice, and why documenting risk decisions is now just as important as the policies themselves.We discuss how boards can build a continuous‑learning mindset, ask better questions of management, and embed resilience into strategy rather than treating it as a standalone risk function. We explore operational resilience as a source of advantage, not just recovery: anticipating “grey rhino” risks, using scenario planning and stress tests, and turning crises into opportunities to better serve beneficiaries, donors and communities. Stick around to the end for Dale’s key recommendation for how to strengthen resilience and future‑proof nonprofit governance for 2026 and beyond.Further resources on regulations for nonprofit boardsYou can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 30m 51s | ||||||
| 12/15/25 | A compliance view on AI, cyber risk and governance for public boards | Kristy Grant-Hart is Vice President for Compliance Services at Diligent, advising organizations on how to build effective, modern compliance programs in an era of rapid regulatory change. In this episode, Kristy shares a compliance expert’s view on AI, cyber risk and governance for public-facing boards — from school districts and education boards to municipalities and local councils. We explore the core responsibilities of public sector boards today: staying on top of current and upcoming regulation, keeping risk assessments up to date, and tailoring regulatory requirements to the size, structure and context of each organization. Kristy explains why “application” of a rule often matters more than the rule itself and how boards can balance rising expectations for transparency and accountability with the realities of politics, elections and competing community opinions. We also discuss what it takes to build a proactive compliance culture, including understanding skills gaps on the board, bringing in external experts on topics like cyber and AI, and making smart use of associations and umbrella bodies for guidance and training. And we also speak about operational and organizational resilience, looking at how reputation, school and community ratings, and regulatory scrutiny intersect — and why boards should be using tabletop exercises and crisis simulations to expose vulnerabilities before a privacy breach, ransomware attack or system outage hits. Stay tuned to the end as Kristy shares her advice for leaders on future‑proofing their organizations amid regulatory uncertainty.Further resources on regulations for public facing boardsYou can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 18m 31s | ||||||
| 12/15/25 | Proactive compliance for nonprofit boards for 2026 | Kira Ciccarelli is Senior Research and Programs Manager at the Diligent Institute, where she leads research into how boards and governance professionals are navigating today’s rapidly evolving risk landscape.In this episode, we explore what nonprofit boards can learn from emerging trends in the corporate world — and how they can apply those insights to strengthen compliance, oversight and stakeholder trust. We discuss why regulatory risk is climbing so sharply and which areas are set to demand even more attention in 2026, from policy and procedure updates to targeted ethics and compliance training and more robust internal monitoring.Kira shares fresh data from the Diligent Institute’s GC Risk Index and explains what it signals for charities, foundations and other mission-driven organizations that are already stretched thin. We also talk through practical steps boards can take to put the right governance around AI, even as they experiment with new technology.We also dig into the fundamentals of future‑ready governance for nonprofits: building and maintaining a clear board skills matrix, planning succession at both board and C‑suite level, leveraging board management platforms like BoardEffect as a single source of truth, and using scenario planning and tabletop exercises to prepare for regulatory shocks before they hit.Throughout, Kira offers concrete advice on fostering a culture of proactive compliance and communicating clearly with donors, regulators and the public to protect and grow stakeholder trust.Stay tuned to the end as Kira shares her best advice for board chairs and governance professionals on future‑proofing their organizations against regulatory uncertainty and staying one step ahead of emerging risks.Further resources on regulations for nonprofit boardsYou can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 17m 21s | ||||||
| 10/15/25 | Technology and AI for governance: Interview with Dottie Schindlinger & Nithya Das | Dottie Schindlinger is Executive Director of the Diligent Institute and a founding member of BoardEffect and Nithya Das is General Manager of Diligent’s Governance Business Unit and Chief Legal Officer. Together, Dottie and Nithya bring deep expertise on how purpose-driven organizations can strategically harness technology and AI to transform their impact.We discussed why the urgency to modernize governance is greater than ever for nonprofits, foundations, school boards and local governments. Dottie and Nithya share how economic pressures and shifting regulations make nimble, tech-enabled governance absolutely critical — and how AI is moving mission-driven boards toward more efficient, transparent and equitable practices.We also talk about what practical impact looks like, discussing real examples from boards using tools like Diligent Community and BoardEffect to streamline meetings, track strategic goals, boost community engagement and improve decision-making with AI-powered features.Listen in as we explore the ethical side of AI adoption, touching on data privacy, bias and the importance of thoughtful policies. Dottie and Nithya offer actionable advice for leaders starting their digital transformation journeys, including the value of pilot programs, upskilling and collaborative change.Plus, they share bold predictions about the future of governance that you’ll want to hear. And do stick around to the end for their great advice to help boards future-proof their governance and embrace technology confidently.Further resources on technology and AI for governance for public facing boardsYou can find the guides mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 27m 10s | ||||||
| 10/15/25 | Technology and AI for Governance: Interview with James Page and Jay Worona | James Page is Chief Information Officer at the New York State School Boards Association, and Jay Worona is a partner at Jasper Schlesinger & Narendra and former Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel for NYSSBA. Together, they bring a wealth of experience in school board governance, legal policy and technology strategy.In this episode, James and Jay share their insights on how AI and digital tools are reshaping governance in school districts. From streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing board decision-making to improving transparency and equity. We explore the opportunities AI presents for strategic planning, risk management and community trust, while also addressing the ethical and practical challenges that come with rapid technological change.We discuss the importance of human oversight, professional development and creating clear policies to guide responsible AI adoption. Jay and James offer thoughtful advice on how school boards can foster innovation while safeguarding student data, ensuring equitable access and maintaining accountability.Listen now as we explore how school boards can move from reactive to proactive governance, what skills board members need to develop, and why curiosity, courage and critical thinking are essential in the age of AI. Stick around to the end for their top tips on future-proofing governance in K-12 education with technology.Further resources on technology and AI for governance for public facing boardsYou can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 25m 34s | ||||||
| 10/15/25 | Technology and AI for governance: Interview with Nonie Dalton and Phil Lim | Nonie Dalton is Vice President of Product Management and Phil Lim is Director of Product Management at Diligent. Together, they bring deep expertise in how mission-driven organizations like nonprofits, school boards and local governments can harness emerging technologies such as AI while keeping ethical governance at the core of their mission.Nonie and Phil share their perspectives on how AI is transforming governance from a reactive function to a proactive, insights-driven practice. We explore the opportunities AI presents for efficiency, transparency and impact measurement, while also addressing the ethical challenges around accountability, bias and data security.Listen in as we find out how Diligent is building cool AI tools with privacy and control in mind, and how features like Smart Prep, AI Search and risk management tools are helping boards make better decisions with less effort. From community engagement to multilingual access, they share exciting developments that are shaping the future of governance for mission-driven boards.Stick around to the end to hear their excellent advice for how boards can future-proof their governance and why human judgment remains essential.Further resources on technology and AI for governanceOur technology and AI guide for nonprofit boards mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources can be found at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose while the technology and AI guide for public facing boards can be found at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 28m 42s | ||||||
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| 10/15/25 | Technology and AI for Governance: Interview with Darien Rodriguez Hayman | Darian Rodriguez Heyman, a speaker, consultant and best-selling author with deep expertise in fundraising, governance and AI. Darian has worked with mission-driven organizations around the world and recently released his latest book, “AI for Nonprofits”.In this episode, Darian shares practical insights on how AI is transforming nonprofit governance, from streamlining board recruitment and engagement to enhancing meeting efficiency and impact measurement. He emphasizes the importance of intentional adoption, data security and creating clear policies to guide responsible use of AI.We explore how leaders can overcome skepticism, build trust and use AI as a thought partner to unlock efficiencies and improve effectiveness. Darian also offers actionable best practices for board development, orientation, and strategic oversight, all while keeping the human element front and center.Listen now as we discuss how to future-proof governance structures, the role of co-intelligence and why mission-driven leaders must embrace AI with thoughtfulness and purpose.Stick around to the end for Darian’s one piece of advice every nonprofit board should hear when it comes to using technology and AI for governance. Further resources on technology and AI for governance for nonprofit boardsYou can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 26m 06s | ||||||
| 9/1/25 | Financial Oversight and Risk Series: Interview with Scott Bridgen | Scott Bridgen is the General Manager of the Audit and Risk Division at Diligent. Scott brings a wealth of experience and unique insights into the critical role of financial and risk oversight in the public sector.In this episode, we talked about how public sector boards can manage their financial resources responsibly and effectively identify, mitigate and monitor risks. Scott highlights the need for a risk-aware culture that focuses on objectives and potential obstacles, rather than just the term 'risk.'He also advocates for transparency and clear communication with your community to build trust, and the importance of speaking to that audience in a way that they're going to understand. Scott and I also explored leveraging technology for oversight, such as the Diligent One platform, how to manage and present risk information efficiently, and ensure a single source of truth for operational effectiveness.Stick around to the end of the conversation to find out what advice he gives for boards that realize they don’t have a good handle on risks. Further resources on financial oversight and risk management for public facing boardsYou can find the financial oversight guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 28m 02s | ||||||
| 9/1/25 | Financial Oversight and Risk Series: Interview with Heather Rich | Heather Rich is Executive Director of the American Board of Genetic Counseling, the national certifying body that sets and upholds professional standards for genetic counselors across the United States.Heather shares her insights on the critical role of the board in ensuring financial transparency, proactive management and strategic oversight. She also emphasizes the importance of a robust onboarding process for new board members, which should include financial training to cover the basics as well as the organization's financial philosophy.We also discuss the importance of a strong, supportive relationship between the board and the CEO, where the board has ultimate responsibility for financial and risk oversight, while the CEO and staff handle day-to-day operations and provide necessary information and training.Heather shares real-life anecdotes, including how the American Board of Genetic Counseling manages its financial review process. We also discuss effective financial and risk oversight, and how board members can make informed decisions based on past data and trends for good oversight.Stick around to the end to find out what advice Heather gives for maintaining financial integrity and oversight, including scenario planning to assess risks and opportunities.Further resources on financial oversight and risk management for volunteer boardsYou can find the financial oversight guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 26m 53s | ||||||
| 9/1/25 | Financial Oversight and Risk Series: Interview with Dr. Chad Bledsoe | Dr. Chad Bledsoe is President of Montgomery Community College in North Carolina. The College offers a wide range of educational opportunities including associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates and continuing education programs.In this episode, we explore why financial and risk oversight is essential for effective governance and decision-making in community colleges. Dr. Bledsoe emphasizes the importance of aligning financial strategies with the institution's mission and goals, and ensuring that resources are used effectively to support student success and community engagement.He shares his perspective on how boards can function efficiently by fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. We also discuss the importance of ongoing education for the board in areas such as financial management and risk assessment. And how the integration of technology to enhance board operations can help boards function more efficiently and enhance their oversight.Stick around to the end to find out what advice Dr. Bledsoe gives for public leaders and board members for managing risk and financials. Further resources on financial oversight and risk management for public facing boardsYou can find the financial oversight guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 27m 06s | ||||||
| 9/1/25 | Financial Oversight and Risk Series: Interview with Dr Froswa' Booker-Drew | Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew is the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, an organization dedicated to helping leaders with executive coaching, community engagement and culture development, as well as assisting nonprofits with board governance and capacity building.Dr. Booker-Drew shares her insights on financial and risk oversight for nonprofit boards. From her perspective, this means being proactive rather than reactive, asking questions about financial management, ensuring the board has members with financial expertise, and integrating finances and risk into strategic planning.She also shares real-life anecdotes and practical advice on fostering a culture of financial responsibility and risk awareness. We discussed the importance of intentional conversations about finances and risk, the right committee structure, and why finances and risk need to be part of board member orientation.Stick around to the end to find out what advice Dr. Booker-Drew gives for using tools and resources to improve financial and risk oversight. Further resources on financial oversight and risk management for volunteer boardsYou can find the financial oversight guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 24m 10s | ||||||
| 6/4/25 | Board Development Series: Interview with Ben Niehaus, Wisconsin Association of School Boards | Ben Niehaus is Director of Member Services for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. He also worked as a school superintendent in Northern Wisconsin so brings lots of experience.Ben shares his expertise on several key areas that school board members need to stay informed about, as well as the importance of effective communication with stakeholders. He talks about the importance of continuous improvement and staying updated on best practices in school board governance.Ben gave some really practical strategies for making training programs more flexible and accessible, and we also discussed how technology can support and help board members to stay informed and engaged. Enjoy the conversation as we explore all of this and more.And find out at the end what advice Ben gives for how to use technology for board member training, he has some great tips. Further resources on board development and training for school boardsYou can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 31m 49s | ||||||
| 6/4/25 | Board Development Series: Interview with Cheretta Clerkley, Executive Director, APBS | Cheretta A. Clerkley, is the Executive Director of the Association for Positive Behavior Support, a nonprofit based in New Jersey. APBS is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to promoting positive behavior support across various settings such as schools, families and communities.Cheretta and I discussed the critical role that continuous learning and development plays in enhancing the effectiveness of volunteer boards. Cheretta shares her journey of streamlining the board from over 30 members to a more manageable 11, and discusses the importance of governance training and communication skills.She also emphasizes the significance of ongoing training and effective onboarding processes to ensure that board members are well-prepared and aligned with the organization's goals.Stick around to the end to hear Cheretta's top tips for how to keep board members motivated and engaged in their own development. Further resources on board development and training for volunteer boardsYou can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 21m 59s | ||||||
| 6/4/25 | Board Development Series: Interview with Dr Audrey Young, Texas State Board of Education | Dr. Audrey Young is a member of the Texas State Board of Education and the Chair of the Committee on Instruction for TSBE. Dr. Young represents District 8 and brings a wealth of experience and insight into the critical role of school board training and development, in fact she covered this in her dissertation for her PhD.In this episode, we explore why board training is essential for effective governance and decision-making in public education, how it can help school boards function efficiently and the importance of ongoing education in areas such as AI and cyber risk.We also discuss the challenges of onboarding new board members and the vital role superintendents play in supporting board development.Find out what advice Audrey gives for how to keep board members motivated and engaged in their own development. Further resources on board development and training for school boardsYou can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 21m 29s | ||||||
| 6/4/25 | Board Development Series: Interview with Julie Castro Abrams, CEO, How Women Lead | Julie Castro Abrams is the CEO of How Women Lead, an organization dedicated to empowering women to take on leadership roles and she has also served on many nonprofit boards. Julie shares her insights on how board training and development can transform organizations. For nonprofits, this means understanding the unique role of the board, from governance to strategic oversight, and how to ensure that board members are equipped to ask the right questions and add value without overstepping. We also discuss the importance of a strong, supportive relationship between the board and the CEO. Julie shares real-life anecdotes and practical advice on board training and development. Stick around to the end to find out what advice Julie gives for leaders to ensure that board training is ongoing and not just a one-time event. Further resources on board development and training for volunteer boardsYou can find the board development guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose. | 22m 28s | ||||||
| 6/4/25 | Welcome to the Leading with purpose podcast | From recruiting and onboarding members to fostering collaboration and navigating complex decision-making, this 4-part series covers critical aspects of building boards that can drive meaningful impact.Whether you're an experienced executive or an emerging leader, these episodes offer valuable takeaways for enhancing your organization’s governance practices.We hear from 4 experts who share their practical guidance and real-world examples.We hope you enjoy the conversations and find them insightful and interesting!For more resources on board development and training:Nonprofit: www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurposeEducation and government: www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose | 0m 37s | ||||||
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3 placements across 3 markets.
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3 placements across 3 markets.