Can we talk about...? A podcast on leading for racial equity in philanthropy

Hosted by Philanthropy Northwest

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Apr 2026

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About the show

Can we talk about…? is a podcast that invites philanthropic leaders into candid conversations with their peers to normalize the messiness of leading for racial equity and reflect on what it takes to create lasting transformation. In Season 3, Mares Asfaha guides us through a deep dive of equity in community philanthropy organization. This podcast is brought to you by Philanthropy Northwest.

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32 recent

April 24, 2026Episode 856 min

Valériana Chikoti-Bandua Estes and Maya Thornell-Sandifor on Stepping Into Our Power As Audacious Funders

Valériana Chikoti-Bandua Estes, executive director of Social Justice Fund Northwest and Maya Thornell Sandifor, managing director of the Kataly Foundation, join Mares for the final episode of season 3 focused on community philanthropy and equity.The episode begins with a conversation on power, and how community philanthropy typically underutilizes the power and influence they have. Together they share the need to move against the status quo for greater justice for their communities. They also discuss the necessity of overcoming fear, being politically active and building deep relationships with the community to move philanthropy toward equity and justice through collective liberation. See the full episode guide.Each episode of season 3 spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.

December 9, 2025Episode 749 min

Katie Carter and Mindie Reule on unpacking the "A" word in philanthropy

Katie Carter, President of Pride Foundation, and Mindie Reule, President & CEO, Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, sit down with Mares to discuss tangible ways that philanthropy can be more accountable to the community it serves. They begin the conversation by naming how the structures that currently exist do not hold philanthropy accountable to the communities they serve, and discuss ways in which funders can develop accountability mechanisms that lead to greater transparency across the sector.Together, they share insights into the nuances of accountability, such as how to receive grantee feedback without burdening communities, as well as considerations for feedback given that communities are made up of diverse partners.Finally, they offer examples of the importance of developing internal accountability, with both the board and staff. Katie and Mindie share the various ways in which their foundations have embedded accountability mechanisms through their racial equity work. See the full episode guide.Each episode of season 3 spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.

November 18, 2025Episode 648 min

Aisha Al-Amin, Heidi Pelletier and Musu Bakoto Sawo on saying ‘no’ to donors when values don’t align, and building equitable long-term giving strategies

In episode 6 of our season on community philanthropy, Aisha Al-Amin (Development Director, Social Justice Fund), Heidi Pelletier (Chief Development Officer, Yakima Valley Community Foundation) and Musu Bakoto Sawo (Director of Fundraising and Grants, Community Foundation of Snohomish County), sit down with Mares to discuss that while grantmaking has shifted, donor relationships and fundraising is stuck in the past. They share both the challenges and joys of working with donors on creating more equitable and long-term giving strategies. Together, they discuss what it looks and feels like to say “no” to donors, and how, by grounding fundraising in their organization’s values, these difficult conversations can ultimately strengthen donor relationships. Finally, they share practical examples of how their foundations have worked to educate donors on issues such as class and race, which deepened their donors' alignment with the foundation and ultimately strengthened support for the community. See the full episode guide.Each episode of season 3 spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.

October 14, 2025Episode 555 min

Mauri Ingram and Esra Khalil on moving from scarcity to abundance

Mauri Ingram (CEO, Whatcom Community Foundation) and Esra Khalil (Senior Program Officer, Community Foundation of Southwest Washington) join our podcast to counter a narrative we hear too often: “we don’t have the budget and time to do equity work.”In this episode, they explore what it means to truly resource equity — not just with dollars, but with time, energy, creativity and intention. Both leaders share how their organizations have embedded equity into budgets, professional development, board governance and daily practices, reminding us that a budget is a values statement and that thriving communities “don’t happen by accident.”They share practical examples on redirecting existing funds, shifting board agendas, leaning on partnerships instead of recreating the wheel and big mindset shifts, like moving from scarcity to abundance. As Mauri and Esra remind us, equity work requires a willingness to let go of business as usual in order to prioritize what truly matters: relationships, values and community love. See the full episode guide.Each episode of season 3 spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.

September 30, 2025Episode 456 min

Lilliane Ballesteros and Lindsay Boswell on getting creative (while staying in compliance!) to show up for community

Lilliane Ballesteros (Executive Director, Latino Community Fund) and Lindsay Boswell (Chief Program Officer, Yakima Valley Community Foundation) join us to challenge philanthropy’s biggest myths and self-imposed rules.Together they explore what it looks like to move money differently: from buying pom poms for community events to setting up ESG investment portfolios and even to making grants directly to individuals – and yes, all while staying in compliance. They share how they embrace compliance not as a barrier, but as a creative tool for showing up for community in authentic ways.This episode underscores a central truth: relationships don’t happen over email. They happen when philanthropy shows up where community already is — at BBQs, celebrations and neighborhood gatherings — and when funders rethink data, time and compliance as levers for equity rather than excuses for delay. See the full episode guide.Each episode of season 3 spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.

September 15, 2025Episode 355 min

Seth Kirby and Sharon Miracle on real vs perceived risk and how funders can mitigate risk for their community

Seth Kirby (Chief Impact Officer, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation) and Sharon Miracle (President and CEO, Yakima Valley Community Foundation) sit down with Mares for a conversation on the notions of neutrality and risk in philanthropy. They discuss how their organizations have reoriented their thinking around risk so that the central question is not, “what is the risk to our organization?,” but rather, “what is the risk to our community?” – and share tangible examples of what navigating risk with their communities looks like in our current context. Finally, Seth and Sharon share strategies they use when technical and adaptive challenges arise within their foundations, highlighting the need to strengthen cross-departmental relationships to build trust and learn together. See the full episode guide.Each episode of season 3 spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.

August 28, 2025Episode 256 min

Karri Matau and Matt Morton on leaders clearing the path for staff to build an organizational culture that advances equity

Karri Matau (CEO, Community Foundation of Snohomish County) returns to the podcast alongside Matt Morton (President, Community Foundation for Southwest Washington) to explore what it looks like to lead for racial equity at the staff level.They offer insights into how they are taking an interconnected approach that allows them to stay rooted in their values while adjusting to the changing context. They discuss the importance of continually showing up in their communities and supporting staff to do the same.Furthermore, both Matt and Karri offer tangible practices and policies that their foundations have worked on to best support their staff, and how these shifts can ripple out to building stronger communities. See the full episode guide.Each episode of season 3 spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.

August 18, 2025Episode 11 hr 4 min

Katie Carter and Karri Matau on tackling the “Pacific Northwest nice” culture and embracing disruption with community philanthropy boards

Katie Carter (CEO, Pride Foundation) and Karri Matau (CEO, Community Foundation of Snohomish County) join us to kick off Season 3, where we’re uplifting reflections and strategies on advancing racial equity in community philanthropy. Together, Katie and Karri share what it means to center community and how equity shows up in their work – starting with their boards. They cover topics from recruiting values-aligned directors to managing misaligned board members and holding their boards accountable. Throughout the episode, they weave in stories that highlight the need to transform structures and systems in philanthropy and act boldly for racial equity in this current climate. See the full episode guide.Each episode of season 3 spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.

August 1, 20252 min

Season 3 Trailer

Hosted by Mares Asfaha, this season dives deep into the evolving world of community philanthropy — featuring honest conversations with leaders from community foundations, identity funds, United Ways and public foundations.Each episode spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.Plus, don’t miss our newest segment: Mares’s Soapbox Snack Break—sharp, funny, and exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

August 1, 2025Episode 1144 min

Katie Hong and Abby Sarmac on their 'why' for engaging in racial equity work and themes from season 2

In our final episode of Season 2, Katie Hong and Abby Sarmac sit down to recap the season, recount their ‘why’ for engaging in racial equity work, and celebrate achieving their dream of hosting a podcast! They ground the episode in what we set out to do this season, which was to uplift the nuances of operationalizing equity commitments across a diversity of contexts. From these various contexts, places and funding models, Katie and Abby found inspiration in the similarities that many guests share, specifically the importance of listening, showing up with care and going farther together. Katie and Abby also highlight the unique roles different types of funders can play, from community foundations to intermediary funders to philanthropy-serving organizations, and how each can leverage its role to strengthen equity in our sector. They bring in their personal and professional stories, reminding us of the importance of bringing our whole selves and our collective humanity to advance racial equity.