Our goal is to salute the stories of Non-Profit North Stars who energize your organizations with genuine purpose and have a gift to keep your organization moving in the right and uplifting direction of its noble mission. The focus is on unsung heroes. We cherish those who make large donations that empower philanthropy to thrive, but in this instance, we are looking for your suggestions on those who make a difference in their communities more by their service, commitment and leadership to the rich missions in the non-profit sector that touch, improve and save more lives. Please provide the information requested below and we will follow up with your nominees and make appropriate selections. A priority is to highlight truly a diverse cross-section of men and women who fuel the aspirations and achievements of non-profits from different sectors and all different parts of the country. Nominees may be professional staff, board members, volunteers, donors or others who propel the mission of the non-profit forward by their inspiring examples. We will be announcing selections and sharing podcast interviews through our monthly e-newsletter and other Constant Contact communications, plus social media.
Listen to episodes
28 recent
May 27, 202615 min
27. Women Leading Change: Rhanda Luna's Journey Through Fundraising and Leadership
Discover the inspiring journey of Rhanda Luna, a beacon in nonprofit leadership. In this episode of Nonprofit North Stars, host Jim Eskin celebrates the selfless dedication of individuals guiding nonprofits with passion and purpose. Dive into Rhanda Luna's impressive career as she shares insights from her two decades of fundraising expertise and groundbreaking doctoral research on trauma-informed leadership. Key Takeaways: - Understand how sustainability and healthy organizational culture can combat burnout in the nonprofit sector. - Learn strategies to empower non-professionals in overcoming the fear of fundraising. - Explore unique challenges faced by women leaders and how they navigate them. Tune in for an engaging conversation that sheds light on creating thriving environments within mission-driven organizations. www.jimeskinpodcast.com
May 5, 202621 min
26. Charting Global Citizens: Scott Marshall on Semester at Sea's 61-Year Voyage
Episode 26 of Jim Eskin's Nonprofit North Stars spotlights Scott Marshall , President & CEO of Semester at Sea's Institute for Shipboard Education. From a shipboard campus that visits 8–10 countries per voyage to "cohorts of distinction" (Engineering at Sea and an AI certificate track), Scott shares how immersive global learning builds purpose-driven leaders. We dig into student selection and diversity, scholarships (including ~$5M/year in aid), alumni impact, and practical ways to support this North Star organization. Tune in to hear how Semester at Sea turns curiosity into courage—and education into impact. 🎧 Listen: jimeskinpodcast.com • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music #NonprofitNorthStars #SemesterAtSea #GlobalEducation #StudyAbroad #NonprofitLeadership #Storytelling #Fundraising #NorthStarLeaders
February 2, 202621 min
25. Sports Leadership Synergy with Angela R. Lewis
Angela R. Lewis is a former professional basketball player, author, entrepreneur and leadership coach. Standing 6'1" since age 12, Angela knows what it's like to stand out and find your place in the world. With over 1,000 points scored in both high school and college, professional experience overseas, and having coached more than 500 athletes, Angela brings authentic experience to her storytelling. She is the author of The Game Changing Assist: Six Simple Ways to Choose Success, Post Moves: The Female Athlete's Guide to Dominate Life After College, and A Ball and A Chance, a children's book that celebrates confidence, culture, and courage through sport. Angela also demonstrates her passion as Head of Customer Success at SpeakerHUB, a platform that allows leaders to increase visibility through podcasts, press and speaking engagements. Angela is the creator of the 6V Leadership System for Athletes — a framework designed to help athletes grow from the valley to victory by strengthening their voice, vision, values, and more. She helps teams and individuals develop the mindset needed to be successful. From the hardwood courts of college and professional basketball to global teams her journey has always centered on leadership, connection, and impact. As a former athlete and coach, she learned how to lead under pressure, build trust, and inspire performance. Those lessons became the foundation for every role she's played — whether training athletes to communicate with confidence, building partnerships that strengthen communities, or launching businesses that help others amplify their voice. In the non-profit sector, she has led more than 20 strategic partnerships with schools, corporations, and community organizations, creating programs that deliver measurable outcomes for youth and emerging leaders. For More Episodes, visit: www.jimeskinshow.com
January 26, 202616 min
24. Endowments with Intent: Whitney Solcher on Fiduciary Discipline, DAFs & the Great Wealth Transfer
*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "bd069a9d-3512-4f80-95fe-d992cfb3c6fa" data-testid= "conversation-turn-8" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 25 of Jim Eskin's Nonprofit North Stars spotlights Whitney Solcher , CIO/Partner at Ulrich Investment Consultants. With 20+ years in institutional investing, Whitney breaks down how nonprofits at every stage—from first-time endowments to $100M+ funds—can tighten their IPS , smartly add alternatives , and tap into the $84T great wealth transfer . She also demystifies DAFs (they're not just for the ultra-wealthy), shares how to build referral pipelines with advisors and attorneys, and connects her nationally ranked equestrian precision to portfolio discipline. If you care about sustainable impact, don't "go it alone." Learn how fiduciary partners, clear rules of the road, and next-gen donor engagement (Millennials/Gen Z) can lift your mission. 🎧 Listen: jimeskinpodcast.com • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music #NonprofitNorthStars #Endowments #Fiduciary #DAFs #PlannedGiving #WealthTransfer #NonprofitFinance #BoardGovernance #Impact
January 11, 202632 min
23. The Art of Standing Out: How Nonprofits Can Thrive in a Digital, AI-Driven World
In this powerful new episode of Jim Eskin's Nonprofit North Stars , Jim sits down with Graeme Watt , a visionary leader bridging the for-profit and nonprofit worlds. Together, they unpack how nonprofits can embrace bold storytelling, digital innovation, and human-centered connection to rise above the noise. From learning risk-taking from the business world to rediscovering empathy in the age of AI, this conversation explores the future of fundraising, marketing, and mission-driven leadership. 👉 Tune in to learn how your organization can stand out, tell its best story, and flourish in our fast-changing digital landscape. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!
January 5, 202617 min
22. Defying the Odds: A Conversation with Founder and CEO of The Student Expedition Program (STEP College-Prep), Dr. Tracy Baynes
A college education has never been so essential as it is in today's complex, fast-changing and technology driven workplace. You must have the capacity to be a lifelong learner. The Student Expedition Program (STEP College-Prep) launched in 2004, an innovative college access and leadership program for low-income Arizona high-school students is opening huge doors of opportunity. While only 14% of low-income students earn a college degree, an awesome 96% of STEP scholars are attending or have graduated college. Dr . Tracy Baynes is the Founder and CEO. Building on her 25 years of teaching and expedition leadership experience reinforced by a firm belief that learning in an unfamiliar and challenging environment is a transformative experience, she has evolved a mission to help high school students broaden their horizons and consider college options well beyond what they had heard was possible. Let's learn how Dr . Baynes has empowered thousands of young men and women to defy the odds and achieve brighter futures. www.jimeskinpodcast.com
December 29, 202528 min
21. Innovating for Impact: How Christa Stelzmuller is Using Technology to End the Water Crisis
In this episode of Non-Profit North Stars , host Jim Eskin sits down with Christa Stelzmuller, Chief Technology Officer at Charity Water, to explore how technology and data are transforming the fight for global access to clean drinking water. With nearly one in ten people worldwide lacking safe water, the consequences ripple through health, education, and economic opportunities—especially for women and children. Key Takeaways: ✅ Tech for Good – How Charity Water uses data and innovation to expand clean water access. ✅ Leadership with Purpose – Krista's approach to leading with empathy and impact. ✅ Scaling Solutions – The role of technology in improving efficiency and transparency in nonprofit work. ✅ Empowering Communities – How access to clean water transforms lives, especially for women and children. Tune in to hear Krista's inspiring journey and the groundbreaking work Charity Water is doing to end the global water crisis—one innovative solution at a time.
July 29, 202524 min
20. Cody Knowlton: Grantmaking with Purpose—Funding Health, Faith & Community
In this inspiring episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin , we spotlight Cody Knowlton, President and CEO of the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio. Since 2012, Cody has led the foundation in awarding grants to nearly 100 nonprofits annually, impacting healthcare, food security, and faith-based initiatives. With a background in higher education fundraising, Cody brings a unique perspective on both sides of philanthropy—soliciting and granting funds. He shares insights into the challenges of fundraising, the foundation's most impactful grants, and how faith and strategy drive their mission. Key Takeaways: Fundraising vs. Grantmaking: Cody reflects on his years in fundraising and grantmaking, explaining why soliciting gifts is often more challenging than deciding who receives funding. ✅ The Power of Strategic Giving: The foundation has awarded over $100 million in grants while growing its endowment from $150M to $270M, showing the impact of responsible financial stewardship. ✅ Transformative Grants: Learn about the foundation's first $1M grant to UT Health's Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's, setting a precedent for high-impact giving. ✅ Faith as a Guiding Principle: The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in faith, ensuring their work supports not just health initiatives but also the greater good of the community. Tune in to hear how Cody and the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio are making a lasting difference, one grant at a time.
July 14, 202544 min
19. Legacy, Leadership, and Loyalty: Larry Kosow's Dedication to BU and Nonprofit Excellence
In this episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin , we spotlight Larry Kosow, Principal and Treasurer of Venture Tape, whose lifelong passion for philanthropy and Boston University has shaped his extraordinary journey. A dedicated BU alumnus with a deep family legacy at the university, Larry has played a pivotal role in supporting BU's storied hockey program, including funding the university's TV broadcast booth in memory of his father. Larry shares the story of his family's immigration, perseverance, and entrepreneurial success—how his grandfather's journey through Ellis Island and his father's service in World War II led to a deep-rooted commitment to education and philanthropy. He also dives into his love for BU hockey, his involvement with the Friends of BU Hockey, and how sports became a bridge between his family's values and his philanthropic efforts. Key Takeaways: ✅ Family Legacy & Philanthropy – How generational values shaped Larry's commitment to giving back. ✅ The Power of Education – The impact of BU on Larry's life and why he continues to support its programs. ✅ Building Community Through Sports – How Larry's involvement in BU hockey helped forge a lasting legacy. ✅ Lessons in Business & Nonprofits – Insights from Larry's entrepreneurial journey and how they translate to nonprofit success. ✅ Giving Back With Purpose – The importance of philanthropy in creating lasting change. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, legacy, and the power of community.
June 29, 202523 min
18. Guiding Nonprofits with Data-Driven Insights: A Conversation with Dr. Susan Korbel
In this episode of Non-Profit North Stars , host Jim Eskin sits down with Dr. Susan Korbel, founder of Core Research, to discuss the crucial role market research plays in the nonprofit sector. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Korbel has helped countless organizations—both public and private—make informed decisions that maximize their impact. From strategic planning to feasibility studies, she shares how nonprofits can apply research to stretch their resources and better fulfill their missions. This insightful conversation sheds light on how nonprofits can leverage data to navigate today's challenges, optimize fundraising efforts, and drive meaningful change. Key Takeaways: Research Fuels Impact – Nonprofits benefit from data-driven decisions just as much as for-profit businesses, particularly in strategic planning and fundraising. Measuring Success Can Be Complex – Unlike for-profit organizations that focus on financial ROI, nonprofits must evaluate mission-driven outcomes, which can be harder to quantify. Stretching Resources is Essential – With limited funding, nonprofits must maximize every dollar, making market research an invaluable tool for effective decision-making. Women in Leadership – Dr. Korbel shares her journey as a female entrepreneur and the importance of mentoring other women in business. The Power of Collaboration – Research and fundraising go hand in hand, and strong partnerships between researchers and nonprofit leaders can enhance long-term sustainability. Tune in to hear how nonprofits can make smarter, more strategic choices in a world where every decision matters.
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