RKD Group: Thinkers

Hosted by RKD Group

Business

Website RSS feed

Episodes

152

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 28, 2026Episode 13438 min

‘Superfans’ and storytelling: What nonprofits can learn from Brittany Hodak

In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Brittany Hodak—author, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and creator of the “superfan” philosophy that has helped brands like Walmart, Disney, Amazon and countless artists build deeper customer loyalty and engagement. Brittany’s journey began in the music industry during a moment of massive disruption. As record labels struggled to respond to file-sharing and digital downloads in the early 2000s, Brittany saw an opportunity others missed: Fans didn’t just want music—they wanted connection, experiences and a sense of belonging. That insight led her to launch a company focused on creating premium fan experiences and collectible products for artists and brands, eventually earning her a spot on Shark Tank and partnerships with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Today, Brittany helps organizations understand what turns casual supporters into passionate advocates. Her core belief is simple but powerful: Superfans are created at the intersection of your story and theirs.

March 26, 2026Episode 13338 min

‘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 response and nonprofit fundraising, Tom brings a refreshingly candid perspective on what actually drives donor engagement and what quietly undermines it. Tom started in public relations, moved into high-stakes technology marketing and eventually ran his own ad agency. It wasn’t until around 2000—through his wife’s nonprofit consulting work—that he stepped into the world of fundraising. What began as a favor (writing a single direct mail letter) quickly became a career-long focus on improving how nonprofits communicate with donors. What he discovered early on still shapes his thinking today: Most nonprofit communications aren’t built to succeed. They’re built from imitation, internal priorities and outdated assumptions about what donors care about. And in a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by digital channels, AI and shifting donor expectations, those weaknesses are only becoming more visible. Today, Tom is widely recognized for helping organizations rethink donor communications from the ground up—focusing on clarity, empathy and response-driven messaging. His work challenges fundraisers to move beyond “broadcasting” and toward true communication that resonates and drives action. In this episode, Tom reflects on how his marketing background shaped his approach to fundraising, what nonprofits consistently get wrong about messaging and why the future of fundraising depends on getting the basics right.

March 12, 2026Episode 13240 min

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 of play. Gary began his career in marketing and communications, building a successful track record in the agency world and eventually stepping into agency leadership. But after a difficult professional turning point that forced him to rethink what came next, he found himself returning to something that had long brought him energy and clarity: Improvisation, play and the kind of joyful experimentation that helps people feel more human at work. Today, Gary helps organizations strengthen culture, collaboration and communication by challenging the workplace norms that lead to burnout, disconnection and stale thinking. Through Breakthrough Play, he shows teams how applied improvisation and playful practices can unlock trust, spark creativity and help people navigate uncertainty with more confidence. His work has earned recognition from Culture Amp, which named him one of the top 25 emerging culture creators, and his message continues to resonate with leaders looking for healthier, more effective ways to work. Gary reveals play, rest, joy and goofiness as essential tools for high performance and human connection.

February 26, 2026Episode 13128 min

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 professional sports, international nonprofit fundraising and now entrepreneurship. What connects each chapter is purpose. From selling six-figure sponsorships for the Dallas Stars to fundraising for the International Justice Mission (IJM), and ultimately launching her own mission-driven brand, Mallory’s path reveals how nothing is wasted when calling and capability align. Her story is one of tension and transformation: loving the for-profit business world while feeling drawn to humanitarian impact, navigating motherhood and career shifts, wrestling with the emotional weight of confronting modern-day slavery and eventually stepping away from stability to build something new. Today, Mended employs 23 survivors of bonded labor slavery in South India who create hand block–printed tea towels, table linens and textiles. Each product carries a story of restoration. What stands out most about Mallory is her clarity. She knows what she’s good at, what she’s not good at and why she’s building what she’s building.

February 5, 2026Episode 13034 min

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 years of experience spanning nonprofits, agencies and Big Tech, Hilary has navigated three very different “planets”—each with its own culture, constraints and opportunities. Yet throughout her career, one thread has remained constant: a deep belief that data, technology and analytics can, and should, be leveraged to amplify good.Hilary’s path into the sector wasn’t a straight line. Raised in a family grounded in service and community, she gravitated toward work that carried meaning and impact. Early roles at institutions like the Smithsonian and the American Cancer Society allowed her to explore the business side of nonprofit work, applying commercially oriented skills to mission-driven organizations. From there, her journey expanded into agency leadership and, ultimately into AWS, where she now helps thousands of nonprofits navigate rapid technological change.Today, Hilary leads strategy and growth for AWS Nonprofits, partnering with organizations around the world as they adopt cloud technology, build data maturity and innovate responsibly, even amid resource constraints and uncertainty. Her leadership stands out not just for its technical depth, but for its people-first approach. She speaks candidly about building strong teams, learning how to manage before she was ready and why coaching and trust matter more than control.

January 15, 2026Episode 12940 min

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 defined by curiosity shaped her leadership philosophy, and how that mindset is more critical than ever as nonprofits navigate uncertainty, AI and rapid change. As the sixth of seven children, Kimberly learned early how to listen, collaborate, negotiate and find her voice. That upbringing, paired with parents who modeled philanthropy and volunteerism, created a foundation rooted in compassion and service. From candy striping in middle school to working on a bipartisan federal commission early in her career, Kimberly’s path into the sector wasn’t linear, but it was intentional. Throughout her career, she discovered that curiosity, not fear, was the throughline that helped her take risks, grow as a leader and step confidently into new challenges. Today, Kimberly works at the intersection of nonprofit strategy, fundraising and technology, where she helps organizations adapt, innovate and build confidence in a rapidly evolving landscape. From AI readiness to innovation funds, leadership development to intentional living, her perspective offers both reassurance and a call to action for nonprofit professionals heading into 2026.

January 2, 2026Episode 12834 min

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 2025.Inspired by high-impact conversations, Justin and Ronnie examine what those conversations revealed about the evolving landscape of nonprofit marketing, fundraising, leadership and purpose.Over the course of the episode, four defining themes emerge: the maturation of AI in the sector, the enduring importance of human-centered fundraising, the power of purpose-driven career shifts and the resilience required to navigate constant change. In this conversation, Justin and Ronnie reflect on the year behind them, the lessons surfaced through their guests and even a spilled Topo Chico.

December 18, 2025Episode 12735 min

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 people together, from organizing Earth Day as a teenager to guiding leadership labs for nonprofit executives, has shaped her approach to helping leaders navigate change with clarity, courage and community.Abby’s path to “dream job” status didn’t come from chasing a job title. It came from noticing what makes groups work, asking better questions and creating the conditions where leaders can learn from one another. In her world, leadership isn’t a solo act. It’s a shared practice that happens at the me, we and community level.Today, Abby leads TNPA’s program work focused on developing nonprofit leaders across the sector, supporting individuals, teams and organizations as they build practical skills, strengthen decision-making and respond to the realities of a shifting landscape. Whether the topic is budgets, AI, risk aversion or big-picture threats to the sector, Abby’s goal is consistent: help leaders step back from the urgent and make space for what matters most.What stands out about Abby is her ability to pair strategic thinking with real humanity, encouraging leaders to experiment responsibly, stay grounded in mission and keep moving even when the path forward feels uncertain.In this conversation, Abby reflects on the experiences that shaped her leadership lens, how creativity strengthens leaders, why nonprofits struggle with risk and what she’s hearing from leaders as 2025 wraps up.

December 4, 2025Episode 12634 min

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, thoughtful mentors and one pivotal leap of faith shaped both his career and his philosophy of service. Mike’s journey into the sector didn’t begin with a master plan. It began with a spontaneous fundraising challenge in college that sparked something deeper: a curiosity for the science behind human generosity and the systems that drive people to give. Over the next decade, that curiosity evolved into a career rooted in relationships, leadership and empowerment. Today, he's the founder and lead fundraising strategist of Mike Esposito Fundraising, a consultancy that helps social service and community-focused nonprofits grow individual giving and build sustainable donor revenue. A CFRE-certified strategist and coach, Mike partners with executive directors and fundraising leads to strengthen stewardship, clarify donor strategy, and create systems that make donor engagement consistent and manageable. His work includes individual giving strategy, donor communications, stewardship, portfolio development, and board coaching, helping nonprofits build practical fundraising programs that last. He also gives back to the sector through AFP New York, Nonprofit Hive and his mentorship of emerging leaders. What stands out most about Mike is his willingness to map his course, surround himself with community, trust his instincts and push others to grow. In this conversation, Mike reflects on how early experiences shaped him, why he took the leap into consulting and how he thinks fundraisers can navigate the uncertainty of the philanthropic landscape ahead.

November 6, 2025Episode 12537 min

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 always been “part of my DNA,” Jones says.Fast forward to today, Jones is a speaker, a coach and a community builder. The founder of BackBlack, he’s raised over $2 million for black-led nonprofits. He is a catalyst for change, and energizes everyone in his vicinity.In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” Floyd chats about how music and movement-building shaped his approach to fundraising and why he treats AI as an amplifier, not a replacement, for human connection.