The Beacon

Hosted by Lighthouse Counsel

Business

Website RSS feed

Episodes

133

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

About the show

Lighthouse Counsel partners with respected nonprofits to develop and implement strategies that increase mission awareness, organizational effectiveness and philanthropic support.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 14, 202613 min

Planned Giving Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

Tony Martignetti, host of Nonprofit Radio, joins Joe Chickey to discuss why planned giving is more accessible than many organizations believe. Drawing from the ideas behind his book Planned Giving Accelerated, Tony explains why small and mid-sized nonprofits should begin with simple bequests, focus on their most loyal supporters, and frame legacy giving as a conversation about mission and long-term sustainability rather than technical fundraising strategies. The discussion offers practical guidance for nonprofit leaders looking to strengthen future support without waiting for the "perfect" time or a large development staff. Whether your organization is launching its first planned giving effort or looking to build momentum, this conversation offers an encouraging place to begin.

July 11, 202621 min

Volunteer First: Building the Next Generation of Philanthropic Leaders

Nick DeLuna, Senior Portfolio Advisor and Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and 2026 Board President of the United Way of Greater Nashville Young Leader Society, joins Brian Hassett to discuss how nonprofits can build lasting relationships with younger professionals. Drawing from his experience as both a volunteer leader and advisor to philanthropic families, Nick explains why volunteer opportunities often lead to deeper financial commitment, how corporate partnerships create natural pathways into community engagement, and why leadership exposure matters for emerging professionals. Mission-driven organizations looking to strengthen their pipeline of future donors, volunteers, and board members will find practical ideas they can begin applying today.

June 29, 202618 min

How Skills Based Volunteering Strengthens Nonprofit Capacity

Rachel Hutchisson, Senior Advisor at Pyxera Global, explores how skills-based volunteering can help mission-driven organizations strengthen capacity beyond traditional volunteer roles. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Rachel joins Del Martin to discuss how leaders can align professional expertise with real organizational needs, from strategy and technology to marketing and operations. The takeaway is practical: start with the strategic need, then match the right talent to the right work.

June 29, 202617 min

Attention is Currency

Ian Adair, CEO of the Seattle Police Foundation, makes a compelling case for attention-focused fundraising in a noisy world. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Ian joins Dr. Stuart Gulley to discuss how mission-driven organizations can move beyond transactional messaging and hold donor attention through relational, value-based storytelling. The takeaway is practical: your board members, staff, donors and volunteers may be among your most powerful storytellers.

June 8, 202620 min

Advancement Leadership in a Changing Higher Education Landscape

Josh Newton, senior vice president for Advancement and Alumni Engagement at Emory University, joins host John Stephenson on The Beacon Podcast for a conversation on how advancement leaders are adapting to shifting donor expectations, rising competition and changing institutional priorities. Drawing on his leadership of Emory’s record-setting 2O36 campaign, which surpassed its $4 billion goal, Josh shares perspective on donor engagement, campaign strategy, long-term institutional priorities and the leadership qualities advancement professionals will need in the years ahead.

May 26, 202614 min

Leading Through the AI Era

Shawn Olds makes a compelling case that AI adoption starts with leadership, not technology. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Shawn, founder of Ike Papalua and former co-founder and founding CEO of boodleAI, explains why nonprofit leaders should engage AI directly, set responsible policies and focus on practical value. His message is clear: AI can strengthen nonprofit leadership, communications, donor engagement and organizational capacity, but only when human judgment stays at the center.

April 30, 202616 min

What Great Boards Get Right

Strong boards do more than govern. They help shape culture, elevate leadership, and position organizations for lasting impact. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Rodney Bullard joins host John O’Kane to discuss the qualities of effective boards, common warning signs of underperformance and how organizations can identify future board leaders. Rodney Bullard is CEO of The Same House, a public benefit corporation focused on advancing economic mobility and bridging social division. He previously served as an officer at Chick-fil-A, where he established and led the company’s global corporate social responsibility platform, including community affairs, engagement, sustainability and the Chick-fil-A Foundation. A former JAG officer, White House Fellow, board director, and bestselling author of Heroes Wanted, Rodney brings a distinctive perspective on leadership and service.

March 24, 202615 min

Leading Through Crisis Before It Is Too Late

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Dr. Kent Keith, president of the Carlson Keith Corporation, former president of Chaminade University and former CEO of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, joins host Dr. Stuart Gulley to reflect on leading a university through an existential crisis. His insight is direct. Organizations rarely fail overnight. They decline slowly until hard decisions can no longer be delayed. For leaders, the discipline of strategic planning, early action and honest evaluation is essential to avoid crisis. A meaningful perspective for nonprofit leadership and board development.

March 24, 202617 min

Giving starts with identity, not persuasion

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Cherian Koshy, vice president at Kindsight and author of Neurogiving, joins host Jeff Jowdy to explore what science reveals about generosity. The insight is clear. Giving is not driven by persuasion but by identity. When leaders align their message with how donors see themselves, trust strengthens and generosity follows. This has direct implications for donor engagement, major campaigns and nonprofit leadership. A timely reminder that effective fundraising starts with understanding, not tactics.

February 25, 202622 min

Leading Up to Move Vision into Action

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Dr. Lilya Wagner, senior advisor with Lighthouse Counsel and author of the book “Leading Up,” explores how meaningful leadership often happens without formal authority. Drawing on more than three decades as an educator, coach and practitioner, Lilya challenges the assumption that influence flows only from the top. She offers practical insight into how mission-driven professionals can move ideas forward, build momentum and lead with credibility from any role. Hosted by Lighthouse Counsel Senior Advisor Karen Baldwin, the conversation weaves together Lilya’s personal story from her early life as a refugee after World War II to her work shaping leaders across the nonprofit sector. With clarity and depth, she reminds listeners that some of the most powerful leadership is quiet, principled and transformational.