The Beacon

Hosted by Lighthouse Counsel

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Episodes

136

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

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

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60 recent

October 23, 202623 min

What Leaders Must Get Right for Fundraising Success

Dr. Duke Haddad, Ed.D., CFRE, Divisional Associate Executive Director of Development for The Salvation Army, Indiana Division, joins Lighthouse Counsel's Annie Fritschner on The Beacon Podcast to explore what nonprofit leaders must get right before asking donors to give more. Drawing on decades of experience and his book, Prescriptions (Rx) for Nonprofit Success, Haddad examines the importance of strategic planning, board and CEO alignment, a compelling case for support and strong development leadership. He also shares memorable examples of how listening to donors, inviting their involvement and building trust can lead to extraordinary generosity. Their conversation offers practical lessons on stewardship, leadership transitions and sustaining relationships beyond any single gift.

September 15, 202627 min

Turning Bold Vision Into Practical Action

Major Ethan Frizzell, area commander for The Salvation Army of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties, believes bold vision matters only when leaders can translate it into practical action. In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Frizzell joins Brian Hassett to discuss how mission-driven organizations can use data, local knowledge, experimentation and collaboration to move beyond treating symptoms and address the conditions creating need. He shares a simple set of strategic questions, the value of learning cultures that test and adapt, and why fundraising is strongest when it connects a clear case for support with shared values and human relationships. For leaders navigating complex community challenges, the conversation offers a practical framework for pairing ambitious goals with disciplined learning and execution. Listen to the conversation.

September 15, 202619 min

What Presidents and Advancement Leaders Need From Each Other

Dr. Wanda Bigham of Academic Search brings the perspective of both an advancement leader and a two-time president to a practical question: What do presidents and chief advancement officers need from each other to advance an institution’s ambitions? In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Bigham joins Bob Smith to discuss the importance of defining roles early, setting clear expectations and accountability, building trust, engaging the president in donor relationships and giving advancement leaders meaningful access to the board. She also reflects on leadership development, asking for what an institution needs and learning to bring experts together around a shared purpose. For higher education and other mission-driven leaders, the conversation offers a useful reminder that strong fundraising begins with alignment at the top. Listen to the conversation.

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.