Listen to Season 1 of Elevating Impact!
Hear how nonprofit leaders are facing challenging terrain in season 1 of our podcast, Elevating Impact
On January 31, 2025, our team at Harper Consulting Group took its first step in a brand-new journey. We launched Elevating Impact, a podcast that tackles the challenging terrain nonprofits face today.
So far, we’ve been fortunate that so many incredible nonprofit leaders have shared their stories with us throughout our first season!
Molly Harper’s Reflections on the Nonprofit Sector
Ahead of the start of season 1, Harper Consulting Group Founder and Elevating Impact host Molly Harper outlined the framework behind the conversations that would take place in each episode. Harper’s Three Pillars of “Stay-bility” will help nonprofits evolve to survive and prosper as we all navigate uncharted waters ahead. These pillars include:
Establishing and maintaining operational and program efficiency
Attaining financial stability through diversified revenue
Embrace shared services, shared data, and shared fundraising
Learn more about the 3 Pillars of “Stay-bility” here!
Shane Woods | Executive Director, Girlstart
In our first episode, Shane Woods joined us to talk about her work with Girlstart. Girlstart is an amazing organization that has been empowering 4th-8th grade girls through STEM since 1997.
Woods walked us through her journey to Girlstart, and how she’s grown since she began working there. As a part of her role as Executive Director, she’s been involved in new areas for her like fundraising and development. She talks of learning new skills that she never thought she would, like making the ‘ask’.
Listen to the first episode here!
Curt Yagi | Executive Director, Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.)
Episode 2 features Curt Yagi, the Executive Director of R.O.C.K. R.O.C.K. helps kids in San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley through academic and active programming.
Yagi discussed the ways that their organization supports at-risk kids, and if there’s a need that they can’t serve, they have partnerships that help fill the gaps.
Episode 2 is available here!
Wendy Taylor | Founder and Executive Director, West Place Animal Sanctuary
Our third episode features Wendy Taylor, who founded West Place Animal Sanctuary nearly two decades ago. West Place Animal Sanctuary is located in Rhode Island, and they’re committed to helping farm animals, wildlife, and lost dogs.
Taylor walks through her journey to where she is today, starting with the tragic house fire that took the lives of her nine pets. After that, Taylor shifted from practicing law to running an animal sanctuary. Since their beginning as a small nonprofit with no staff, they have grown to have a small team of employees and hope to expand their property to house more animals.
Listen to episode 3 here!
Becky Phipps | Director of Business Development, Greater Omaha Chamber
In our fourth episode, we speak with Becky Phipps, the Director of Business Development at the Greater Omaha Chamber. The Greater Omaha Chamber serves Omaha and the surrounding areas, and it has more than 3,000 member businesses.
As Phipps discusses the work that she does with the Chamber, she shares how her passion is bringing two organizations together to forge new partnerships.
Learn more in Episode 4!
Katie Dalton | Executive Director, the Crime Victim Center of St. Louis
Episode 5 features Katie Dalton, the Executive Director of the Crime Victim Center of St. Louis. This organization exists to support people who have been the victim of a crime by offering resources, counseling, advocacy, and referrals at no cost.
Dalton shares about the help that they provide to people in the St. Louis area, and talks about how there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to providing support. Everyone has different needs, and that informs the support they provide and how long someone will access the Crime Victim Center’s services.
Check out episode 5!
Alison Bakewell | Executive Director, Cake4Kids
In episode 6, we hear from Alison Bakewell, the Executive Director of Cake4Kids. Cake4Kids is an organization that helps underserved children by giving them a custom birthday cake baked to their exact specifications.
These cakes are such a positive force in these kids’ lives because they might not have a lot of things that they can call their own. But seeing someone take the time to make them a completely custom cake per their request can make a huge difference in improving self-esteem and confidence, as well as building trust with the adults they interact with.