Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership
Ranked #1 on FeedSpot's Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy podcast lists, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership is the go-to resource for current and aspiring nonprofit leaders. Hosted by Dr. Patton McDowell and powered by Armstrong McGuire, the show delivers practical wisdom from the sector's most experienced executives, fundraisers, board leaders, and consultants — every Thursday.
Patton brings 30+ years of nonprofit leadership, coaching, and consulting experience, and shares proven best practices for individual and organizational success drawn from his work with hundreds of nonprofit organizations. With 366+ episodes, a 5/5 rating on Apple Podcasts, and listeners in 130+ countries, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership is where serious nonprofit professionals come to grow. Hit subscribe and accelerate your path to nonprofit leadership. Learn more and access all episodes at www.armstrongmcguire.com/podcasts
Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership
358: What Nonprofit Leaders Need Now: Guidance from Four Sector Experts
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358: What Nonprofit Leaders Need Now: Guidance from Four Sector Experts
SUMMARY
For this special multi-state panel, we convened four statewide nonprofit leaders: Ivan Canada, Mariane Asad Doyle, Karen Riordan, and Kevin Dean, to explore what organizations need most as they prepare for an uncertain 2026. From financial volatility and policy change to workforce burnout and collaboration, these experts share frontline insights drawn from the thousands of nonprofit leaders they support. Their guidance is clear: diversify funding, strengthen advocacy, engage peer networks, and invest in the wellbeing of your people. The conversation offers timely clarity and practical tools for emerging leaders, mid-career professionals, and senior executives committed to navigating complexity with confidence.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS
Ivan Canada – NC Center for Nonprofits. Ivan leads statewide efforts in research, policy, and nonprofit capacity-building, helping North Carolina organizations strengthen sustainability and navigate emerging sector trends.
Mariane Asad Doyle, Ph.D. – Center for Nonprofit Excellence (VA). Mariane supports organizations across Virginia through governance, advocacy, and rural leadership development, equipping nonprofits to manage workforce strain and policy shifts.
Karen Riordan – Together SC. Karen guides South Carolina’s nonprofit ecosystem through peer convenings, leadership development, and a focus on operational excellence rooted in guiding principles.
Kevin Dean, Ed.D. – Tennessee Nonprofit Network. Kevin emphasizes organizational resilience, partnership, and the human side of leadership, helping Tennessee nonprofits navigate burnout, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.
RESOURCES