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What Works: Conversations on Nonprofit Leadership with Marla Moody

What Works: Conversations on Nonprofit Leadership with Marla Moody

Written by: Marla Moody
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What Works by Marla Moody is a bold, insightful podcast for nonprofit leaders who want to go deeper than surface-level conversations. Each episode dives into the operational heart of mission-driven work - exploring leadership, management, systems, and scaling impact. Hosted by Marla Moody, a seasoned operations executive, this show uncovers what truly drives success in nonprofits, featuring strategies, stories, and best practices from real leaders making a difference.© 2026 Marla Moody Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • SE01E22 - Difficult Conversations That Unlock Feedback And Builds Real Trust | With Michael Collins
    Feb 24 2026

    The nonprofit fundraising playbook is broken and most organizations are still running on outdated strategies that quietly drain donor trust, stall growth, and limit real impact. In a world driven by data, digital engagement, and rising donor expectations, the uncomfortable reality is this: relationship driven fundraising beats transactional tactics every time. Global nonprofits, development leaders, and fundraising professionals are being forced to rethink donor engagement, capital campaigns, and sustainable revenue growth or risk becoming irrelevant.

    In this powerful episode, Michael Collins, Managing Director of Development Operations and Donor Engagement at iMentor, shares over 20 years of frontline nonprofit leadership experience. Having worked across small community nonprofits and large national organizations, Michael brings deep expertise in grants, special events, capital campaigns, major gifts, and individual giving at every level.

    From modern donor engagement strategy to nonprofit growth frameworks, this conversation dives into what actually drives sustainable fundraising success in today’s digital nonprofit landscape.

    We hope you enjoyed this episode of What Works!
    - Marla and the What Works Podcast team :)

    Are you a Leader who would benefit from Leaders encouraging Leaders, Leave a comment where we can find you of go over to https://www.skool.com/value-based-leadership-8377 and join the community there.

    Connect with me:
    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachingwithmarla/

    #whatworkspodcast #nonprofitleadership #missiondriven #operations #scalingimpact #nonprofitmanagement #leadershipthatinspires #nonprofitexcellence #socialimpact #teambuilding #burnoutprevention

    #whatworkspodcast #nonprofitleadership #missiondriven #operations #scalingimpact #nonprofitmanagement #leadershipthatinspires #nonprofitexcellence #socialimpact #teambuilding #burnoutprevention
    WhatWorks is a bold and insightful podcast for non-profit leaders who want to go deeper than surface-level conversations. Hosted by Marla Moody, a seasoned operations executive with decades of global experience, the show uncovers what truly makes mission-driven organizations thrive. From scaling systems to building resilient teams and fighting burnout, WhatWorks goes behind the scenes of the world’s most impactful non-profits

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    32 mins
  • SE01E21 - Transforming Grief into Leadership: Navigating Transitions with Purpose | With Burt Rosen
    Feb 17 2026

    In this conversation, Coach Marla Moody speaks with Burt Rosen, co-founder of Hold On To Hope, about his journey through personal loss and how it shaped his leadership in the nonprofit sector. They discuss the importance of planned transitions in leadership, the impact of grief on purpose, and the role of transparency in healing. Bert shares his experiences of navigating the pain of having a missing son and how that led to a deeper commitment to serving others in need. In this conversation, Burt Rosen shares his profound journey of empathy and hope stemming from personal experiences with his son, Matthew, who faced homelessness. He discusses the importance of treating individuals with dignity and respect, the complexities of hope during difficult times, and the significance of self-care for leaders. Burt also introduces the 'Hold On to Hope' initiative, aimed at supporting families with missing loved ones, emphasizing community engagement and the need for resources to help those in distress.

    We hope you enjoyed this episode of What Works!
    - Marla and the What Works Podcast team :)

    Are you a Leader who would benefit from Leaders encouraging Leaders, Leave a comment where we can find you of go over to https://www.skool.com/value-based-leadership-8377 and join the community there.

    Connect with me:
    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachingwithmarla/

    #whatworkspodcast #nonprofitleadership #missiondriven #operations #scalingimpact #nonprofitmanagement #leadershipthatinspires #nonprofitexcellence #socialimpact #teambuilding #burnoutprevention

    #whatworkspodcast #nonprofitleadership #missiondriven #operations #scalingimpact #nonprofitmanagement #leadershipthatinspires #nonprofitexcellence #socialimpact #teambuilding #burnoutprevention
    WhatWorks is a bold and insightful podcast for non-profit leaders who want to go deeper than surface-level conversations. Hosted by Marla Moody, a seasoned operations executive with decades of global experience, the show uncovers what truly makes mission-driven organizations thrive. From scaling systems to building resilient teams and fighting burnout, WhatWorks goes behind the scenes of the world’s most impactful non-profits.

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • SE01E20 - How Nonprofit CEOs Build Sustainability Without Burning Out | With Vanessa Volz
    Feb 10 2026

    In this conversation, Coach Marla Moody speaks with Vanessa Volz, the president and CEO of Sojourner House, about the complexities and challenges of leading a nonprofit organization. They discuss the importance of sustainability, the growth journey of Sojourner House, the impact of COVID-19 on service demand, and the significance of self-care for nonprofit leaders. Vanessa shares insights on building a supportive organizational culture, the need for long-term solutions for clients, and the importance of having a vision in nonprofit leadership. The conversation emphasizes the critical role nonprofits play in community health and the necessity of collaboration with for-profit sectors to enhance service delivery.

    We hope you enjoyed this episode of What Works!
    - Marla and the What Works Podcast team :)

    Are you a Leader who would benefit from Leaders encouraging Leaders, Leave a comment where we can find you of go over to https://www.skool.com/value-based-leadership-8377 and join the community there.

    Connect with me:
    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachingwithmarla/

    #whatworkspodcast #nonprofitleadership #missiondriven #operations #scalingimpact #nonprofitmanagement #leadershipthatinspires #nonprofitexcellence #socialimpact #teambuilding #burnoutprevention

    #whatworkspodcast #nonprofitleadership #missiondriven #operations #scalingimpact #nonprofitmanagement #leadershipthatinspires #nonprofitexcellence #socialimpact #teambuilding #burnoutprevention
    WhatWorks is a bold and insightful podcast for non-profit leaders who want to go deeper than surface-level conversations. Hosted by Marla Moody, a seasoned operations executive with decades of global experience, the show uncovers what truly makes mission-driven organizations thrive. From scaling systems to building resilient teams and fighting burnout, WhatWorks goes behind the scenes of the world’s most impactful non-profits.

    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
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