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Episode 1: Jordon Rooney, NFBD

Empower by Example

Release Date: 09/09/2019

Episode 12: Jake Goodman, Executive Director of The Opportunity Fund Part 2 show art Episode 12: Jake Goodman, Executive Director of The Opportunity Fund Part 2

Empower by Example

In our second episode with Jake Goodman from The Opportunity Fund, Jake and I talk openly about our personal struggle with imposter syndrome. As Jake states, in almost everything that we fund, people are going to do even if they don’t have access to the funds. We realize that the founders of these amazing programs and initiatives will run their programs without paying themselves. We become close with the people and programs we fund.

info_outline Episode 11: Jake Goodman, Executive Director of The Opportunity Fund Part 1 show art Episode 11: Jake Goodman, Executive Director of The Opportunity Fund Part 1

Empower by Example

We have touched on the dark side of philanthropy on this podcast before, but Jake and I take a deep dive here.  How did we get here and how do we do these jobs with the knowledge that our daily lives are surrounded by privilege?  And what does it look like to work with us?  Our organizations have many parallels, but we are at different phases in our process creation. 

info_outline Episode 10: Michael Yonas, Director of Research and Special Initiatives for The Pittsburgh Foundation show art Episode 10: Michael Yonas, Director of Research and Special Initiatives for The Pittsburgh Foundation

Empower by Example

In this episode, we discuss Michael’s role at the Pittsburgh Foundation.  His grant making portfolio is broad and varied, and his interpersonal relationships with funders bring many engaged and creative outcome-driven solutions.  His work with Michelle McMurray (https://pittsburghfoundation.org/michelle-mcmurray) has been instrumental to The Rock Family Foundation and how we partner with other organizations

info_outline Episode 9: Tammy Thompson, Executive Director, Circles of Greater Pittsburgh show art Episode 9: Tammy Thompson, Executive Director, Circles of Greater Pittsburgh

Empower by Example

Tammy is a Poverty Expert, Nationally Sought After Speaker, Executive Producer of We Wear The Mask, a documentary released in 2017 highlighting the stigma associated with women in poverty and The Owner of T3 Consulting and T3 Media. 

info_outline Episode 8: Michelle Walker, Walker Philanthropic Consulting Part 2 show art Episode 8: Michelle Walker, Walker Philanthropic Consulting Part 2

Empower by Example

We discuss what we can all be doing to support gender and racial equity in our day to day lives.  Michelle speaks to what needs to change in the philanthropic communities in order to further racial and gender equity.  We should consider who holds the power, what systems are we working in, and how can we highlight these inequities in the actual work.

info_outline Episode 7: Heather Arnet, CEO Women and Girls Foundation of Southwestern PA show art Episode 7: Heather Arnet, CEO Women and Girls Foundation of Southwestern PA

Empower by Example

Get to know Heather Arnet and her work at WGF!!  From theater to branding to business development, Heather used her experience as a feminist/activist theater director to step into the role of CEO of a women’s fund that was founded in Pittsburgh in the late 1990’s.  Arnet joined the organization in 2004 and she is a tireless advocate for women and girls rights locally, nationally, and internationally.

info_outline Episode 6: Gisele Fetterman, For Good PGH show art Episode 6: Gisele Fetterman, For Good PGH

Empower by Example

Pennsylvania’s second lady, Gisele Fetterman, joins us to tell you all about her work in communities across the state. Fetterman is an empathetic, compassionate and courageous entrepreneur, as well as mother and wife to Lt. Governor John Fetterman. The Fettermans are a Pittsburgh power couple and they mix initiatives, relationship building, optimism and their incredible work ethics to make drastic positive changes in their hometown of Braddock, in the city of Pittsburgh, and throughout Pennsylvania.

info_outline Episode 5: Michelle Walker, Walker Philanthropic Consulting show art Episode 5: Michelle Walker, Walker Philanthropic Consulting

Empower by Example

Michelle spent 20 years working in the nonprofit sector before starting her own firm, Walker Philanthropic Consulting.  She has been instrumental in the founding and operation of The Rock Family Foundation, and her expertise and insights help to shape and guide our strategies and initiatives.  Michelle wants to help you fight the apathy that is rampant in our world.  She specializes in helping individuals participate in philanthropy in the ways that work best for your life.

info_outline Episode 4: Julius Boatwright, Steel Smiling show art Episode 4: Julius Boatwright, Steel Smiling

Empower by Example

Julius Boatwright is the CEO of Steel Smiling, an organization that bridges the gap between community members and mental health support through education, advocacy and awareness.  

info_outline Episode 3: Kathi Elliott, Gwen’s Girls show art Episode 3: Kathi Elliott, Gwen’s Girls

Empower by Example

In this episode we discuss the results of the Inequities Affecting Black Girls in Pittsburgh and how the Alliance works together to change longstanding policies in these systems.  Kathi discusses examples of issues such as the school to prison pipeline, the adulteration of black gils and having honest conversations with high school students.

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More Episodes

Empower by Example

 
Episode 1 - Jordon Rooney, NFBD
 
 
 
Jordon Rooney is the CEO of Never Fear Being Different, Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA.  He specializes in creating personal brands for leaders in non-profit and for profit corporations.  He and his team encourage people to live authentically while promoting positive messages through social media. They are turning the traditional marketing industry on its head and using the power of young people’s natural inclination to communicate in order to drive their messages to the masses.
 
 
 
NFBD is the home of VlogU, a program that facilitates massive action and learning experiences for high school graduates. This program teaches students how to be financially free, combining impact with influence.  At the Rock Family Foundation we are finding real value in contracting with VlogU graduates to run our social media campaigns! If you want to learn more about how these graduates can help YOUR social media and marketing goals, you should reach out to Jordon here.  You can also find him on
 
 
 
 
 
 
In this episode we analyze how people learn to compartmentalize, and how we can break those patterns that keep us from living our lives as our true selves.  We discuss challenging traditional career paths, traditional school models and why you shouldn’t care what other people think about what you are doing.  We ask what if we become active participants in the movements we support from the sidelines, and muse over how when you challenge the status quo people will call you crazy until it becomes a trend to support you.  We challenge you to note the difference between impact and sustained impact.  Bringing yourself back to your personal “Why” and sitting still.  How to get back to feeling and stop thinking.  We discuss the value of being in your own body and removing the stigma of self help.
 
 
 
Music by Buscrates: Instagram