Libsyn Directory

Episode 5: Michelle Walker, Walker Philanthropic Consulting

Release Date: 10/07/2019

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

More Episodes

Empower by Example

Episode 5 - Michelle Walker, Founder

Walker Philanthropic Consulting

www.walkerphilanthropic.com

Show Notes

You can find Michelle Walker on social media on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-walker-259661b/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/walkerphilanthropic

In this episode we talk about how long it took us to feel “good” including when we could take care of ourselves physically, emotionally and financially. This question has been pinnacle in our conversation with funders, program officers and the lay community as we impress the importance of considering this personal inquiry when they consider the expectations we are putting on young people who are exiting state and county run systems.

We discuss how important it is to look at these populations needing assistance from an asset perspective instead from the traditional deficit lens where we are only considering basic needs, which are vital, and not realizing that they need community connections and mentorship. Connections to different ideas, careers, hobbies and education paths. We typically freely give items that we have used, hand-me-downs and castoffs, but what would it look like to freely give away new, beautiful items? If it is good enough for us, if we give ourselves the best we can, then why aren’t we doing this for others?

Action Steps: Do you have experience in the hospitality sector? Would you be willing to have a phone call with young women who have exited foster care in Pittsburgh to speak with them about your industry? Email us at [email protected] and we will help to set it up.

Music by Buscrates (https://www.instagram.com/buscrates/?hl=de)

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