From Peer to Leader: Navigating Nonprofit Leadership Transitions. with Asila Calhoun
Release Date: 11/19/2024
Innovation Starts with Nonprofit and Association Culture with Elizabeth Engel and Jamie Notter
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
In episode 136 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton, Elizabeth Engel, and Jamie Notter talk about their new white paper Lean at 10: Culture Eats Methodology for Lunch. Ten years after Engel first explored Lean Startup principles in the nonprofit and association world, she and Notter revisit what’s changed—and what hasn’t. Carol, Elizabeth and Jamie discuss: Why the tools of innovation are accessible, yet the real challenge in adoption lies in organizational culture. how competing commitments, fear of failure, and rigid silos can quietly sabotage innovation efforts ...
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Designing nonprofits for impact with Julian Chender
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
In episode 135 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton talks with organizational design consultant Julian Chender about how nonprofits can move beyond simple restructuring to intentional organizational design that aligns strategy, structure, and process. They discuss: how organizational design is not the same as restructuring how design choices impact effectiveness, collaboration, and long-term sustainability. the pitfalls of designing around personalities, the importance of strategic clarity when facing downsizing or merger decisions. The conversation...
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Rethinking Nonprofit Program Evaluation with Kayla Meyers
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
In episode 134 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton welcomes guest Kayla Meyers, founder of Bridgepoint Evaluation, for a conversation about reimagining program evaluation in nonprofits. They discuss: Why evaluation is not an audit or judgment as it has sometimes been in the past It should be a collaborative, curiosity-driven process that opens communication, supports learning, and improves impact. How to create right-sized, useful evaluation practices rooted in strategy and driven by purpose. How evaluation can be a force for good—helping organizations...
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Creating Safer Nonprofit Spaces with Paula Brantner
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
In episode 133 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton and guest Paula Brantner, workplace fairness consultant and founder of Accountability Ignited, unpack the real challenges nonprofits face in preventing harassment, bullying, and misconduct. They talk about: The often-overlooked gaps in nonprofit systems—particularly around reporting mechanisms—and The false sense of security many mission-driven organizations have about their immunity to these issues. How to take a proactive, values-based approach rooted in trauma-informed practices, Why codes...
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Demystifying Government Grants for nonprofit leaders with Justine Krank
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
In episode 132 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Justine Krank discuss the realities and nuances of pursuing US government grants for nonprofit organizations. They discuss: common misconceptions including that government grants equals federal grants The challenges and compliance demands that come with government dollars. How to decode complex RFPs -- the hidden requirements that can make or break an application, and how to get an organization truly grant-ready — not just on paper, but with the capacity to manage the work. why the human side of...
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When the Stakes Are High: Centering People in Tough Nonprofit Leadership Moments with Melissa Kessler
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
In episode 131 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Melissa Kessler explore the intersection of communications and organization development, particularly in moments of crisis, transition and change. They talk about how internal communications can either reinforce or undermine values, strategy, and humanity within an organization. how to navigate layoffs, restructuring, or organizational shifts with humanity why how we communicate is just as important as what we decide. Episode highlights: 💬 “It’s a Communications Problem” – Or Is It? [00:09:27]...
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Nonprofits Under Attack: Defending Democracy, Community, and Innovation with Carol Hamilton
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
In episode 130 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol reflects on five years of podcasting and the sobering state of the nonprofit sector in 2025. While celebrating milestones, she also underscores the challenges nonprofits face amidst unprecedented political attacks, funding cuts, and threats to long-standing principles like nonpartisanship. Despite these challenges, Carol highlights the resilience, innovation, and critical role nonprofits play in society—from filling essential gaps to fueling social movements, strengthening democracy, and sparking innovation. She calls on nonprofit leaders to...
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Tribute: Fundraising Without Fear: Building Relationships That Fuel Your Nonprofit Mission with Sabrina Walker-Hernandez
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
In this episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton gives a tribute to nonprofit consulting star and nonprofit governance and fundraising expert Sabrina Walker Hernandez, President & CEO of Building Better Boards, by re-releasing their conversation from 2021. Ms. Hernandez passed away in July 2025 after a long battle with cancer. Episode highlights: [00:06:45] Finding Her Why: From Law to Nonprofit Service [00:13:00] Breaking Down the Fundraising Cycle [00:18:30] A Mantra for Courage: It’s Not About You [00:21:15] Helping Board Members Identify Donors: The List Generator...
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Building psychological safety in nonprofit organizations with Michael Randel
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
In episode 128 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Michael Randel joins Carol to explore how psychological safety—often dismissed as a “soft” concept—plays a critical role in nonprofit team performance, learning, and innovation. They discuss: The connection between organizational readiness and the deeper human dynamics that shape effective leadership and collaboration. What psychological safety looks like in action, Why it’s vital in today’s polarized climate, How nonprofit leaders can foster inclusive, high-trust environments where people feel safe to...
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From Guilt to Responsibility: A white nonprofit leaders journey into equity work with Cat Lazaroff
Nonprofit Mission: Impact
In episode 127 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton speaks with Cat Lazaroff. They talk about her work around engaging white-led and majority-white organizations in meaningful culture change to more inclusive, diverse and equitable cultures. They explore: how nonprofit leaders, especially white leaders, can begin and sustain their own equity learning journeys. Privilege, identity, conflict, organizational culture, and the necessity of holding multiple truths. how culture transformation isn’t about quick fixes, but rather long-term commitments, courageous relationships,...
info_outlineIn episode 111 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Asila Calhoun explore:
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The challenges nonprofit staff face when transitioning into leadership roles
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Managing difficult conversations: a key leadership skill
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Effective leadership in remote environments.
Episode Highlights:
[00:06:15] Common Challenges of New Leaders
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New leaders often struggle with delegation, managing former peers, and giving feedback. Asila discusses how these challenges stem from an inability to let go of tasks or set clear boundaries in new roles.
[00:09:20] The Importance of Delegation
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Asila explains that delegation is not just about offloading tasks but creating growth opportunities for team members. She guides leaders to reflect on what prevents them from delegating and the negative consequences of not doing so.
[00:013:20] Managing Peer-to-Leader Transitions
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Transitioning from peer to leader is difficult due to personal relationships. Asila advises setting clear expectations and professional boundaries to maintain effective leadership.
[00:15:20] Preparing for Difficult Conversations
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Preparation is key for delivering feedback. Asila suggests narrowing down feedback points to be concise and effective, ensuring the conversation leads to productive outcomes.
[00:18:15] Trends in Nonprofit Leadership: Burnout and Overwhelm
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Burnout and resource constraints are common among nonprofit leaders. Asila encourages leaders to set boundaries and focus on self-care, emphasizing that overextending oneself leads to diminished effectiveness.
[00:20:30] Self-Care and Leadership Effectiveness
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Leaders need to protect their time for self-reflection and well-being to avoid burnout. Asila shares an example of a client who realized that sacrificing personal time led to lower performance and overall well-being.
[00:21:15] Organizational Support for Mental Health
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Asila recommends organizations integrate self-care practices, such as meditation or ensuring employees take real time off, to foster a healthy work environment.
[00:22:30] Remote Leadership
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While remote work has become more common, Asila stresses the importance of intentional leadership in a virtual environment. Leaders should ensure equity among team members, regardless of their physical presence, and make deliberate efforts to include remote staff in team dynamics.
[00:26:00] Hybrid Work Models and Intentionality
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For hybrid teams, Asila suggests coordinating in-person time to foster collaboration, while being mindful of not creating biases against remote workers.
[00:29:20] Investing in Leaders
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Asila's final message invites nonprofit leaders to invest in themselves through coaching and leadership development. This investment not only enhances their own leadership but also drives their organization’s mission forward.
Guest Bio:
Asila Calhoun, owner of Calhoun Coaching & Consulting, is a certified coach whose leadership and executive coaching practice focuses on partnering with new leaders through executives from a variety of professional backgrounds who are ready for change. Asila facilitates this change during one-on-one and group coaching sessions with her clients and through her consulting services of delivering leadership training, team facilitation, and diversity, equity and inclusion consulting, training and coaching.
Asila has clients from several industries, including biotechnology/clinical research, healthcare, property management, and law, as well as leaders of non-profit organizations and business owners.
Asila earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UC Berkeley. She is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC), and a Certified Inclusion Coach (CIC). Asila is also a certified meditation teacher.
Important Links and Resources:
https://linktr.ee/calhouncoaching
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