![[RECAST] Episode 88: Rewriting the Narrative for Community Investment with Susan Burton](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts126/v4/17/aa/94/17aa940e-3a6f-9a76-407e-b67a555d6658/mza_10310860147731127920.jpg/250x250bb.jpg)
Episodes
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Today’s episode of The Nonprofit Build Up Podcast is part 2 of our deep dive into "Transformative Philanthropy" with Dr. Aleesha Taylor, founder of Herald Advisors. Dr. Taylor passionately shares how Herald Advisors was born from her relentless drive to create real, lasting change in communities.
In this episode, she breaks down the intricate challenges of philanthropic funding, internal power structures, and the bold, systems-level shifts needed to achieve meaningful impact. If you're serious about driving systems change, strategic philanthropy, and effective nonprofit leadership, this episode is essential listening.
Dr. Taylor’s insights will push you to think critically about how we can truly support communities with accountable, authentic, and impactful philanthropy.
Dr. Aleesha Taylor, Principal, Herald Advisors
Dr. Aleesha Taylor is passionate about marshaling resources to benefit vulnerable communities and address pervasive social problems. She has over 20 years of experience leading at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and international development. Aleesha is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Herald Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory firm that helps clients maximize their impact through thought partnership, organizational capacity building, program and strategy design, and leadership and team development. Herald Advisors works with a global range of philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, and networks to strengthen teams and programs and develop sound fundraising and partnership strategies. Sample clients and projects include:Gender at the Center Initiative: Designed partnership and governance arrangements for the multistakeholder initiative to advance gender equality across eight African countries.
Lever for Change: Impact Partner leading efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across finalists’ proposals for awards ranging from five to one hundred million (USD).
Education.org (formerly Insights for Education): Served as Interim Chief Technical Officer, establishing MOUs with the Government of Kenya and USAID and designing national and global strategies to increase the availability and use of relevant data for decision-making.
Chemonics: Provides design and implementation support for USAID-funded education projects.
Comic Relief-US: Positioned entity to leverage $23 million investment from Salesforce for global programs that address intergenerational poverty.
She is the former Deputy Director of the Open Society Foundations’ global education program, where she managed a team across five countries to implement a global grantmaking portfolio and advanced priorities and partnerships on behalf of the foundations’ Chairman and President. Aleesha was central to the creation of the Private Sector/Foundations constituency of the Global Partnership for Education’s Board of Directors and served as its representative on the Board’s Financial Advisory Committee, which channeled $1.2 billion in grant funding to developing country governments during her tenure.
Aleesha was a Lecturer in International Educational Development at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she also completed her doctoral studies. She also holds degrees in psychology from Spelman College and the Graduate Faculty for Political and Social Sciences of the New School for Social Research. She has written numerous articles and chapters and is the Co-Editor of Partnership Paradox: The Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Liberia’s Education System, Foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
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Today's Non Profit Build Up podcast episode is an insightful conversation with Dr. Aleesha Taylor, a leading voice in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. We delve into the transformative work being led by Dr. Taylor, with a spotlight on Herald Advisors, a firm she founded after her impactful tenure at the Open Society Foundations.
In this episode, Dr. Taylor shares the genesis of Herald Advisors and how it emerged from her deep desire to facilitate initiatives that profoundly impact communities. We discuss the complex interplay of philanthropic funds, the power dynamics within organizations, and the systems-level changes needed to truly effect lasting impact.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in systems change, strategic philanthropy, and the intricacies of nonprofit leadership. Dr. Taylor’s insights challenge us to think critically about how we can better support communities through authentic, accountable, and impactful philanthropy.
Don’t miss this conversation that will inspire you to reconsider how you engage with the sector. 🎧
Dr. Aleesha Taylor, Principal, Herald AdvisorsDr. Aleesha Taylor is passionate about marshaling resources to benefit vulnerable communities and address pervasive social problems. She has over 20 years of experience leading at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and international development. Aleesha is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Herald Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory firm that helps clients maximize their impact through thought partnership, organizational capacity building, program and strategy design, and leadership and team development. Herald Advisors works with a global range of philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, and networks to strengthen teams and programs and develop sound fundraising and partnership strategies. Sample clients and projects include:
Gender at the Center Initiative: Designed partnership and governance arrangements for the multistakeholder initiative to advance gender equality across eight African countries.
Lever for Change: Impact Partner leading efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across finalists’ proposals for awards ranging from five to one hundred million (USD).
Education.org (formerly Insights for Education): Served as Interim Chief Technical Officer, establishing MOUs with the Government of Kenya and USAID and designing national and global strategies to increase the availability and use of relevant data for decision-making.
Chemonics: Provides design and implementation support for USAID-funded education projects.
Comic Relief-US: Positioned entity to leverage $23 million investment from Salesforce for global programs that address intergenerational poverty.
She is the former Deputy Director of the Open Society Foundations’ global education program, where she managed a team across five countries to implement a global grantmaking portfolio and advanced priorities and partnerships on behalf of the foundations’ Chairman and President. Aleesha was central to the creation of the Private Sector/Foundations constituency of the Global Partnership for Education’s Board of Directors and served as its representative on the Board’s Financial Advisory Committee, which channeled $1.2 billion in grant funding to developing country governments during her tenure.
Aleesha was a Lecturer in International Educational Development at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she also completed her doctoral studies. She also holds degrees in psychology from Spelman College and the Graduate Faculty for Political and Social Sciences of the New School for Social Research. She has written numerous articles and chapters and is the Co-Editor of Partnership Paradox: The Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Liberia’s Education System, Foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
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Missing episodes?
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Today's Non Profit Build Up podcast episode as we sit in conversation with the one and the only Nic Campbell, our incredible Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney. In today's episode we discuss all things 4 Day Work Week (4DWW).
From October 2023-January 2024, Build Up has been piloting a 4DWW. In part 1 of 2 part episode, Nic and I discuss how the 4DWW is just one component of the Build Up’s identity as a learning organization to create opportunities for learning and development for each team member as well as within the Build Up framework. Further we discuss how the 4DWW also underscores the importance of a people-centered infrastructure within Build Up that recognizes rest and a rejuvenized team as critical infrastructure components.
We hope that this conversation invites you to consider how can you position yourself for success to transition to your version of a 4DWW.
You don't want to miss this episode.
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Today's Non Profit Build Up podcast episode as we sit in conversation with the one and the only Nic Campbell, our incredible Founder, CEO, and Managing Attorney. In today's episode we discuss all things 4 Day Work Week (4DWW).
From October 2023-January 2024, Build Up has been piloting a 4DWW. In part 1 of 2 part episode, Nic and I discuss how the 4DWW is just one component of the Build Up’s identity as a learning organization to create opportunities for learning and development for each team member as well as within the Build Up framework. Further we discuss how the 4DWW also underscores the importance of a people-centered infrastructure within Build Up that recognizes rest and a rejuvenized team as critical infrastructure components.
We hope that this conversation invites you to consider how can you position yourself for success to transition to your version of a 4DWW.
You don't want to miss this episode.
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Today’s episode of The Nonprofit Build Up Podcast is part 2 of a 2 part conversation titled “Drowning in Black Genius with Marcus Littles and A. Nicole Campbell”. While this topic could be discussed any time of the year we wanted to be sure that while the world is celebrating Black History this month, we can allow them to also pay attention to the literal present day genius of Black folks as well. In today’s episode Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner, at Frontline Solutions continues to discuss his organization’s evolution over the last 18 years. Frontline Solutions, while a management consulting firm, was never intended to be just that. This Black-founded and led company is comprised of a diverse team of activists, scholars, advocates, coaches, strategists, and artists. They draw on these multifaceted perspectives and lived experiences to engage with organizations in the journey toward their boldest, most expansive visions. Tune in to learn more about how Frontlines continues to build and support an ecosystem that is "Drowning in Black Genius."
Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner:
A strategist and visionary, Marcus has been instrumental in directing philanthropic investment at the intersection of race and gender. In 2005, he founded Frontline to advise philanthropists on a multi-billion-dollar investment in Gulf Coast recovery in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, Marcus has led Frontline in reimagining the role of “consultant” and becoming an integral part of the racial justice ecosystem.Marcus is passionate about connecting with members of his network to leverage individual and collective assets to create a more equitable world. Over the course of his career, he has pursued racial justice in several sectors, including government, philanthropy, and education. In 2016, Marcus was named one of Living Cities’ 25 Disruptive Leaders Who Are Working to Close the Racial Opportunity Gaps, alongside Ta-Nehisi Coates and Angela Glover Blackwell.
Marcus is a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He serves on the boards of The Beautiful Project, Brotherhood Sister Sol, and School Justice Project, as well as the advisory boards of Communities for Just Schools Fund and the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Marcus is a graduate of Auburn University. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Delaware.
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Today’s episode of The Nonprofit Build Up Podcast is part 1 of a 2 part conversation titled “Drowning in Black Genius with Marcus Littles and A. Nicole Campbell” is a personal favorite. And while this topic could be discussed any time of the year we wanted to be sure that while the world is celebrating Black History this month, we can allow them to also pay attention to the literal present day genius of Black folks as well. In today’s episode Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner, at Frontline Solutions discusses his organization’s evolution over the last 18 years. Frontline Solutions, while a management consulting firm, was never intended to be just that. This Black-founded and led company is comprised of a diverse team of activists, scholars, advocates, coaches, strategists, and artists. They draw on these multifaceted perspectives and lived experiences to engage with organizations in the journey toward their boldest, most expansive visions. Tune in to learn more about how Frontlines continues to build and support an ecosystem that is "Drowning in Black Genius."
Marcus Littles, Founder and Senior Partner
A strategist and visionary, Marcus has been instrumental in directing philanthropic investment at the intersection of race and gender. In 2005, he founded Frontline to advise philanthropists on a multi-billion-dollar investment in Gulf Coast recovery in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, Marcus has led Frontline in reimagining the role of “consultant” and becoming an integral part of the racial justice ecosystem.Marcus is passionate about connecting with members of his network to leverage individual and collective assets to create a more equitable world. Over the course of his career, he has pursued racial justice in several sectors, including government, philanthropy, and education. In 2016, Marcus was named one of Living Cities’ 25 Disruptive Leaders Who Are Working to Close the Racial Opportunity Gaps, alongside Ta-Nehisi Coates and Angela Glover Blackwell.
Marcus is a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He serves on the boards of The Beautiful Project, Brotherhood Sister Sol, and School Justice Project, as well as the advisory boards of Communities for Just Schools Fund and the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Marcus is a graduate of Auburn University. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Delaware.
Transcript forthcoming. -
In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Build Up, we share the final conversation for 2023 as we close for the holidays and return in the new year.
This part two of a two part episode, “Build Up, Inc.’s Black-led Fiscal Sponsorship” includes Nic speaking with Amanda Nasinyama, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Ajani Husbands, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Senior Counsel, of Build Up Companies, working with Build Up, Inc. a member organization that is a public charity and operates as a fiscal sponsor and capacity builder.In this episode, Nic, Amanda, and Ajani continue to discuss Build Up, Inc.’s work, the impetus for the organization's creation, and the fiscally sponsored projects it serves. They also explore what sets BUI's mission apart, as they focus on providing capacity building support to brave women and Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations, networks, and collectives.
To read about our speakers, check out their bio and transcript for this conversation here. -
In this week’s episode of Nonprofit Build Up, we share part one of a two part episode, “Build Up, Inc.’s Black-led Fiscal Sponsorship” where Nic speaks with Amanda Nasinyama, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Ajani Husbands, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Senior Counsel, of Build Up Companies, working with Build Up, Inc. a member organization that is a public charity and operates as a fiscal sponsor and capacity builder.
In this episode, Nic, Amanda, and Ajani discuss Build Up, Inc.’s work, the impetus for the organization's creation, and the fiscally sponsored projects it serves. They also explore what sets BUI's mission apart, as they focus on providing capacity building support to brave women and Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations, networks, and collectives.
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In this week's episode of Nonprofit Build Up, "Re-envisioning the Way We Work in the Nonprofit Sector," Nic speaks with Cassie Haynes, former Co-Executive Director and Co Founder of Resolve Philly, and Jean Friedman- Rudovsky, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Resolve Philly, whose work centers on improving how misrepresented communities are covered by the media. In this episode, Nic, Cassie, and Jean discuss Resolve Philly's work, the impetus for why the organization was created, essential changes to help the nonprofit sector evolve, and the power of people-centered infrastructure in the sector.
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In this week's episode of the Nonprofit Build Up, "The Nonprofit Sector, Reimagined", Nic speaks with Vu Le, Founder of the Nonprofit AF blog, which focuses on nonprofit hot topics for nonprofit leaders. Tune in to this episode to hear Nic and Vu speak candidly about the philanthropic sector, including fundraising power dynamics, philanthropic trends, and rethinking the way the nonprofit sector shows up when working to support historically marginalized communities.
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Today's podcast is focused on giving you a preview of our upcoming Fall programming as we'll be taking Summer Break from June through the end of our Summer here in the US and coming back with new episodes in the Fall.We have lots of exciting conversations underway. Some include previewing the work of the entities within the Build Up Companies - Build Up Advisory Group, The Campbell Law Firm, and Build Up, Inc. - and others focused on centering our infrastructure work with brave nonprofits and philanthropies and historically marginalized communities. We also have interesting topics impacting leaders from historically marginalized communities, including discussing systemic barriers to equitable compensation as well as Black-centered leadership within organizations, just to name a few of these topics.
We hope you have a great Summer break and we'll be back on the airwaves soon.
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This week on the Nonprofit Build Up, we are recasting a conversation Nic has with Jamie Lieberman. Jamie is the owner and founder of Hashtag Legal: a “go-to” legal firm that allows business owners to be well informed about "When does a Nonprofit Need a Lawyer?" while feeling empowered to embrace what having a strong legal side can do for financial success.
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On this recast of the Nonprofit Build Up, we’re talking with Geoffrey Canada. Geoff is a leading advocate for children and an innovator in the field of education. He created the Harlem Children’s Zone, a birth-through-college network of programs that today serves more than 13,000 low-income students and families in a 97-block area of Central Harlem in New York City. The unprecedented success of the Harlem Children’s Zone has attracted the attention of the media and leaders around the world.
In this episode, Geoff shares tremendous insight, knowledge, and practical advice for everyone listening, helping us to build and lead bravely.
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In this recast of the Nonprofit Build Up, Nic is speaking with Doug Nelson, President & Managing Director of Discovery Group — a boutique consulting company working with organizations on issues related to governance, planning, and execution and a vision to bring together a group of talented and compassionate leaders. Doug is not only a leader, but he is also award-winning in the areas of governance, culture, advocacy, and innovative granting, and he has raised nearly $1 billion for organizations in Canada and the United States.
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This week on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with Asta Petkeviciute and Thaddeus Squire of Social Impact Commons. Social Impact Commons is a nonprofit organization created to meet the evolving needs of the fiscal sponsorship community. SIC is building the first national network and community of practice, advancing management commons as a model of equitable and inclusive resource sharing for the nonprofit sector aka a next-generation approach to fiscal sponsorship.
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This week on the Nonprofit Build Up®, Nic is talking with Asta Petkeviciute and Thaddeus Squire of Social Impact Commons. Social Impact Commons is a nonprofit organization created to meet the evolving needs of the fiscal sponsorship community. SIC is building the first national network and community of practice, advancing management commons as a model of equitable and inclusive resource sharing for the nonprofit sector aka a next-generation approach to fiscal sponsorship.
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In this two-week series, we will be exploring the context and common concerns on “Managing Risk for Equitable Grant Making”. This week’s episode is part one of a two-part panel discussion originally recorded at the PEAK 2022 Conference.
Moderated by Build Up’s CEO, A. Nicole Campbell and in conversation with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Deputy Director, Melanie Brown, JustLeadershipUSA’s President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins, and Herald Advisors Principal, Aleesha Taylor. This presentation was originally recorded in March 2022. This is a two-part series.Nic, Melanie, DeAnna, and Aleesha dive into the practice of progressive grantmaking, the inequities that traditional grantmaking has on the marginalized communities it aims to serve, and how to align the definition of risk with an organization’s appetite for risk. You won’t want to miss it.
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In this two-week series, we will be exploring the context and common concerns on “Managing Risk for Equitable Grant Making”. This week’s episode is part one of a two-part panel discussion originally recorded at the PEAK 2022 Conference.
Moderated by Build Up’s CEO, A. Nicole Campbell and in conversation with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Deputy Director, Melanie Brown, JustLeadershipUSA’s President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins, and Herald Advisors Principal, Aleesha Taylor. This presentation was originally recorded in March 2022. This is a two-part series.Nic, Melanie, DeAnna, and Aleesha dive into the practice of progressive grantmaking, the inequities that traditional grantmaking has on the marginalized communities it aims to serve, and how to align the definition of risk with an organization’s appetite for risk. You won’t want to miss it.
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Over the next two weeks, we are recasting one of our very first episodes of the Nonprofit Build Up as a two-part series. In this series, you will hear Nic’s conversation with Susan Burton, a leader in the criminal justice reform movement, founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, and outspoken voice to end mass incarceration.
Susan shares why she founded A New Way of Life, shines a light on the policies and practices that encourage mass incarceration and offers advice for leaders and organizations for building infrastructure and investing in their communities. - Show more
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