Ellen Gifford wants you to find your authentic voice by defining your purpose and understanding your non-negotiables. With these you can define the WHY that will guide your career. She drops fundraising truth bombs and tells us what to do to get out of the rut of being a subject matter expert.

Ellen reserves the right to get smarter and thinks you should too. Having a growth mindset and saying yes to the stuff that scares us makes a difference. She reminds listeners that while people do want to help others grow and develop, it may not be front of mind when they're caught in their own hamster wheel. In every organization, there should be people who are there to champion your professional growth and development - many are specially trained members of the human resources team. And what if your company doesn't have it? You get to be that leader yourself.

Are you thinking of starting your own not-for-profit? On the eve of the 5th anniversary of a nonprofit she founded, Ellen shares that resilience and belief in the mission are linchpins. Take notes from her lessons learned:

a. Know how you will make money; make a business plan

b. Get the IRS designation/legal status ASAP

c. Build relationships. Get to know the people in your community and nationwide.

And when it comes to fundraising-

-With funders, “No means. No, not right now.”

-The staff of funding organizations may not be the decision makers but they are your champions in the room and they want to see nonprofits succeed.

-Stay true to your organization, don’t create or bend programs to fit to a funding application

About the Guest:

Innovative Human Resources executive, coach, business consultant and nonprofit founder with nearly 30 years of leadership experience in the healthcare, insurance, entertainment and hospitality industries.

Ellen has successfully helped both small not-for-profit organizations and multi-billion dollar corporations grow their businesses by advising them on how to execute on business strategies that enable them to outpace their competitors even in times of complex talent landscapes.

Ellen is known for her ability to build highly productive human resources organizations and she does this by empowering others to use their gifts and talents to deliver on high priority business strategies.

When she is not working she loves to travel and discover new sites, eat new food and meet new people. When she visits new places she often goes to the locations that are less traveled so she can gain a more authentic perspective. As a passion project, she runs a professional theatre company that employs artists from all over the world. They perform live theatre in site-specific spaces with a mission to “reimagine live theatre with innovative experiences that bring our community together”.

Ellen earned her MBA degree from Oklahoma Christian University and is a certified Lean Leader, SHRM-certified HR professional, and a Results Based Leadership Institute graduate. Her leadership has earned her the Ultimate Software Innovation Award and recognition from publications such as Becker’s Hospital Review.

Judy left an executive role in the not-for-profit sector to become a mission-driven entrepreneur. She and her co-founder of EvolveMe built a gap-filling, job search program for women in midlife.

Listen in to hear these keys to search that apply to everyone:

1. Ditch the career ladder and the “shoulds.” Your first step is about checking in with you. Check out their free SWOT** tool in the show notes.

**Strengths, Wishes, Opportunities and Truths

2. Don’t go it alone. Judy shares the power of community. Job seekers from a variety of industries and experience gain confidence faster and see new paths when they are on the search together.

3. A compelling “elevator pitch” is about your future, the impact you want to have, and your values.

4. Defining and managing your personal brand puts you in the drivers seat. This articulation helps your network make the best connections for you.

5. Try it on. Strategic volunteering (even one day) or project-based work will give you the exposure to the not-for-profit sector you need to see if it’s a right match for you at this moment.

For women in midlife, this is a can’t miss episode. Judy shares most common stumbling blocks and how to clear them. (Hint: growth mindset, self-reflection, career reframing, it’s not too late). She noticed that women tend to focus on doing a great job in their current role and neglect to think about their career.

If you don’t know where to begin or are feeling rudderless, this episode is for you. Judy distills the job search and will help you move your bias toward action.

Show Notes:

EvolveMe Website

EvolveMe SWOT resource

EvolveMe's Reinvention Collective training

Schedule your EvolveMe complimentary 1:1 call here

About the Guest:

Judy Schoenberg is co-founder of Evolve Me where she works with groups of women in midlife looking to relaunch, reinvent or level up their careers. She also works with companies invested in building and sustaining top female talent.

She honed her skills at national organizations like Girl Scouts of the USA and the Ms. Foundation for Women as well as locally at Pace University’s women’s leadership initiative and has also worked for community-based and start-up ventures. Her work has been featured at the White House, MAKERS, npr.com, Forbes.com, USA Today, The Chicago Tribune and The Washington Post.

Additionally, she brings her background as a wellness coach to promote an integrated approach for women exploring meaning and work. She holds leadership roles at several nonprofit educational institutions and a Master's of Education in human development and psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

#careercoach #nonprofit #careertransition #jobsearch #philanthropy #midlife #thirdsector

Tired of feeling like a passenger in your own career? Join us as we chat with Christa Stelzmuller, a seasoned tech pro who traded the hustle of e-commerce for world-changing work. Christa made a bold leap into the not-for-profit world, landing the coveted role of Chief Technology Officer at charity:water.

Learn how she navigated the transition, filled in knowledge gaps, and found a mission and culture that truly resonated.

Whether you're considering a similar switch or simply want to take more control of your professional path, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.

Listen in and take some pointers from her process:

• Take control: Don't let your career happen to you. Own your path and make intentional decisions.

• Take the time: A major career change may be several months in the making, start today.

• Skill up: Identify your knowledge and skills gaps and actively seek out opportunities to learn.

• Find your fit: Use the interview process to discover if the organization's mission and culture align with your values.

• Go with who you are: Make a clear statement in your application about the skills you have to offer and how you plan to use these transferable skills in the role.

Christa digs into tech in the not-for-profit sector. Two essential transferable skills for moving from the for-profit to not-for-profit sector are change management and database/CRM management. She shares examples of transferable skills from sales funnels to fundraising and using data for storytelling. She shares that success comes when you can drive data through to the human experience.

A year into her sector-switching role, she’s very happy she made the shift. She encourages you to go for the career switch of your dreams.

A common thread throughout Christa Stelzmuller’s career has been a multidisciplinary approach to leveraging data and technology for better decisions, better products, and better delivery. She is focused on building innovative and useful digital experiences and is deeply motivated by mission. She has a demonstrated ability to translate a vision to a strategy and then connect that strategy to execution. Key to that are her strengths in communication and team leadership. She easily pivots between conversations with investors and board members, fellow leadership team members, and more junior team members and fosters high levels of productivity through a service-oriented, participative approach to leading her teams.

Dreaming of a career change with purpose? You're not alone! In this episode, career development coach Emily Lamia shares practical advice on how to design your ideal not-for-profit job and make it a reality. Discover how to:

• Identify your ideal role: Learn to pinpoint what you truly want in your next career move and how to start making small changes today.
• Plan ahead: Learn why starting to think about your next move 6 months in advance is key, even when your current job is great.
• Take small steps: Find out how to build skills and gain experience without quitting your day job.
• Assess potential employers: Uncover hidden insights about organizations through behavioral interviews and IRS Form 990.
• Start exploring: Get inspired to take low-stakes actions like following industry leaders and joining professional associations.

Emily's expert advice will inspire you to take control of your career and create a fulfilling path in the nonprofit world. Don't wait any longer – start planning your pivot today!

Ready to turn your passion into a fulfilling career? Hit play and start your journey towards a more meaningful job!

About the guest:

Emily Lamia founded Pivot Journeys in 2016 to provide professionals with the strategies and support they need to find meaningful work and to empower them to be inspired, engaged, and effective on the job.

As a career development coach, she has been helping people grow and develop in their careers for over a decade. She has supported countless people to network more effectively, interview more confidently, and think more strategically about how to get where they want to go. But, before that, she had to navigate my own career journey.

She knows what it’s like to feel stuck and be unsure of how to find the right kind of work for you, and how to land the job you want. She also knows what it’s like to work on a dysfunctional team with bad management. And I know a bad manager can be the reason you leave your job.

Her goal is to make it less painful for you to identify what you love doing and for you to get the opportunity to do it.

As a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach, certified Designing Your Life Coach, and certified administrator of an Enneagram assessment, Emily has completed 100+ hours of training and regularly participate in ongoing education to become the best coach she can be for her clients.

Dr. Lisa Orbe-Austin, a licensed psychologist and career coach, joins us to discuss how Imposter Syndrome can hold people back in their careers and how to overcome it specifically in the context of a non-profit job search.

You’ll learn:

• Why 70% of people experience Imposter Syndrome, and it’s not just women
• How to identify the two cycles of Imposter Syndrome that lead to burnout and self sabotage (and how self-care can help you break free from them)
• How to recognize a toxic work environment during the interview process (and what to do if you’re already in one)
• Techniques to manage Imposter Syndrome throughout your job search, including:

Imposter Syndrome is a common issue, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. This episode will equip you with the tools you need to launch your non-profit career with confidence.

Resources Referenced:

Own Your Greatness: Overcome Impostor Syndrome, Beat Self-Doubt, and Succeed in Life

Your Unstoppable Greatness: Break Free of Impostor Syndrome, Cultivate Your Agency, and Achieve Your Ultimate Career Goals

Dr. Lisa Orbe-Austin provides career advice on NBC LX

Career Transitions

Instagram

Pomodoro Technique

The Impostor Phenomenon: Psychological Research, Theory, and Interventions

Dr. Valerie Young

Feeling stuck in your job search? Emily Christakis, NCRW, tells us how to gain all-access to the hidden job market through networking. This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you build your confidence, expand your network and move forward.

Here are the key takeaways:

Weak Ties Theory

• Weak ties refer to infrequent contacts in your network, like old colleagues or acquaintances.

• These connections are valuable because they expose you to new job opportunities you might not otherwise find through your close network.

• A LinkedIn study confirmed that weak ties lead to a higher likelihood of job mobility compared to strong ties.

• Actionable Tip: Expand your network beyond close friends and family. Reach out to old colleagues or acquaintances in person, via text and email, or on LinkedIn and let them know you're looking for new opportunities.

Imposter Syndrome

• Imposter syndrome is the feeling of doubt and inadequacy despite your accomplishments.

• It can manifest as negative self-talk, perfectionism, and downplaying your achievements.

• Actionable Tip: When experiencing imposter syndrome, challenge your automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) and replace them with evidence of your skills and experience.

Does it feel like you’re sending your resume into a black hole?

Learn the resume secrets that get you noticed!

This episode of Asking for Good is packed with tips from Nationally Certified Resume Writer, Emily Christakis. She reveals the FIVE AND A HALF biggest resume mistakes that sabotage your chances of landing the interview and teaches you how to craft a resume that passes initial screening and is an irresistible magnet for hiring managers.

Listen in to learn this and more:

• The secret layout trick that makes your resume visually appealing and easy to read (recruiters only spend SECONDS scanning resumes!)

• How to ditch outdated email addresses and phrases that scream "old-fashioned" (and potentially bias recruiters against you!)

• The way to use AI tools to your advantage without your resume sounding like a robot wrote it.

• Why a "one-size-fits-all" resume won't work and how to target your resume for the specific job you want.

• The bonus tip that is essential for resumes in the not-for-profit world.

Stop getting passed over! Tune in to finally write a resume that gets you interviews!