What does it really take to raise millions in a capital campaign? I sat down with Morrine Sweer of Hillel Torah Day School to learn how they transformed a renovation project into a mission-driven movement. From leadership gifts and peer-to-peer fundraising to authentic storytelling and community engagement, this conversation is full of practical lessons for anyone involved in nonprofit fundraising.

I expected a conversation about veterans and first responders. Instead, I left questioning something I'd always accepted: What if PTSD isn't a life sentence? In my conversation with Dr. Pamela Arnell of 22Zero, we discussed trauma as an injury, a different approach to healing through Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and why hope, trust, and research are changing the way people think about recovery.

What do you do when an organization is broken, teams aren't communicating, and nobody knows what good looks like anymore? You call Tina Yerkes. Known as a "chaos whisperer," Tina has built a career helping organizations untangle dysfunction, rebuild trust, and create systems where people can succeed. Her philosophy is simple: it's rarely the people—it's the design. Through psychological safety, accountability, and better systems, she helps organizations grow and thrive.

What does a Jewish regenerative farm have to do with leadership, values, and impact? Quite a bit, as it turns out. After speaking with Gabe Gould of the Institute of Soil and Soul, I discovered a model that is restoring land, feeding people, and bringing ancient values to life. Through regenerative farming practices, the farm produces more food per acre, donates 100% of its harvest, and is helping train the next generation to think differently about food, community, and res

Terri Olian didn't set out to run a community foundation. She started where a lot of great community leaders start — in her kids' school, doing whatever needed to be done. That moment planted something. From there, it was the school board, then city council, then one phone call that changed everything. When Terri arrived at HPCF in 2017, the foundation was awarding under $200,000 in grants. Last year? $1,012,240 across 64 grants.

Nathan Stelter grew up inside the planned giving industry and helped modernize it for today’s nonprofit world. From a basement startup in 1962 to a national leader in legacy fundraising strategy, Stelter has focused on one core idea: making complex giving conversations simple and human. This article explores the evolution of planned giving, donor behavior, stewardship, research, and why long-term relationship building matters more than ever.

What started as “Burn Camp” became something far more powerful—Camp I Am Me. A place where young burn survivors rediscover confidence, build lasting friendships, and simply be themselves. Backed by a community of donors and leaders, the camp removes barriers and creates transformation—so impactful that many campers return as mentors, helping the next generation heal, grow, and lead.

Debbie Compton didn’t set out to build a caregiving platform—she lived the chaos first. Caring for three parents with complex diagnoses, she faced the overwhelming gap between diagnosis and real support. Out of that experience, she created The Purple Vine, practical tools, and books to help caregivers navigate uncertainty, make critical decisions, and feel less alone in one of life’s hardest roles.

Most nonprofits don’t have a planned giving problem. They have a starting problem. In my conversation with Tony Martignetti, one idea stood out: start with wills. That’s where 75–90% of legacy gifts come from. No complex strategy needed. No perfect pitch. Planned giving isn’t about death. It’s about sustaining your mission. Start the conversation. That’s where momentum begins.

When you talk to Judd Holzman, you don’t hear a fundraiser chasing tactics—you hear someone focused on meaning. From global development work in Africa to leading advancement at JCFS Chicago, his philosophy has stayed consistent: fundraising is deeply human. It’s not about pressure or transactions, but about partnership, purpose, and helping donors find connection and meaning through giving.

Joey Small doesn’t talk about fundraising as tactics—he talks about relationships. At The Frisch School, he’s helped raise millions by focusing on trust, consistency, and truly knowing donors. From thoughtful outreach to making giving easy, his approach is simple but powerful: when donors feel understood and connected to something meaningful, they don’t just give—they become long-term partners in the mission.

This birthday feels different. Maybe it’s the gray hairs, less hair, or my growing frustration with people who don’t use turn signals or insist on speakerphone in public. Despite that, I feel lucky. I’ve built a career where people pay me to talk, learned most people are actually helpful, and discovered the next generation is curious, thoughtful, and impressive. Still figuring it out… just with stronger opinions now.

Aaron Greenberg, founder of Biograph, helps families and businesses capture their stories, values, and legacy. What began as childhood “bookmaking” evolved into a calling shaped by resilience, collaboration, and curiosity. Today, Biograph goes beyond creating beautiful books—it strengthens relationships, bridges generations, and brings meaning to the stories that define who we are and what we pass on.

Chris Maliszewski learned to lead on a baseball field, not in a ballroom. From coaching Division I athletes to building the Champions Gala into a six-figure engine, he’s always coached belief. After surviving the July 4th Highland Park shooting, he turned trauma into purpose — launching Hail Hail Auctions and co-founding Walking Tall. Energy. Preparation. Heart. Chris isn’t just running events. He’s building impact that lasts.

I met Lonnie Nasatir on his first day as CEO of JUF and immediately saw something different. Since 2019, he’s led through COVID, war, October 7, and rising antisemitism. His formula isn’t flashy—it’s discipline, balance, listening, and calm under pressure. Crisis leadership, he says, is “muscle memory.” Strong leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about steadiness, trust, and building a culture where people feel seen.

I’ve known Audra for 15 years, and she’s exactly who you want leading a community—smart, direct, and deeply relational. Now CEO of the Jewish Federation of Broward County, she’s doubled annual fundraising from $4.5M to nearly $9M in four years. Her formula? Tell the truth, build strong culture, empower champions, and lead decisively. Communities evolve. Strong leaders evolve with them.

Founded by award-winning actor and neurodivergent advocate Aaron Wolf, the I Am Able Foundation is reshaping how we see neurodiversity. Through story-driven campaigns like “With Us. Protect All Minds.” and practical tools for schools and families, the organization reframes difference as strength. Their work proves change isn’t driven by messaging alone—it’s driven by stories, action, and community willing to lean in.

More than 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has a disability—yet disabled leaders are still missing from the rooms where decisions are made. That’s the gap Disability Lead is closing. In my conversation with Anne Renna, we talked about why leadership must be shaped by people closest to the challenges, how disability cuts across every identity, and what real systems change looks like when lived experience is finally given power.

When I worked at JUF in Chicago, I was pitched everything—tools, platforms, and promises that all claimed they’d “raise millions.” Most of it blurred together. One person didn’t. Tyler Bacon stood out not because of a slick pitch, but because he never pushed. He listened. He followed up thoughtfully. Years later, I learned why his approach to fundraising—and donors—was so different. It changed how I think about trust, timing, and the long game.

Lindsay Meltzer, founder of Bright Bowls in Highland Park, turned her passion for nutrient-dense, beautifully crafted smoothie bowls into both a business and community hub. What began as nourishing meals for her kids blossomed into a storefront that opened mid-COVID and became a place of comfort after tragedy. More than food, Bright Bowls inspires connection, resilience, and joy through mindful eating and community gatherings