What does it really take to lead a nonprofit in today’s world? In this episode of IMPACTability: The Nonprofit Leaders’ Podcast, host Sheryl Soukup speaks with David Rhode, Deputy Director of PennPAC, about the unique consulting model that utilizes University of Pennsylvania alumni to support nonprofits. They explore the challenges of nonprofit leadership, the importance of strategic planning, and the power of effective Board engagement. David shares his journey into the nonprofit sector, lessons from founding his own organization, and insights from his new book Passion Isn’t Enough. From the value of mentorship and storytelling to the role of AI in communication, this episode is full of practical wisdom for nonprofit professionals at every stage of leadership. The big takeaway? Passion alone isn’t enough—clarity, strategy, and resilience are what truly empower nonprofit leaders to turn vision into lasting impact.

🎙️Standout Quotes

“Board members shouldn’t discover expectations after they join. They should know before they say yes.” —David Rhode on Setting Up Boards for Success “The most important skill for nonprofit leaders today is storytelling — simplifying and humanizing your impact helps you hire, fundraise, and grow your mission.” —David Rhode on Storytelling as a Leadership Superpower “Having generous mentors early on changed everything. Helping others now is not a favor — it’s a privilege and a gift.” —David Rhode on The Gift of Mentorship

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to IMPACTability 01:20 – Inside PennPAC: A Unique Nonprofit Consulting Model 05:26 – Why Leadership Can Feel Lonely (and How Coaching Helps) 08:08 – Strategic Planning: Focusing Your Priorities and Engaging the Board 13:00 – Setting Expectations to Improve Board Engagement 18:20 – David’s Journey: From Corporate to Nonprofit Founder 23:57 – Hard Lessons: Early Mistakes and What They Taught 27:40 – Success Stories: Partnerships That Made an Impact 30:08 – The Power of Mentorship and Relationship Building 36:49 – Navigating Today’s Challenges: Fundraising, AI, and Storytelling

👤 Guest Bio

David Rhode is a nonprofit leader, author, and educator with over 20 years of experience in the sector. He is the author of Passion Isn’t Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders, winner of the Axiom Business Book Award Gold Medal. David currently serves as Deputy Director of PennPAC, where he mobilizes University of Pennsylvania alumni as pro bono consultants to support nonprofits. He is also the founder of Dot Dot Org, a consulting firm specializing in CEO mentoring, and teaches Nonprofit Branding and Nonprofit Consulting at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, David founded and led Pitch In For Baseball and Softball, a national nonprofit that expanded access to youth sports in underserved communities. He lives in New York City with his family. 📘 Get the Book: Passion Isn’t Enough is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 🔗 Connect with David Website: dotdotorg.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-rhode-1129183 Facebook: facebook.com/davidericrhode

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If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! Reviews help new people discover the podcast and support our mission of empowering nonprofit leaders. Subscribe to IMPACTability on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. Have a question you’d like to hear answered by a nonprofit expert? Email us at [email protected]—your question might be featured in an upcoming episode! This podcast is sponsored by Soukup Strategic Solutions Our team offers consulting and outsourcing services tailored to help nonprofits achieve both short-term results and long-term success. Learn more at soukupstrategicsolutions.com.