Jenny Kopach – Science Olympiad
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Jennifer Kopach, CEO and SVP of Marketing Communications at Science Olympiad, about the transformative power of Science Olympiad in STEM education. Jennifer discusses the organization’s growth from a basement startup, the depth of educational opportunities it offers, how alumni chapters contribute to the ongoing passion for STEM and community service, and the impact of the Science Olympiad Foundation’s grants on STEM research.
Sr. Anthony Veilleux – St. Patrick’s Residence
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Sr. Anthony Veilleux, Director of Mission Integration at St. Patrick’s Residence, about the mission-driven work in senior care. Sr. Anthony discusses her inspiring faith-based journey from childhood calling to joining St. Patrick’s Residence, the Carmelite Sisters’ core values, mission, and their integral role in caregiving, the services and care provided by St. Patrick’s Residence, and how the organization overcame its challenges.
Gabi Vargas – National Hispanic Suicide Prevention Network
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Gabi Vargas, Founder of the National Hispanic Suicide Prevention Network, about her work in suicide prevention and mental health advocacy for Hispanic communities. Gabi shares her journey and struggles of identity and mental health as an immigrant, the inception of The Poiema Studio, the founding and mission of the NHSPN, and tips for overcoming challenges in the nonprofit world.
Carolyn Wahlskog – Youth Outlook
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Carolyn Wahlskog, Director of Operations and Programming at Youth Outlook, about creating supportive environments for LGBTQ youth. Carolyn discusses the inception of Youth Outlook and its evolving impact on the LGBTQ+ community, its drop-in center’s structure and purpose, how the Rainbow Sprouts program supports younger LGBTQ+ kids and their parents, and the ongoing struggles and importance of allyship for the LGBTQ+ community.
Alison Paul – The Conservation Foundation
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Alison Paul, Vice President of Community Conservation at The Conservation Foundation, about connecting communities with the environment. Alison discusses the linkage between social issues and environmental conservation efforts, The Conservation Foundation’s mission to protect green spaces through community engagement, and the challenges of remaining inclusive, relevant, and impactful in changing demographics.
Kay McKeen – SCARCE
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Kay McKeen, Founder and Executive Director of SCARCE, about environmental education and resource rescue. Kay discusses how her family values and career led her to environmental advocacy and SCARCE, the nonprofit’s unique approach to rescuing resources and promoting reuse before recycling, how its rescue program gives new life to resources and helps those in need, and how SCARCE overcomes operational challenges.
Vicky Joseph – Families Helping Families
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Vicky Joseph, Founder of Families Helping Families, about tackling homelessness through community support and mentorship. Vicky shares the origins of her lifelong dedication to social work, the start of Families Helping Families, the services the organization offers, and the program’s challenges and successes.
Amy Rasmussen – Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Amy Rasmussen, Executive Director of Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE), about the importance of arts in educational enhancement. Amy shares her musical beginnings and how they fueled her journey in nonprofit management and arts education, CAPE’s mission to intertwine the arts with academic goals in the classroom, and the challenges and realities of sustaining arts programs in structured school systems.
Navigating Nonprofit Success in a Changing World
Paul uses his passion for volunteering at mission-based organizations by sharing his expertise in technology and marketing at various nonprofit organizations, including serving on the boards for Habitat for Humanity of Illinois, Giving DuPage, The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Social Responsibility Chicago. He is also active with The Rotary Club of Naperville.
Kelly Knox – Special Spaces Illinois
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Kelly Knox, Illinois Director of Special Spaces, about transforming spaces for children with cancer. Kelly discusses what Special Spaces does and its impact on families, the one-day transformation journey of a bedroom makeover, the logistics of coordinating thousands of volunteer hours to execute multiple projects simultaneously, and the cost and the financial backbone behind each makeover.
Taylor Endicott – Giving DuPage
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Taylor Endicott, Community Program Manager at Giving DuPage, about connecting volunteers with meaningful opportunities and supporting nonprofits. Taylor shares her inspiring journey into nonprofit leadership, the biggest challenges facing Giving DuPage today, how it connects volunteers with nonprofits, and how Giving DuPage Days supports local nonprofits’ fundraising.
Chad Pedigo – DuPage Pads
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Chad Pedigo, Vice President of Development at DuPage Pads, about innovative homelessness solutions. Chad introduces DuPage Pads’ mission and innovative approach to tackling homelessness, the transformation from temporary shelters to permanency, DuPage Pads’ funding sources and their strategic allocation, and the partnerships it fosters to address complex issues associated with homelessness.
Mary Kerbs – Naperville Elderly Homes
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Mary Kerbs, Executive Director at Naperville Elderly Homes, about creating purposeful and affordable senior living communities. Mary discusses Naperville Elderly Homes’ history and its relation to Martin Avenue Apartments, the vital importance of affordable senior living in Naperville, how Martin Avenue goes beyond housing to offer dignity and a sense of home for the seniors, and the challenges of maintaining a thriving senior community.
Jenifer Fabian – People’s Resource Center
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Jenifer Fabian, CEO of People’s Resource Center, about community impact and evolution. Jenifer discusses PRC’s origin story and its powerful mission, the nonprofit’s transition from challenge to agility during the pandemic, its expansion plans, and the importance of community partnerships to its service delivery.
Molly Beck Dean – WeGo Together for Kids
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Molly Beck Dean, Director of WeGo Together for Kids, about building collaborative networks for community impact. Molly talks about WeGo Together for Kids and its 20-year impact, the challenges of sustaining a nonprofit organization, WeGo Together for Kids’ engagement and outreach strategies, and advice for other nonprofit directors.
Kendra Connor – Treasure Chest Foundation
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Kendra Connor, Executive Director of the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, about leading a nonprofit with passion and purpose. Kendra discusses how the Treasure Chest Foundation helps children undergoing cancer treatment, its funding model, tips on leadership and nurturing a team with a mission-focused mindset, and her vision for expanding the foundation sustainably.
Kimberly White – Career & Networking Center
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Kimberly White, Executive Director of the Career & Networking Center (CNC), about transforming lives through community engagement and career empowerment. Kimberly shares her journey with CNC, her creative approach to helping soldiers with their career transitions, how the 2007 economic downturn expanded CNC’s networking groups to support the community, and her journey as the first black president of the Rotary Club focusing on DEI.
Nina Menis – KidsMatter
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Nina Menis, CEO and Executive Director of KidsMatter, about empowering youth and nurturing their mental well-being. Nina shares the journey that led her to KidsMatter, how KidsMatter pivoted to address the emerging challenges in youth mental health, the shift towards proactive conversations about mental health among young people, and KidsMatter’s funding model and program development.
Marc Kalan – The Essence of Marketing
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Marc Kalan, Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Rutgers Business School, about the unalterable core of marketing principles. Marc shares the dynamic, diverse environment of Rutgers Business School and his educational contributions, the constant evolution of marketing, the critical role of solving customer needs in successful marketing, and the importance of adapting to the dynamic marketing environment.
Social Mobility in the Rutgers Business School
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Luke Greeley, Associate Dean for the Rutgers Business School Undergraduate Program, about transforming the educational experience and social mobility. Luke discusses the role of Rutgers Business School in driving its students’ success, how the institution emphasizes social mobility, achieving an 85-90% job placement rate for its postgraduates, and strategies to incorporate AI effectively into the learning process while guarding against dependency.
DuPage Health Coalition
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Kara Murphy, President of DuPage Health Coalition, about leading a purpose-driven healthcare organization. Kara talks about the countywide impact of Access DuPage and DuPage Health Coalition services, the collaborative models in the nonprofit sphere, the funding models that support DuPage Health Coalition, and the strategy for community outreach to spread awareness about healthcare resources.
Kandice Henning – Alive Center
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Kandice Henning, Founder and Executive Director of the Alive Center in Naperville, about teens leading change and her blueprint for youth empowerment. Kandice delves into the inception of the Alive Center, shares her career trajectory that led to an unexpected calling, and her dedication to teen empowerment — emphasizing confidence building, leadership skills, and the freedom to fail — underpinning the center’s success in nurturing the next generation of compassionate leaders.
Rebecca Malotke-Meslin: Developing and Retaining Women Leaders
In this episode of the Mission Matters podcast, Paul Feith interviews Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, Owner and Coach at Pleasantly Aggressive, about empowering women to lead with confidence, authenticity, and conviction. Rebecca explores the common challenges women leaders encounter, the disparity between women in staff versus head roles, and strategies for gaining clarity in leadership to unleash potential beyond conventional titles.
The Eco-Friendly Mobile Farm Stand Project
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Bob Kopach, Founder and Executive Director of the Eco-friendly Mobile Farmstand Project, about how electric mobile farm stands are revolutionizing the urban farming approach to food insecurity. Bob articulates the issue of food deserts in low-income neighborhoods, the benefits of electric mobile farm stands and fresh produce delivery, and the significance of community involvement in the project’s success.
Love-Led Leadership
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith hosts Nicki Anderson to discuss the power of leading with love. Nicki explains how she navigated leadership challenges early in her career, how to build a company around love, and the difference between service and love-led leadership.
Dylan Ladd of Illinois Conservatory for the Arts
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith welcomes Dylan Ladd, the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Illinois Conservatory for the Arts, to discuss his journey as an educator and leader in the arts community. Dylan shares his experiences as a mission-driven leader, the roadblocks faced by a new nonprofit in fundraising, and insights into his creative process for maintaining effective operations despite the challenges of leading a startup.
Janell Robinson – Hope’s Front Door
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith welcomes Janell Robinson, the Executive Director of Hope’s Front Door, to talk about how everyone can contribute to society through nonprofit organizations. She explains how small actions can make significant differences, Hope’s Front Door’s service offerings and programs, and how generational philanthropy has influenced her career.
A Philanthropic Guide to the Gems of Aurora
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith chats with Joel Friend, the Director of Corporate Giving and Sponsorships at Paramount Theatre, about forming partnerships that serve both business objectives and nonprofit goals. He provides insights into corporate giving, the comprehensive offerings of the Paramount enterprise, and his journey in performing arts management.
Cultural Integration for Children and Families
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith hosts Andrea Ingram, the President and CEO of DuPage Children’s Museum, to discuss her role in fostering cultural engagement in her community. Andrea talks about the museum’s programs, how she overcame challenges during her professional development, and why she joined the organization.
Disrupting the Charitable Giving Space
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Chase Harmer, the Founder of Wishes Inc, about his mission to reinvent charitable giving. Chase describes the Wishes Inc platform, its revenue model, and his inspiration to build it.
