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.
Reinventing a Nonprofit Organization
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith sits down with the Executive Director of the Catalyst for Educational Change, Shelley Taylor, to discuss how she rebuilt a nonprofit organization. Shelley describes the CEC’s mission, her educational journey inside and out of the nonprofit space, and the organizations she trusts.
Dorri McWhorter – Social Enterprise With the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
In this episode of the Mission Matters podcast, Paul Feith hosts Dorri McWhorter, the President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, to talk about social enterprise with the Chicago YMCA. Dorri discusses what a social venture entails, the different services offered by the YMCA, and how the YMCA is embracing the digital landscape.
Living With Purpose
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith welcomes Clara Lucia Jaramillo-Carrier, a renowned speaker and Brand Strategist at Paul Gregory Media, for a conversation about embracing purposeful living and leadership. Clara shares insights on overcoming fear, understanding personal yearnings, and making intentional choices aligned with one’s deepest desires. Her leadership style emphasizes humility, continual learning, and personal development as keys to influence.
Good Shepherd Church – A New Leader
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast with Paul Feith, he hosts Tara Beth Leach, Senior Pastor at Good Shepherd Church, for a candid discussion about women in ministry. Tara reflects on her calling to serve as a pastor, how she pursued her passion without a roadmap, her multifaceted roles in ministry, and her background in writing.
Educare West DuPage: Early Learning Matters With Marcela Sweeney
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith engages in an enlightening conversation with Marcela Sweeney, the Executive Director of Educare West DuPage, exploring the significance of early learning. Marcela shares her journey in education, discussing her motivations and the allure of Educare compared to traditional daycare centers. Through her perspective, listeners gain valuable insights into the distinctive features and benefits of Educare’s approach to early childhood education.
Megan Pennington of CASA of River Valley
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast with Paul Feith, Megan Pennington, Advocate Supervisor at CASA of River Valley, shares the role of a CASA advocate. Megan explains CASA’s mission in supporting foster children, explores the reasons behind children entering foster care, and provides insights on how listeners can become CASA volunteers.
Amy Van Polen of Bridge Communities
In this recent episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, host Paul Feith sits down with Amy Van Polen, CEO of Bridge Communities. Amy delves into the organization’s mission to end homelessness, highlighting Bridge Communities’ programs and efforts to empower families facing homelessness. Additionally, Amy shares her insights on effective leadership strategies and techniques for successful fund development.
Nancy Wiersum of Loaves & Fishes Community Services
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith hosts Nancy Wiersum, Executive Vice President of Advancement for Loaves & Fishes Community Services, to explore the profound impact of food pantries on communities. Nancy delves into the mission of Loaves & Fishes, highlighting its services and CARES programs. She also shares valuable insights gained from navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic, highlighting the organization’s resilience and adaptability.
Mike Briggs of Little Friends
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith sits down with Mike Briggs, President and CEO of Little Friends, delving into the organization’s profound impact on individuals with intellectual disabilities. Mike navigates through his career trajectory and transition into the nonprofit sector, shedding light on Little Friends’ mission, its extensive range of services, and the pivotal role of the family care team and additional support groups.
Upcoming Guests:
Amy Rasmussen
Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education
Vicki M Joseph
Families Helping Families
Kay McKeen
SCARCE
Alison Paul
The Conservation Foundation
Brett Skeen
Edward Foundation
Karen Wells
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Brittany Eslary
Paws for a Cause
Jennifer Brasfield
Riverwalk Adult Day Center
Teri Wood
The GardenWorks Project
