RKD Group: Thinkers, the nonprofit marketer's podcast, is a must-listen experience of thought-provoking content that inspires strategic decisions and insight on the industry. Group: Thinkers brings together innovators and curators in nonprofit marketing, branding and direct response to tackle the major issues facing nonprofits today.
What do 30 years in corporate travel have to do with running a homeless shelter? More than you'd think. In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, host Nipa Eason talks with Susan Blouch, Executive Director of Lebanon Rescue Mission, about the nontraditional path that took her from owning a corporate travel business to leading an 81-year-old, faith-based nonprofit as its first woman executive…
In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, we sit down with Gina Lattuca, Chief Communications Officer at the SPCA Serving Erie County in New York. With 36 years at the organization, Gina has led its storytelling through the era of typewriters and fax machines into the age of AI, shaping how a 160-year-old humane society speaks to its community.
In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Chanpimol, annual fund and advancement services manager for The Salvation Army's Northern New England Division. With two decades of experience at the organization, Stephanie shares how a willingness to learn, strong communication skills and a commitment to building meaningful relationships have shaped her nonprofit career.
In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Brittany Hodak—author, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and creator of the “superfan” philosophy that has helped brands like Walmart, Disney, Amazon and countless artists build deeper customer loyalty and engagement. Brittany’s journey began in the music industry during a moment of massive disruption. As record labels struggled to respond to…
In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, we sit down with Kendra Mungra, Director of Communications at Toys for Tots. With a background in marketing, communications and entrepreneurship, Kendra brings a creative and deeply human-centered approach to donor engagement—especially when it comes to monthly giving and building sustainable support. As Toys for Tots approaches its 80th anniversary,…
Katherine Fritz’s career journey didn’t follow a straight line. From marine biology to cancer research to nonprofit leadership, her path has been shaped by curiosity, openness and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. Today, as President and CEO of Long Island Cares, Katherine leads one of the region’s most impactful food banks. It’s an organization focused not only on addressing hunger, but on…
In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Tom Ahern—copywriter, self-described “message nerd” and one of the most influential voices in donor communications. With decades of experience spanning commercial marketing, direct response and nonprofit fundraising, Tom brings a refreshingly candid perspective on what actually drives donor engagement and what quietly undermines it. Tom…
In this episode of RKD Group: Thinkers, we sit down with Gary Ware—founder of Breakthrough Play, author of “Playful Rebellion” and a workplace culture expert helping teams rediscover creativity, connection and resilience through the power of play. Gary began his career in marketing and communications, building a successful track record in the agency world and eventually stepping into agency…
Major Nesan Kistan’s story begins in apartheid-era South Africa, where he grew up witnessing the injustices of a system that separated people by race and opportunity. His family eventually left the country for a better future and rebuilt their lives in Australia. During a period of financial hardship shortly after arriving, they encountered The Salvation Army for the first time—an experience that…
In this episode of “RKD Group: Thinkers,” we sit down with Mallory Martin, founder and CEO of Mended, a social impact business partnering with survivors of human trafficking to create hand block–printed textiles. Mallory’s journey spans professional sports, international nonprofit fundraising and now entrepreneurship. What connects each chapter is purpose. From selling six-figure sponsorships for…
Becky Ruska’s path into the nonprofit world didn’t follow a traditional trajectory. After spending more than two decades in retail leadership as a district manager for Express, she made a bold decision to step away in her early 40s. What began as a period of rest and reflection quickly evolved into something more meaningful when she started volunteering weekly at the newly formed St. Croix Valley…