From the Nest with Charity Jen

From the Nest with Charity Jen

Join Jen Newmeyer as she explores the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of nonprofit fundraising. Each episode contains valuable guidance from CharityJen and industry leaders who’ve given flight to groundbreaking ideas and landed with success. In From the Nest, you’ll learn that fundraising is more than just annual plans, goals and budgets. Behind every great fundraiser is a great story.

Episodes

August 16, 2025 6 mins

In this AFP ICON edition of From the Nest, Charity Jen sits down with Doug Trout, Managing Director at DRiWaterstone Human Capital, to talk about what it takes to build and sustain exceptional nonprofit leadership. With a career dedicated to advancing mission-driven organizations, Doug brings a recruiter’s eye and a fundraiser’s heart to conversations around hiring, team culture, and what makes a candidate stand out in ...

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In this episode recorded live at AFP ICON, Charity Jen welcomes fundraising veteran Jay Frost—award-winning speaker, consultant, and senior partner at DonorSearch—to reflect on what’s changing, what’s working, and what still inspires him about the world of philanthropy. With decades of experience in prospect research, capital campaigns, and international fundraising, Jay brings both sharp insight and contagi...

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In this vibrant and energizing episode, Charity Jen chats with Julie Naranjo Upham, Vice President of Individual Giving at Conservation International and co-chair of the Bridge Conference. A long-time AFP ICON speaker and CFRE, Julie shares what keeps her coming back year after year: the chance to connect with emerging fundraisers, learn from peers, and gather real-time ideas to strengthen her team’s fundraising strategies.

&...

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In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode recorded at AFP ICON, Charity Jen speaks with Sharon Papo, founder of Indigo Skies Consulting, about what it means to lead nonprofits with equity, compassion, and resilience. Drawing from her rich experience as an executive director, leadership coach, and DEI strategist, Sharon reflects on the importance of intentional space-making—for both personal healing and organizational gr...

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In this episode recorded live from AFP ICON, Charity Jen welcomes Jesse Park, President of Amplify, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of fundraising. Stepping out from behind the exhibit booth to fully experience his first ICON as an attendee, Jesse shares his three intentional goals: connect with fundraisers, dig deep into data trends, and fuel creative collaboration across the sector.

From conversations with internati...

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In this energizing AFP ICON conversation, Charity Jen sits down with Sarah Miller—consultant with Palmetto Philanthropy and President-Elect of AFP DC—to explore how nonprofit professionals can lead with resilience even in times of uncertainty. Sarah opens up about the emotional toll of nonprofit work, the fatigue many leaders are facing, and the importance of building community to stay connected, grounded, and inspired.

...

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What makes a great fundraising conference? For Bart Lillie, it’s all about the people. In this special AFP ICON edition of From the Nest, host Charity Jen catches up with Bart—Vice President of Partner Engagement at Synergy—to talk about the true value of attending events like AFP ICON. Bart shares how community, not just content, keeps him coming back year after year, and how these shared moments spark opportunit...

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Join us for an insightful episode of "From the Nest with Charity Jen," where Greg Ng, CEO of a consulting firm specializing in customer insight, shares his journey of creating transformative non-profit events. Over a decade ago, Greg forged a deep connection with a local NC food bank, driven by his personal commitment to the cause. At the time, serving as the CMO of Brooks Bell, his expertise in marketing and video production spark...

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October 16, 2023 45 mins

Audrey M. Johnson is a portrait of success. Not only a VP of Institutional Advancement for the Children’s Defense Fund and President AFP, DC Chapter but also the Chapter President’s Council Representative for AFP Global and advocate for IDEA principles. But nothing was more rewarding than her climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Hear what happened at the summit!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Owner of By the Waves Charity Consulting joins Jen from the beach of Dorset England to share how she launched her firm prior to the pandemic. Leesa Harwood shares her fascinating approach to selecting clients and how that has led to a brand new hobby!· · 

(Originally aired 5June23)

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Liz Marafino-Fiola is the Major Gifts Officer, Villanova University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jen gets her to reveal her journey from the theater to a Development professional. They discuss the value in building professional networks and optimizing educational opportunities to reach meaningful career goals.

(Originally aired 5June23)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Anessa Rios-Ezeude. Director of Annual Giving, University of Houston shares the challenges and rewards of her nonprofit sector transitions. Jen highlights the importance of mentors and how they have played a major role in both their career growth. Anessa also reveals a heartwarming story that emerged from a special weekend celebration.

(Originally aired 5June23)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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For this first episode, Jen chats with Doug Hodges, Executive Director of SwingPals in Durham, North Carolina. Learn how he went from $85K to $500K with pure passion for his mission. Doug recalls the pre-COVID introduction with Jen at a Charity Chat in 2020 and how the fundraising fundamentals from that meeting helped to an emboldened relationship with the school system in Durham where he is now leading SwingPals into a groundbreak...

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Coming this Summer, OLAS Media is proud to present From the Nest with Charity Jen. Join Jen Newmeyer as she hosts her first season of this new podcast featuring leaders and impactors in the Nonprofit Development field. In this preview episode, learn the impetus of From the Nest and who CharityJen is.

(Originally aired 29May23)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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