August 16, 2025 • 11 mins
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 growth.
Together, they explore the need for nonprofits to not only do good work externally but to cultivate internal cultures that are brave, inclusive, and sustaining. If you’re a leader or changemaker navigating complexity, burnout, or transformation, Sharon’s insights offer both validation and a path forward.
Don’t forget to follow and subscribe at olasmedia.com
Some notable moments from this episode:
00:00 – Introducing Sharon Papo and Indigo Skies Consulting
01:10 – The need for healing space in nonprofit leadership
02:32 – Shifting from burnout to sustainability
03:45 – How identity and equity shape organizational dynamics
05:05 – Sharon’s vision for compassionate, inclusive leadership
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
S1 (00:25):
You're tuned in to From the Nest where ideas take flight.
I'm Charity Jen, and this series was recorded live at
the AFP icon conference in Seattle. It's a place that's
buzzing with inspiration, connection and nonprofit brilliance. In each episode,
I'm bringing you stories and strategies from professionals who are
(00:45):
really actively shaping the future of our sector. So let's
get started with Sharon Papu of Indigo Skies Consulting. Hi, Sharon,
it's so nice to have you here on the on
the show, and I really appreciate you stopping by. Um,
we're at icon. Yay! So, uh, why don't you go
(01:10):
ahead and just introduce yourself, your name, organization, pronouns, and, uh. Yeah,
we'll start there.
S2 (01:18):
Great. My name is Sharon Papu . My pronouns are she
and her. And I am the CEO of two companies.
One is Indigo Skies Consulting, which is a boutique fundraising
and leadership firm, and the other company is called LGBTQ E-learning.
And we are a training company that is building LGBTQ+
(01:39):
inclusive workplaces.
S1 (01:41):
Oh, wow. Well, it sounds like you have a lot
on your plate. Like managing both of those. What, um,
what kinds of, um, what kinds of sessions are you
going to? What kinds of things, like at a conference
like this that you find so helpful in your work?
S2 (01:58):
Yeah, there are so many amazing sessions. I am of
course interested in the AI and how people are using it,
what questions they're asking. I'm really interested in the data security.
What what's happening with all this information that people are sharing?
I think we really need to be asking those questions
as a sector. I'm loving the thought leadership and the
(02:21):
data that people are sharing. I'm really appreciating how people
are talking about philanthropy and how it's so important that
we are building these really authentic relationships. And and I
just love meeting the people who are here because in
this current moment, political and cultural season, when there's a
(02:44):
lot of things that are really hard, everybody here is
giving their time, their effort, their energy, their life force
to creating a better world. And that is uplifting. That
is inspiring. I'm loving the The conversations, the community. It
lifts me up.
S1 (03:04):
Yes, yes, I 100% agree. Um, I love, um, you know,
in between sessions. I mean, the the sessions themselves are
always so rewarding and illuminating and you can take I mean,
yesterday we were in the session about the, um, the
neuro neuro philanthropy. Philanthropy? Yes. And, you know, things like that, that,
(03:28):
you know, that you don't think about, like the sort
of the heuristic aspects of the way that donors, um,
interact with your organization and how you can really tap
into that and grow giving. I mean, that was a
that was a great session. And then and then I
loved that right afterwards, you and I had, you know,
some time just to kind of chat and process that
(03:50):
and talk about, you know, how does that apply to
the work that we're doing, you know, um, so, yeah,
I 100% agree. I love that aspect of interacting with
people too. So from a networking standpoint, what does this
conference do for you?
S2 (04:08):
Well, it's so exciting to be here and to meet
people at so many, so many different levels in their
professional journey. So we have vendors, we have people who
are creating solutions to many of the issues that that
folks are having in this field. We have folks that
I've heard on podcasts that have inspired me and taught me.
I'm so excited to meet them. I love meeting people
(04:31):
who are just doing the work every day and trying
to figure out how to navigate this time. So it's
I think that there's a way that a lot of
people are feeling alone and scared right now. And I
think to to find these connections and community, I think
we all crave it.
S1 (04:51):
Yes. It's it's a little like it's reassuring, you know,
like you had said, like we're not alone in this,
you know, like everyone is working so hard to kind
of figure things out. And yeah, when you can build
that community at a conference like this, it just kind
of fuels you for, you know, like the next year.
That's right.
S2 (05:10):
Fills me up. I got a long list of things
I need to do and people to follow up with.
S1 (05:15):
Yes, for me, I have a big long list of books. Yeah. Like,
even with even with the speakers or talking with other folks,
there's always a book recommendation. Yes, yes.
S2 (05:26):
So much to learn, which I love.
S1 (05:28):
I know leafing through my notes yesterday and I was like,
oh my gosh, I'm going to spend $300 on books
this year, I think to chat.
S2 (05:36):
Can I ask you?
S1 (05:37):
Oh, sure.
S2 (05:38):
What are your takeaways? What are you most inspired about
being here?
S1 (05:42):
I think that, um, the, the kinds of, um, things
that I always take away, some of it is the
reassurance of the strategies and tactics that I'm recommending Mending
to others, um, actually are being repeated by a lot
of the speakers, you know? So I'm like, okay, good.
(06:04):
Like I'm on the right track, like, you know, um,
these are these are tactics and strategies that others are
sharing as well. But every now and then there's this
little nugget like, oh, like, I didn't think about that,
you know. So it's it's sort of drawing on like,
like kind of what you said before about not being alone. Like,
(06:25):
we're all in this together and we're moving in the
right direction. But then also like the the most the
like the gems, I think is what I love and
you know, and and then pulling those all together and like,
how can I incorporate this into the work that I'm
doing after I leave. So but of course, you know,
(06:47):
connecting with everyone, like even just walking through the vendor
hall and, you know, seeing, you know, people that I've
met at other conferences and being able to catch up
with them. And, you know, it's like it's like, um.
Getting together with friends again, you know, and then you
and then you get to meet. In fact, um, one, uh,
I saw, like, randomly on the newsfeed, like on the app,
(07:09):
there's the newsfeed. Um, one attendee is a woman that
I knew from probably 20 years ago when I was
in North Carolina. I have not seen her since then,
and I just, you know, ran into her and, um,
so I, I just love that aspect of it as well.
Like being able, being able to connect with people I
(07:30):
haven't seen in a while and meeting new friends too.
S2 (07:34):
And and on that note, I want to say it's
so great to hear what people are talking about, but
also what they're not talking about. And I want to
say that the work that you're doing around digital fundraising
and talking about how that is so important and yet
not a focus of the Kfre test and and so
what what are the conversations that are happening and what's
(07:54):
really important for our sector to be talking about that
we're not talking about enough. And again, with the AI,
and I'm sure some folks are talking about it somewhere,
maybe just not the sessions I was in. But again,
the what's happening with our data that we're sharing in
our CRMs, in all these AI solutions. And if something happened,
we're responsible.
S1 (08:16):
Right?
S2 (08:16):
If a vendor, you know, information got hacked. And so
it's I think that it's it's all of it. It's
all of it. And and it's important that we're all
part of this conversation and helping uplift everybody as we
as we do this work that's so important.
S1 (08:33):
Right. Exactly. And this conference in particular, because it's so
large and because there's so much offered, um, there really
is just sort of this rich, you know, um, uh,
education that you can take away from it. Um, almost
every topic, maybe, like you said before, maybe not as
(08:55):
much digital fundraising, but, um, so there's so much that
is being discussed and talked about, and you can always
find something, you know, that applies to your work, but
then learning something new. Also, you know about AI, about,
you know, privacy and, and security and, and, you know,
(09:16):
data security and that kind of thing. So yeah, and I.
S2 (09:19):
Want to just appreciate that you are a money maker.
And I'm not somebody that believes that everything happens for
a reason and having conversations with people. You know, I
think we all sort of come with our own beliefs
about the world, but in every moment we get to
choose and we get to find the gifts in every moment.
(09:42):
And because we were talking about there's a lot, there's
a show going on and we are choosing to feel
happy and optimistic, and we you're choosing to thrive. And
also not putting our head in the sand and saying,
we're finding meaning in this moment. We are looking for
(10:02):
the helpers. We are finding the silver linings. And and
that is a choice every day. And it's powerful. And
I just want to thank you for choosing that and
shining with it. Yeah.
S1 (10:15):
Thank you Sharon. I am so I'm so thrilled that
we met and we've gotten to talk. And we'll probably
see you next year and we'll be in touch on LinkedIn.
And I just really look forward to getting to know
you and and establishing a decades long friendship.
S2 (10:35):
Me too. And congratulations on your new book. It's so exciting.
Thank you. Cheering you on. So getting that out in
the world.
S1 (10:41):
Yeah it's.
S2 (10:42):
A gift.
S1 (10:42):
Thank you Sharon for being on from the nest podcast
with Charity.
S2 (10:47):
Jenn my honor and pleasure.
S1 (10:50):
We'll talk to you soon.
S3 (10:57):
Thanks for listening to From the Nest where fundraising takes flight.
If you enjoyed this conversation, don't miss the rest of
the incredible voices we met at the AFP icon conference.
You can hear from all of the nonprofit professionals, innovators,
and changemakers by visiting COVID-19. And if you need more
(11:19):
tools and insights from the field, head to Charity comm
to explore the resources I've gathered from AFP icon and beyond,
including strategy, tips, templates and more. And if you haven't yet,
check out my latest book, Digital Fundraising Transformation The Insider's
Guide to Revolutionize Your Strategy and Raise More. It will
(11:40):
help you supercharge your nonprofit marketing and fundraising efforts. Until
next time, keep lifting each other up.
You're tuned in to From the Nest where ideas take flight.
I'm Charity Jen, and this series was recorded live at
the AFP icon conference in Seattle. It's a place that's
buzzing with inspiration, connection and nonprofit brilliance. In each episode,
I'm bringing you stories and strategies from professionals who are
(00:45):
really actively shaping the future of our sector. So let's
get started with Sharon Papu of Indigo Skies Consulting. Hi, Sharon,
it's so nice to have you here on the on
the show, and I really appreciate you stopping by. Um,
we're at icon. Yay! So, uh, why don't you go
(01:10):
ahead and just introduce yourself, your name, organization, pronouns, and, uh. Yeah,
we'll start there.
S2 (01:18):
Great. My name is Sharon Papu . My pronouns are she
and her. And I am the CEO of two companies.
One is Indigo Skies Consulting, which is a boutique fundraising
and leadership firm, and the other company is called LGBTQ E-learning.
And we are a training company that is building LGBTQ+
(01:39):
inclusive workplaces.
S1 (01:41):
Oh, wow. Well, it sounds like you have a lot
on your plate. Like managing both of those. What, um,
what kinds of, um, what kinds of sessions are you
going to? What kinds of things, like at a conference
like this that you find so helpful in your work?
S2 (01:58):
Yeah, there are so many amazing sessions. I am of
course interested in the AI and how people are using it,
what questions they're asking. I'm really interested in the data security.
What what's happening with all this information that people are sharing?
I think we really need to be asking those questions
as a sector. I'm loving the thought leadership and the
(02:21):
data that people are sharing. I'm really appreciating how people
are talking about philanthropy and how it's so important that
we are building these really authentic relationships. And and I
just love meeting the people who are here because in
this current moment, political and cultural season, when there's a
(02:44):
lot of things that are really hard, everybody here is
giving their time, their effort, their energy, their life force
to creating a better world. And that is uplifting. That
is inspiring. I'm loving the The conversations, the community. It
lifts me up.
S1 (03:04):
Yes, yes, I 100% agree. Um, I love, um, you know,
in between sessions. I mean, the the sessions themselves are
always so rewarding and illuminating and you can take I mean,
yesterday we were in the session about the, um, the
neuro neuro philanthropy. Philanthropy? Yes. And, you know, things like that, that,
(03:28):
you know, that you don't think about, like the sort
of the heuristic aspects of the way that donors, um,
interact with your organization and how you can really tap
into that and grow giving. I mean, that was a
that was a great session. And then and then I
loved that right afterwards, you and I had, you know,
some time just to kind of chat and process that
(03:50):
and talk about, you know, how does that apply to
the work that we're doing, you know, um, so, yeah,
I 100% agree. I love that aspect of interacting with
people too. So from a networking standpoint, what does this
conference do for you?
S2 (04:08):
Well, it's so exciting to be here and to meet
people at so many, so many different levels in their
professional journey. So we have vendors, we have people who
are creating solutions to many of the issues that that
folks are having in this field. We have folks that
I've heard on podcasts that have inspired me and taught me.
I'm so excited to meet them. I love meeting people
(04:31):
who are just doing the work every day and trying
to figure out how to navigate this time. So it's
I think that there's a way that a lot of
people are feeling alone and scared right now. And I
think to to find these connections and community, I think
we all crave it.
S1 (04:51):
Yes. It's it's a little like it's reassuring, you know,
like you had said, like we're not alone in this,
you know, like everyone is working so hard to kind
of figure things out. And yeah, when you can build
that community at a conference like this, it just kind
of fuels you for, you know, like the next year.
That's right.
S2 (05:10):
Fills me up. I got a long list of things
I need to do and people to follow up with.
S1 (05:15):
Yes, for me, I have a big long list of books. Yeah. Like,
even with even with the speakers or talking with other folks,
there's always a book recommendation. Yes, yes.
S2 (05:26):
So much to learn, which I love.
S1 (05:28):
I know leafing through my notes yesterday and I was like,
oh my gosh, I'm going to spend $300 on books
this year, I think to chat.
S2 (05:36):
Can I ask you?
S1 (05:37):
Oh, sure.
S2 (05:38):
What are your takeaways? What are you most inspired about
being here?
S1 (05:42):
I think that, um, the, the kinds of, um, things
that I always take away, some of it is the
reassurance of the strategies and tactics that I'm recommending Mending
to others, um, actually are being repeated by a lot
of the speakers, you know? So I'm like, okay, good.
(06:04):
Like I'm on the right track, like, you know, um,
these are these are tactics and strategies that others are
sharing as well. But every now and then there's this
little nugget like, oh, like, I didn't think about that,
you know. So it's it's sort of drawing on like,
like kind of what you said before about not being alone. Like,
(06:25):
we're all in this together and we're moving in the
right direction. But then also like the the most the
like the gems, I think is what I love and
you know, and and then pulling those all together and like,
how can I incorporate this into the work that I'm
doing after I leave. So but of course, you know,
(06:47):
connecting with everyone, like even just walking through the vendor
hall and, you know, seeing, you know, people that I've
met at other conferences and being able to catch up
with them. And, you know, it's like it's like, um.
Getting together with friends again, you know, and then you
and then you get to meet. In fact, um, one, uh,
I saw, like, randomly on the newsfeed, like on the app,
(07:09):
there's the newsfeed. Um, one attendee is a woman that
I knew from probably 20 years ago when I was
in North Carolina. I have not seen her since then,
and I just, you know, ran into her and, um,
so I, I just love that aspect of it as well.
Like being able, being able to connect with people I
(07:30):
haven't seen in a while and meeting new friends too.
S2 (07:34):
And and on that note, I want to say it's
so great to hear what people are talking about, but
also what they're not talking about. And I want to
say that the work that you're doing around digital fundraising
and talking about how that is so important and yet
not a focus of the Kfre test and and so
what what are the conversations that are happening and what's
(07:54):
really important for our sector to be talking about that
we're not talking about enough. And again, with the AI,
and I'm sure some folks are talking about it somewhere,
maybe just not the sessions I was in. But again,
the what's happening with our data that we're sharing in
our CRMs, in all these AI solutions. And if something happened,
we're responsible.
S1 (08:16):
Right?
S2 (08:16):
If a vendor, you know, information got hacked. And so
it's I think that it's it's all of it. It's
all of it. And and it's important that we're all
part of this conversation and helping uplift everybody as we
as we do this work that's so important.
S1 (08:33):
Right. Exactly. And this conference in particular, because it's so
large and because there's so much offered, um, there really
is just sort of this rich, you know, um, uh,
education that you can take away from it. Um, almost
every topic, maybe, like you said before, maybe not as
(08:55):
much digital fundraising, but, um, so there's so much that
is being discussed and talked about, and you can always
find something, you know, that applies to your work, but
then learning something new. Also, you know about AI, about,
you know, privacy and, and security and, and, you know,
(09:16):
data security and that kind of thing. So yeah, and I.
S2 (09:19):
Want to just appreciate that you are a money maker.
And I'm not somebody that believes that everything happens for
a reason and having conversations with people. You know, I
think we all sort of come with our own beliefs
about the world, but in every moment we get to
choose and we get to find the gifts in every moment.
(09:42):
And because we were talking about there's a lot, there's
a show going on and we are choosing to feel
happy and optimistic, and we you're choosing to thrive. And
also not putting our head in the sand and saying,
we're finding meaning in this moment. We are looking for
(10:02):
the helpers. We are finding the silver linings. And and
that is a choice every day. And it's powerful. And
I just want to thank you for choosing that and
shining with it. Yeah.
S1 (10:15):
Thank you Sharon. I am so I'm so thrilled that
we met and we've gotten to talk. And we'll probably
see you next year and we'll be in touch on LinkedIn.
And I just really look forward to getting to know
you and and establishing a decades long friendship.
S2 (10:35):
Me too. And congratulations on your new book. It's so exciting.
Thank you. Cheering you on. So getting that out in
the world.
S1 (10:41):
Yeah it's.
S2 (10:42):
A gift.
S1 (10:42):
Thank you Sharon for being on from the nest podcast
with Charity.
S2 (10:47):
Jenn my honor and pleasure.
S1 (10:50):
We'll talk to you soon.
S3 (10:57):
Thanks for listening to From the Nest where fundraising takes flight.
If you enjoyed this conversation, don't miss the rest of
the incredible voices we met at the AFP icon conference.
You can hear from all of the nonprofit professionals, innovators,
and changemakers by visiting COVID-19. And if you need more
(11:19):
tools and insights from the field, head to Charity comm
to explore the resources I've gathered from AFP icon and beyond,
including strategy, tips, templates and more. And if you haven't yet,
check out my latest book, Digital Fundraising Transformation The Insider's
Guide to Revolutionize Your Strategy and Raise More. It will
(11:40):
help you supercharge your nonprofit marketing and fundraising efforts. Until
next time, keep lifting each other up.
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