In this episode Meena Das—CEO, speaker, and consultant at Namaste Data—explores AI through a critical lens grounded in ethics, equity, and humanity. Known for her deep expertise in equitable research design and data capacity building for nonprofits, Meena brings a powerful perspective on how the nonprofit sector can and should engage with AI. Rather than rushing into tools and tasks, Meena invites us to pause and dream. What would it look like if nonprofits started with their mission, their people, and their vision for community impact—and only then looked to AI as a tool to support that vision? What if every staff member had a seat at the table, contributing ideas not just about what tech can do, but what it should do?
The conversation challenges the sector’s scarcity mindset, and the unchecked race to implement AI without deeper reflection. Meena takes us deep into the heart of her work, the AI Equity Project. This bold, multi-year research is an effort to uncover how nonprofits are engaging with AI and, more importantly, how they could be—ethically, equitably, and collaboratively.
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This Episode Brought to You by:
Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com
Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.
The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/
As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.
Greater Giving: https://go.greatergiving.com
DC Auctions: https://dc-auctions.com/
Speakers
Samantha Swaim
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swaimstrategies/
Kristin Steele
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swaimstrategies/
Meena Das
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenadas/
| RESOURCES |
Book Consulting Time with Sam and Kristin: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#consulting
Learn More About Elevate and the Elevate Conference for Your Fundraising Events: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/
Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book
Connect with The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/
Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com
Connect with Namaste Data: https://www.namastedata.org/freebies
Join AI Advancement Lab for the August cohort: https://data-is-for-everyone.teachable.com/p/ai-advancement-lab
AI Equity Project: https://aiequityproject.my.canva.site/2025
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