Hart & Hustle Podcast

John Frost, VP of Enrollment Management at Doane University, shares how one conversation — and one person who believed in a student before she believed in herself — sparked a ripple effect that changed three generations and an entire workplace.In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How to shift your team from "order takers" to "dream makers" — and why this changes everything about community engagement ✅ The enrollment and outreach framework Doane uses to meet people where they are through relationship-first communication ✅ Why leading with purpose — not metrics — is the most powerful retention and growth strategy for any mission-driven organization This episode is for mission-driven leaders who want to reconnect with why they do this work and build the kind of community trust that multiplies impact long after the first conversation.👤 ABOUT JOHN FROST: John Frost is the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing at Doane University, a 153-year-old liberal arts institution in Crete, Nebraska. A former TV news journalist, John made a deliberate pivot into higher education to move from telling people's stories to influencing them. Under his leadership, Doane has grown its student body toward the 1,000-student mark through a relationship-first enrollment model that prioritizes human connection over transactional recruiting. 🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-frost-m-s-74b57042/ 🔗 Doane University: https://www.doane.edu 🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US: FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis #MissionDrivenLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #HigherEducation

Tymon Graham, VP of Student Affairs at Florida Memorial University, shares how he's spent 15 years building student access, institutional trust, and mission-driven leadership across three cities — and why he keeps choosing the hard institutions on purpose. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How FMU's scholarship portal is closing the funding gap for students who would otherwise leave money on the table ✅ Why Tymon measures team success by how empty the waiting room is — not how busy his staff looks ✅ What 15 years of intentional, institution-hopping leadership builds in a person — and how to apply that portfolio mindset to your own career This episode is for mission-driven leaders who want to reconnect with why they chose this work — and get practical tools for serving their communities more effectively.👤 ABOUT TYMON GRAHAM: Tymon Graham serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at Florida Memorial University (FMU) in Miami Gardens, Florida — the only HBCU in South Florida and the birthplace of the Negro National Anthem. A 15-year veteran of higher education who has worked across Washington D.C., Jacksonville, and Miami, Tymon oversees both enrollment management and student life, including counseling services and the university's acclaimed marching band. In his first year at FMU, he launched a scholarship portal that delivers weekly funding opportunities to every student in the database. 🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtymonmgraham/ 🔗 Florida Memorial University: https://www.fmu.edu 🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization. Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US:FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis #HBCULeadership #MissionDrivenLeadership #NonprofitLeadership

Mollie Rockafellow, VP of Student Affairs at Eastern Oregon University, shares how the adversity she survived became the leadership framework she now teaches — and how mission-driven leaders can stop fixing deficits and start building on the strengths their teams already carry.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How to map the hidden patterns and systems undermining your organization's culture — before they cost you your best people✅ Why strengths-based onboarding and leadership development outperforms deficit-focused management (and what Mollie's doctoral research reveals about retention)✅ A practical framework for creating space to think strategically when your calendar, to-do list, and inbox are all fighting for your attentionThis episode is for mission-driven leaders and people-first executives who are building cultures where every person — staff and community members alike — feels seen, valued, and equipped to lead.👤 ABOUT MOLLIE ROCKAFELLOW:Mollie Rockafellow is the VP of Student Affairs at Eastern Oregon University and founder of Rock Red LLC, an organizational consulting practice focused on culture mapping, leadership development, and people-centered systems design. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership, with research focused on strengths-based development for first-generation students and leaders. Mollie brings a rare combination of lived experience, scholarly research, and 20+ years in access-focused higher education to every engagement.🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollie-rockafellow-ed-d-4b543219/🔗 Guest Website: https://www.eou.edu/🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:- FRANSiS™ Website: https://bit.ly/3QLVd8l- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis#MissionDrivenLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #StrengthsBasedLeadership

Chris Powers, VP for Enrollment at Mount St. Joseph University, shares what 25 years of servant leadership in higher education teaches you about mission, access, and who really deserves a chance. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How to lead first-generation participants through institutional barriers using the "Rule of Thirds" framework ✅ Why small mission-driven organizations can adapt and innovate faster than large ones — and how to use that as a competitive advantage ✅ What the national enrollment cliff and college readiness crisis reveal about the future of mission-based service delivery This episode is for mission-driven leaders who are navigating shrinking pipelines, resource constraints, and the pressure to serve more people with less — without losing sight of why they started.👤 ABOUT CHRIS POWERS: Chris Powers is Vice President for Enrollment at Mount St. Joseph University (MSJ) in Cincinnati, Ohio — a Catholic liberal arts institution founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1920. With 25 years in higher education, including a prior role at Thomas More University, Chris is a first-generation college graduate, Air Force veteran, and servant leader whose personal story mirrors the students he serves every day. 🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-powers-ph-d-974a398/ 🔗 Mount St. Joseph University: https://www.msj.edu 🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization. Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US: FRANSiS™ Website: https://bit.ly/4vTAUWLLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis #NonprofitLeadership #ServantLeadership #MissionDrivenLeader

Lauran Hundshamer, VP of Marketing & Enrollment at St. Catherine University, shares how she rebuilt a 120-year-old brand strategy to compete—and grow—during the enrollment cliff crisis threatening universities nationwide.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How to use data dashboards and segmentation to identify high-intent audiences and convert them at higher rates✅ Why hyper-personalized communication campaigns outperform list-buying — and how to build them on a constrained budget✅ How St. Kate's serves first-gen, BIPOC, and Pell-eligible students while achieving the #1 upward mobility ranking in MinnesotaThis episode is for nonprofit and mission-driven executives who need to sustain and grow program reach in the face of shrinking demand, tighter budgets, and an increasingly competitive landscape.👤 ABOUT LAURAN HUNDSHAMER:Lauran Hundshamer is the Vice President of Marketing & Enrollment at St. Catherine University in Minnesota, where she oversees the full enrollment funnel across the College for Women, College for Adults, and graduate programs. With a background spanning for-profit B2B marketing, ad tech, and higher education, Lauran brings a data-first, personalization-driven approach to mission-based enrollment strategy. Under her leadership, St. Kate's achieved the #1 upward mobility ranking in Minnesota and a top-3 national ranking for women's universities.🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauran-hundshamer-rott/🔗 Organization Website: https://www.stkate.edu🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:- FRANSiS™ Website: https://bit.ly/4vTAUWL- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis#NonprofitLeadership #HigherEdMarketing #EnrollmentStrategy

Heath Einstein, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Texas Christian University, shares how his team uses data, AI, and radical hospitality to reach the communities most institutions have forgotten — and what 25 years of mission-driven leadership has taught him about earning trust at scale. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How to use data personalization and AI to reach post-traditional audiences without losing human connection ✅ Why meeting your community "where they are, not where you are" changes everything about outreach and retention ✅ How to lead through a declining enrollment environment without abandoning your mission This episode is for mission-driven executives and operations leaders who are navigating shifting demographics, technology overwhelm, and the pressure to grow impact without losing organizational authenticity.👤 ABOUT HEATH EINSTEIN: Heath Einstein is the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas, where he has served for nearly 14 years. With 25 years of experience on both sides of the enrollment equation — as a college admissions counselor and a high school college counselor — Heath leads TCU's strategy for attracting, retaining, and graduating a diverse student body of 13,000. He currently pursues a doctoral degree at TCU, practicing what he preaches about the lifelong value of education. 🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heath-einstein/ 🔗 Organization Website: https://www.tcu.edu 🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization. Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US: FRANSiS™ Website: https://bit.ly/4vTAUWLLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis #NonprofitLeadership #MissionDrivenLeadership #CommunityImpact

Todd Rinehart from the University of Denver shares how he manages 22,000 applications a year with a small team — and the outreach, AI, and relationship-building systems that keep people from falling through the cracks. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How to scale personalized outreach when your team can't possibly reach everyone individually ✅ Why the people who need your programs most are the hardest to reach — and the practical nudge strategy that works ✅ How to use AI to handle high-volume, repetitive communication while keeping the human connection that drives trust This episode is for operations leaders and program managers who are managing more participants, cases, or applicants than their team can handle — and need a smarter system, not more headcount. 👤 ABOUT TODD RINEHART: Todd Rinehart is Vice Chancellor for Enrollment at the University of Denver, where he has spent 29 years building one of the most relationship-driven enrollment programs in private higher education. He began his career as an assistant basketball coach before transitioning into undergraduate admissions, where he scaled a framework built on personal connection and relationship trust. Under his leadership, DU received 22,000 applications in a single cycle and is actively piloting AI tools for GPA calculation, credit evaluation, and personalized student communication at scale. 🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-rinehart-7034a710/ 🔗 Organization Website: https://www.du.edu 🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain Lozada sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization. Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US: FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis #NonprofitOperations #MissionDrivenLeadership #NonprofitLeadership

LeAnn Hughes, Senior VP of Enrollment & Marketing at Valparaiso University, shares how she built a human-centered leadership philosophy after losing her father at 15 — and how that personal journey shapes the way she leads teams, reaches people in need, and navigates the tension between technology and genuine human connection. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ The "high touch, high tech" framework for reaching more people without losing the personal relationship that makes them stay ✅ Why communicating that resources exist isn't enough — and what proactive, "intrusive" outreach actually looks like in practice ✅ How to lead with humility and confidence at the same time — and why the leaders who do both build the most loyal, resilient teams This episode is for mission-driven leaders who believe that the people they serve deserve to feel seen — and who are trying to scale that feeling without losing it. 👤 ABOUT LEANN HUGHES: LeAnn Hughes is the Senior VP of Enrollment & Marketing at Valparaiso University, where she leads strategic enrollment management and communications for a nationally recognized liberal arts institution. With a career spanning higher education, chambers of commerce, and corporate training, LeAnn has spent over 25 years mastering the art of reaching people at the moment they need guidance most. She rose from Marketing Director to VP of Enrollment Management at her prior institution over 12 years before joining Valparaiso — and she brings a human-first philosophy to every strategic decision she makes. 🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leann-hughes-1268b114/ 🔗 Organization Website: https://www.valpo.edu 🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization. Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US: FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis #MissionDrivenLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #HighTouchHighTech

Ethan Logan, VP of Enrollment Management at the University of Hartford, shares how 28 years of mission-driven leadership in higher education has shaped his approach to breaking down barriers, sustaining institutions that serve underserved communities, and building lasting access — one student, one family, one generation at a time. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How to reframe the ROI of investing in people — and why compounding impact changes entire family legacies ✅ What the "enrollment cliff" really means for mission-driven organizations serving underserved populations ✅ Why removing access barriers requires multiple pathways — and how leaders can apply that framework across any sector This episode is for mission-driven leaders and nonprofit executives who are wrestling with how to sustain their organization's purpose while expanding community reach — without losing what makes their mission matter. 👤 ABOUT ETHAN LOGAN: Ethan Logan is VP of Enrollment Management at the University of Hartford, bringing 28 years of experience in higher education administration across Texas Tech University (20 years), Western Kentucky University, and now New England. A first-generation advocate and mission-driven leader, Ethan has spent his career expanding access to education for underserved communities. He holds a graduate degree in higher education and is known for translating complex institutional strategy into human-centered outcomes. 🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-logan-5156926/ 🔗 Organization Website: https://hartford.edu 🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization. Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US: FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis #MissionDrivenLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #CommunityAccess

Dr. Jeremy Taylor, VP of Enrollment Management at Defiance College, shares how he reversed 10 years of declining enrollment — growing 78% in Year 1 and 20% in Year 2 — without industry experience, a big budget, or the "way it's always been done." In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ How to use data to find overlooked growth pockets your competitors are ignoring ✅ Why personalized, community-first outreach outperforms mass recruitment — and how to operationalize it ✅ How to recruit first-generation students and families ethically and effectively This episode is for mission-driven executives and organizational leaders who are trying to grow impact — whether that's enrollment, community reach, or program participation — in a resource-constrained environment where the old playbook isn't working.👤 ABOUT DR. JEREMY TAYLOR: Dr. Jeremy Taylor is the Vice President of Enrollment Management at Defiance College in northwest Ohio. A first-generation college student and PhD historian, Jeremy took over enrollment in 2023 after serving as a history professor, department chair, and football coach at the college — with zero prior admissions experience. In his first full cycle, he grew enrollment 78%. He is openly accessible to students, families, and fellow leaders seeking a second chance. 🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-taylor-5b5368161/ 🔗 Organization Website: https://defiance.edu 🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization. Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US: FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis #NonprofitLeadership #HigherEducation #MissionDrivenLeadership

David Cooper, Director of Community Outreach at Central Community House, shares how he left a corporate career, took a major pay cut, moved back to the neighborhood that raised him, and built one of Columbus's most powerful community mentorship and men's mental health movements — from the ground up. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ Why calling people "neighbors" instead of "clients" fundamentally changes the culture of care in your organization ✅ How David launched a men's mental health group called "Mask Off" — and why every person who attends once comes back ✅ What it actually looks like to model servant leadership as a director, including going to therapy yourself before asking your team toThis episode is for nonprofit HR directors, People Ops leaders, and Executive Directors who want to build belonging, mentor the next generation, and lead people-first cultures that last beyond their tenure.👤 ABOUT DAVID COOPER: David Cooper is the Director of Community Outreach at Central Community House, a nearly 90-year-old settlement house serving the Near East Side of Columbus, Ohio. A lifelong resident of the Livingston and Oakwood neighborhoods, David left a corporate career overseeing half the state of Ohio to return home and serve his community. He also serves as an Area Commissioner at Large for the Near East Side and founded the "Mask Off" men's mental health group at Central Community House. 🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-cooper-qmhp-cdca1-0475bb33/ 🔗 Organization Website: https://www.centralcommunityhouse.org 🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization. Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US: FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis #NonprofitLeadership #MensMentalHealth #ServantLeadership

Jamie Merrill — President & CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida — walked across her college graduation stage six months pregnant, on Medicaid, living paycheck to paycheck. Today she leads 15,500 kids across 40 clubs in five counties and was just named Orlando Magazine's Woman of the Year.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How Jamie built a leadership identity rooted in calling — not title-chasing — and why that made her more effective as a CEO✅ The mentorship philosophy that helped a nonverbal child speak for the first time in two years — and how it translates to leading any team✅ Why the best feedback she ever received came from people who reported to her — and how to create that kind of psychological safetyThis episode is for mission-driven leaders who are navigating the tension between who they are personally and who they're becoming professionally — and wondering if they have to choose.👤 ABOUT JAMIE MERRILL:Jamie Merrill is the President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, overseeing 40 clubs across five counties serving 15,500 young people annually. The first female president in the organization's history, Jamie was named one of Orlando Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business and was recently recognized as Orlando Magazine's Woman of the Year. She currently serves on the Boys & Girls Clubs of America President's Advisory Council and National Growth Council.🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-merrill-47859067/🔗 Organization Website: https://bgccf.org🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.aiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis#NonprofitLeadership #MissionDrivenLeadership #BoysAndGirlsClub

Chris Thomas, VP for Student Affairs at West Texas A&M University, shares how he built a culture of mentorship, belonging, and authentic leadership — sustaining 26 years of mission-driven service without burning out.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How the internal vs. external locus of control framework develops accountable, resilient teams✅ Why authentic leadership — not programs or policies — is the real retention lever✅ How to build layered after-hours support systems so no one falls through the cracksThis episode is for People Ops leaders, HR directors, and mission-driven executives who want to build cultures where people stay, grow, and actually want to show up.👤 ABOUT CHRIS THOMAS:Chris Thomas is the Vice President for Student Affairs at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, where he oversees housing, dining, campus health, student activities, Greek life, the rec complex, and more. With 26 years in higher education student affairs — starting as a graduate assistant managing 214 student organizations at Texas State — Chris has built a career on authentic, people-first leadership. He is a participant in the Governor's leadership program as a mentor and is widely known on campus as someone who greets everyone, remembers names, and leads by presence.🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-thomas-ed-d-97461b4/🔗 West Texas A&M University: https://www.wtamu.edu🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.aiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis#NonprofitLeadership #MissionDrivenLeadership #StaffRetention

Katie Condon, VP of Enrollment Management at Eastern Michigan University, shares how a first-generation college student with no family roadmap climbed from temp admissions counselor to vice president — and built a division focused on access, belonging, and saying yes to students others overlook.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How to advocate for yourself so leaders can actually coach and sponsor you✅ Why accepting all feedback equally is damaging your mental health — and how to filter it✅ How AI can extend your team's capacity to serve people 24/7 without replacing human connectionThis episode is for mission-driven leaders who want to build organizations rooted in access and purpose — and lead their teams through growth without losing themselves in the process.👤 ABOUT KATIE CONDON:Katie Condon is the Vice President of Enrollment Management at Eastern Michigan University. A first-generation college student herself, she began her career as a temporary admissions counselor at West Virginia University and spent over a decade in enrollment and recruitment before reaching the VP level. She is passionate about access, mission-driven higher education, and building teams that lead with curiosity.🔗 Katie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-condon🔗 Eastern Michigan University: https://emich.edu🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.aiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

Meaghan Arena, VP of Enrollment Management at the University of Southern Maine, shares how she grew enrollment year-over-year while institutions nationally are losing ground — and the leadership philosophy that made it possible.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How to build a culture where frontline staff drive strategic improvement — not just leadership✅ Why meeting people where they are (in hours, format, and access) is the highest-leverage retention strategy✅ How to reframe your organization's value when the people you serve are questioning whether they need you at allThis episode is for visionary executive directors and nonprofit CEOs who are fighting declining engagement, justifying mission investment, and building systems that serve everyone — not just the easiest-to-reach.👤 ABOUT MEAGHAN ARENA:Meaghan Arena is the Vice President of Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Student Retention at the University of Southern Maine — a public access institution serving traditional and adult learners across two campuses. A first-generation college student herself, she has built her career around expanding access to education for working adults, transfer students, and underserved communities. Under her leadership, USM has grown enrollment year-over-year in a national landscape of demographic decline.🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaghan-arena-ba84097/🔗 Organization Website: https://usm.maine.edu🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:- FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis#NonprofitLeadership #MissionDrivenLeadership #HigherEducation

Pete Vernig, VP of Mental Health Services at Recovery Centers of America, breaks down how his team maintains a unified clinical culture across 12 inpatient programs and 14 outpatient locations — and what every mission leader can learn about scaling care without losing their soul.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How RCA built a unified clinical model across 8 states — and what it    took to get staff aligned✅ Why stigma isn't just a culture problem — it's a life-or-death barrier    to care✅ How telehealth is closing the access gap for communities that can't    reach in-person services✅ Pete's current research: using predictive data to identify relapse risk    before it happens✅ A nuanced expert take on AI in behavioral health — what guardrails are    missing and what mission orgs should knowThis episode is essential for executive directors, operations leaders, and anyone building mission-driven services at scale.👤 ABOUT PETE VERNIG:Pete Vernig is VP of Mental Health Services at Recovery Centers of America, overseeing clinical programming across 12 inpatient programs, 14 outpatient locations, and 8 states. He began his career as a case manager in Denver's public mental health system working with individuals facing co-occurring disorders — and has spent two decades building clinical programs at the highest level of need.Recovery Centers of America: https://recoverycentersofamerica.comCrisis & Treatment Line: 1-800-RECOVERYSuicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. New episodes every Tuesday at 7:00 AM Central.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.aiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

David Barron, VP of Enrollment Management at the University of Texas at Tyler, has spent 26 years doing what every mission-driven leader is trying to figure out: how do you reach the people who need you most, remove the barriers standing between them and opportunity, and scale that impact — without unlimited resources?In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How a peer mentor model expanded from 4 to 46 communities and more than doubled access for first-generation students✅ Why removing barriers — not louder outreach — is what actually moves the needle for underserved populations✅ How to use AI tools to extend your team's capacity without losing the human connection that drives real changeThis episode is for mission-driven executives, program directors, and operations leaders who are trying to serve more people with the same — or shrinking — resources.👤 ABOUT DAVID BARRON:David Barron is the VP of Enrollment Management at the University of Texas at Tyler, where he has helped transform the institution from a second-choice to a first-choice university in East Texas. Over 26 years, he has led three universities to their highest enrollments in history by building community partnerships, removing access barriers, and deploying peer mentor models that meet underserved students exactly where they are.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-barron-2720122a/UT Tyler Website: https://www.uttyler.edu🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain Lozada sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.

Is your institution — or organization — measuring the wrong definition of success?Dean Kahler, enrollment leader at the University of Idaho, has spent his career challenging one uncomfortable truth: most institutions celebrate outcomes they should be ashamed of.In this episode of the Hart & Hustle Podcast, Dean joins Efrain Lozada for a candid conversation about what it actually takes to lead a mission-driven institution in 2025 — from embedding AI into your strategic plan before your competitors do, to building teams so strong that your job becomes serving them instead of directing them.If you lead a growing organization and you're tired of accepting "good enough," this episode is your playbook.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔑 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━→ Why 60-70% graduation rates are the nonprofit sector's "mowed 70% of the lawn" problem→ How the University of Idaho grew enrollment while schools nationwide are shutting down→ Dean's framework for servant leadership — and why it's the most powerful (not the softest) model→ The AI adoption mistake most institutions are making right now→ Why the real cost of college is not what families think — and how leaders can close that gap→ How to redesign your organization's relationship with industry partners for long-term relevance━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔗 CONNECT WITH DEAN KAHLER━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎓 University of Idaho: https://www.uidaho.edu📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deankahler/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE PODCAST━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Hart & Hustle is the podcast for mission-driven leaders who refuse to choose between impact and excellence. Hosted by Efrain Lozada, each episode features executives, innovators, and operators from nonprofit, healthcare, and social impact sectors sharing the real story behind building organizations that matter.Brought to you by FRANSiS™ — the SMS-powered conversational AI built specifically for mission-based organizations. When your community needs answers at 2am on a Sunday, FRANSiS™ makes sure someone's always there.🔗 Learn more: https://www.fransis.ai

What if the key to retaining your best people wasn't a better benefits package — but whether they feel truly seen? Javier Flores has spent 30+ years in higher education investing in students others overlooked. As VP of Enrollment Management at Texas Woman's University, he's built a people-first philosophy that nonprofit HR and People Ops leaders need to hear.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ The "backpack framework" — why every employee walks in carrying a history that shapes their performance, and how great leaders work with it instead of around it✅ Why investing in people before they're "ready" is the retention strategy that actually compounds over time✅ How to turn the people around your staff (families, mentors, communities) into your most powerful engagement tools✅ What the mentorship chain looks like in practice — and how to build one inside your own organization✅ Why people leave mission-driven organizations (hint: it's rarely the mission) and what leaders can do differentlyThis episode is for HR directors, People Ops leaders, and executive directors who are serious about building a culture where mission-driven staff stay, grow, and give their best.👤 ABOUT JAVIER FLORES:Javier Flores is the Vice President of Enrollment Management at Texas Woman's University, the only public, woman-purpose university in the nation. A first-generation college graduate and the first in his family to earn a doctorate degree, Javier has built a 30-year career leading student-centered teams at institutions across Texas and New Mexico. His work with foster care students, first-generation learners, and underrepresented communities has shaped a people-first leadership philosophy that translates directly to how mission-driven organizations retain and develop their best people.🌐 Texas Woman's University: https://twu.edu🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every Tuesday, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:- FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai- Keenan Hart on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/fromfransis#NonprofitHR #StaffRetention #MissionDrivenLeadership

David Harris, CEO of Pro-PT Physical Therapy, built a 20-clinic healthcare organization across California's Central Valley — and he'll tell you the growth almost never happened.In this conversation, David shares the leadership philosophy, communication systems, and people-first culture that took him from PT technician to CEO across a 27-year career — including the moment he almost walked away from it all.You'll learn:✅ Why 88% of people who need physical therapy never receive it — and how Pro-PT is closing that gap✅ The 5-minute monthly podcast that replaced hundreds of daily emails across 20 locations✅ How David evaluates every hire for culture fit before clinical skill — and why it works✅ The mentor conversation that convinced him to stop treating patients and start developing leaders✅ Why David says letting go of good employees is sometimes the greatest win a leader can haveThis episode is for healthcare executives, nonprofit leaders, and mission-driven operators who want to scale impact without losing the people-first culture that makes their work matter.👤 ABOUT DAVID HARRIS:David Harris is the CEO of Pro-PT Physical Therapy, a 20-clinic (and growing) outpatient physical therapy organization serving communities across California's Central Valley. With 27 years in healthcare — including 20 years with Benchmark Physical Therapy where he witnessed growth from 15 to nearly 1,300 clinics — David leads with a people-first philosophy rooted in mentorship, culture, and mission-driven care. He is also a certified coach through the John Maxwell team.🔗 Pro-PT Website: https://propt.net📧 David Harris: [email protected]🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every Tuesday, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.

VP of Marketing at a nonprofit that didn't believe in marketing — here's what he built.Christopher Lloyd is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Aspire Indiana Health, one of Indiana's largest nonprofit health systems serving 40,000+ patients annually across behavioral health, primary care, addiction recovery, housing, and crisis services.But when Christopher joined in 2019, the organization had never marketed itself — and they wouldn't even let him use the word "marketing" in his job title.In this episode of Hart & Hustle, Christopher breaks down what it really takes to build a marketing function from scratch inside a mission-driven organization, how to earn trust with clinician-led leadership, and why every nonprofit needs a marketing voice at the highest level of decision-making.In this episode:Why almost every modern marketing tool was built for wealthy consumers — not the people nonprofits actually serveHow Aspire grew from 10,000 to 40,000 patients served by investing in brand and communicationsThe connected TV experiment that worked — and why Christopher walked away from it anywayWhat Medicaid funding cuts actually mean for safety net health organizationsThe servant leader management model that's reducing turnover in one of healthcare's hardest environmentsWhy marketing communications belongs at your executive leadership table"We serve with compassion. We serve with humility." — Christopher Lloyd🔗 Connect with Aspire Indiana HealthWebsite: aspireindiana.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/aspire-indiana-health Facebook: facebook.com/AspireIndianaHealth Instagram: @aspireindianahealth Services: Behavioral Health · Primary Care · Addiction Recovery · Crisis Services · Housing & Job Assistance · Pharmacy

Dennis Carradin has been on the ground at 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Sandy Hook, and post-Columbine for 30 years — as a trauma therapist specializing in first responders and healthcare workers. In this conversation, he shares how a single encounter at a Dunkin' Donuts after Sandy Hook became the foundation of the Trauma Survivors Foundation: a national network now spanning 41 states, 2,800 trained therapists, and crisis care for over 5,000 first responders.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ Why less than 500 of 225,000 licensed U.S. therapists specialize in first responders — and what TSF is doing about it✅ How Dennis built a lean nonprofit that delivered 500,000 meals during COVID while keeping 128 restaurants from closing✅ What nonprofit leaders must do right now as donations drop 27–35% across the board✅ How TSF handles 2 AM crisis calls with a small team — and where the gaps still are✅ What Dennis says directly to first responders who've been white-knuckling it aloneThis episode is essential for nonprofit executives, healthcare leaders, and HR/People Ops professionals navigating funding pressure, team burnout, and the challenge of sustaining mission work in a leaner landscape.👤 ABOUT DENNIS CARRADIN:Dennis Carradin is a trauma therapist with 30 years of experience specializing in first responders, healthcare workers, and mass casualty events. He has responded to 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Sandy Hook, post-Columbine, and disasters worldwide. He is the President and founder of the Trauma Survivors Foundation and serves as Clinical Director for Delaware's CSIM team.🌐 Trauma Survivors Foundation: https://www.traumasurvivorsfoundation.org🌐 Dennis's Website: https://www.denniscarradin.com🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every Tuesday, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:- FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai- FRANSiS on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

Dianna Huddleston, VP of Community Partnerships at Aspire Indiana Health, breaks down how their organization serves 40,000 clients across 8 clinics—offering primary care, behavioral health, pharmacy, housing, and employment services all under one roof.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How Aspire's "no wrong door" same-day access model works in practice✅ Why they opened pharmacies inside their clinics—and what changed for patients✅ How they grew from 300 to 950 staff while navigating federal funding cuts✅ What whole-person care actually looks like for underserved communities✅ How leaders stay grounded when external pressure is at its highestThis episode is perfect for nonprofit executives and healthcare leaders looking to build more integrated, sustainable service models without turning anyone away.👤 ABOUT DIANNA HUDDLESTON:Dianna Huddleston is a licensed clinical social worker and VP of Community Partnerships at Aspire Indiana Health, where she has served for 12 years. A self-described "clinically trained unicorn," Dianna bridges the gap between frontline care and business leadership—connecting community partners to Aspire's integrated model and amplifying voices that often go unheard.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianna-huddlestonAspire Indiana Health Website: https://aspireindiana.org🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every Tuesday, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:- FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai- FRANSiS™ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis

Stephanie Vranich, VP of Outreach & Development at Volunteers of America Florida, breaks down how a $30M nonprofit serving 5,000+ Floridians each year raises funds, tells impact stories that actually move donors, and navigates the uncertainty of federal funding cuts—without losing momentum.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ Why direct mail still drives donations (and how to make it impossible to ignore)✅ The impact story framework that converts skeptical donors into loyal supporters✅ How VOA Florida is diversifying revenue as federal grants grow more uncertain✅ What "no money, no mission" really means—and why it changes how you lead✅ How to build a fundraising culture when you're a team of three covering 60+ programsThis episode is perfect for nonprofit executive directors, development officers, and mission-driven leaders trying to sustain and grow their organizations during an uncertain funding environment.👤 ABOUT STEPHANIE VRANICH:Stephanie Vranich is the VP of Outreach & Development at Volunteers of America Florida, where she built the organization's outreach and development department from the ground up over 12 years. She oversees fundraising, marketing, and donor relations for a $30M organization serving thousands of Floridians experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and mental health challenges.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-vranich-9531623/VOA Florida Website: https://www.voaflorida.org

🔗 Connect with October:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/october🏥 Central Health: centralhealth.netCommunity Care Clinic: communitycare.texas.orgOctober Ambrose went from certified nursing assistant to System VP of People Partnerships & Engagement at Central Health — the Travis County Hospital District serving uninsured and underinsured residents across Central Texas. In this conversation, she breaks down how authentic leadership, mentorship, and smart technology adoption are reshaping how mission-driven healthcare organizations build and retain their teams.You'll learn:✅ How AI transcription tools are giving healthcare providers more direct patient interaction — and what that means for your care team✅ Why authenticity is October's #1 leadership value and how she instills it across a large health system✅ How she navigated imposter syndrome as a Black woman in corporate healthcare — and when she finally "shifted back"✅ Her mentorship model for developing the next generation of healthcare leaders✅ Career advice for women of color stepping into rooms they weren't expected to occupyThis episode is perfect for nonprofit HR directors, healthcare operations leaders, and mission-driven executives who want to build cultures where people stay, grow, and lead.

Najla Wortham started at Rock Creek Foundation in 2007 as an employment consultant — boots on the ground, carving out jobs for individuals with disabilities. Eighteen years later, she's the President and CEO, making her the first African American woman to lead the organization in its 52-year history.In this conversation, Najla breaks down exactly how Rock Creek builds leaders from within, how she navigated imposter syndrome at the executive level, and what her sustainability strategy looks like as federal Medicaid funding comes under pressure in 2026.✅ Why "growing your own leaders" is Rock Creek's #1 cultural differentiator✅ How to overcome imposter syndrome as a leader of color in nonprofit spaces✅ Najla's 2026 strategy for reducing reliance on federal and state funding✅ What it means to lead with vulnerability, transparency, and "fail forward" thinking✅ Why the smartest person at the table is a warning sign, not an assetThis episode is essential for nonprofit Executive Directors and HR leaders building succession plans, navigating funding uncertainty, or leading organizations through culture change.

Chrystina Russell flew from Burundi to tell us what nonprofit leaders need to hear right now: how Village Health Works absorbed a $1.4 million USAID funding gap — and didn't blink.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How mission-driven organizations survive sudden federal funding cuts✅ Why love alone isn't enough — you need love AND skill to serve vulnerable communities✅ What leading from a resource-scarce environment teaches you about systems thinking✅ The leadership philosophy behind a 20-year organization serving 200,000+ peopleThis episode is perfect for Executive Directors, nonprofit CEOs, and program leaders navigating funding uncertainty, staff burnout, and the pressure to do more with less.📊 KEY TAKEAWAYS:- The system is often the problem — not the people in it. Whether it's teacher burnout or nonprofit funding gaps, individual effort can't outrun broken structures.- Love is necessary, but not sufficient. Serving vulnerable communities requires pairing genuine care with real, technical skill.- Village Health Works serves 200,000+ people across 19 communities with 200 community health workers — and absorbed a $1.4M USAID gap without abandoning its mission.- When peanut paste shipments stopped overnight, the team pivoted to growing their own — turning a crisis into community economic empowerment.- Rest is resistance. Chrystina shares how Tricia Hersey's framework reshaped her leadership approach to sustainability.👤 ABOUT CHRYSTINA RUSSELL:Chrystina Russell is the Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Village Health Works, a 20-year-old community health organization in Burundi, East Africa. She began her career as a bilingual special education teacher in the Bronx, spent a decade as a teacher and principal in East Harlem, and transitioned into international development after building a track record of results in education innovation. She now leads fundraising and strategic development for an organization running a 200-bed hospital, secondary and primary schools, and community economic empowerment programs serving 200,000+ people.🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every Tuesday, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.

Josh Goldberg, CEO of Boulder Crest Foundation, shares his journey from corporate executive to suicidal crisis to leading an organization that served 43,000 people last year through post-traumatic growth programs.In this raw conversation, you'll learn:✅ The exact moment Josh realized he'd built "a false existence" despite external success✅ How helping others became the path out of his own suicidal ideation✅ The three-year wilderness period between crisis and clarity—and what he learned✅ How Boulder Crest grew from serving 700 to 43,000 people annually without losing culture✅ Why "unfuck yourself" became the turning point for sustainable service✅ Scaling nonprofit impact from 35 to 86 staff while maintaining mission-driven cultureThis episode is perfect for nonprofit leaders, executive directors, and mission-driven professionals navigating burnout, organizational growth, or questioning their own career path.📊 KEY TAKEAWAYS:- Scale without sacrifice: Boulder Crest grew from 700 to 43,000 people served annually while maintaining tight-knit culture through intentional PKC3 values (Passionate, Kind, Competence, Curiosity, Courage)- The "unfuck yourself" principle: Sustainable service requires self-care first—Josh's daily routine of meditation, gratitude, and movement enables him to show up for 86 staff and 43,000 clients- Post-traumatic growth over PTSD: Boulder Crest shifted the paradigm from pathologizing struggle to finding meaning in it, inspired by Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning"- Service as self-rescue: Josh's path out of suicidal crisis came through helping veteran families—proving that purpose can be found by stepping outside your own suffering- The three-year rule: Major life pivots take 3 months to 3 years (Josh's mentor predicted this timeline with eerie accuracy)- "Be a pilot light, not a firecracker": Civil rights leader John Lewis's wisdom on sustainable activism applies to nonprofit leadership—daily practices prevent burnout👤 ABOUT JOSH GOLDBERG:Josh Goldberg is the CEO of Boulder Crest Foundation, a nonprofit serving military veterans, first responders, and their families through post-traumatic growth programs. After a successful corporate career that left him in existential crisis, Josh pivoted to nonprofit leadership in 2014. Under his leadership, Boulder Crest has grown to operate four retreat centers (Virginia, Arizona, Texas, Wyoming) and serves over 43,000 people annually. Josh's personal journey from suicidal ideation to leading large-scale mission impact makes him a powerful voice on mental health, sustainable leadership, and organizational culture in the nonprofit sector.Josh's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmgoldberg55/Boulder Crest Foundation: https://www.bouldercrest.org

What happens when a clinical mental health professional trades direct patient care for executive leadership—and discovers she can make an even bigger impact? In this powerful conversation, Caitlin Summers-Motta, VP of Business Development at First Children's Services, reveals the raw truth about mission-driven leadership in behavioral health.In This Episode:Why waking up at 5:30 AM became Caitlin's secret weapon for maintaining balance between three kids and leading organizational growthThe unexpected journey from clinical mental health counselor to executive strategist—and the imposter syndrome that came with itHow COVID-19 changed the conversation around mental health (and why we still have work to do)The adoption story that transformed how Caitlin approaches family servicesWhy she tells parents: "Put your oxygen mask on first" isn't just airplane advice—it's survivalThe truth about burnout in behavioral health that nobody talks about in job interviewsHow First Children's Services is tackling New Jersey's massive waitlists with innovative programs like "Bridge" for students with Level 2-3 autismKey Insights: ✅ The mental health workforce crisis: Why talented professionals are leaving the field—and what organizations can do to stop the exodus ✅ Seasonal Affective Disorder is real: How weather impacts mental health and why it's okay to say "today's not a good day" ✅ The power of saying "I'm not okay": Breaking down the walls that keep people from asking for help ✅ AI in behavioral health: When ChatGPT can help—and when you absolutely need a human professional ✅ Collaboration over competition: Why behavioral health organizations need to work together, not against each otherPerfect For: Nonprofit leaders, behavioral health professionals, parents navigating special needs services, anyone interested in mission-driven innovation, and leaders struggling with imposter syndrome.Guest Bio: Caitlin Summers-Motta is the VP of Business Development at First Children's Services, where she's spent nearly 10 years building programs that serve youth and families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. From autism clinics to school refusal programs, Caitlin bridges the gap between clinical excellence and strategic growth—proving you can be both a mission-driven professional and an exceptional parent.🎧 Subscribe to Hart & Hustle for more conversations with mission-based leaders who are transforming how nonprofits and healthcare organizations serve their communities.Topics: #BehavioralHealth #MentalHealth #NonprofitLeadership #AutismServices #MissionDriven #WorkLifeBalance #ImposterSyndrome #PediatricCare #NewJersey #ExecutiveLeadershipEpisode Length: ~45 minutesHart & Hustle is hosted by Efrain Lozada and explores the intersection of leadership, innovation, and human-centered technology in mission-based organizations.

Kevin Martone, President and CEO of Bay Cove Human Services, shares what he's learned leading a mental health organization serving 25,000 people annually with 2,000 employees and a $190 million budget—from navigating federal funding cuts to changing how communities think about mental illness.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How to scale mental health services from 300 to 25,000 people without losing human connection✅ Why the biggest barrier to mental health treatment isn't clinical—it's housing, employment, and communication access✅ Strategies for nonprofits navigating federal funding cuts and state budget challenges in 2025✅ How to shift public narrative around mental health, homelessness, and substance use disorders✅ Kevin's 30-year journey from wanting to join the FBI to leading one of Boston's largest human services organizations✅ The role of AI in mental health (and why guardrails matter more than innovation)✅ What really fills a nonprofit leader's cup after decades in this workThis episode is perfect for nonprofit executive directors, operations leaders, and anyone managing large-scale mental health, behavioral health, or human services programs.

Meredith Johnston from Family Health Centers of San Diego shares how her organization serves over 230,000 individuals annually through innovative community health solutions—from street medicine teams partnering with police to mobile mammography units reaching underserved neighborhoods.In this conversation, you'll learn:✅ How to build nonprofit culture that prioritizes authenticity and mission over corporate hierarchy✅ Why "food is medicine" matters for mental health programs serving vulnerable populations✅ How Southwest Airlines' crisis leadership principles translate to nonprofit operations✅ The real challenge of marketing safety net services to communities that need them vs. donors who fund them✅ Why saying your struggles out loud is the first step to solving themThis episode is perfect for nonprofit executive directors and operations leaders looking to scale community impact while maintaining organizational soul and staff wellbeing.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction: Meeting Meredith Johnston2:15 - Family Health Centers Mission: Serving 230,000+ San Diegans6:05 - The Pandemic's Great Equalizer & Vaccine Equity9:18 - The Marketing Paradox: Reaching Patients vs. Reaching Donors13:03 - A Day in Nonprofit Philanthropy Leadership14:44 - Food is Medicine: Fresh Produce for Mental Health Programs17:22 - Finding Philanthropy by Accident (And Never Leaving)22:43 - Southwest Airlines Leadership Lessons That Still Apply Today27:28 - What Real Nonprofit Culture Looks Like31:00 - Three Words Every Leader Should Live By: Authenticity, Empowerment, Integrity33:28 - Growing Up Mormon & Finding Your Authentic Leadership Voice37:58 - How to Get Involved: Spirit of the Barrio Events40:03 - Advice for Anyone Struggling: Say It Out Loud & Take One Step📊 KEY TAKEAWAYS:Family Health Centers operates 29 clinics serving San Diego's most vulnerable populations with 92% of patients classified as low incomeStreet medicine teams partner with SDPD's Homeless Outreach Team to provide continuity of care before encampment sweeps, preventing infectious disease spreadAuthentic leadership means hiring teams that shore up your weaknesses, not pretending to be perfect at everythingCulture isn't something that happens to you—it's something you create intentionally through consistent values and communicationMeredith's leadership framework: "Your only job is to be yourself. No one else can play your position."👤 ABOUT MEREDITH JOHNSTON:Meredith Johnston is Vice President of Development at Family Health Centers of San Diego, one of the top 10 largest community health clinics in the United States. With 20+ years in nonprofit fundraising and advocacy, she previously worked in the executive office at Southwest Airlines during 9/11, bringing crisis leadership and culture-building expertise to mission-driven healthcare. She's passionate about connecting wealthy communities with safety net organizations they may never need but that serve as the backbone of public health infrastructure.Meredith's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithhjohnston/Family Health Centers Website: https://www.fhcsd.orgSpirit of the Barrio Events: https://www.fhcsd.org/events🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every Tuesday, hosts Keenan Hart (CEO, FRANSiS™) and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.

Liz Matthews from Covenant House Alaska shares how leading with a "staff-first" philosophy allows her team to serve over 1,200 homeless youth annually—and why treating your staff as your primary client changes everything.As Director of Housing overseeing five programs across Anchorage, Liz has learned that sustainable impact starts with taking care of your team. In this conversation, she breaks down the leadership practices that prevent burnout, the power of working from different sites weekly, and how Covenant House's federation model enables resource sharing across 34 locations in North America.What You'll Learn:How to prevent nonprofit staff burnout while scaling services dramaticallyThe "one size fits one" approach to youth services that actually worksWhy nonprofit leaders should maintain physical presence across multiple sitesHow federation models enable collaboration over competitionPractical ways to give back beyond financial donations (time, talent, advocacy)Key Stats:Covenant House Alaska served 1,200+ youth in FY25, on track for 1,400+ in FY26Anchorage has the same unhoused population as Houston (3,000+) but a fraction of the overall populationCovenant House International operates 34+ sites across the U.S., Canada, and Latin AmericaAbout Liz Matthews: Liz leads housing programs at Covenant House Alaska, bringing decades of experience from domestic violence shelters, foster care systems, and preventive services in Wisconsin, Tennessee, and New York City. Her leadership philosophy—that staff are her primary clients—has enabled sustainable growth while maintaining team wellbeing.Resources Mentioned:Covenant House Alaska: covenanthouseak.orgCovenant House International: covenanthouse.orgConnect with Hart & Hustle: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in their communities. Subscribe for practical insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling impact.

Dr. Patrick McGrath reveals the massive misconceptions about OCD and how one chance meeting at a conference led him to help thousands escape years of suffering. In this powerful conversation, the Chief Clinical Officer of NOCD shares how OCD actually works, why saying "I'm so OCD" minimizes a devastating condition, and how technology is finally making evidence-based treatment accessible to millions.

From Homeless at 20 to Leading Chicago's Largest Youth Homeless OrganizationIn this powerful episode, Efrain sits down with Jose M. Muñoz, CEO of La Casa Norte, who shares his remarkable journey from experiencing homelessness as a young father to leading an organization that serves over 20,000 people annually across Chicago.

Ann Marie Cook, President & CEO of Lifespan of Greater Rochester, reveals why America's aging population crisis is bigger than most people realize, and what needs to change now.In this powerful conversation, Ann Marie shares insights from leading a $22 million organization serving older adults for nearly three decades. She discusses the uncomfortable truth about elder abuse, the explosion of financial scams targeting seniors, and why the "silver tsunami" will reshape everything we know about work, family, and community.

Foster care alumni to nonprofit CEO leading 16,000 lives toward healing. In this powerful episode, Efrain sits down with Merideth Rose, President and CEO of Cornerstones of Care, to discuss her transformation from a foster kid expelled from school to a leader revolutionizing trauma-informed care across Missouri and Kansas.

From Sunday school questions to boardroom solutions. Angela Hood, Chief of Staff at Detroit Parent Network, shares how growing up in Flint, Michigan shaped her commitment to amplifying parent voices in education. Discover why degrees don't define expertise, how to challenge systems without getting shut out, and the real meaning of "no money, no mission."

Dr. Karen DeCocker, Vice President of Clinical Services at Stella Mental Health, shares how she transformed from delivering babies to revolutionizing trauma treatment through innovative mental health care. Learn about the stellate ganglion block, a two-minute procedure with an 80% success rate in resetting the nervous system's trauma response.

Katie Welsh from the Women's Center for Advancement reveals the harsh reality most attorneys won't tell you about domestic violence cases. In this episode, Efrain discusses how legal advocacy becomes the bridge between crisis and self-sufficiency for survivors who can't afford traditional representation.

How does a 63-year-old nonprofit stay innovative while serving those who need care most? In this episode, Efrain sits down with Justin Harland, CEO of Kansas Christian Home, to explore the intersection of elderly care, technology, and mission-driven leadership.

Ken Huey, CEO of The Hope Group, shares how childhood trauma shapes mental health—and what it takes to break the cycle. In this powerful conversation, Efrain explores specialized trauma care for adoptees and foster youth, the groundbreaking ACEs research, and why understanding trauma at its root changes everything.

Most mental health advice treats symptoms—Michael Gershenzon is treating the brain like the organ it is. In this episode, Efrain sits down with the CEO of Stellar Mental Health to discuss how interventional psychiatry is revolutionizing treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD without relying solely on traditional therapy or medication.

Dr. Raymond Garcia, Chief Medical Officer at Rosecrance, reveals how psychiatry transformed from pure science into the art of storytelling and human connection. In this conversation, Efrain explores how augmented intelligence is revolutionizing behavioral health while keeping humanity at the center of care.

Brandi Pretlow, VP of Community Initiatives at Active Minds, shares how one college student's grief transformed into a national movement mobilizing youth to change mental health culture on campuses nationwide.

Kristin Lamendola, Vice President of Business Development at Partnership to End Addiction, shares how personal tragedy transformed her career path and why delaying youth substance use by even one year dramatically reduces addiction risk. In this conversation, Efrain discusses the critical shift from corporate sales to mission-driven work, the truth about prevention versus scare tactics, and how families, not institutions, are the most powerful force in ending the addiction crisis.

AnnMarie Churchill from Stepped Care Solutions shares how technology can transform mental health access without replacing human connection. Efrain explores the balance between AI-powered support and authentic therapeutic relationships.

Steve Page walked away from investment banking to build psychiatric hospitals where none existed. Now, SUN Behavioral Health operates multiple facilities serving thousands of patients whom others had given up on.

Jill Nosach, CEO of SOS Children's Villages USA, reveals how one trusted adult can rewire a child's brain and break generational trauma cycles. In this powerful conversation, Efrain discusses the neuroscience of healing, the critical gap in foster care systems, and why keeping siblings together changes everything.

Angie Manson went from facing 10 years in prison to building one of California's most innovative addiction treatment centers. In this raw conversation, the CEO of Elevate Addiction Services shares how personal struggle became her greatest leadership asset.

Four exam failures. Three young kids. One marriage falling apart. Rachel Watson's path to VP wasn't what anyone expected. In this episode, Efrain discusses how failure redirected Rachel into autism services leadership and why Interactive Kids is building community instead of just treating clients.