Leadership by Purpose Podcast

How do you transform a global organization's business model while keeping your mission and values intact? In this episode, I sit down with Sudha Nandagopal, founder of Bend the Horizon, to explore her experience leading business model transformation as CEO of Social Venture Partners International, a global philanthropic network with 44 affiliates around the world.Sudha came into the role knowing that restructuring would be a priority. What she discovered was that before you can shift a business model, you need clarity on your theory of change. This conversation explores the real work of organizational transformation: getting clear on purpose and values, building alignment across the ecosystem, testing multiple approaches, and creating the conditions for sustainable change.We discuss the challenges of network governance, the question of who defines a network's future, supporting women of color leaders during pivotal transitions, and why business model evolution must be seen as part of ongoing organizational strategy.Guest Bio: Sudha Nandagopal is the founder of Bend the Horizon, a strategy advising firm that works at the intersection of climate, narrative, philanthropy, and governance. Previously, she served as CEO of Social Venture Partners International, a global philanthropic network. She is currently board chair of the Sunrise Project and a board member at Taproot Earth. Sudha began her career as an organizer in environmental and labor movements and led the development of the City of Seattle's Equity and Environment Initiative before moving into philanthropic leadership. Follow Sudha on Substack.In This Episode:Why you can't shift a business model until you know your theory of changeThe unique challenges of leading federated networks and defining value propositionHow to navigate affiliate tensions around dues, governance, and directionTesting multiple business models through structured experimentationBuilding alignment by starting with the external ecosystem before going internalThe importance of equity processes in network restructuringWhy business model work is continuous organizational strategy, not a five-year plan Supporting women of color leaders navigating organizational pivotsFinding the intersection of joy and impact in leadershipWhat funders need to understand about resourcing organizations in transitionResources Mentioned:*Unrigged the Game* by Vanessa Daniel

What if the ultimate success of your organization isn't staying independent forever, but creating a cultural shift that outlasts the institution itself? Bethany Robertson, co-founder of the I Do Foundation and Parents Together Foundation, shares her journey through organizational mergers and the lessons learned about redefining success.The I Do Foundation pioneered charitable giving at weddings in 2000, creating a cultural norm and generating over $1 million before merging with a larger organization. Bethany discusses the emotional complexity of navigating transitions as a founder, the challenge of moving from philanthropic funding to earned revenue sustainability, and why letting go of organizational independence can be the right strategic choice.We explore the critical difference between thinking of a process as a "merger" versus an "acquisition"—and how waiting too long can shift the power dynamics. Bethany shares lessons about negotiating when your assets have declined, the importance of separating founder identity from organizational identity, and why this moment demands flexibility in how we think about institutional work. Whether you're considering a merger, struggling with sustainability questions, or wondering how to balance organizational and personal wellbeing, this conversation offers honest perspectives on organizational evolution.Guest Bio:Bethany Robertson is a social entrepreneur with over two decades of experience. She co-founded the I Do Foundation in 2000, creating a movement around charitable giving at weddings. More recently, she served as co-founder and co-director of Parents Together Foundation. Bethany has championed co-leadership models and flexible organizational structures throughout her career, and currently focuses on local community organizing in Washington, DC.Note: Host Monisha Kapila served on the I Do Foundation board starting in 2006 and brings her perspective to the conversation.Resources Mentioned:Lean Impact by Ann Mei Chang - Brings Lean Startup philosophy into the social sectorEmail: [email protected]: nonprofit leadership, organizational merger, social entrepreneurship, nonprofit sustainability, founder journey, co-leadership, organizational restructuring, I Do Foundation, Parents Together Foundation, nonprofit transition, leadership identity, grassroots organizing

What does it look like when a nonprofit board chooses to sunset an organization with intention, transparency, and care? In this episode, I sit down with Angela Romans and Kristina Gawrgy, former staff and board members of AchieveMission, to explore their thoughtful approach to organizational transition.AchieveMission was a capacity-building organization serving the nonprofit sector with a focus on talent management and equity-centered organizational practices. When the executive director decided to step down during COVID, the board faced a pivotal decision: search for new leadership, pursue a merger, or sunset the organization. We share how the board navigated this choice while centering values of transparency, community care, and racial equity.We discuss the dynamics of supporting Black women in leadership, the operational realities of dissolution, communication strategies with stakeholders, and what it means to wind down an organization in a way that honors both the work and the people who made it possible.Guest Bios:Angela Romans served as a Partner at AchieveMission and brought her expertise in organizational transitions to leading the sunset process.Kristina Gawrgy served as a board member at AchieveMission and played a key role in communication strategies through the sunset process.Note: Host Monisha Kapila also served on the AchieveMission board during this transition and brings her perspective to the conversation.In This Episode:The evolution of AchieveMission and its capacity-building workHow the board approached the decision to sunset Centering racial equity and supporting Black women leaders during transitionThe legal and operational realities of nonprofit dissolutionCommunication strategies with staff, funders, and community partnersCreating legacy through knowledge sharing and resource distributionLessons learned for other organizations facing similar crossroadsResources Mentioned: AchieveMission's Sunset: A Case Study - BoardSource https://boardsource.org/achievemissions-sunset/ Email: [email protected]

What happens when a nonprofit merger doesn't unfold the way you expected? Rey Faustino, Founder and CEO of One Degree, shares the story of merging his tech-driven nonprofit with another organization—and the lessons learned along the way.One Degree uses technology to connect low-income families with critical community resources. When Rey decided to pursue a merger to accelerate growth, he discovered that cultural integration, financial realities, and change management were far more complex than the deal itself.In this conversation, Rey opens up about navigating a merger and unmerger, and keeping the community at the center when everything else felt uncertain. His honest reflections on what worked, what didn't, and how he's grown as a leader offer valuable insights for anyone leading through organizational change.What You'll Learn:Why Rey believed a merger could accelerate One Degree's missionThe cultural and operational challenges that emerged post-mergerHow financial difficulties forced tough decisions about staffingWhat it takes to maintain community focus during organizational upheavalRey's perspective on leadership, empathy, and navigating changeConnect with Rey: One Degree: https://about.1degree.org/ 

Welcome to the Leadership by Purpose podcast, where leaders navigate change with confidence. I'm your host, Monisha Kapila—executive coach, consultant, and former nonprofit CEO with over 20 years of leadership experience across sectors including social impact, finance, and entrepreneurship.In this introductory episode, I share my journey from my first experience on a local TV show as a teenager to building and leading organizations, and why I'm launching this podcast now. After two decades of leading teams, coaching executives, and navigating organizational change, I've learned that the most effective leaders are those who lead with purpose—grounded in clear values while driving meaningful results.This podcast explores the real challenges leaders face when navigating change: organizational restructuring, advancing equity and inclusion, managing transitions, and leading with authenticity during uncertain times. Through conversations with nonprofit executive directors, social entrepreneurs, foundation leaders, and purpose-driven business leaders, we'll unpack the what, why, how, and who of values-centered leadership.In our first season, we'll focus on organizational restructuring—hearing from leaders who've navigated mergers, partnerships, layoffs, and other structural changes in the social impact sector.Whether you're leading through transition, building something new, or simply trying to stay grounded in your values while managing complexity, this podcast is for you. I hope you'll join me for this journey.Have feedback or topic suggestions? Email me at [email protected].