Leading with purpose: Practical tips for purpose-driven work

The Diligent Institute has just released its latest research report, Governance outlook 2027 for mission-driven organizations, based on insights from 230 nonprofit and public sector leaders.

In this episode, Kira Ciccarelli, Senior Research & Programs Manager at the Diligent Institute, and Ellen Glasgow, Senior Vice President for Mission-Driven Organizations at Diligent, unpack the report's key findings and explore what they reveal about the priorities, risks and governance challenges shaping the year ahead.

They explore how nonprofit and public sector boards can respond to funding uncertainty, redesign meetings around strategy and decisions, strengthen risk oversight, build scenario-planning discipline and put the right foundations in place for responsible AI use.

Stay tuned to the end to hear the actions boards can take now to become more strategic, resilient and prepared for 2027.

Download the full research report: https://www.diligent.com/resources/research/mdo-governance-outlook

As funding pressures, rising costs and growing accountability demands reshape the landscape for mission-driven organizations, strong financial oversight has never been more important. In this episode of Leading with Purpose, Ryan Alexander, founder of RA Partners and author of Protect your mission The finance framework for nonprofit leaders, and Hannah Romick, co-founder and CEO of Conscient Strategies, explore how boards and leadership teams can use financial oversight as a strategic tool to strengthen governance and protect their mission.

The conversation covers the questions every board should be asking about cash flow, revenue and financial sustainability, how organizations can build transparency and trust through stronger governance, and why internal controls are critical for reducing risk and protecting resources. Ryan and Hannah also discuss funding complexity, mission drift, scenario planning, board education and the role of technology in helping leaders make more informed financial decisions.

Stay tuned to the end to hear Ryan and Hannah's advice on the single most important thing boards can do to strengthen financial oversight, improve decision-making and better safeguard their mission.

Further resources on financial oversight and governance

• Financial oversight & risk management: A 5‑step guide for nonprofit boards
• A practical guide to mastering financial oversight for public sector boards
• Protect your mission The finance framework for nonprofit leaders by Ryan Alexander
• Conscient Strategies

As nonprofits and other mission-driven organizations face growing pressure to demonstrate impact, boards need more than just numbers. In this episode of Leading with Purpose, Jennifer McKenzie, founder of Organised Synergy, and Dottie Schindlinger, Executive Director of the Diligent Institute, explore how storytelling and mission metrics work together to help boards communicate impact with greater clarity, credibility and confidence.

The conversation covers how boards can identify the right mission measures, use data more strategically, strengthen fundraising and donor engagement, and build trust through authentic storytelling. Jennifer and Dottie share practical advice on board development, the role of technology in supporting mission impact, and how nonprofits can approach AI responsibly while uncovering new insights from their data.

Stay tuned to the end to hear Jennifer and Dottie's advice on the single most important thing boards can do to better connect mission metrics, storytelling and mission impact.

Further resources on board mission measurement and advocacy

• How to leverage data for your mission-driven organization's success
• How nonprofit boards can unlock digital advocacy and crush it on Linkedin

Student voice is most powerful when it’s more than feedback but actually part of governance. In this episode of Leading with Purpose, Zachary Patterson, co-founder of the National Student Board Member Association and former student board member, explores how school boards can meaningfully include students in decision-making.

We discuss the unique perspective student board members bring, why representation matters, and what separates genuine participation from a symbolic seat at the table. The conversation also covers practical ways boards can better support student board members through onboarding, training, access to information and technology, and stronger relationships with board leaders.

Be sure to listen to the end, where Zachary shares the one action every board can take in the next 30–60 days to better support and empower its student board members.

The Edvanced Cohort

Diligent, the National Student Board Members Association (NSBMA) and the Consortium for State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) are proud to collaborate on a national professional development initiative to support students serving on district governing boards called The Edvanced Cohort. Inquiries from districts that wish to submit their student representative for consideration for the 2026-2027 cohort are currently being accepted, find out more here.

Board self-assessment is one of the most effective, and often overlooked, tools for strengthening governance. In this episode of Leading with Purpose, governance experts Barbara Paxton of BoardStrong and Steve Schroeder, former school board member and governance leader, explore how mission-driven boards can turn self-evaluation from a box-ticking exercise into a catalyst for continuous improvement.

They discuss why many boards struggle with self-assessment, the key areas boards should evaluate, and practical ways to gather honest feedback, build trust, and turn insights into meaningful action. They also share how regular self-evaluation can strengthen board engagement, accountability and mission impact.

Be sure to listen to the end of the episode, where Barbara and Steve share their top advice for boards looking to get started and build a stronger culture of continuous improvement.

Further resources on board self-assessment

• Self-assessments for transformative public school boards
• A checklist for volunteer board self-evaluations

Public sector organisations face mounting pressure to detect and prevent fraud, waste and abuse but traditional audit methods often fall short. In this episode of Leading with Purpose, Diligent experts Jason Venner and Katja Freeman, both former practitioners from federal and state government, explore how audit and finance teams can move from reactive investigations to proactive, technology-driven oversight.

Drawing on their experience, they discuss why manual sampling no longer works, how analytics and automation are transforming risk detection, and where leaders can achieve fast, measurable ROI. The conversation also highlights what’s truly at stake: protecting public trust while ensuring every dollar delivers on its intended mission.

Be sure to listen to the end of the episode, where Jason and Katja share their top advice for protecting public funds and getting started with a more modern, technology-enabled approach.

Further resources on combating waste and fraud:

Guide to combating public sector fraud with AI and analytics

Sarah Merkle is an attorney and certified professional parliamentarian with nearly 25 years of experience helping organisations run fair, efficient and orderly business meetings. Through her work with boards across nonprofit and the public sector, Sarah is known for making parliamentary procedure practical, accessible and relevant for today’s governance challenges.

In this episode, we explore why parliamentary rules matter more than ever in a time of low trust and heightened sensitivity to decision‑making processes. Sarah explains what parliamentary procedure really is — and what it isn’t — and why having clear, agreed‑upon rules can actually make meetings smoother, more inclusive and easier to manage.

We discuss common misconceptions about parliamentary rules, how they can be misused, and how boards can right‑size and customise procedures to reflect their size, culture and mission. From designing agendas that move decisions forward to encouraging productive participation and preventing meetings from becoming a free‑for‑all, this conversation offers practical guidance boards can apply immediately.

Sarah also shares insights on the critical role of the board chair in setting tone, maintaining neutrality and de‑escalating conflict, as well as how technology, including digital agendas, secure voting and online meeting tools, can support clearer, more efficient and compliant meetings.

Be sure to listen to the end for Sarah’s best advice for board administrators, chairs and governance professionals looking to use meeting time in service of the mission — not waste it — and to help board members feel heard, respected and engaged, even when decisions are difficult.

Further resources on parliamentary procedures:

• Download a free Robert’s Rules cheat sheet
• More helpful tips and resources from Sarah can be found on https://civility.co/

Liz Thompson is Executive Assistant to the President, Corporate Secretary, and Corporate Compliance Officer at Presbyterian Senior Care Network. Chandu Vemuri is Executive Assistant for the Board and Superintendent Leadership at Sun Prairie School District in Wisconsin. Together, Liz and Chandu bring deep, hands‑on experience supporting nonprofit and public‑facing boards as they welcome new members into governance.

In this conversation, we explore why thoughtful board orientation matters more than ever, what’s at risk when onboarding is rushed or unclear, and how organizations can set new board members up for success from day one. From clarifying roles and legal responsibilities to building confidence, culture, and trust, this episode looks at what effective orientation really takes — especially in highly regulated, highly visible environments like healthcare and public education.

Liz and Chandu share practical approaches to self‑guided onboarding, peer mentoring, and using technology to make orientation more accessible, consistent, and engaging. Listen in as they discuss how good orientation strengthens governance over the long term — not just in the first 30 days — and why onboarding should be the start of a continuous learning journey for every board member.

And be sure to listen to the end for their best advice for board administrators and clerks looking to move beyond a one‑and‑done orientation and build confident, effective boards.

Further resources on board member onboarding:

• Our guide to onboarding and orienting nonprofit board members can be downloaded here.
• Our guides to onboarding and orienting public board members can be downloaded for public education and local government.

Andrea Messina is CEO of Florida School Boards Association and Kathy McFarland is Executive Director of COSSBA.

Together, Andrea and Kathy bring deep experience supporting school boards and school districts across the country. In our conversation, we explore why transparency is so critical for public-facing boards, where organizations sometimes fall short, and how open meetings, clear communication, and consistent records management help build trust — even when decisions are complex or controversial.

From livestreamed meetings and accessible agendas to records retention and board accountability, this Sunshine Week conversation reinforces a core leadership principle: transparency isn’t about doing things perfectly — it’s about doing them openly, consistently and with the public in mind.

Listen in as Andrea and Kathy share their advice and experience for public‑facing boards navigating the whole area of transparency.

And do stick around to the end to hear their excellent advice for building a strong culture of transparency and trust.

Further resources on transparency for public boards:

Our guide to transparency through technology for education can be downloaded here.
Our guide to transparency through technology for government can be downloaded here.

Dominique Shelton‑Leipzig is CEO of Global Data Innovation and Dr. Andrea Bonime‑Blanc is founder and CEO of GEC Risk Advisory.

In this episode, we explore why AI governance has become such a pressing priority for mission‑driven organizations, we look at where organizations tend to go wrong, and why trust, accuracy and continuous testing must sit at the heart of any AI program.

We also talk about the risks of deploying AI without a framework. We discuss the importance of tone from the top, lifecycle oversight, strengthening cybersecurity, and how boards can embed principles like fairness and accountability into daily practice—not just policy documents.

Listen now as we explore privacy considerations, bias in AI systems, human‑in‑the‑loop safeguards, third‑party oversight, and why AI policies should be living, breathing documents.

And stick around to the end for Dominique and Andrea’s excellent advice for mission‑driven boards for creating AI policy.

Further resources on AI governance for mission boards

You can find the toolkits mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at https://www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

John Thomsen is Director of Engagement and Policy at NEOLA, working with school districts across multiple states to support legally compliant policies and governance frameworks that reflect community values.

John unpacks the “why” behind policy for public sector boards — especially K‑12 school districts — and how leaders can navigate changing regulations without losing sight of student success. He explains why boards must stay anchored in mission, vision and values while scanning the horizon for potential and actual regulation, so they’re ready to respond quickly and confidently when change arrives.

The discussion also covered the big challenges for the year ahead, from the sheer pace and volume of new rules to funding constraints and rising expectations for real‑time transparency through live‑streamed and more accessible board meetings. We also talked about policy in practice: how to tell the story behind a policy change, articulate the “why” before the “how,” and proactively review and update policies rather than scrambling reactively when mandates hit.

We also touch on the role of technology in governance, from using tools to manage policies, track legislation and increase transparency, to supporting accessible, compliant meetings without replacing the essential work of elected officials.

Stay tuned to the end as John shares his recommendation for how boards can embrace the change process, respond to evolving regulations and continuously improve outcomes for students year after year.

Further resources on regulations for public facing boards

You can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at https://www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Dale Waterman is a Solution Designer and regulatory expert at Diligent, with deep experience translating evolving mandates into practical governance requirements for organizations. In this episode, we look at how today’s shifting risk universe is reshaping the regulatory landscape for nonprofits and what boards need to do now to move from basic compliance to true resilience.

We explore why diverging global regulations on issues like AI, cybersecurity and operational resilience make life more complex for mission‑driven organizations operating across multiple jurisdictions, and how boards can adapt to a “tsunami” of change without losing sight of their purpose. Dale explains the shift from rules‑based to risk‑based regulation, what “appropriate and proportionate” controls really mean in practice, and why documenting risk decisions is now just as important as the policies themselves.

We discuss how boards can build a continuous‑learning mindset, ask better questions of management, and embed resilience into strategy rather than treating it as a standalone risk function. We explore operational resilience as a source of advantage, not just recovery: anticipating “grey rhino” risks, using scenario planning and stress tests, and turning crises into opportunities to better serve beneficiaries, donors and communities.

Stick around to the end for Dale’s key recommendation for how to strengthen resilience and future‑proof nonprofit governance for 2026 and beyond.

Further resources on regulations for nonprofit boards

You can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Kristy Grant-Hart is Vice President for Compliance Services at Diligent, advising organizations on how to build effective, modern compliance programs in an era of rapid regulatory change.
In this episode, Kristy shares a compliance expert’s view on AI, cyber risk and governance for public-facing boards — from school districts and education boards to municipalities and local councils.

We explore the core responsibilities of public sector boards today: staying on top of current and upcoming regulation, keeping risk assessments up to date, and tailoring regulatory requirements to the size, structure and context of each organization. Kristy explains why “application” of a rule often matters more than the rule itself and how boards can balance rising expectations for transparency and accountability with the realities of politics, elections and competing community opinions.

We also discuss what it takes to build a proactive compliance culture, including understanding skills gaps on the board, bringing in external experts on topics like cyber and AI, and making smart use of associations and umbrella bodies for guidance and training.

And we also speak about operational and organizational resilience, looking at how reputation, school and community ratings, and regulatory scrutiny intersect — and why boards should be using tabletop exercises and crisis simulations to expose vulnerabilities before a privacy breach, ransomware attack or system outage hits.

Stay tuned to the end as Kristy shares her advice for leaders on future‑proofing their organizations amid regulatory uncertainty.

Further resources on regulations for public facing boards

You can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at https://www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Kira Ciccarelli is Senior Research and Programs Manager at the Diligent Institute, where she leads research into how boards and governance professionals are navigating today’s rapidly evolving risk landscape.

In this episode, we explore what nonprofit boards can learn from emerging trends in the corporate world — and how they can apply those insights to strengthen compliance, oversight and stakeholder trust. We discuss why regulatory risk is climbing so sharply and which areas are set to demand even more attention in 2026, from policy and procedure updates to targeted ethics and compliance training and more robust internal monitoring.

Kira shares fresh data from the Diligent Institute’s GC Risk Index and explains what it signals for charities, foundations and other mission-driven organizations that are already stretched thin. We also talk through practical steps boards can take to put the right governance around AI, even as they experiment with new technology.

We also dig into the fundamentals of future‑ready governance for nonprofits: building and maintaining a clear board skills matrix, planning succession at both board and C‑suite level, leveraging board management platforms like BoardEffect as a single source of truth, and using scenario planning and tabletop exercises to prepare for regulatory shocks before they hit.

Throughout, Kira offers concrete advice on fostering a culture of proactive compliance and communicating clearly with donors, regulators and the public to protect and grow stakeholder trust.

Stay tuned to the end as Kira shares her best advice for board chairs and governance professionals on future‑proofing their organizations against regulatory uncertainty and staying one step ahead of emerging risks.

Further resources on regulations for nonprofit boards

You can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Dottie Schindlinger is Executive Director of the Diligent Institute and a founding member of BoardEffect and Nithya Das is General Manager of Diligent’s Governance Business Unit and Chief Legal Officer. Together, Dottie and Nithya bring deep expertise on how purpose-driven organizations can strategically harness technology and AI to transform their impact.

We discussed why the urgency to modernize governance is greater than ever for nonprofits, foundations, school boards and local governments. Dottie and Nithya share how economic pressures and shifting regulations make nimble, tech-enabled governance absolutely critical — and how AI is moving mission-driven boards toward more efficient, transparent and equitable practices.

We also talk about what practical impact looks like, discussing real examples from boards using tools like Diligent Community and BoardEffect to streamline meetings, track strategic goals, boost community engagement and improve decision-making with AI-powered features.

Listen in as we explore the ethical side of AI adoption, touching on data privacy, bias and the importance of thoughtful policies. Dottie and Nithya offer actionable advice for leaders starting their digital transformation journeys, including the value of pilot programs, upskilling and collaborative change.

Plus, they share bold predictions about the future of governance that you’ll want to hear. And do stick around to the end for their great advice to help boards future-proof their governance and embrace technology confidently.

Further resources on technology and AI for governance for public facing boards

You can find the guides mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at https://www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

James Page is Chief Information Officer at the New York State School Boards Association, and Jay Worona is a partner at Jasper Schlesinger & Narendra and former Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel for NYSSBA. Together, they bring a wealth of experience in school board governance, legal policy and technology strategy.

In this episode, James and Jay share their insights on how AI and digital tools are reshaping governance in school districts. From streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing board decision-making to improving transparency and equity. We explore the opportunities AI presents for strategic planning, risk management and community trust, while also addressing the ethical and practical challenges that come with rapid technological change.

We discuss the importance of human oversight, professional development and creating clear policies to guide responsible AI adoption. Jay and James offer thoughtful advice on how school boards can foster innovation while safeguarding student data, ensuring equitable access and maintaining accountability.

Listen now as we explore how school boards can move from reactive to proactive governance, what skills board members need to develop, and why curiosity, courage and critical thinking are essential in the age of AI. Stick around to the end for their top tips on future-proofing governance in K-12 education with technology.

Further resources on technology and AI for governance for public facing boards

You can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at https://www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Nonie Dalton is Vice President of Product Management and Phil Lim is Director of Product Management at Diligent. Together, they bring deep expertise in how mission-driven organizations like nonprofits, school boards and local governments can harness emerging technologies such as AI while keeping ethical governance at the core of their mission.

Nonie and Phil share their perspectives on how AI is transforming governance from a reactive function to a proactive, insights-driven practice. We explore the opportunities AI presents for efficiency, transparency and impact measurement, while also addressing the ethical challenges around accountability, bias and data security.

Listen in as we find out how Diligent is building cool AI tools with privacy and control in mind, and how features like Smart Prep, AI Search and risk management tools are helping boards make better decisions with less effort. From community engagement to multilingual access, they share exciting developments that are shaping the future of governance for mission-driven boards.

Stick around to the end to hear their excellent advice for how boards can future-proof their governance and why human judgment remains essential.

Further resources on technology and AI for governance

Our technology and AI guide for nonprofit boards mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources can be found at https://www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose while the technology and AI guide for public facing boards can be found at https://www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Darian Rodriguez Heyman, a speaker, consultant and best-selling author with deep expertise in fundraising, governance and AI. Darian has worked with mission-driven organizations around the world and recently released his latest book, “AI for Nonprofits”.

In this episode, Darian shares practical insights on how AI is transforming nonprofit governance, from streamlining board recruitment and engagement to enhancing meeting efficiency and impact measurement. He emphasizes the importance of intentional adoption, data security and creating clear policies to guide responsible use of AI.

We explore how leaders can overcome skepticism, build trust and use AI as a thought partner to unlock efficiencies and improve effectiveness. Darian also offers actionable best practices for board development, orientation, and strategic oversight, all while keeping the human element front and center.

Listen now as we discuss how to future-proof governance structures, the role of co-intelligence and why mission-driven leaders must embrace AI with thoughtfulness and purpose.

Stick around to the end for Darian’s one piece of advice every nonprofit board should hear when it comes to using technology and AI for governance.

Further resources on technology and AI for governance for nonprofit boards

You can find the guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Scott Bridgen is the General Manager of the Audit and Risk Division at Diligent. Scott brings a wealth of experience and unique insights into the critical role of financial and risk oversight in the public sector.

In this episode, we talked about how public sector boards can manage their financial resources responsibly and effectively identify, mitigate and monitor risks. Scott highlights the need for a risk-aware culture that focuses on objectives and potential obstacles, rather than just the term 'risk.'

He also advocates for transparency and clear communication with your community to build trust, and the importance of speaking to that audience in a way that they're going to understand. Scott and I also explored leveraging technology for oversight, such as the Diligent One platform, how to manage and present risk information efficiently, and ensure a single source of truth for operational effectiveness.

Stick around to the end of the conversation to find out what advice he gives for boards that realize they don’t have a good handle on risks.

Further resources on financial oversight and risk management for public facing boards

You can find the financial oversight guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at https://www.diligent.com/leadingwithpurpose.

Heather Rich is Executive Director of the American Board of Genetic Counseling, the national certifying body that sets and upholds professional standards for genetic counselors across the United States.

Heather shares her insights on the critical role of the board in ensuring financial transparency, proactive management and strategic oversight. She also emphasizes the importance of a robust onboarding process for new board members, which should include financial training to cover the basics as well as the organization's financial philosophy.

We also discuss the importance of a strong, supportive relationship between the board and the CEO, where the board has ultimate responsibility for financial and risk oversight, while the CEO and staff handle day-to-day operations and provide necessary information and training.

Heather shares real-life anecdotes, including how the American Board of Genetic Counseling manages its financial review process. We also discuss effective financial and risk oversight, and how board members can make informed decisions based on past data and trends for good oversight.

Stick around to the end to find out what advice Heather gives for maintaining financial integrity and oversight, including scenario planning to assess risks and opportunities.

Further resources on financial oversight and risk management for volunteer boards

You can find the financial oversight guide mentioned on the podcast along with other useful resources at www.boardeffect.com/leadingwithpurpose.