Embracing the Future of Work with Kamilah Martin

The Small Nonprofit

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria talks with Kamilah Martin, founder and CEO of Katalyst, about nonprofits adapting to the future of work. They discuss evolving work models, remote and hybrid setups, and innovative leadership strategies. Kamilah shares her journey from nonprofit executive to consultant and offers insights on piloting new initiatives, shared leadership, and overcoming resistance to change. Tune in for practical tips on how nonprofits can embrace the future of work.

Have you seen organizations successfully embracing innovation? Maria and Kamilah want to hear about them! Reach out and share your examples so we can highlight them on the podcast and learn from these organizations.

Key Topics:

• COVID-19's impact on work
• Shared leadership models and equity in remote work
• Challenges of piloting new ideas
• Fostering a culture of innovation

Quotable Moments:

• "We existed a certain way because that's all we knew. But COVID forced us to rethink that — and that opened up so many opportunities for innovation." – Kamilah Martin
• "Innovation for innovation's sake isn't enough. What are your goals? How do you evaluate if your pilot actually achieves what you want?" – Kamilah Martin
• "Nonprofits that innovate now will thrive in the next 20 years. Those that don’t will get left behind." – Kamilah Martin

Actionable Tips:

➜ Embrace Flexible Work Models: Involve program and admin staff in discussions on remote work equity, and find ways to offer flexibility, even to those in roles requiring in-person work (e.g., alternating schedules).
➜ Pilot Innovations with Clear Goals: Establish a finite timeline for pilots with an evaluation period at the end to determine if adjustments are needed.
➜ Leverage External Expertise: Don’t try to solve complex problems alone—engage consultants or experts in areas like change management, technology, or HR for quicker solutions.

Connect with Us:

• Connect with Maria
• Connect with Kamilah
• The Katalyst Website

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Coming Next Week:

Join us next week with fundraising expert, Rhea Wong, as she shares how to build successful major gifts programs and boost your donations!

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