Through The Noise

Tony Martignetti is a pioneer in the world of nonprofit podcasting and he joined us in the studio while in town from New York. Tony's passion is communicating with nonprofits and he has been the host of Nonprofit Radio for over five years -- broadcasting live every Friday at 1pm (EST). With more than 250 episodes under his belt, he's had the opportunity to speak with hundreds of nonprofit leaders from every field. How can podcasting benefit your organization? What are some of the challenges facing nonprofits today? If you're considering getting into podcasting to get your message out to more people, don't miss this episode. And when you're ready, we can help you every step of the way. Tony Martignetti is the host of Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio, Big Nonprofit Ideas for the Other 95%. He picks the brains of thought leaders for his 10,000+ listeners in small- and mid-size nonprofits. He's also a consultant in Planned Giving and state Charity Registration compliance and he's been helping nonprofits since 19

BOMA International is like many trade associations in that community, networking, and the sharing of best practices some of the most valued aspects of membership. But BOMA is the only organization representing the interests of commercial building owners and managers, in the US and abroad, and must remain nimble in order to keep up with rapidly evolving building technology and standards. Today we're joined by BOMA President and COO Henry Chamberlain, whose tenure with the organization stretches back to the days when floppy disks were a major technological breakthrough. Learn what building owners are doing to stay competitive in an era when people are increasingly demanding and expecting buildings to be greener. Henry Chamberlain is president and a 30-year veteran of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives and past president of the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and member of Real Es

On Through the Noise, we talk with a lot of brilliant people doing great things in their own niche. But no matter how great your idea, how noble your cause, how lofty your goals, your efforts are wasted if no one can hear what you're saying. Today's guest, Stephanie Cerulo, works to solve that problem and put your message in the hands of the people who need to hear it and are likely to support it. Using a cooperative donor database, the Infogroup is able to target potential donors by pinpointing their actual behavior, rather than self-reported. If you are curious about different ways to make a bigger impact and reach a larger audience with your message, don't miss this episode of Through the Noise. Stephanie Ceruolo is Vice President and General Manager of the Nonprofit Solutions business unit within data company, Infogroup. She has over 20 years’ experience helping non-profit organizations with fundraising and marketing, most of it focused on direct marketing strategies and the data that drives them. Info

Meredith Jacobs works to improve the lives of all women and girls. First as a blogger, then columnist, radio host, author, and now as the Communications VP for Jewish Women International, she has had the opportunity to touch a lot of lives. From building libraries around the U.S. for children at domestic violence shelters to working with Greek organizations on college campuses to prevent sexual assault, Jacobs illustrates that there are many creative ways to address a difficult problem and get people to participate. She has a couple more books on the horizon and is launching the campus initiative "Green Light Go" on October 24. Listen up to hear some great ideas and maybe bring some inspiration and energy to your organization. Vice president of marketing and communications for Jewish Women International (JWI) is an award-winning journalist and former editor-in-chief of Washington Jewish Week. She is the author of The Modern Jewish Mom’s Guide to Shabbat: Connect and Celebrate—Bring Your Family Together with

A few months ago we had John Graham, the president and CEO of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), in the studio and today we sat down with his Chief Marketing Officer, Robb Lee, to hear a different side of the story. ASAE is the association's association and, as Robb Lee succinctly puts it, works to "represent the right of everyone to represent what's important to them." Today's conversation is a compelling listen on the importance of story-telling, weeding out the bad ideas to focus on the good, and how even a great idea may come at the wrong time and miss the point. To learn more from one of the main experts in association communications, settle in and turn up Through the Noise. Advertising, PR, Fortune 100’s to Assn.’s impacting the world we live in. Loves the creative process and creative outcomes too. The Center for Association Leadership. Unofficial tagline we’re best known for: the association for associations. We creative association management resources to help the association w

Today we sit down with Pamela Davis of the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Group and she helps dispels the notion that nonprofits don't need insurance. The reasons for having insurance for nonprofits are extremely varied and she recognized a need and solved it by forming nonprofits that insure other nonprofits and have a greater understanding of their needs. NIAC member organizations provide insurance for 15,000 nonprofits in 33 states and despite a somewhat dry sounding topic, Pamela Davis makes insurance and the reasons for it come to life. So, if you are responsible for a nonprofit, like a lot of our listeners, you won't want to miss this episode packed with invaluable insights.  Pamela Davis has been transforming nonprofits and the insurance industry for nearly three decades. She is the founding president and CEO of liability insurance cooperative for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. She was a subject of the PBS documentary series, Visionaries, selected from a field of 3,000 to illustrate the extraordina

It may surprise some to learn that Land O'Lakes, a massive company widely known for producing butter, is not only a farmer-owned cooperative, but also has an international division that works in developing countries to help create sustainable farming practices among people who have extremely limited resources for making a living. We talk with Jennifer Hyman today who travels around the world meeting and assisting farmers to find out what they need to survive and thrive and through contracts with USAID, provides it. How is international development tied to corporate growth? What exactly is yak butter? Grab a cup of coffee and join us today to find out these answers and more. As the Director of Communications for Land O’Lakes International Development, Jennifer Hymanleads internal and external communications for the organization’s international agriculture and enterprise development programs, is in charge of related advocacy efforts, and manages the group’s office in Washington, DC. She has more than 20 years

Organizations of every size, focus, and type need supporters, members, customers, or donors to advance their cause or grow their business. If you can't understand the level of commitment or engagement a particular individual has with your organization, how can you approach them in the future? Today we talk with Colleen McCarthy about the necessity of functional databases to accurately maintain records about those who support your goal. Her work with Exponent Partners is different than many firms because -- like nonprofits -- they are a mission-driven business. They help their clients, grow their own business, with a watchful eye towards sustainability and social responsibility. 

Today Michael Barry schools us on the difference between preventive medicine and preventative. Representing one of the smallest specializations of the medical industry, the American College of Preventive Medicine boasts a membership making up about 50% of all physicians working in the field of preventive medicine. Unlike the traditional doctor you'd visit to treat an illness, the doctors working in preventive medicine work in a variety of sectors such as public health and policy and use their expertise to better the health of the general population. Tune in to learn more and hear about some of the lesser-known but wide-reaching implications of the Affordable Care Act. Mr. Barry is the executive director of the American College of Preventive Medicine, the leading U.S.-based physician organization dedicated to prevention. He has nearly 30 years’ experience in health-related, non-profit organizations, including ten years as chief staff executive at ACPM, where he oversees ACPM’s operations, finances, governance

Today we sit down with Edgar Jimenez to continue our conversation about empowering individuals from communities that are underepresented in academia and various professions. Edgar Jimenez is the president of ALPHA, an all-volunteer organization that helps mentor and provide educational guidance to middle and high school kids as well as veterans and women, all while helping young professionals develop public speaking skills. While only 3% of television shows have a Latino character, the 400-500 members of ALPHA act as role-models of success for Latino children throughout the Washington area. Edgar Jimenez a technology professional working for an accounting Firm for almost 19 years supporting a financial services teams. I have also chaired the DC\VA Latino network to help increase Latino visibility, community service participation and recruitment into the Firm Our mission is to empower and develop Latino men and women as leaders of character for the nation in every sector of the global economy.

Today's guest is Jacob Harold of GuideStar, the organization some consider to be the "Bloomberg of Nonprofits." The nonprofit sector makes up fully 6% of the U.S economy and GuideStar has information on two million different nonprofits. Potential donors want to know if they are giving to an effective organization, but for too long donors and nonprofits have focused on overhead costs to analyze an organization's efficacy, while the real measure ought to be the results they produce. We are so inundated with data that it's exceptionally difficult to parse through and find the information that is relevant to make informed decisions and GuideStar is working to make that easier. Join us today for a great conversation with GuideStar's CEO Jacob Harold for a unique perspective and get some ideas to incorporate into your own business or nonprofit.  Jacob Harold is President & CEO of GuideStar. He’s worked as a grantmaker at the Hewlett and Packard foundations and a climate change campaigner at Greenpeace and Rain

Today's Through the Noise is timely as we're joined by Alex Vidales of the Pilot Waves podcast to talk the benefits of podcasting, different techniques, and important upcoming events for the burgeoning podcasting community in the DC area. Hosting podcasts is an excellent way to grow and promote your business and meet people in your field. Similarly, networking with fellow podcasters is becoming more common and essential. In the Washington, DC area, there are two great upcoming opportunities to have a good time, meet other podcasters, learn new skills, and generate ideas. Don't miss the DC Podcast Shakedown on September 30 on International Podcast Day, or the first DC Podfest in November. Listen up for a great conversation and details.  The Pilot Waves originated from Alex and Jason’s commitment to providing local organizations with impactful and fulfilling value creation. We accomplish this through building and strengthening your ties to local communities, industries, artists and collectives. We can help you

Latino lawyers make up just 3% of the national average and the Hispanic Bar Association of DC is working to increase that number by providing mentoring and networking between law students, lawyers, and judges throughout Washington, DC. The HBADC is an entirely volunteer-powered organization and many of it's members were the first in their families to graduate high school, college, and to become lawyers. They are driven to help provide opportunities to others in the community and devote a significant amout of time to pro bono with individauls and organizations, particularly around the issues of undocumented children. Join them for their next networking event with Salsa lessons at Cafe Citron on September 24.

Should charities have the ultimate goal of putting themselves out of business? We broach this subject with many of our guests and as we sit down today with Michael Curtin of DC Central Kitchen, we get an unusual response. DC Central Kitchen does so much more than providing 11,000 meals a day to people and organizations around Washington, DC and it operates under the premise that any waste is bad -- whether food waste, the waste of human resources and unused minds, or empty underused kitchens. With an extensive training program that provides opportunities and possibillies to many disenfranchised people, including a large number of formerly incarcerated people, The Kitchen is helping end the cycle of poverty with a number of creative approaches. Tune in for some enligthtening and inspiring stories as we chat with Michael Curtin. 

Soliciting donations from supporters is one of the main ways that charities and other nonprofits are able to accomplish their goals and today we speak with Ron Barrett who helps us navigate the complicated registration requirements so organizations can stay on the right side of the law. Keeping up with different registration laws across the U.S. can be a major barrier to entry for small orgnaizations or those just getting off the ground and today's conversation includes some extremely helpful resources you won't want to miss. Ron Barrett is the Vice President of Nonprofit Services at National Corporate Research, Ltd., (“NCR”), a professional registered agent company that provides nationwide corporate, secured transaction, business license, and nonprofit services. His responsibilities at NCR have included management of client service specialists and operational staff working with various state and federal agencies as well as product development. He joined NCR in 2008 when Capitol District Information, a pro

Many nonprofit leaders and staff are adept in their cause and focused on their goals but lack the panache to make the essential "ask" of donors which will enable them to successfully continue their work. Derry Deringer has put background in tech sales to good use helping nonprofit leaders become more effective communicators and fundraisers.Learn some of secrets of the trade today and gain confidence in your own work as we engage in some good old-fashioned fundraising role-play.  Derry is an independent fundraising consultant to nonprofits and a teacher at heart. He uses his whole bag of professional skills with each client. Derry has been a director and front line fundraiser with the United Nations, served as a sales manager for a .com company in the 90s and is a certified professional coach. Deringer Consulting, based in Alexandria, Virginia, helps nonprofits raise more money by taking the mystery out of philanthropy.

Most of us are familiar with the household names of Fortune 500 companies that represent billions of dollars in revenue but between the massive companies and the mom and pop shops are middle market companies that make it possible for many of these businesses to exist. Middle market companies are the major drivers of the U.S. economy, providing 26% of the jobs even though they only make up 1% of the businessess. Today we talk with Gary LaBrache, President and CEO of the Association for Corporate Growth. ACG is the organization that connects the owners and investors of, and advisors to middle market companies in order to faciliate growth and acquisition. People come to ACG to "meet the people you need to know before you need to know them." Gary LaBranche, FASAE, CAE, is president and CEO of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG). An association executive for 34 years, LaBranche is the author of more than 300 columns, podcasts, articles and book chapters on association management. He was the 2007 ASAE Key

We consistently explore the intersection of technology and communications on Through the Noise and today we had the chance to sit down with Marlene Wong who has been in the marketing business for 20 years. The past two decades have brought dramatic and unforeseen changes to the way we interact, find and share information, and conduct business. We discuss the changing landscape of Washington, DC, how technology has impacted the worlds of real estate and  marketing, and possibilities for the future.

Grab a beer and join us for this raucous conversation with Josh Anton, founder of the app DrunkMode. If you’ve ever had a little -- or a lot -- too much to drink, you’ll appreciate this innovation that can help you save face by locking your phone and preventing drunk dialing or calling. Built for almost nothing, the app now boasts 650,000 users, including 30% internationally and 12% in the United Kingdom alone. DrunkMode’s success illustrates that what may seem to be a silly or an embarrassing problem for an individual can lead to brilliant solutions that impact people all over the world. Joshua Anton is Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Drunk Mode.  Joshua is currently enrolled in the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. He is also a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College (2012).    Drunk Mode, LLC is a student run start-up established in October 2012 by Joshua Anton and Justin Washington, students at the University of Virginia. Drunk Mode, LLC is the child

For decades, nonprofits had a finite number way to communicate with their supporters but direct mail and other slower, paper-based methods of interaction are slowly fading with the consistent advent of new technologies. We talk with Lynn Labiniec, CEO of an Arlington, VA-based digital agency, Beaconfire RedEngine about past and emerging trends and creative ways that nonprofits can reach out and "harness the enthusiasm" of their supporters.  Lynn is founder and CEO of Beaconfire RedEngine, leading a team of 40+ experts in digital strategy, analytics, marketing and web design and development. She has been working in the intersection of technology and philanthropy for going on 35 years now and continues to be amazed at both how much changes and how much stays the same. Beaconfire RedEngine is a full service digital agency, adept at the full range of user experience, technical development and digital marketing and engagement services. They are driving results for nonprofits and social enterprises like Feeding