Nonprofit leadership development is about far more than offering training. It’s about creating an environment where people want to stay, grow, and contribute meaningfully to your mission.

In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author and workplace growth champion Julie Winkle Giulioni, who challenges nonprofits to rethink how they approach staff development and build truly supportive cultures of learning. You’ll hear strategies for building a culture of learning in nonprofits and why effective leadership training programs for nonprofit staff require more than a single workshop.

We explore why training alone cannot drive behavior change, how managers can become true growth partners, and the role technology (especially AI) now plays in sustaining learning.

▶️ Create Environments Where People Stay, Grow, and Thrive with Julie Winkle Giulioni

▶️ Key Points:

00:03:24 Julie’s winding career path and early lessons in learning

00:09:41 Why training isn’t enough to drive real change

00:15:03 A manager’s influence on performance and growth

00:24:34 How L&D leaders can operationalize better learning environments

00:28:37 Bringing learning into everyday work

Resources from this episode:

 Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go by Julie Winkle Giulioni

Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective

We want to hear from you. Tell me what you want to hear more of or less of on the podcast. Ask a question or make a request through our Speakpipe link.

Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review! 👇👇👇

Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends. 🔗

Connect with Julie

LinkedIn: Julie Winkle Giulioni

Website: juliewinklegiulioni.com

Connect with Heather

LinkedIn: Heather Burright

Website: skillmastersmarket.com

Book an interest call with Heather here.

Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.

Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization.

Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!

Produced by Ideablossoms

As nonprofit leaders look ahead to the new year, it’s essential to understand which capabilities will matter most.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the top skills nonprofits will need in 2026 so teams can stay resilient, adaptive, and mission-focused. Plus, I’m sharing a simple three-step process to help you identify the specific skills your organization should prioritize this year.

If you’re planning your Learning and Development strategies for 2026, you’ll walk away with clarity on where to focus your efforts and how to better support your people.

▶️ 3 Skills Your Nonprofit Needs in 2026

▶️ Key Points:

00:00:00 Welcoming A New Nonprofit Year

00:04:29 Exploring Key Capabilities

00:10:13 Mapping Needed Skills

Resources from this episode:

Start by catching up with Episode 113: How to Set Values-Based Goals for 2025.

Read the article I’m referring to in the episode: 10 Critical Skills Every Leader Must Master In 2026

Take a look at my episode with Dr. Reggie Thomas: Episode 162: Why Wellbeing is Mission Critical for Your Nonprofit

Join us January 12th-16th for Career Week at the Collective, an event designed to help you grow your nonprofit L&D careers together. Learn all the details and grab your ticket at https://collective.skillmastersmarket.com/invitation?code=3CG346

Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective

We want to hear from you. Tell me what you want to hear more of or less of on the podcast. Ask a question or make a request through our Speakpipe link.

Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review! 👇👇👇

Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends. 🔗

Connect with Heather

LinkedIn: Heather Burright

Website: skillmastersmarket.com

Book an interest call with Heather here.

Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.

Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization.

Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!

Produced by Ideablossoms

We are already at the end of 2025. This is a time of reflection, goal setting, and a renewed commitment to being our best selves. I love this time of year, and each year I like to spend some time reflecting on my goals, what I've been able to accomplish, and where I missed a little bit.

So, in this episode, I'm going to share some details about what's going on inside Skill Masters Market, my consulting business, Learning for Good, this podcast, and the Nonprofit L&D Collective, our private community for nonprofit training pros.

You'll hear about the transformations of 2025 and what's coming in 2026.

▶️ Key Points:

0:00:00 My personal mission

0:03:52 Skill Masters Market

0:05:29 Learning for Good

0:07:42 Nonprofit L&D Collective

Resources from this episode:

Top 5 Learning For Good Podcast episodes:

#1 Are Your Nonprofit Leaders The Best They Can Be? Your Leadership Skills Might Be Lagging And THIS Is Why

#2 Using a Blended, Cohort Training Model to Create Behavior Change with Nonprofit Leader Rebecca Kelley

#3 Want to Work in Nonprofit L&D? Here’s What You Should Know

#4 Using AI to Create Persuasive, Visual Stories for Your Training with Nicholas Leonard

#5 How to Conduct a Training Needs Analysis for Nonprofit Staff Development

 If you're looking for a way to make connection and one-on-one networking easier for your organization, check out Community Hives.

Join us January 12th-16th for Career Week at the Collective, an event designed to help you grow your nonprofit L&D careers together. Learn all the details and grab your ticket at https://collective.skillmastersmarket.com/invitation?code=3CG346

We want to hear from you. Tell me what you want to hear more of or less of on the podcast. Ask a question or make a request through our Speakpipe link.

Connect with Heather

LinkedIn: Heather Burright

Website: skillmastersmarket.com

Book an interest call with Heather here.

Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.

Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization.

Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!

Produced by Ideablossoms