The5

NMBL Strategies

The5 takes listeners through five essential functions of our guests roles within nonprofits providing an educational and entertaining journey. As NMBL Strategies celebrates our five year anniversary we do so by sharing experience and lessons learned from the many individuals shaping nonprofits across the country. read less
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Episodes

The5 with Zac Harmon of The World Affairs Council
Apr 3 2024
The5 with Zac Harmon of The World Affairs Council
Zac Harmon, CFO of the World Affairs Council Dallas Fort Worth and award winning musician, joins The5 to talk about Juggling Two Professional Careers.  Zac talks through his history balancing an incredible international music career with his accounting career that transitioned into nonprofit leadership.   Leading a nonprofit is a lot of work, add in another career, like so many nonprofit leaders end up doing, and it can wear on an individual.  Zac talks through how he handled this effort and grew to be incredibly successful in both careers. Beginning his musical career in Jackson, MS at the age of 16 Zac Harmon never settled for one path.  Despite a career of awards, countless tours, and multiple album releases, Zac never settled for an individual path.  Zac pursued his career through accounting with major accounting firms before transitioning into a nonprofit role eventually leading the Old Red Courthouse Museum in Dallas, TX before taking over as CFO of The World Affairs Council Dallas Fort Worth.  Zac continues his dual career, with travel dates through France scheduled for later this year.     The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Jackie Dace of St. Louis Artworks
Mar 20 2024
The5 with Jackie Dace of St. Louis Artworks
Jackie Dace, Executive Director of St. Louis Artworks, joins The5 to talk about Stable Income and Budgeting.  Jackie leads listeners through her own significant experience with museums and nonprofits and working through balancing long term budgeting with funding that only provides for the short term.     Jacqueline K. Dace is the Executive Director with St. Louis Artworks, in St. Louis, MO, overseeing the creation of numerous public art installations throughout the city. Dace previously served as deputy director of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center; director of internal affairs and interim executive director at the National Blues Museum; project manager for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson; collections manager at the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago; curator of African American history at the Missouri Historical Society and adjunct professor of Afro-African American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. Dace is a recipient of the Hollywood Black Film Festival and Kansas City Film Festival Awards, as well as the National Arts Strategies Fellowship. She participated in the inaugural Public History Institute, developed by the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance and Abolition and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, held at Yale University. Dace has served as a practitioner with W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s Racial Equity program and graduated from the Jackson Division of the FBI Citizens Academy. Dace was selected to participate in the first American Express Women in Music Leadership Academy, 2018, held in New York City and is the recipient of the 2019 Ohio Valley Regional Emmy for the documentary. “Mandela: Prepared to Die”. In 2022, Dace served as an Outstanding Alumni speaker at the Undergraduate Ceremony, for the College of Arts & Sciences at Webster University. In 2023, Dace received the Museum Leadership Award from the Association of African American Museums and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Webster University. Dace currently serves on the Design Committee for Delmar Main Street is currently a member of Webster University’s College and Humanities and Social Sciences Advisory Board. She’s additionally served on several committees for the Organization of American Historians, the National Council on Public History, the Oral History Association, the Annual Meeting of the American Alliance of Museums and is a former board member for the Association of African American Museums.   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Wendell Covington of the VP Community Impact Foundation
Mar 6 2024
The5 with Wendell Covington of the VP Community Impact Foundation
Wendell Covington, Founding Executive Director of the VP Community Impact Foundation, joins The5 to talk about Removing the Scarcity Mindset.  In Wendell's current role he partners with nonprofits across the St. Louis community enhancing their efforts through providing volunteers, coaching, board members, and funding.  Through his significant experience and efforts Wendell has watched organizations going through the Scarcity Mindset and often talks with them on going beyond it to improve their organization.   Wendell is an experienced executive leader, educator, service provider, and civic and community organizer.  With over 30 years experience working with youth and at risk populations. Serving in various capacities from administrator, teacher, guidance counselor, and therapist.  Wendell took over as the Founding Executive Director of the VP Community Impact Foundation after time leading NPower-St. Louis, Matthews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club, and Gateway to College. Wendell uses his expertise in program design and development, as well as evaluation, and research to enhance the communities he leads.   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Adam Davis of Arts Consulting Group
Feb 28 2024
The5 with Adam Davis of Arts Consulting Group
Adam Davis, Senior Vice President of Planning and Capacity Building at Arts Consulting Group, joins The5 to talk about Facilities & Operations Planning.  Facilities & Operations Planning is critical to organizations as they look towards their future and build their foundation.  Adam comes at these plans from his significant background in arts & theater organizations, but these critical thoughts hold true for nonprofits of all types.     Adam Davis (he/him/his) is a results-driven leader with 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and performing arts sector. Davis resourcefully strategizes and implements complex initiatives to remove obstacles, leverages strong connections, and fulfills programmatic goals that propel organizational objectives. His areas of expertise include strategic planning and community engagement, board development, operational efficiency, fundraising and capital campaigns, arts facilities and program planning, and financial forecasting.   Davis most recently served as Managing Director of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts. In this role, he managed 30 full-time and 150 seasonal staff members. He oversaw the annual budget, maximized fundraising results, and managed facility capitalization, while strategizing with the board to raise a cash reserve. During his tenure, he also led a strategic planning process that resulted in the initial phase of a redevelopment plan for the 33-acre campus, and the implementation of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility training for staff and board members.   Davis has also previously served as Managing Director of the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, a community-oriented major performing arts center for the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Davis directed programming and operations for more than 230 events annually, including producing all activities for the John Anson Ford Theatre. In order to achieve a $72.2 million theater renovation, he strategized with key stakeholders within the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to raise $65 million in capital funds for the state-of-the-art renovation. Davis has also held roles as Theater Operations Manager at Pepperdine University’s Center for the Arts, where he managed the operations of three theater facilities and the logistics for 150 events annually, and Company Manager at La Jolla Playhouse, where he supported accomplished theater artists, oversaw contract negotiations, and managed the departmental budget.   Davis was a member of the Southern California Leadership Network and IDEA Leadership Cohort Berkshire County, and a board member of California Presenters. He received an Emmy Award for producing the 54th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration. Davis holds a bachelor of arts in theatre from Principia College.   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Kyle Ogden of The Thanks-Giving Foundation
Feb 21 2024
The5 with Kyle Ogden of The Thanks-Giving Foundation
The5 with Eric Moraczewski welcomes Kyle Ogden, President & CEO of The Thanks-Giving Foundation.  Kyle joins The5 to talk about Building a Profoundly Caring Community.  Something most, if not all, nonprofits are focused on but maybe aren't always aware of.  Kyle talks about being intentional with gratitude and caring, as well as the Foundation's five key functions of Building a Profoundly Caring Community. Kyle became the President and CEO of The Thanks-Giving Foundation because he wanted to do something important in the bigger civic context, and build something sustainable for the citizens of Dallas. The Thanks-Giving Foundation is a platform that can influence the future of the community, and he believes his contribution of time, effort and resources can make a real difference as an accelerant of positive change. The physical and programmatic enhancements made are being noticed, and he is proud that the vision will deliver a place of importance within the nonprofit landscape. Before joining The Thanks-Giving Foundation, Kyle was the Chairman, President and CEO of Carroll Company. Kyle received a Bachelor of Business Administrations degree in honors business and a Master of Business Administration degree in accounting and finance from the University of Texas at Austin, and went on to earn his CPA license. In his spare time, he enjoy golf, baseball and travel. He and his wife have four adult children.   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Tom Etling of ESP
Feb 14 2024
The5 with Tom Etling of ESP
Tom Etling, Managing Partner of Etling Strategy Partners (ESP), joins The5 to talk about Brand Strategy Management.  Tom talks about how a nonprofit can and should utilize their brand strategy to maximize their impact on the community.    ESP’s model is the product of more than 25 years of client-side and agency CEO, COO and CMO leadership and learnings from our team.   Prior to founding ESP, Tom Etling was Chief Strategy Officer for Paradigm and previously created the marketing advisory practice at Brown Smith Wallace (now Armanino). From 2015 to 2020, Tom served as Chief Executive Officer and Partner at Dovetail, a St. Louis-based brand communications agency. There, he led brand strategy, stakeholder engagement and issues management for clients in diverse industries such as: healthcare, higher education, consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, public sector, tourism and more.   Prior to joining Dovetail, Tom was Chief Executive Officer for St. Patrick Center, one of the country’s leading advocates for ending homelessness. Tom led the creation and implementation of a regional plan that balanced innovative solutions with long-term financial viability. In his other public role as Vice President of Marketing at Bi-State Development, Tom led marketing, revenue generation and customer experience for the organization’s core business units, including the Gateway Arch, Metro Transit and St. Louis Downtown Airport.   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Ron Watermon of StorySmart
Feb 7 2024
The5 with Ron Watermon of StorySmart
Ron Watermon, Founder, Owner, and CEO of STORYSMART, joins The5 to talk about Documentary Filmmaking for Nonprofits.  In this talk Ron gets into how to own your channels and enhance your nonprofit through storytelling with a touch of stories from Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs, Lou Brock, and Blues Music.   Ron Watermon is the founder, owner and CEO of STORYSMART® a premium nationwide filmmaking storytelling service that enables discerning clients to have their stories professionally produced in a cinematic way by professional filmmakers while retaining their intellectual property rights. STORYSMART®'s mission of providing Filmmaking For ALL™ and Storytelling For ALL™ emanates from the fundamental value that everyone matters and deserves to be remembered. Nothing is more enduring that great storytelling on screen. STORYSMART® provides Hollywood Quality filmmaking and storytelling consulting services, functioning essentially as a high-end work-for-hire ghostwriting services specializing in cinematic storytelling rather than being limited to traditional book publishing. STORYSMART® provides a unique set of customizable services ranging from story preservation digital archive services like those used by Oprah Winfrey, Bon Jovi and Billy Graham, to story development, screenwriting, licensing, and documentary filmmaking.   Prior to founding STORYSMART Ron worked for the St. Louis Cardinals in Communications and Government Affairs for 16 years.  Ron holds his BA in Communications and Political Science from Lindenwood University and his JD from St. Louis University.   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Derek Ozkal of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Jan 31 2024
The5 with Derek Ozkal of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Derek Ozkal is a Senior Program Officer at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.  Derek joins The5 to discuss AI for Nonprofits.  This engaging session takes us through a number of topics getting into understanding AI, preparing for the future, and even weaving in brief mentions of Taylor Swift and Skynet.   Derek Ozkal is a senior program officer at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he leads problem-based grantmaking initiatives on workforce development, entrepreneurship, and the future of work. He collaborates with various stakeholders including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and entrepreneurs to foster equity and impact through research, evaluation, and learning. He manages a diverse portfolio of research projects and provides thought leadership on topics such as the changing nature of entrepreneurship, the impact of technology on labor markets, the decline of business dynamism, and the development of a holistic and inclusive research community. He is skilled in research translation, relationship building, budget management, and operational processes. Before joining the Kauffman Foundation, Derek was the research director for the Kansas City Business Journal, where he covered and analyzed various economic topics and industries. He earned an Executive MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Truman State University. He is a cross functional leader and a passionate advocate for advancing more inclusive economic prosperity.   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Michael Shepherd of The Shepherd Group
Jan 24 2024
The5 with Michael Shepherd of The Shepherd Group
Michael Shepherd, Managing Partner of The Shepherd Group, joins The5 to talk about Public Relations for Nonprofits.  Public Relations often gets overlooked by nonprofits as they focus on their mission, but building awareness of the brand is critical for both mission and donations.  Hear from Michael on critical points that a nonprofit should consider to grow the awareness of their nonprofit.   Financially savvy advisor to the C-suite with extensive experience in branding and corporate communications. Unique value proposition: The ability to increase enterprise value through alignment of comms strategy with business goals. The increasing complexity of marketing communications has made it exceedingly difficult for internal marketing departments to stay on top of new and emerging platforms and technologies. Internal training programs can’t keep pace with the evolution of the marketing tech stack - particularly in the lower middle market. Second, More often than not, it’s not the core business of the company. People are dragged into areas that are not their core expertise. Using research and data-informed insights, I develop strategy and content that supports targeted business outcomes. I work with clients to identify key success metrics up front and utilize post-launch analytics to track results and refine messaging throughout the life of the campaign. The end result is better ROI - and accountability.   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Dion Brown of The National Museum of African American Music
Jan 17 2024
The5 with Dion Brown of The National Museum of African American Music
Dion Brown, Executive Director/Acting President of the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), joins The5 to talk about Transitional Leadership.  Transitional Leadership is quite different than operating day-to-day, status quo and having the right insights and path to success is critical.  Dion walks listeners through The5 key steps to successfully navigating transitional leadership in our episode here.   Dion Brown was named the Executive Director/Acting President of the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) by NMAAM’s Board of Directors on August 2, 2023. He formerly served as NMAAM’s Chief Operating Officer for 15 months prior to this appointment. Former roles include: Chief Operating Officer o National Museum of African American Music (Nashville)Managing Director of Nonprofit Services o NMBL Strategies (St. Louis)President and Chief Operating Officer o National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (Cincinnati)Founding Executive Director o National Blues Museum (St. Louis)Executive Director o B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center(Mississippi) During Brown’s Chief Operating Officer role at National Museum of African American Music, he oversaw the Operations, Education & Exhibitions, Marketing, and Guest Services teams. During his tenure, he led the overall reorganization and identified cost savings of over $300K while growing staff. He created the vision for two exhibitions – the 50th Anniversary of the Hip Hop Travelling Exhibition and the rotating exhibition for the museum’s lobby honoring Nashville’s own talent. Brown also curated and led the historical Block Party on Broadway for Juneteenth’s 2023 Celebration.   At NMBL Strategies, Brown oversaw the Grand Opening of the American Black Holocaust Museum and led role in obtaining an 8-figure donation. He managed the development of the organization’s Strategic Plan. also served as Interim Director for a Missouri nonprofit for 6 months. At the nonprofit, he restructured the staff and delivered realistic budget expectations while leading the search for the permanent Executive Director.   While serving as President and COO at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Brown reduced the budget by $1.8M, led the creation of over 100 programs, built collaborative partnerships with the Cincinnati Police Department, African American Chamber, Jewish Federation, YMCA, and local universities to name a few. He also created new revenue streams to include opening a gift shop on site.   As the Founding Executive Director of the National Blues Museum, upon arrival, Brown had nine months to start and complete the build-out of the $13M museum with a staff of one person - and within 60 days he hired a complete staff. Brown created, produced, and hosted the National Blues Museum drive time radio program on a local station in St. Louis and livestreamed productions of Friday and Saturday concerts held at the museum. He created multiple partnerships and outreach programs with the Metro area public schools, universities, and hospitals. Brown created several panel discussions and teen summits to target audiences the museum was not accustomed to engaging with.   At the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, Brown directed the overall management of this $15M institution and balanced the budget in his first year and increased revenue by over $200K. He led the effort to retire $1.1M in debt and raised over $750K in the first year and secured a $400K donation to start an endowment. He worked extensively with the Board of Trustees, Directors and Managers to complete the institution’s first strategic plan. Brown established three new educational programs and secured over $118K in funding to support these programs. He revamped the Art of Living Smart Summer Camp which is now a year-round program that includes afterschool and spring camp. Brown also through audience development, created programming that was lauded by the county and city officials as an asset to the community because it was all inclusive. Finally, he was presented with a Proclamation signed by the Lt. Governor of Mississippi for the museum’s success and also recognized by the Delta Business Journals “Top Business Minorities”.   Brown is: An Emmy Award Winning Executive Producer;An experienced educational programmer and a proud team builder, working with staff and board members alike to adopt culturally responsive strategies and navigate challenging situations;Retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years of service.   Brown holds two degrees from Southwestern College in Kansas - a Master of Science in Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources. He also has a certificate of fundraising from the IUPUI School of Philanthropy in Indianapolis, IN.   Finally, Brown is a former Board member of the Association of African American Museums (AAAM).   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Michael Friebele of Perkins Eastman
Jan 10 2024
The5 with Michael Friebele of Perkins Eastman
Michael Friebele, Associate Principal at Perkins Eastman, joins The5 to talk about Designing Your Nonprofit.  Michael gets into basic design principles a nonprofit should apply to their process whether they are working through new architecture, a new website, or new logo, or any other piece that requires design.  Ultimately, as Michael discusses design's role should provoke support for the organization.    Michael is based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Dallas, Texas. A native of Saint Louis, Missouri, Michael has channeled his professional and personal experiences as a critical medium throughout his work in architectural design, involvement in the community, and experience in journalism. After receiving his Master in Architecture from Kansas State University, Michael located to Dallas where he has spent seven years working in markets across the globe. Michael’s work focuses on connections, from physical to historical, as a means of informing performance driven and client centered design. In addition to his work in architecture, Michael is a self-taught writer, having contributed to such publications as Texas Architect, The Architects Newspaper, and D Magazine. Within the community, Michael currently serves on the Dean's Advisory Council for the Kansas State College of Architecture, Planning, and Design as well as the Board for DOCOMOMO's North Texas Chapter. Michael served on the Board of Directors for AIA Dallas in 2017, is a member of the Texas Architect Publications Committee, and has volunteered with the Dallas Festival of Ideas, Design Future Dallas, and Life in Deep Ellum. Michael, was recognized with the 2017 Associate Award from the American Institute of Architects and the 2016 Associate of the Year from AIA Dallas.   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.
The5 with Steve Manno of CCS Fundraising
Dec 27 2023
The5 with Steve Manno of CCS Fundraising
Steve Manno joins The5 in his role as Principal & Managing Director of CCS Fundraising to discuss the Core Pillars of Philanthropy via Capital Campaigns.  Steve's insights from years of experience and countless capital campaigns provides a benefit to listeners whether they are in the midst of a capital campaign or just need some insights to benefit their annual giving.   As Principal & Managing Director at CCS Fundraising, Steve Manno oversees operations in Missouri and the Central U.S. market. Based in St. Louis, Steve leverages his expertise of the regional philanthropic landscape to foster strategic partnerships with organizations spanning across sectors. Steve is proud to serve as the chief architect and thought partner for each of his client partnerships. He is committed to empowering and elevating the impact of the nonprofit sector by securing the capital needed to advance these critical missions. With over 26 years of experience in nonprofit management and fundraising strategy, Steve has worked with organizations of every demographic and raising upward of $2 billion for a host of charitable needs. His areas of expertise include planning, designing, implementing and managing comprehensive philanthropic campaigns; development assessments and analysis; gift planning and CRM assessments; interim management; leadership capacity building; and major gift cultivation and solicitation.   The5 is a celebration of the work being done by nonprofit professionals, highlighting valuable tips and methods that nonprofits should be utilizing.  The5 is aptly named as NMBL Strategies celebrates our 5 year anniversary.  Host Eric Moraczewski leads guests on a journey of topics that are of deep importance to the guest and discusses how nonprofits and nonprofit leaders can benefit from the experience and expertise.