NGO Soul + Strategy

• 094. Breaking the Barriers to Innovation: Carlos Simon on Organizational Culture & Change in NGOs

  SummaryInnovation is often treated as a buzzword—but few nonprofit leaders take a hard look at the cultural, structural, and leadership obstacles that keep it from taking root. In this episode, Tosca talks with Carlos Simon, an innovation strategist and longtime leader at World Vision, about what it really takes to build innovation-ready organizations. From internal mindsets to outdated processes, they explore what’s getting in the way—and what to do about it.Guest Bio:CEO of World Vision Costa Rica and iSmart360Director of Data Science and former Regional Director of BD & Marketing at World VisionInnovation strategist with 25+ years at World Vision International (WVI)Author of a forthcoming framework on the 7 stages of organizational innovation maturityWe Discuss:Why innovation is not the same as continuous improvement—and why that mattersThe cultural and structural obstacles that slow down innovation in large NGOsHow Carlos developed a framework that identifies 7 distinct organizational "zones" of innovation capacityThe importance of removing outdated processes to truly make space for new ideasWhy leaders must address internal “friction” as much as they focus on promoting new ideasHow senior leadership mindsets—like overconfidence or premature solution bias—can block innovationThe role of flat structures, strategic alignment, and client focus in driving real innovationQuotes“You cannot have a disruptive vision and then treat it as a continuous improvement plan.”“Innovation doesn’t fail because of a lack of ideas—it fails because of internal resistance.”ResourcesOrganizational innovation index with exponential factor

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• 093. Feminist Leadership in Action: A Conversation with Jayanta Bora

  Summary: What does it really mean to lead through a feminist lens? In this episode of NGO Soul + Strategy, I sit down with Jayanta Bora, a seasoned People & Culture expert who has helped shape leadership practices across major NGOs. Drawing from his own matrilinear upbringing and decades of experience, Jayanta explores feminist leadership not as a gendered concept but as a deliberate, power-aware leadership practice rooted in justice and equity.Jayanta's Bio:Over 30 years of experience in People & Culture, OD, OB, and HR in the nonprofit sector.Former Executive Director of Human Resources at Plan International.Visiting faculty at NMIMS Global Access School and Tezpur University.Leadership roles at Oxfam, ChildFund, and other global organizations.We Discuss:What feminist leadership is—and what it is not.The origins of Jayanta’s interest in feminist leadership, rooted in a matrilinear culture.Why feminist leadership is not about gender, but about power analysis.The seven behavioral competencies of feminist leadership:Self-awareness and reflectionSelf-care and caring for othersInclusion and dismantling biasAccountable collaborationSharing power and transparent decision makingRespectful feedback and conflict resolutionCourage and zero tolerance for discriminationThe need for more longitudinal research on feminist leadership effectiveness.How feminist leadership differs from traditional or transformational leadership styles.Quotes: “If you practice feminist leadership, you have no need for DEI policies, since intersectionality of identities is baked in.” “I am a male feminist.”Resources: Jayanta's LinkedIn profileLet’s stay connectedYou can also watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes or other thought pieces are released.Have a challenge or opportunity in your nonprofit or philanthropic organization that you'd like to explore? Feel free to reach out to Tosca directly at tosca(at)5oaksconsulting(dot)org.And if you’d like more insights on nonprofit leadership, organizational change, and culture, you can follow Tosca on LinkedIn.

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• 092. How Culture Is Reality: Rethinking NGO Safeguarding with Andrew Henck

  In this episode, I speak with Andrew Henck, a scholar-practitioner whose recent PhD research offers a nuanced take on organizational culture in humanitarian NGOs. Together, we explore how culture goes far beyond shared values—it is a lens through which organizations make sense of their reality. They also examine what this means for safeguarding, accountability, and leadership in NGOs, especially amid increasing scrutiny and systemic change.Guest’s BioLecturer at Glasgow Caledonian UniversityPhD in Leadership Studies, University of San DiegoFormer People & Culture leader with World Vision in Papua New GuineaCoach, consultant, and certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitatorWe DiscussWhat the Competing Values Framework reveals about NGO cultureAndrew’s four-phase model of cultural consciousnessWhy safeguarding policies fall short without deeper cultural insightThe difference between “organizations having culture” and “organizations being culture”How to apply a developmental view of culture to real-world leadership challengesWhy boards and regulators often miss key dynamics in NGO cultureQuotes “Culture is not just about values. It’s how people make sense of reality.” “Organizations are not just entities with cultures—they are cultures.”Resources Andrew's LinkedIn PageEnjoy my essay related to todays topic: Can Organizational Culture Help Explain Recent INGO Scandals?Let’s stay connectedYou can also watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes or other thought pieces are released.Have a challenge or opportunity in your nonprofit or philanthropic organization that you'd like to explore? Feel free to reach out to Tosca directly at tosca(at)5oaksconsulting(dot)org.And if you’d like more insights on nonprofit leadership, organizational change, and culture, you can follow Tosca on LinkedIn.

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• 091. “$10M Landed in Our Account”—What Nonprofits Must Know About Transformational Gifts and Sudden Growth with Michael Randel

  What happens when your nonprofit receives a transformational gift—seemingly out of the blue? In this episode, change management expert Michael Randel joins Tosca Bruno-van Vijfeijken to explore what nonprofits can learn from the MacKenzie Scott giving wave. Together, they discuss how to prepare for sudden funding growth, what risks to avoid, and how to communicate wisely during a time of high visibility and high stakes.Guest BioFounder and Principal of Randel Consulting AssociatesLong-standing consultant in nonprofit change management and scalingResearcher on philanthropic giving and leadership dynamicsRegular advisor to mission-driven organizations facing major transitionsWe Discuss:Michael’s research into nonprofits that received large-scale gifts from MacKenzie ScottWhy divisiveness after a big gift was less common than expectedHow to manage sudden scaling and increase organizational readinessThe value of a “quiet phase” in your communication strategyHow to plan for the eventual “financial cliff” once funding is spentWhy this moment calls for both bold leadership and intentional restraintQuotes:“One day, 10 million dollar suddenly landed in our bank account.”“Should we be careful what we wished for?”Resources:Michael Randel's LinkedIn pageRandel Consulting Associates LinkedIn pageRandel Consulting AssociatesGet insider tips to overcome the 5 most common problems facing leaders during change - download hereMackenzie Scott has donated part of her fortune to over 2,000 organizations doing amazing work. What are they doing with all this newfound money? - download hereLet’s stay connectedYou can also watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes or other thought pieces are released.Have a challenge or opportunity in your nonprofit or philanthropic organization that you'd like to explore? Feel free to reach out to Tosca directly at tosca(at)5oaksconsulting(dot)org.And if you’d like more insights on nonprofit leadership, organizational change, and culture, you can follow Tosca on LinkedIn.

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• 090. Technology, Land Rights, and Leadership: A Conversation with Amy Coughenour Betancourt, CEO of Cadasta

  Show NotesSummaryLand rights are at the heart of building a sustainable and equitable future. Yet securing these rights—especially for marginalized communities—remains a profound global challenge.In this episode of NGO Soul + Strategy, I sit down with Amy Coughenour Betancourt, President and CEO of Cadasta, a global social innovation organization dedicated to advancing affordable, accessible land rights documentation.Drawing on her leadership at the intersection of technology, social innovation, and global nonprofit management, Amy and I explore the unique opportunities and challenges Cadasta faces as a technology-forward organization working closely with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and governments.We also address a timely leadership question: how nonprofits can respond to increasingly challenging funding landscapes while staying aligned with mission and values.Guest's BioPresident and CEO of Cadasta, a leading social innovation organizationGlobal Advisor, How Women LeadAdvisory Board Member, Geospatial WorldBoard Member, InterActionFormer COO, National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA), InternationalFormer Deputy Executive Director, Pan American Development FoundationWe DiscussWhat the integration of technology unlocks for advancing land rights—and the risks and limitations it bringsHow Cadasta approaches its role as an ally-organization to Indigenous Peoples and locally-led land tenure groupsThe leadership challenge of navigating downward trends in nonprofit funding across Europe and the USHow leaders can respond strategically to funding shifts while identifying new opportunities for mission-driven impactWhat it means to balance innovation with the grounded realities of community-driven changeLessons from Cadasta's hybrid model as both a technology provider and a global NGOQuotes“We need to be technology-forward but always community-centered.”"Responding to a changing funding landscape requires not just resilience—but also creativity and adaptability.”ResourcesCadasta.orgCadasta LinkedIn PageCadasta on BlueSkyCadasta Facebook PageAmy Coughenour Betancourt Linked In PageLet’s stay connectedYou can also watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes or other thought pieces are released.Have a challenge or opportunity in your nonprofit or philanthropic organization that you'd like to explore? Feel free to reach out to Tosca directly at tosca(at)5oaksconsulting(dot)org.And if you’d like more insights on nonprofit leadership, organizational change, and culture, you can follow Tosca on LinkedIn.

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