Nonprofit C-Suite: Problem-Solvers and Relationship Builders Wanted

Episode 2 in our STAKEHOLDERS SERIES features 3 executive and administrative nonprofit professionals. These roles are those who keep the North Star in view, allow us to fund the mission, ensure we are legally compliant and retaining the public trust. The administrative team includes employees like C-suite executives, fundraisers, human resource officers, accountants, and more. These experts are team builders, problem-solvers, and strategy creators. Katie Pooser (co-host and planned giving fundraising expert) shares perspectives as a fundraiser while Lillian Samuel (CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area) and Jenny Pagel Guile (Executive Director, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-Gateway Chapter) offer their career advice as organizational leaders.

Listen in to hear about the magic that can happen when a job seeker shares their aspirations. Hear why and how to build a personal board of directors, what it is like to transition in and out of the sector, and the traits hiring managers are looking for when they interview a job seeker.

GUESTS (in order of appearance):

KATIE POOSER has provided thought and strategic leadership at a diverse set of nonprofit organizations, including youth development, health care and environmental stewardship, from start-up to mature, from local to global in scale. Balancing empathy and results is a hallmark of her 15-year fundraising practice. Her next post is Director of Planned Giving. She is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy with an Economics, B.S. and a Master of Public Administration degree. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa. She is the incoming treasurer of the Philanthropic Planned Giving Group of Greater New York, is a board member of Jana’s Campaign, an education nonprofit preventing domestic violence, and host of the podcast Asking for Good.

LILLIAN SAMUEL is a trailblazer in her role as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area, as the first African American to hold the position in the agency's history. With a passion for making a difference in her community, Lillian has spent over 15 years working in leadership roles within the nonprofit philanthropic sector. She has a proven track record of success, having led teams to raise over $50M in revenue for large institutions including the University of California, San Fran Francisco, Girl Scouts of Northern California and community health centers throughout the Bay Area. Her vision is to support creating a more just and equitable community through mentorship, ensuring young people have every opportunity to reach their full potential. Under her leadership, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area serves all nine counties of the region. In 2023, Lillian was recognized by the Marcus Foster Education Institute as a Visionary for Diversity . Lillian is a proud alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her BA, and the University of San Francisco, where she earned her MA in Nonprofit Management.

JENNY PAGEL GUILE has been in the nonprofit sector for nearly 20 years. Beginning with Girl Scouts running the summer day camp programs and troop recruitment. Following her Master’s completion she stayed in higher education and Greek affairs before transitioning to community outreach and volunteer management with a local animal shelter. Jenny has worked with national health charities, National MS Society and the March of Dimes Foundation. She led fundraising efforts, managed staff and volunteer advisory boards. Progressing to larger organizations and leadership positions such as ALSAC & the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She holds a Masters in Education: Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Memphis and earned her certification in volunteer administration (CVA) in 2018. Jenny manages a multi-million dollar chapter revenue budget, fundraising staff, volunteers and leads community outreach and high wealth donor relationships.