Development Professional Network Morning Buzz - Episode 2: Gabrielle Contesti and Maria Newhouse

Updated 9 days ago

Joe Winters, grants and donor relationship manager of the Kalamazoo Air Zoo interviews Gabrielle Contesti, sponsorship and partner relations of Now Kalamazoo and Maria Newhouse, director of corporate and foundation relations of Kalamazoo college.

Chapters

Podcast Introduction (00:00:05)
Joe Winters introduces the podcast and welcomes Gabrielle Coni and Maria, who are key figures in the Development Officials Network in Kalamazoo.

Joe Winters opens the second session of the Development Officials Network podcast, introducing himself and his co-leads, Maria and Gabrielle Coni, who hold significant roles in the nonprofit sector.
Maria's Leadership Philosophy (00:00:49)
Maria discusses her philosophy of leadership, emphasizing adaptability and humility, and shares how her experiences have shaped her approach.

Maria talks about her journey and leadership style, focusing on remaining adaptable and humble. She shares anecdotes from her life and emphasizes that leadership is about serving others, not about personal gains.
Gabrielle's Role at Now Kalamazoo (00:04:00)
Gabrielle Coni shares her journey with Now Kalamazoo, her role as a community ambassador, and her husband Ben Lando's involvement.

Gabrielle Coni discusses how she became involved with Now Kalamazoo, starting as a community ambassador due to her husband Ben Lando's work as the publisher. She describes the organization's growth and her role in its development.
The Importance of Local Journalism (00:06:23)
Gabrielle emphasizes the community's positive reception to independent local journalism and the importance of maintaining a non-paywall model.

Gabrielle talks about the excitement surrounding Now Kalamazoo's independent journalism and the organization's commitment to providing accessible, non-paywalled news to the community, highlighting its value in promoting informed civic engagement.
Maria on Relationship Management (00:08:02)
Maria discusses the significance of authentic relationship management in fundraising and her approach to networking.

Maria explains her strategy for building authentic relationships in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the importance of genuine interactions and being passionate about the causes she supports. She shares how her past experiences have shaped her approach to leadership and fundraising.
The Current Federal Climate's Impact on Fundraising (00:14:44)
Maria and Gabrielle discuss how the current federal climate affects fundraising and nonprofit operations in their respective fields.

Maria explains the challenges facing higher education due to federal policy changes, emphasizing the impact on funding and student opportunities. Gabrielle shares her concerns about media funding and the importance of local journalism in maintaining a healthy community.
Finding Community in Challenging Times (00:21:54)
Maria and Gabrielle highlight the importance of finding and connecting with like-minded individuals in the nonprofit sector.

Both Maria and Gabrielle stress the value of building supportive networks within the nonprofit community. They discuss how connecting with others who understand the challenges can provide emotional support and help find innovative solutions.
Closing Remarks (00:24:06)
Joe concludes the podcast, thanking Gabrielle and Maria for their insights and contributions to the discussion.

Joe wraps up the session by expressing gratitude to Gabrielle Coni and Maria for sharing their experiences and perspectives on leadership, fundraising, and community building in the nonprofit sector.

Development Professional Network Morning Buzz (2 Episodes)

Updated 9 days ago