682. Shift 12 — Boards: You Are The Culture Carriers (How Boards and Staff Shape Leadership Together) - Nakia James-Jenkins
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This episode is part of 12 Shifts in 2026 for Social Impact.
Overview
Today's episode continues our 12-part series: 12 Shifts in 2026 for Social Impact. Over twelve episodes, we’re unpacking mindset + strategy shifts shaping the future of fundraising, leadership, and doing good in 2026. Explore the series at weareforgood.com/12shifts.
Shift 12 / Boards Are Culture Carriers
In this final episode of the 12 Shifts series, Jon and Becky close things out with a powerful conversation about boards, culture, and shared leadership — and they’re joined by the perfect voice to put a bow on it all.
They sit down with Nakia James-Jenkins, people and culture leader, board chair of STEM From Dance, and partner at On-Ramps, to explore why boards aren’t just governance bodies — they’re culture carriers who shape trust, voice, and leadership, often without even realizing it.
Together, they unpack how boards and executive leaders co-create organizational culture, what it looks like to move beyond outdated, transactional board models, and how leaders can intentionally activate boards as authentic partners in mission, storytelling, and growth. Nakia shares hard-earned wisdom from across the nonprofit, public, and education sectors — plus real, practical ways leaders can redesign board engagement for today’s realities.
If you’re ready to reimagine your board as a source of trust, courage, and shared leadership — not just oversight — this conversation is your invitation.
Takeaways:
Why boards can only be true culture carriers when CEOs and executive directors create intentional space
How outdated board models limit trust — and what co-creation with boards really looks like
What healthy, values-aligned board and executive partnerships require in practice
How to activate board members beyond fundraising by clarifying expectations and “the ask”
Why onboarding, training, and ongoing relationship-building are essential to board effectiveness
How small wins, honest conversations, and shared stories unlock deeper board engagement
Activating + Training Your Boards (20:30)
Onboarding sets expectations: Begin relationships by narrating your org's identity, needed expertise, and engagement level—be honest as needs evolve.
Name specific needs clearly: "We need board members that can just fundraise" or "strategic thought partnership"—transparency lets leaders sleep at night.
Activate with tangible actions: Give concrete steps like "fundraising in philanthropy" or "government connections," not vague hypotheticals.
Train and develop your board: Don't assume members know how—equip them with key skillsets and deliverables they can realistically produce.
Optimize board meeting time: Assess whether to bring consultants, partners, or program participants (via Zoom) to build mission connections and storytelling ability.
“Boards are culture carriers, but I want to be intentional to anchor that in the understanding that boards can be culture carriers, only if CEOs and EDs make space for it.”
Episode Transcript
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Episode Highlights:
Board Evolution: From Stable Funding to Strategic Redesign (07:37)
The Gap in Board Role Perception and True Influence (12:18)
Authentic Mission Connections Through Program Exposure (15:11)
Healthy Partnerships = Brené Brown's "Rumbling" (16:44)
Intentional Engagement Beyond Meetings (19:16)
Activating + Training Your Boards (20:30)
Activate with Specific Asks and Training (23:31)
Bring Programs to Boards for Storytelling Power (24:11)
Nakia's One Good Thing: Intentions, Space, Small Wins (27:03)
Powerful Quotes
“If we’re going to do good, we need to do good together.” - Nakia James-Jenkins
“CEOs and EDs are not taking full advantage of this moment of redesign. You inherited this model of board structure, you’ve inherited these bylaws, you’ve inherited these committee structures, but they may not be what you need now.” - Nakia James-Jenkins
“We need a different model from our board. We need a different level of engagement from our board.” - Nakia James-Jenkins
“I truly believe that boards are culture carriers… but for me to be a culture carrier was for me to get close to the executive director and founder, for me to meet the team, for me to go to programs, for me to meet the girls that are being impacted.” - Nakia James-Jenkins
“The only real, authentic way for boards to be culture carriers is that executive directors and CEOs and leadership teams are creating opportunities for them to be able to build an authentic connection to the mission.” - Nakia James-Jenkins
“There is a desire to color within the lines at all times when you’re talking to your board, where you miss the opportunity to build authentic connections.” - Nakia James-Jenkins
“How you begin a relationship dictates expectations. For board, it really starts with the onboarding and recruitment process.” - Nakia James-Jenkins
“If your board doesn’t make that connection or you don’t train them to understand that, they can’t tell that story the way I just did. They just can’t.” - Nakia James-Jenkins
“Small wins are like gems that carry you through one moment of time to the next. I think you should be telling your story in the small wins category.” - Nakia James-Jenkins
Nakia's One Good Thing/ Homework (27:03)
Get clear on your intention: What outcomes are you hoping for? It's not about winning or being right—it's about genuinely serving your mission. What do you need?
Be intentional to create space for engagement: We throw "engagement" around but often go 30 days without contact—build constant community through regular touchpoints.
Show up as your best with small wins: Break big asks into bite-size pieces; small wins are gems that sustain you and happen more frequently than big victories.
Share small wins frequently: Tell these stories to stay connected more often, since they occur regularly unlike rare big wins.
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