98. How to Diversify the Talent Pipeline in Philanthropy - Karon Moody Harden

Karon Moody-Harden / Council on Foundations / We Are For Good Podcast

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Overview

Meet Karon. She believes philanthropy can be a trusted partner in advancing the greater good. And her team at the Council on Foundations is centered on doing just that by fostering heathy work environments, developing diverse people and advocating for progress. By bringing people together around these topics, her org is bridging divides and creating opportunities for people to listen, share and do the work. And her One Good Thing will move your heart.

Today’s Guest

Karon Moody Harden, VP of Programs and Peer Engagement, Council on Foundations

“If we want to address the complex, systemic issues we have got to figure out how to come together and have meaningful conversations and partnerships.”

— Karon Moody Harden, VP of Programs and Peer Engagement, Council on Foundations

Episode Transcript

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Episode Highlights

Karon’s story and journey to where she is today (3:00)
Council on Foundations and their mission (6:50)
Philanthropy and how it was defined in 1949 looks very different now in 2021 (7:30)
Cohorts: the power in bringing people together and having experiential trainings (10:00)
Career Pathways: Council on Foundations’s Flagship Leadership Development Program (14:20)
Know the stats: the current state of the nonprofit sector (15:00)
Diversifying the talent pipeline in philanthropy (18:00)
Start with your board. Be honest about where you are on your equity journey (20:00)
Council on Foundations’s support throughout COVID-19 (25:00)
Karon’s One Good Thing: tap into the liberating power of rest. The Nap Ministries (33:50) How much influence does rest have on your life?

Powerful Quotes:

“I spend a lot of my brain power thinking about how to make philanthropy better reflect the communities that it’s serving.” -Karon

“The Council on Foundations has been around since 1945. It was created to support the needs of the emerging field of philanthropy, which specifically at the time was more so community philanthropy.” -Karon

“Obviously philanthropy has changed and expanded. We have 800 members at the council currently: private, corporate, and community foundations. We are increasingly serving other givers as well.” -Karon

“We see philanthropy as a trusted partner in advancing the greater good.” -Karon

“A lot of our work is creating the space for our members to come together and learn and grow.” -Karon

“If we want to address the complex, systemic issues we have got to figure out how to come together and have meaningful conversations and partnerships.” -Karon

“Start at a place with serving others.” -Becky

“We’re simply not doing enough. It has to be an all hands on deck process.” -Becky

“Really be honest about where you are on your equity journey. What voices and perspectives are you missing?” -Karon

“There are a lot of folks out there in the sector that are doing this work remarkably well. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Tap into the networks and communities that are doing this equity work.” -Karon

“We tend to say glass ceiling. The concrete ceiling is different in terms of what women of color experience. It’s impossible to see through concrete. There is no visible destination, just what seems like a dead end. Women of color often face this across the sector and many workforces.” -Karon

“I have been able to be a front seat witness to so many incredible leaders that look like me that are leading organizations and doing incredible work across the sector.” -Karon

“The opportunity to be connected and a piece of their journey has been more rewarding than anything.” -Karon