Nancy:
All righty, listeners, we're rolling right into season three, and I'm here to give you a quick preview. First things first, season three is hosted by the one and only, Mares Asfaha.
Mares:
I'm Mares Asfaha, and I am an associate director of programs at Philanthropy Northwest, and I'm really excited to be your host for the season where we are doing a deep dive into community philanthropyNancy:
Community foundations, identity funds, United Ways and other public foundations, this season is for you. Earlier this year, we published a guide called Toward Transformation, which offers a look into the equity journeys of 20 community philanthropy organizations and the lessons they've learned along the way. Each episode of season three will focus on a lesson from the guide with our guests providing perspectives on common challenges-
Mares:
What happens on a board when you do have board members who are unaligned.
Nancy:
... sharing case studies based on their work-
Karri:
We have received more resources, we have received more aligned employees, and we've received stronger partnerships as a result of aligning and focusing on racial justice.
Nancy:
... and offering tangible ideas for you to bring back to your foundation. Also, did I mention Mares is hosting, which means listeners who stick with us throughout each episode will get access to a brand new segment, Mares's Soapbox Snack Break.
Mares:
The person who decided we needed ads on streaming services, you're not a good person. You're not a good person. You have no compassion for your fellow man. Oh, okay, that was my soapbox.
Nancy:
Whether you're looking for community, ideas or a dose of Mares, we hope you'll tune in and learn alongside us this season. As always, we're asking guests to practice vulnerability, explore sticky topics and look for learning, and what we ask of you is to do the same. We also encourage listeners to head to our website, philanthropynw.org, and explore our episode guides to learn more about our guests, find relevant links and access additional resources. Can we talk about...? is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Season 3 episodes are inspired by our guide, Toward Transformation: A collection of lessons from 20 community philanthropies working to advance equitable philanthropy
Overview
Hosted by Mares Asfaha, season 3 dives deep into the evolving world of community philanthropy — featuring honest conversations with leaders from community foundations, identity funds, United Ways and public foundations.
Each episode spotlights lessons from Toward Transformation, Philanthropy Northwest’s equity-focused guide, and brings you real-world case studies, tough questions and tangible ideas you can bring back to your organization.
Plus, don’t miss our newest segment: Mares’s Soapbox Snack Break—sharp, funny, and exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
Mares Asfaha
As a facilitator and convener, Mares finds that philanthropy is most powerful when it centers on historically underserved communities and is interested in supporting our members in this important work. Mares enjoys building relationships with our members and connecting them with each other as they work towards their goals of more equitable philanthropy. Mares comes to Philanthropy Northwest with a background in nonprofit work including youth development work, grant writing and civic engagement and economic research. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and French. Mares enjoys reading, indulging in reality TV and living in peace with her cat.
Nancy Sanabria
Nancy is a natural collaborator who is energized by meeting new people, listening to their challenges and helping them find solutions that both honor where they are and help them expand their experiences. Nancy began her nonprofit career at Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which ignited her passion for working in the nonprofit sector. Her subsequent professional moves took her to Washington, D.C., Miami and Atlanta where she built her career focusing on programming and capacity building for nonprofits.
Though Nancy is originally a New Yorker, her parents are from the Caribbean Island of Haiti. Immediately after graduating from college, she spent six months working there to learn more about her family’s culture and about living in a developing country. That proved to be an enlightening immersion experience, with lessons that carry over to her work today. Nancy is a graduate of Georgia State University and received a master’s degree in international development education from Florida International University. As transplants from Atlanta, Georgia, Nancy, her husband Rick and daughter Madison are reluctantly becoming outdoorsy people, taking advantage of all the beauty in the Northwest!
Credits
This episode of Can we talk about…? was produced by Aya Tsuruta, Emily Daman, Mares Asfaha, and our audio engineer Josh Suhy, with editing support from Karalyn Jenkins. Special thanks to Asha Hossain (Graphic Design), Nancy Sanabria (Intro/Outro Host), Komiku (Music) and to our Building Community Philanthropy partners for their thought partnership and support.
