Can we talk about...? A podcast on leading for racial equity in philanthropy

Can we talk about…? is a podcast that invites philanthropic leaders into candid conversations with their peers to normalize the messiness of leading for racial equity and reflect on what it takes to create lasting transformation. In Season 4, Mares Asfaha guides us through the arc of equity-centered governance, one topic at a time, from fiduciary duty and board recruitment through decision-making and accountability. This podcast is brought to you by Philanthropy Northwest.

Can we talk about...? A podcast on leading for racial equity in philanthropy is a business podcast hosted by Philanthropy Northwest, with 34 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Philanthropy Northwest hosts Can we talk about...? A podcast on leading for racial equity in philanthropy, a business show with 34 episodes published.

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  Episode #2

  Redefining Board Purpose and Fiduciary Duty with Gabriela Alcalde

  Oct 1, 202634 minS4

  Today the Sewall Foundation board’s primary purpose isn’t to protect their portfolio and assets. It’s to steward the foundation’s values. But that wasn’t always the case. In this episode, Gabriela Alcalde, executive director of the Sewall Foundation, shares how the board evolved its definition of fiduciary duty and adopted a board purpose statement that puts community and mission impact first. Tune in to hear the tangible steps they’ve taken as an organization and new practices they’ve adopted like ‘fist to five’ voting and open board recruitment, and how these changes are shaping the ways they show up for their communities today and into the future. References & Resources Mares kicks off the episode with a question inspired by TGP’s Evolutions Exercise , a tool designed by our senior advisors. Gabriela shares Sewall Foundation’s Definition of Fiduciary Duty . Gabriela mentions that the board now votes using the Fist to Five method.

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  Episode #1

  Why boards...again? with Monika Kalra Varma and Kevin Walker

  Sep 22, 202636 minS4

  Wait, wasn’t Season 1 also about boards? Turns out there’s more to talk about. Can we talk about..? veterans Monika Kalra Varma and Kevin Walker join us to share why we’re revisiting this topic in Season 4, and how foundation staff can harness the potential of their boards to accelerate their missions and values. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the Northwest Area Foundation board’s decision to double its grantmaking dollars, an exploration of the "right" percentage of time CEOs and EDs should spend on board work, and tips and tricks to get the best use of your board members' limited time. References & Resources Monika shares the four principles of Purpose-Driven Leadership as defined by BoardSource, and a new resource: Authorized Voice & Power in the Board Room: Reimagining Governance to Fulfill Philanthropy’s Purpose . Kevin shares what it took for Northwest Area Foundation to double their grant dollars in 2025. Learn more in their video: CEO Kevin Walker—Doubled Funding for 2025 to Continue in 2026

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  Can we talk about...? A podcast on leading for racial equity in philanthropy

  Season 4 Trailer: Journeying Through Equity-Centered Board Service

  Sep 1, 20263 minS4

  Season 4 is here! And no, you’re not experiencing déjà vu. Mares is back, and so is the very first topic we tackled together on this podcast: foundation boards and governance . So what’s new this season? Video Our guests are waving hello to the camera! This season we’re bringing you full video episodes on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Shorter Episodes Mares will have all of 35 minutes each episode – give or take a few – to tackle one aspect of board service. Think fiduciary duty, board recruitment and on-boarding, decision-making, and what each piece of board work looks and feels like when equity and community are at the center. Live! Episode Join us for a very special live episode recording with our friends at Break Fake Rules this season as we celebrate Philanthropy Northwest’s 50th anniversary at PNW26 in Anchorage. Follow us, tune in and we’ll see you on the pod!

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  Episode #8

  Valériana Chikoti-Bandua Estes and Maya Thornell-Sandifor on Stepping Into Our Power As Audacious Funders

  Apr 24, 202657 minS3

  <p>Valériana Chikoti-Bandua Estes, executive director of Social Justice Fund Northwest and Maya Thornell Sandifor, managing director of the Kataly Foundation, join Mares for the final episode of season 3 focused on community philanthropy and equity.</p><p><br/>The episode begins with a conversation on power, and how community philanthropy typically underutilizes the power and influence they have. Together they share the need to move against the status quo for greater justice for their communities. <br/><br/>They also discuss the necessity of overcoming fear, being politically active and building deep relationships with the community to move philanthropy toward e...

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  Episode #7

  Katie Carter and Mindie Reule on unpacking the "A" word in philanthropy

  Dec 9, 202550 minS3

  <p>Katie Carter, President of Pride Foundation, and Mindie Reule, President & CEO, Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, sit down with Mares to discuss tangible ways that philanthropy can be more accountable to the community it serves. They begin the conversation by naming how the structures that currently exist do not hold philanthropy accountable to the communities they serve, and discuss ways in which funders can develop accountability mechanisms that lead to greater transparency across the sector.</p><p>Together, they share insights into the nuances of accountability, such as how to receive grantee feedback without burdening communities, as well...

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