The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast discusses important issues facing nonprofit leaders in our community and features real stories from real leaders about what strategies and practices have made them successful. Enjoy the show!
All content for Nonprofit Leadership Podcast is the property of Dr. Rob Harter and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast discusses important issues facing nonprofit leaders in our community and features real stories from real leaders about what strategies and practices have made them successful. Enjoy the show!
How Can Social Impact Leaders Turn Their Passion for Social Change into Policy Impact?
Nonprofit Leadership Podcast
36 minutes 3 seconds
1 month ago
How Can Social Impact Leaders Turn Their Passion for Social Change into Policy Impact?
Betsy Cooper
In this episode, host Rob Harter talks with Betsy Cooper of the Aspen Policy Academy / Aspen Institute about how nonprofit and social impact leaders can channel their passion for social change into tangible policy influence. They explore the balance between advocacy and legal constraints for nonprofits, the six‑step process for developing policy influence, and real examples of how ideas become implemented policy. They also dive into the skills, tools, and strategies needed to make lasting change, including how AI is beginning to intersect with civic engagement and government.
Betsy shares frameworks that help translate mission-driven ideas into practical policy proposals, stakeholder strategies, communication approaches, and implementation plans. The conversation is rich with concrete advice for practitioners who want to move beyond service to shape the rules that influence systems.
Guardrails and legal constraints for nonprofit advocacy, and how to engage responsibly
The role of tools like policy memos, briefs, redlined texts, and operational plans in influencing decision‑makers
Core skills for change makers: strategy, communication, stakeholder mapping
Integrating policy engagement into social innovation and how it often becomes the missing lever
Examples of successful transitions from idea to policy (e.g. Aspen fellows influencing Utah’s data center water usage rules)
Emerging intersections of AI with government, public policy, and nonprofit advocacy
Mentioned in This Episode:
Aspen Policy Academy
Boulder Advocacy
Rising Civic AI Leaders
Aspen Tech Policy Hub
This Episode is Sponsored By:
DonorBox: Helping you help others, with the best donation forms in the business.
Links to Resources:
Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com
Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel
Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com
Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com
Subscribe and ShareListen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!
Nonprofit Leadership Podcast
The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast discusses important issues facing nonprofit leaders in our community and features real stories from real leaders about what strategies and practices have made them successful. Enjoy the show!
