Christina: [00:00:00] Welcome to the taking the lead podcast, where we empower people to be unstoppable. I'm Christina Hapner with my cohost, Leslie Hoskins in Timothy Cuneo. Leslie, you were just telling us about a flight and debacle that you had when you were traveling. Tell us a little bit about what happened.
Leslie: Oh my gosh. I kept thinking about everybody because we were at the airport for over nine hours and our flight kept getting delayed and delayed another hour, another hour, another hour, and I just kept.
Oh, my gosh. What would some of our clients be doing in this situation? Especially those clients with dogs, you know, talk to Timothy about planning his whole day, according to the dog's schedule, Timothy, what would you do in those types of situations? Or have you been in that situation? Well,
Timothy: luckily we haven't been in that position yet, but, uh, I, I don't know what I would do.
Uh, thank God in summit. Most of these are porches of relieving area and the, uh, inside the airport, but there are some that don't have. And, uh, the feeding and the watering that would just, just mess up my whole day. I was, I got [00:01:00] a friend who was in Columbia, South Carolina, and their flight was delayed by 12 hours.
And there was not a relieving area in that airport. So they had to go outside of the security area and come back in. So it just throws a whole monkey wrench in the whole thing. So I don't know, I would do. Yeah.
Melissa: I
Christina: mean, I can't even imagine, you know, myself having to I've had layovers where I had to stay overnight and all of that, but.
Taking care of her dog as well. That's a whole nother level of uncertainty. And I, I heard so many people's lights getting kid I'm nervous to book my next flight, to be honest,
Leslie: I just didn't thinking I was so grateful that I didn't have the kids with us. You know, it was just my husband and I was sitting at the airport.
So we just kept laughing quite honestly, because at one point it was just coming. But I just felt so bad for the workers. They were doing their absolute best, but it was just such a terrible situation. We ended up finally getting canceled and had to hurry up and find a hotel and Uber's and all of that.
So it's just something to think about, you know, being prepared for those types of situations. Make [00:02:00] sure you have your Uber and your Lyft apps already downloaded on your phone and accessible. And then another thing to think about for clients with a dog or without. Is advocating for yourself. We taught clients through this airport situation all the time, and we say, you're going to get assistance.
They'll take you right to the gate. But a lot of times then you're at the gate by yourself. Being able to advocate and ask others around you are the gate attendant. You know, where's the nearest restroom. Um, is there a place I can get some food, things like that, and kind of learning your surroundings and being able to speak up for yourself, especially in those types of situations.
But of course, all very doable and we hear our clients. All the time, but just things to think about when you're prepping for those vacations or trips and things like that at the airport,
Christina: and always have things in your carry on bag.
Timothy: Yes. I always have. I always have glaciers diaper bag.
Christina: Yeah. That diaper bag comes in handy.
Cause one time I did not have a change of clothes and got a layover and that was not fun.
Leslie: The conference I was at a couple of the attendees, never got their luggage [00:03:00] and that happened to me one time in Chattanooga. I'll never forget it at a work company. And luckily I was with co-workers who, let me borrow a sweater change a couple of times, but it was awful.
Um, so yes, I have now learned to always take a little, few extra things in that carry on bag. It's totally worth it. So everybody be prepared for all the trips. I know it's crazy right now, but hopefully everybody's enjoying getting out there and seeing people more. But today we are actually wrapping up season two and we're talking to our chief philanthropy officer.
With Melissa's leadership and experience leader, dog is able to provide all of our life-changing programs and services to clients for free. She's an amazing asset to the team and to quote her absolutely brilliant. And joining us
Christina: today, like Leslie said, is chief philanthropy. Officer Melissa Weiss, Melissa leads the international philanthropic fundraising efforts at leader dogs for the blind with more than 15 years experience in fundraising to serve people who are blind or visually.[00:04:00]
Melissa has raised over $115 million diversified and grown leader, dogs, revenue, streams, and led successful $14.5 million capital campaign for the canine development center. She oversees leader dogs, philanthropic efforts, including major and plan giving foundation giving annual giving is sake giving donor relations and stewardship and lions club.
Which encompasses over 4,900 participating clubs nationwide. She's achieved a year over year revenue growth in a 40% increase in major gift giving to the organization.
Timothy: Well, Melissa I'm really impressed how much .
Melissa: So please
Timothy: tell us where you're from and how you got to lead her dog.
Melissa: Thank you, Timothy.
First off, I raise it with the team. You know, it's a collective effort for all of us at a leader dog, and actually I was not raised in the United States. I was raised in New Zealand. [00:05:00] Singapore Malaysia and Japan and came to a leader dog by way of Christie's the London-based auction house. I was, uh, working in London, uh, working with high net worth individuals, philanthropists, humanitarians, and, um, my mom and dad were here in.
And I remember sitting at my desk, uh, right, right in king street, uh, working at Christie's and my mum ringing me and saying I was at Meyer and I saw leader dogs. And I thought, gosh, that seems so distant, you know, so far away. Uh, but I was so intrigued and she was obviously such a meaningful encounter for her.
And as I sort of progressed in my tenure at the auction house and meeting people who were committed to philanthropy, I decided I wanted to move to the social. So I came back to the United States and I've volunteered at leader dog in the canine center with people we all know. So well over there, I just learned so [00:06:00] much about the leader dogs, stories, starting there with these people who are so committed.
So that, that was my journey to leader dog. I've been here almost 20 years. So, uh, it's, it's certainly been a privilege to be
Christina: here. I mean, you. I started as a volunteer. And now you're the chief philanthropy officer. That is absolutely. I mean, how did that process, how did that journey happen?
Melissa: It is, uh, it's been a wonderful journey and one I'm very grateful for.
Uh, I want, when I was working in the canine center as a volunteer, I, I walked over and I said to our then CEO, bill Hanson, who did so much for this organization, I said, I have some experience, you know, working with. Different kinds of individuals. My whole career has been relationship building. Uh, I, I think I could assist you here and they let me come in just on a contingency part-time basis and do some, uh, [00:07:00] philanthropy and it's grown ever since our department was very small then without the diversification of resources we have now.
So that's where my journey started.
Leslie: I think that's crazy what we hear all the time. Everybody, once you get to this leader, dog campus, and you see the relationships that are happening and how we're helping individuals and this dog and human interaction, it's just crazy. It gets everybody so involved. And I love your story of starting really as a volunteer and learning the full organization.
So now when you speak about the organization, do you feel. Impacts your message and what, what you're relating to the donors?
Melissa: Absolutely. I think philanthropy. Is based in volunteerism, it's a voluntary act to do good involuntary humanitarian act. So understanding volunteerism is such an important part of nonprofit leadership and management and serving as a leader, dog volunteer.
And then later as a puppy raiser, Really helped me become a part of these [00:08:00] extremely special communities. And I remember as the volunteer, I moved from London. So I did not know how to drive . I took the tube in the bus everywhere. I went in London, so I didn't know how to drive. I was waiting for my dad to come and collect me.
And I was watching Keith McGregor, teach a client who was deaf and blind, how to use the doors. And I was watching Keith do this. And that was my moment. I have to be here. There is so much to do so many people to reach and I want to work with people like that. So
Timothy: you said you raised a puppy. What was your experience like doing that for the first time?
Thank
Melissa: you. Yes. As I was raised in Japan, I love everything Japanese and I named her mochi after it, little Japanese sweet cake. And she now is a working leader dog in Madrid in Spain. And I just felt that year. So being part of the puppy raiser community, the [00:09:00] support that you get from counselors and razors and from our puppy development department, and let's face it, the whole world greets you with a smile.
Um, anything takes a little longer because people are so interested in the mission you're you really are an ambassador. So I always consider myself, um, a puppy raiser probably. Absolutely.
Leslie: And so now you're chief philanthropy officer. What a journey that has been in these 20 years. What is the day in the life like for a chief philanthropy officer at leader dog.
Melissa: Thank you, Leslie. I a very interesting question. I, um, as you know, a leader, dogs, revenue is generated entirely by philanthropy. So meaning we have no state or federal funds, no fee for service. No insurance. So everything has to come from philanthropies. So my role and the role of the team is very urgent.
So I would say there's an incredible pace to every [00:10:00] day. It could range from, as I sit on the senior management team as well, focusing on the organization, strategic plan and the three-year budget that accompanies it. So we can. Create a vision and a path for the future for our services. Then I could be meeting with a long standing donor group.
Like the Corvette said, who've been supporting us for years and discussing their next solicitation and their event plans. And then it could be, um, a tour of an individual who wants to come and donors invite us into this very sacred and special place where they're trusting us with their story, with their philanthropic dreams.
So. They might be at a very emotional point in their lives. And it's sitting down with that donor and listening and listening to their story. It could be partnering with a leader, dog, client, and flying to Lubbock, Texas, and talking to a event there. Uh, there's just so much that happens within the course of a day.
And that's what I love so much. [00:11:00]
Christina: It sounds like. I mean, I know my job as well. There's never two days that are not, which is amazing. And it's so exciting to be a part of it. And Melissa, for you, we've mentioned previously that you led one of those, the largest campaign and leader dogs, 80 plus year history with our canines.
And that was huge undertaking. What was that like for you and how important was that project for you? Because especially you volunteered
Leslie: in that
Melissa: building. Yeah. Yes, that's so true. Um, starting there knowing some of the challenges our team faced in that building, it was dated over a period of time. And really we knew the time was coming for a substantial renovation to create a better environment, not only for our team, but for our future leader dogs in training.
So the exciting part of that was with the team, with our constituents, uh, visioning for what that building could be, what that space could look [00:12:00] like and a critical outcome of that was a space where we could tell the leader dog's story more clearly. And if you walk through that building now, Easier to refer to the puppy area or the centrality of the veterinary clinic and explain, I really like the sign we have there that explains the types of diseases of the eye, which, which unifies what goes on in the residents and our canine.
But every time I'm in that building, I hark back to something. Leslie will be very familiar with. I was there many years ago with two small girls with their small pink canes. And they were on a site tour with their parents to see leader dog while they still had some visual acuity sort of planning for their.
And I always keep them in mind because all of our philanthropy is building a future for the clients of tomorrow. So knowing that our physical improvements like the K9 center will [00:13:00] impact those young girls when they're ready to come for our services. So the building was almost beyond the physical, knowing what was going to happen within.
And then all the many incredible people I traveled extensively throughout the country to solicit for this campaign. And, and, and you'll recognize this in the spirit of lions, I was on the border of Arizona and a place called coachees, and I met some lions there. I was with one of our great clients and leader, dog advocates, Tom Simmons.
And, um, this club made a commitment to, um, to give a gift for the capital campaign. And I invited them to come to leader dog, and wouldn't, you know, one. Driving up all the way from Arizona there, they were at the canine center saying we want to see it. And it's that kind of story that the community that surrounds us, that's so important that makes that building so special.
And in fact, the whole leader don't campus. Uh, and I think it's a great example of our promise. [00:14:00] We operate on public trust as you know, w w when a donor makes a gift to us, our, our covenant is we will use those funds to advance the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired that we're going to stand alongside those people and alongside.
Advocate for a better, more inclusive world. And that is a significant responsibility and an. I was just
Leslie: thinking that, so you took on that whole campaign, which was separate from just like annual funds that you had to receive. Is that correct?
Melissa: Correct. The team are raised both our annual operating revenue and the campaign revenue, which was wonderfully exciting because.
What you see with a capital campaign is momentum's created, it's a very tangible piece. So, uh, donors got excited. The public got excited. It was a new window onto our world. So it was a challenge. Uh, and a really good one. Yeah. And Melissa, [00:15:00]
Christina: you mentioned lions, you yourself are Elian. Um, this is kind of a two-part question.
You know, what does Alliance mean to our mission? And why was it important for you to become.
Melissa: Lions are such a beautiful intrinsic part of our mission, um, being that they founded the organization and that Helen Keller challenged lions, really to carry this forward as a commitment, um, to advocate for people who are blind and, uh, with that being exposed to the tremendous humanitarianism of lions, whether that.
Uh, in natural disasters here in the United States, international humanitarian relief work lions. Always there. So for us in advocating, um, and partnering with lions, whether that be for a gift to the organization, whether it be for, um, support for our client application process, uh, there's, there's so many ways Lyons [00:16:00] contribute it's wonderful and injury, helpful and philanthropy that, uh, we show our supporters.
We're in this too. We're fully committed as well. And for that reason, I'm very proud of the lions motto we serve and to serve alongside them and my colleagues and I travel everywhere, speaking to lions clubs. So we get to see our clients in communities around the country, whether that is, you know, in, in ocean city, Maryland, or, um, in Texas or even Honolulu there, the lions are everywhere and advocating for us.
Timothy: Melissa, not many people can say they've been associated with raising that amount of money. So how has that impacted your life and what is it like seeing the fruits of your
Melissa: labor? Well, thank you. And I will always say the fruits of our labor because philanthropy is such a collective process, creating a culture of philanthropy.
And when you walk through leader, dog, people will emerge from wherever they [00:17:00] are to say hello to a donor, to talk to a donor, which is. So, so meaningful for anyone visiting our campus. I will say for me being a part of this mission, I, I, um, every single day I have. It's crystalline clear for me what I'm doing and my purpose and Timothy you'll note.
So well stories like this. I was once meeting a client in grand central station in Manhattan, and to see him navigating, you know, the complexity of an environment like that, um, to think of the puppy raiser behind that, the breeding host family behind that all of our team to be a part of that is, is, is sad.
Our responsibility and a privilege, and there's so much more for us to do together. That's what excited.
Leslie: I love hearing you talk and talking about the trust. That's one aspect that I really haven't thought about is that our donors and our volunteers and all these other [00:18:00] people involved in liter dock, the trust they have in us and the trust we have in them to, to continue to support us and help us with our mission and help serving individuals.
I just find that so interesting in such a, an IO. Way to think about it. You know, I guess I hadn't really thought about their, their connection with us. And I think you do such a great job of sharing the leader, dog mission. Thank you. Traveling around. I know clients often speak of you as well and share, you know, they know you personally, they've got a connection, they've got a story.
And I think that goes such a long way. Previously in the season, we talked to Sue Daniels, president and CEO, and listening to both of you talking and the leader, dog team member, you really hear the passion behind. What we do and kind of what motivates you, but is there anything specific that really keeps you motivated and keeps you going in a day to day?
Melissa: Thank you, Leslie. And I thank you for, um, speaking of Sue Daniels, I listened to her podcast and just hearing her speak motivates me because having CEOs support of philanthropy is [00:19:00] critical, especially in a economic, um, uh, sort of model like ours, where philanthropy is the sole source of revenue. Sue is.
Unequivocally committed to philanthropy, which is very meaningful for our entire team. And I think that trust you spoke of is something that motivates all of us in our work. When we come alongside a donor, there's so many social causes that people can be passionate about in our world. So many meaningful and good things, and people are donating to us because.
They want to impact the lives of people who are blind. And so that is, uh, an important partnership that. Sometimes at these very emotional moments. As I indicated earlier, we have a significant part of our revenue that comes from estate giving and to see a gift which we often refer to in philanthropy is the ultimate gift.
Someone who might not have had an air to pass on their funds to, and is [00:20:00] leaving these funds to us so that we can reach more ONM clients, reach more guide dot clients, refine our services. Uh, it's wonderful to have that. That motivates me and I love working with our clients. I love that. Um, I think, uh, my, um, friend, Jeff Hawkins always says nothing about us without us.
And I think it's really important when we advocate and speak to donors that donors hear directly from our clients that is such a meaningful conversation. And we, when we can create that space and then my colleagues and I stepped back and let that conversation.
Christina: I think it's so amazing and so impactful.
I started at leader dog in August, 2021. I'm still a newer team member. And the first time I even got to sit down and talk with a client has changed my life. And I knew that this was the job for me, that I had found my path. And I talk about it to [00:21:00] everyone. So hearing you say that, Melissa really just validates that as well.
And, um, you know, you talked about how you're aligned and how people have to trust. We would be remissed, not congratulate you on becoming the president of the association of fundraising professionals for the greater Detroit chapter, but you also sit on a board committee for the American foundation for the blind in you're involved in numerous groups, associations.
I mean, I don't know how you have the time for it all, but, um, you know, you talked about the importance of trust. Is that part of the reason why you feel it's important for you to be a part of these other chapters in these groups?
Melissa: You Christina for that question? Uh, I think it's very important for any nonprofit, like.
Experts in our field to understand the external environment that we operate in. Uh, we work in a competitive landscape for funds, where there are, um, many different thought leaders, many new innovations in how to partner with donors [00:22:00] to further a mission on new technologies, emerging and fundraising.
Always wonderful to meet colleagues in the field, see what they're doing, see where there might be intersection with the leader dog mission and where we can support each other. And we do that often. Uh, so it's been a privilege to work with nonprofits in our community show that leader dog is a part of that community and also support up and coming leaders in the nonprofit profession.
And, um, Personally as a, uh, fundraiser that is committed to this space, um, fundraising for, and with people who are blind, I feel, uh, working with the American foundation for the blind and the leadership. There has been a really important advocacy piece. Uh, we have the same mission in many ways. So to support their efforts helps me learn as well.
Um, like I do. Every day when I speak to one of our internal experts, [00:23:00] we are sharing that story. So I think it's very important to continually educate oneself.
Leslie: Absolutely. And I love this field in general, for those who are not involved in the blindness and low vision field, it is such a community. Every organization is working towards the same mission.
We share resources, we share technology, we share what's working, what's not working. And that goes amongst, um, all blindness in low vision organizations, that's guide dog organizations, every. All in this together. And there's plenty of space for everyone. The things we like to do is share resources. I think that's so important that you're on other boards and really sharing, you know, our expertise with the guys aspect of it that that's so important.
And then I just, I think that's so critical, but I'm also curious, you know, in your role you have so many things going on, as you've mentioned, what would you say is like the most challenging part of your
Melissa: role? I think the challenge for all of us in philanthropy is. The urgency of the funds. We know that [00:24:00] our success is, uh, important for the, the foundation of leader dog.
I would say as well, we're constantly stewarding the wonderful relationships we have cultivating our donors, but also developing new ones, reaching out further, being very expansive. Uh, so there's always that balance that has to be had appreciating. The donors that have, I mean, we have tremendous loyalty amongst our donors, uh, stewarding those donors, reaching out to new people.
And I think that's where philanthropy is such a meaningful profession because we get to work with all different types of people. Get to be a part of their story, whether it's a career change dog, going to a wonderful home, whether I'm, I'm speaking with a client to a group in a vastly different part of the country, It's always a community always together.
Uh, and, and that's what I like that kind of camaraderie we have around this mission.
Timothy: So what does it mean when you see so many [00:25:00] people coming together to support leader, dog
Melissa: for the blind it's, it's very singular, isn't it? I think the immediacy of our mission, uh, I was at leader dog on Saturday. I was hunting for a cup of coffee and I saw one of our O and M clients going home to the UPP.
And he was saying to me, It's my first time, really away without anyone in my family. And he said, I just, I wish I'd done this sooner. I wish I'd done this sooner. And I hope I can see you again in 60 days and get my dog. And I thought, gosh, that's all I need to hear. I'm running right back upstairs. I'm calling more people.
I'm doing more things. This is so exciting that that kind of immediacy of our mission. All feel it at leader dog and the fact that it happens on our campus, but also in communities around the country. I love waking up in the morning and imagining all of our clients living these really different lives.
And we are a wonderful part of that. And we host these wonderful clients [00:26:00] celebrations at leader dog, and to hear our clients comments. And I always say, please stay in touch with us. We want to be a part of your story. Moving forward.
Leslie: I love the client celebrations. I've been lucky to join a few, and I know that was a big push.
You were really, um, wanting those to happen. And I think they're wonderful. It's a great opportunity for team members to get up and share funds stories and the impact clients have made on them. Cause it's a two way street all the time. We are, as the professionals here are constantly learning and gaining and, and just, I guess, getting better because of what our clients are saying to.
Um, and so you join those often or as often I know as you can, how are those for you? I mean, what's your favorite part?
Melissa: I love the celebratory note that let's mark an occasion coming to leader. Dog is an occasion being here, um, committing yourself to, to this program, to the collegiality with your fellow clients in class, [00:27:00] developing that peer group and support system, uh, for the future.
I love to hear clients speaking to each other about their experiences. Uh, I think that is so meaningful in developing. And alumni association really. Uh, so I love that. I love the celebratory nature. We often ask. Would you love to take a photo after what's an everyone takes us up on that to have a photo with our wonderful Chidi EMI and comms instructors, Timothy,
Christina: what was your celebration ceremony like?
I
Timothy: believe I was one of the first ones that was done. It was, I believe it was. And so it was awesome. Oh man, Lord, that food was good. I thought, I mean, I, I felt like I was under dressed. Uh, we, it was great experience. We all got to, you know, if you wanted to say something, which of course I
Melissa: did.
So,
Timothy: uh, it was great and I'm glad y'all do that. It just, it finalizes everything and it sends us off and [00:28:00] I loved it very much. That's
Melissa: wonderful to hear. Thank you.
Leslie: Yeah, I think it talks about all the work, you know, that the clients put in during their stay with us, whether that be for ONM or guide dog, it's just a great way to come together and acknowledge all of the work that everybody's put in and the time and the effort, but also to talk about all the work that's.
And then also a part of that is really talking to our clients about becoming ambassadors, which is yourself, Timothy, just sharing that message of the best way that you can help lead dog is spread the word of leader, dog, what we do, spread the mission, tell somebody your story. And I just think they're absolutely wonderful.
Yeah.
Christina: Yes. And I'm Melissa, we have to end with looking at the future. So what do you see the future in philanthropy at leader dot.
Leslie: At
Melissa: the end of my day, my working day, that's the time when I take our donor letters and I personalize my thank you to our donors. So it's always a very reflective time in the day for me.[00:29:00]
And I imagining these donors and what the donors of the future will, will want to be a part of. But I would like to see is. It increased regionalization because we are in every part of the country, really being more committed to specific regions through major gift officers. Philanthropy individuals in different parts of the country, really establishing those relationships.
I see through the continual refinement that you were alluding to earlier, Leslie of our instruction, listening to our clients and understand that. What's to come the evolution of our services, whether that be advancements within our mobility services or other aspects of serving our clients. I think bringing our foundations, our corporate support, our individual donors around the mission as we move forward is incredibly exciting because we know leader dog is always evolving, always growing.
Leslie: Absolutely. Well, thank you so much, [00:30:00] Melissa, for joining us today. Thank you to you and your team for the incredible support that they provide. All of us at leader, dog, including our. And thank you so much for listening to taking the lead podcast. I'm Leslie Haskins with hosts, Christina Hapner and Timothy Cuneo.
We hope you enjoyed learning about our chief philanthropy officer and her impact on leader dog. Please join us next week as we continue to dive into the world of blindness. And if you'd like to learn
Christina: more about applying to leader dog, you can head to leader, dog.org or call us at eight eight eight seven seven seven five three three.
And don't forget, you can reach us at taking the lead at leader, dog.org with any questions or ideas. And if you like today's podcast, make sure to hit subscribe and check us out. Wherever podcast stream .