Episode 7 - Leadership, Environmental Justice & Community Impact with Carol Kauffman

In this inspiring episode, Jennifer Sconyers sits down with Carol Kauffman, Executive Director of the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC), to discuss her unique leadership journey, from international humanitarian work to leading one of Ohio's most influential environmental advocacy organizations. Carol shares how her early doubts about leadership were transformed through the lens of servant leadership, and how her commitment to equity and public health eventually led her to the environmental movement.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Carol’s leadership path from faith-based organizing to international development to environmental advocacy
• How climate change and public health intersect, especially in communities like Cambodia and rural Ohio
• The OEC’s current priorities: water justice, clean energy access, and public lands protection
• The importance of civic engagement, accessible environmental leadership, and small but meaningful steps we can all take
• Why you don’t need to be a traditional “environmentalist” to join the movement

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is a discipline, not a personality trait
• Environmental justice is a human issue, not just a nature issue
• Anyone can make a difference, no matter your background
• The OEC is a data-driven, science-based resource for taking informed action

Call to Action:

👉 Learn more and become a member at theOEC.org

👉 Follow the Ohio Environmental Council on social media on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

👉 Take your first step: vote, subscribe to a newsletter, or attend a local meeting

About Abundance Leadership Consulting

The ALC ChangeMakers Podcast is brought to you by Abundance Leadership Consulting (ALC), a certified MBE/WBE consulting firm helping nonprofits, foundations, associations, and mission-driven organizations navigate change with confidence.

At ALC, we specialize in strategic planning, leadership development, organizational change management, board governance, facilitation, and nonprofit mergers, acquisitions, and mission continuity planning. Through our proprietary F.A.B.R.I.C.™ Framework - Fairness, Accountability, Belonging, Relationships, Inclusion, and Collaboration - we help organizations strengthen culture, build sustainable systems, and achieve long-term impact.

Exploring a Nonprofit Merger, Partnership, or Sustainability Strategy?

The nonprofit sector is facing unprecedented challenges, from funding uncertainty and leadership transitions to increased operational demands and shifting community needs. Sometimes the most strategic path forward is deeper collaboration, shared services, a formal partnership, or a merger.

ALC helps organizations assess opportunities, manage stakeholder engagement, navigate complex transitions, and protect mission impact throughout the process. Our approach centers people, culture, and community alongside financial and operational considerations.

Learn more about our nonprofit mergers and acquisitions services at:

https://nonprofit-ma.com/

Connect with Us

If today's conversation sparked new ideas for your organization, we'd love to hear from you.

• Visit: Abundance Leadership Consulting
• Learn about nonprofit mergers and mission continuity: https://nonprofit-ma.com/
• Connect with Jennifer Sconyers on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to the ALC ChangeMakers Podcast for conversations with leaders creating lasting change in their organizations and communities.

Because sustainable organizations create sustainable impact.