There is a reason why people go to Michelin-rated restaurants. It’s not because of the small plates that leave you hunting for a drive-thru afterward. And it’s certainly not because people love paying thirty bucks for three asparagus spears arranged like modern art.
It’s because of the experience.
From the second you step through those doors, everything feels intentional. The lighting sets the mood. The server knows exactly when to refill your water without hovering. Even the way they fold your napkin when you visit the restroom feels like magic.
Here’s the wild part: attracting amazing people to your nonprofit works exactly the same way.
Thriving nonprofits don’t just fill positions. They create experiences that make top talent practically beg to join their mission. They craft descriptions that attract the right people and naturally filter out the wrong ones.
When it comes to hiring top talent, every ingredient matters, every detail counts, and when you get it right, the right people are magnetized to your mission.
Which is why you absolutely need to hear my conversation with Omar Lopez. He and the team at DRG have cracked the code on attracting incredible talent to nonprofits, and his insights will completely change how you think about hiring.
Ready to turn your hiring process into something special?
Omar shares insights on the 5 areas where nonprofits can improve their talent search process, including how to magnetize candidates to the mission and role, get the compensation right (even if the salary is below market rate), and even how to repel the wrong candidates.
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
GET THE RIGHT SKILLS, COMPETENCIES, AND A MISSION-FIT. Attract candidates who have the trifecta of characteristics for your organization.
SELL THE MISSION. Learn why it’s important to communicate what you do (and why) in a clear, compelling way so candidates hear what they need to hear to enthusiastically join your organization.
WHY YOU WANT GEN Z. Gen Z employees think of their money, lives and careers differently than other generations. To attract them, you need to understand why they are a sterling asset to your organization.
“Millennials are the last ones that remember a time before the Internet. Gen Z is going to be the last generation that remembers a time before AI. They are going to bring with them that straddling of both of those experiences.” (Omar Lopez)
MINDSET MATTERS. There is ONE mindset shift you must make to bring in top talent. This shift will inform where you find top candidates, how you attract them, and how happy they are to stay.
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. What are the key questions to ask before initiating a candidate search? What are the key questions to ask a potential candidate to ensure that they are a good fit?
ABOUT OMAR LOPEZ:
Omar Lopez is a dynamic leader and connector based in the lower Hudson Valley who thrives at the intersection of education, criminal justice reform, and leadership development. With roots as a teacher and education advocate, Omar built a career understanding what it takes to lead and inspire in complex, mission-driven settings. Now, as an executive recruiter and organizational consultant, he helps nonprofits find transformative leaders while tackling the tough stuff like succession planning, compensation strategy, and embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into their DNA.
But Omar doesn’t just talk about making an impact—he lives it. As Deputy Mayor of Ossining, he’s on the ground driving change in his community, balancing civic leadership with his life as a husband, dad of two young kids, and lover of the outdoors. Whether he’s recruiting a CEO or collaborating on local policy, Omar’s focus is always the same: connecting people, purpose, and leadership to build stronger organizations and communities.
RESOURCES:
- Omar Lopez LinkedIn
- Omar Lopez Facebook
- Nonprofit Leadership Lab
- Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership – 2nd Edition by Joan Garry
- FREE WORKSHOP: Let’s Build the Nonprofit Board of Your Dreams!
- FREE WORKSHOP: The 5 Practices of Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders
- Music by Jukebox the Ghost
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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