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Podcast
Podcast
In this episode, Leo Gestetner sits down with Jane Walsh, Executive Vice President at the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), to discuss her 23-year journey in nonprofit leadership, the power of entrepreneurship education, and the impact of instilling confidence and opportunity in young people. Jane also shares insights on work-life balance, personal growth, and the evolving nature of success.
Executive Vice President
Chief Advancement Officer
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
Jane is an experienced nonprofit executive with over 25 years of leadership in fundraising and management. As NFTE’s Executive Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, she oversees the organization’s efforts to raise significant annual revenue by fostering strategic partnerships with corporations, foundations, and individual donors.
With deep expertise in all aspects of fundraising, events, and volunteer management, Jane aligns donor interests with impactful mission-driven outcomes. Since rejoining NFTE in 2018, she has led a successful transformation of the fundraising program, increasing annual contributions revenue by 40%, from $7 million to over $11 million.
Prior to NFTE, she brings additional experience from Spark, a middle school mentoring program, and Illinois State University’s College of Fine Arts, where she secured major gifts and contributed to the $150 million Redbirds Rising campaign.
Known for building collaborative, high-performing teams, Jane serves on NFTE’s Senior Leadership Team and oversees global, national and regional fundraising strategies, works closely with NFTE’s board of directors alongside the CEO, guides regional advisory boards, and leads executive-level donor engagement. She holds a B.A. from Marquette University, is married with two children and Parker their mini-St. Berdoodle. She enjoys cooking, yoga, gardening and traveling.
In this episode, Leo Gestetner sits down with Jane Walsh, Executive Vice President at the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), to discuss her 23-year journey in nonprofit leadership, the power of entrepreneurship education, and the impact of instilling confidence and opportunity in young people. Jane also shares insights on work-life balance, personal growth, and the evolving nature of success.
Jane’s Background: With a 23-year career at NFTE, Jane has dedicated her life to nonprofit leadership, helping young people develop an entrepreneurial mindset and skills that set them up for success.
The Mission of NFTE: Jane explains how NFTE empowers students through hands-on entrepreneurship education, guiding them from idea generation to business plan creation, and even national and global competitions.
The Power of Confidence: Research shows that NFTE students graduate at higher rates, persist in higher education, and even earn more than their peers—all rooted in the confidence they gain from the program.
Work-Life Balance & Personal Growth: Jane reflects on navigating work, family, and personal well-being, emphasizing the importance of finding joy, supporting her children, and maintaining strong relationships.
Health and Wellness Journey: From adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet to walking 3-6 miles daily and practicing yoga, Jane shares her approach to staying healthy and energized.
Finding Fulfillment Beyond Work: Jane discusses her love for cooking, reading, gardening, and attending cultural events, as well as her passion for college basketball and pro football.
Lessons in Leadership & Giving Back: With years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit management, Jane talks about the importance of mentorship, community support, and staying connected to a mission-driven purpose.
Future Aspirations: As an empty nester, Jane is exploring new passions, redefining balance, and embracing the next chapter of her personal and professional journey.
Learn more about NFTE:
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