Ep. 84: Innovative Transformation: A Conversation with Guest Daniel Sims

Can you imagine turning a struggling local music festival into a half-billion-dollar enterprise? That"s the compelling story of our guest today, Daniel Sims, a consultant, author, and a true leader in developing funding systems. Raised in Helena, Arkansas, Daniel’s journey from his modest roots in the nonprofit world to his current work in philanthropy and organizational change is nothing short of inspirational. He gives us an in-depth view of his innovative Allen Sims Transformational Model, a tool designed to revamp systems in organizations, making them more mission-focused and revenue generating. Daniel recounts the gripping tale of how he breathed new life into a local music festival in Helena, transforming it from a floundering event into a successful enterprise. This feat not only testifies to Daniel"s uncanny ability to understand community needs but also his talent for building equitable strong relationships for fundraising. He also emphasizes the significance of creating safe, equitable community programs, and the need for collecting data and engaging in frank dialogues with community members to ensure the right use of funds. We wrap up by discussing the important, and often tricky, issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Daniel shares his thoughts on Gallup"s Inclusion Index and why he believes it"s a must for organizations. If you"ve ever thought about how you could bring about transformation and positive change in your organization or community, this episode is a goldmine of practical advice and inspiring examples. It"s a revealing exploration of the transformative power of community engagement and organizational change. So join us, and let"s learn together. Daniel Sims is a highly accomplished consultant, speaker, trainer, researcher, and author who has dedicated his career to promoting equity and social justice. He is a recipient of numerous awards and has an unparalleled ability to optimize organizational culture, increase fundraising capacity, and create strategic cultures with a JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) lens. Sims hails from a small, impoverished area in the Arkansas Delta, and he uses his upbringing as a guide to promote justice-led advocacy for all. Sims is an influential figure with an unwavering commitment to equity, and he has a remarkable track record of driving transformative systemic change in philanthropic, corporate, and social landscapes. He delivers captivating speeches that inspire action towards creating a more just and equitable world. Daniel has trained and spoken at multiple conferences and events, and his work has been featured on various podcasts, including Lead with Levity, Human Capital Innovations (HCI), and Better Humans at Work. Outside of work, Sims enjoys trivia (he even competed on Jeopardy!), playing Magic: The Gathering, and watching Lucy Worsley documentaries. He Support the show Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please support us on Patreon. For more leadership tools, check out the free workbooks at KylaCofer.com/freestuff. Book Kyla to speak at your event here, or to connect further, reach out to Kyla on LinkedIn and Instagram. All transcripts are created with Descript, an amazing transcript creation and editing tool. Check it out for yourself! Leadership School Production: Produced by Kyla Cofer Edited by Neel Panji @ PodLeaF Productions Assistant Production Alaina Hulette