The PM Podcast: "Always Something More To Learn: A Conversation with Lindsey Nadeau"

Date: October 28, 2025
Host: Jay Frost
Guest: Lindsey Nadeau, VP of Philanthropy Insight, UNICEF USA; President-Elect, APRA International

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth, personal conversation with Lindsey Nadeau, a leading voice in prospect development who heads Philanthropy Insight at UNICEF USA. Lindsey candidly shares her unconventional career path, insights on data-driven fundraising strategy, the challenges and triumphs of leading through global crises, and how her equestrian passion shapes her leadership philosophy. The conversation is a must-listen for anyone in nonprofit leadership, prospect development, or simply those wanting to understand how tenacity, continuous learning, and systems thinking can catalyze profound social impact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Life and Influences (03:27–05:14)

• Bay Area Roots and Cultural Diversity:
  • Lindsey grew up in Hayward, CA, appreciating the natural beauty and rich diversity of the area.

    "I grew up in a neighborhood where there was a multitude of people from different races, ethnicity, religion...I really took for granted, honestly, another thing I took for granted growing up in California." (02:37)

• Departure to D.C.:
  • She moved to Washington, D.C. for college, seeking the heart of key decision-making, first considering a career in government or politics, which transitioned over time to nonprofits.

Finding Her Path: From Economics to Nonprofits (05:14–14:44)

• Academic Detours and Professional Discovery:
  • Initially studying economics with ambitions of law or public service, Lindsey realized she "hit a wall in grad school” (06:24) and sought more direct human impact.
  • Her foray into development began at Public Citizen, where hands-on work in a small nonprofit exposed her to all aspects of fundraising.
  • Discovery of prospect research as a field came organically:

    "I had never really liked, consciously chose like, I'm gonna go do nonprofits. But...I want to do good. I want to be a change maker." (08:45)

• Embracing Prospect Development:
  • Lindsey describes falling into prospect development by following her curiosity about donors and discovering an entire professional field.

Growing Through Professional Associations and Mentorship (14:44–23:08)

• Pivot Back to Alma Mater:
  • At American University, she formalized her passion for prospect research and advanced her skills in a more resourced setting.
• The Power of APRA Connection:
  • Encouraged by her supervisor, Lindsey joined APRA Metro DC, which became integral to both her career planning and professional growth.
  • Notable moment:

    "When I left my first international conference, I wrote my first five year plan because I was so inspired." (21:48)

Leadership, Strategy, and Hard Lessons (23:08–28:23)

• Transitioning Jobs and Learning by Doing:
  • Lindsey pursued management goals, facing a difficult stint at the Center for American Progress, which highlighted for her the importance of organizational alignment and resources.
  • The rescue came from her professional network:

    "Because someone threw me a lifeline, and I had built that connection...that's the power of APRA." (27:52)

UNICEF USA: Systems, Campaigns & Crisis Response (28:23–45:35)

• Evolving Roles:
  • Initially brought in to build out prospect research, Lindsey quickly expanded her portfolio, instituting data strategy and integrating functions like gift processing.
  • She led seismic fundraising efforts during COVID-19, orchestrating a $270 million campaign to support UNICEF’s global vaccine rollout.

    “In the course of about 18 months, I had led a campaign that raised $270 million rapidly. And some of these donors were first time donors making eight figure gifts to us.” (34:52)

• Building Data-Driven Culture:
  • Lindsey prioritized transforming prospect research into an insight-driven and strategic partnership for fundraising teams.
• Parenthood & Professional Balance:

  "I had never paid much attention to UNICEF and the mission before having a kid...this is a mission I am literally living right now." (36:46)

  • She described the unique challenges and empathy brought by being a parent during the pandemic while leading such a critical campaign.

Transforming Major Giving and Donor Strategies (41:42–49:30)

• Scaling Up Major Gifts:
  • Expanding UNICEF USA’s major giving from a mid-level program to principal and transformative gifts, culminating in an historic $500 million gift in 2025.

    "There was a culture of like, well, I'll just ask them for $10,000 every single year...that's not transformative philanthropy." (42:17)

• Integrated Marketing & Full Funnel Strategy:
  • Current focus is on developing a unified approach to donor engagement, breaking down silos across marketing, technology, and fundraising.

    "One of the things we're working on right now is an integrated full funnel marketing strategy...in the past we had very siloed [programs]." (47:31)

Lessons for Organizations Large and Small (49:30–51:30)

• Risks of Disconnected Strategies:
  • Disjointed donor experiences diminish trust and waste resources; integration leads to both improved engagement and operational efficiency.

    "When it's disconnected, it's expensive. You're spending more on your ads than you should be and you're not seeing the ROI." (49:47)

Career Planning, Flexibility & Saying Yes (51:30–56:49)

• Adaptability Over Rigid Plans:
  • Lindsey emphasizes the value of planning but stresses the necessity to adapt as new opportunities and challenges appear.

    “Plans are meant to change. That's why they're a plan. They're not written in cement or stone. Say yes...and find the value in it.” (55:54)

• Continuous Learning:
  • Taking on interim roles and stretch assignments (direct response, impact investing fund) to broaden her skill set.

Championing Professionalization & Data-Driven Cultures (56:49–62:26)

• APRA International Leadership:
  • As President-Elect, Lindsey is advocating for data-informed strategy across shops of all sizes and helping demystify forecasting and prospect management for resource-limited organizations.
  • Deep concern about prospect development layoffs:

    "I actually grow incredibly worried for the future of the fundraising industry, because I do believe...prospect development are like the architects of fundraising strategy." (61:35)

Integration, Silos, and Internal Stewardship (62:26–66:10)

• Breaking Down Silos:
  • Promotes cross-training and plain-language communication across advancement services, fundraising, finance, and marketing.

    "If we can address silos by relationship building, information sharing...use plain language. As you start to do that, you're gonna create that trust and transparency..." (64:09)

  • Internal stewardship is key to external donor experiences.

What’s Next: Vision for the Future and Personal Anchors (66:10–68:25)

• Looking Ahead:
  • Lindsey is keeping her options open, possibly eyeing a COO role at a smaller organization, but remains committed to UNICEF USA's evolving mission.
• Personal Fulfillment & Horses:
  • Explains the therapeutic, lifelong-learning component of horseback riding and how its discipline and partnership mirror her career approach.

    "There's always something more to learn with a horse and progress is not linear. So it like mirrors my professional experience..." (68:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nonlinear Progress & Professional Growth:

  “There's always something more to learn with a horse and progress is not linear. So it like mirrors my professional experience...one day we'll get a skill down and then we struggle with it the next and you're fine tuning constantly." (68:44) —Lindsey

• On the Campaign That Changed Everything:

  “In the course of about 18 months, I had led a campaign that raised $270 million rapidly. And some of these donors were first time donors making eight figure gifts to us." (34:52) —Lindsey

• On Staying Mission-Connected in Advancement Services:

  “What you do, the timeliness, the accuracy of it, that impacts the donor experience...you are the first step in stewardship.” (18:54) —Lindsey

• On Data-Driven Decision-Making:

  "Because especially in uncertain times...the way that you can answer that and the way that you can prepare for unknown circumstances is through data." (61:18) —Lindsey

• On Organizational Learning and Saying Yes:

  “Say yes. Always say yes to an opportunity and find the value in it and then use that knowledge and that experience to inform what you say yes to in the future.” (55:54) —Lindsey

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 03:27 – Lindsey reminisces about the Bay Area and early influences
• 05:14 – Academic pivots and finding mission in nonprofits
• 14:44 – First encounters with prospect research and advancement services
• 21:08 – Entering APRA & the importance of professional associations
• 28:23 – Transition to UNICEF USA and role evolution
• 34:52 – Orchestrating the historic COVID-19 vaccination campaign
• 36:31 – Balancing parenthood with pandemic-era leadership
• 41:42 – Transforming major gifts culture and principal gift success
• 47:31 – Building an integrated, full-funnel marketing strategy
• 49:47 – Risks and rewards of integrated versus siloed approaches
• 51:30 – Planning, adaptability, and the necessity to embrace change
• 56:49 – Lessons for the field, advocacy for data-driven approaches
• 62:26 – The path towards breaking industry silos
• 66:18 – Personal goals, future visions, and the role of equestrianism
• 68:44 – The final word: “There's always something more to learn...”

Tone and Style

The discussion is candid, insightful, and laced with wit. Lindsey balances humility about past missteps with pride in her accomplishments, generous appreciation for mentors, and a passion for continuous improvement and systems thinking—always with practical takeaways for organizations large and small.

For More:

• Learn about UNICEF USA
• Explore prospect development at APRA International