RKD Group: Thinkers

Episode: What it Means to Lead with Humanity in a Data-Driven World

Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Vance (RKD Group)
Guest: Hilary Noon – Global Head of Strategy Engagement Growth, AWS Nonprofits

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the intersection of humanity and technology in nonprofit leadership. Guest Hilary Noon, with a 25-year career spanning nonprofits, agencies, and technology enterprises, discusses how leaders can bridge human-centered values and data-driven innovation. The conversation explores leadership lessons, career insights, the future of the nonprofit sector, and practical advice on keeping teams grounded despite rapid technological change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hilary Noon’s Unique Career Trajectory

• Three “Planets” of Experience: Hilary reflects on her journey across three distinct environments: large nonprofits, agencies, and a tech company (AWS).
  • Common Thread: A consistent desire to connect data, technology, and analytics for the benefit of the nonprofit sector.
    • “How do we figure out how to make sure that nonprofits can benefit from the same capabilities that commercial entities do?” (04:18, Hilary)
  • Cultural Differences: The scale and culture vary, but both large nonprofits and big corporations share similarities, while agencies offer a “big fish in a small pond” experience.
  • Scrappiness and Innovation: Smaller organizations often display startup-like scrappiness and innovative leadership out of necessity.
    • “Innovative nonprofit leaders…have a lot of similarities within a smaller organization to a startup entity.” (07:41, Hilary)

2. Early Influences & Getting Into Nonprofits

• Family Values: Hilary credits her upbringing, rooted in community involvement and service, for instilling a desire to work for social good.
• Career Start: She gravitated toward roles at the intersection of business and social impact (e.g., Smithsonian’s Office of Product Development and Licensing).
  • “I really loved that intersection of how you could apply…commercial capabilities to driving greater good in the world.” (10:22, Hilary)
• Nonlinear Pathways: Her journey underscores that impactful careers don’t require traditional or obvious beginnings.

3. Defining “Pinch Me” Moments

• Team Building & Impact: Hilary’s career highlights are centered around the teams she’s built and the collective impact made.
  • “The things that make me the most proud are the teams that I've built, the customers that I've had the chance to work with, the organizations that I've been able to impact.” (13:23, Hilary)
• Key Achievements:
  • Leading award-winning teams at American Cancer Society.
  • Providing analytic and data solutions to small and mid-sized nonprofits at Pursuant.
  • The privilege of working in big tech (AWS) while still serving nonprofits.

4. Managing with Humanity While Embracing Data

• Lessons on Leadership:
  • Human sciences background (anthropology, history) aids in navigating change and team dynamics.
  • Learning to balance friendship and effective management: “You can be supportive and you can be empathetic…but you can't really [be a friend as a manager].” (17:56, Hilary)
  • Set a vision, provide guardrails, and allow people to leverage their strengths independently.
  • Leadership as coaching, not micromanagement.
• Navigating Change: Recognizing and respecting different emotional responses to change is crucial, especially in large organizations.

5. Enduring Leadership in “Unprecedented” Times

• Dealing with Uncertainty: Focus on controllable factors and core goals, both team and personal, to counter distraction from external “noise.”
  • “Focus on what you can control. Let's go back to what we're here to do. What are our goals as a team?” (23:30, Hilary)
  • Emphasize mental health supports (exercise, meditation, etc.) for resilience.

6. The Future of the Nonprofit Sector

• Consolidation and Collaboration: Predicts nonprofits will need to partner more deeply and strategically to amplify impact and optimize resources.
  • “I hope actually that we see stronger collaborations across common missions…such that the funders can have a more impactful result and can amplify the work that's being done.” (25:32, Hilary)
• Hybrid Organizations: Rise of intermediary and hybrid entities (e.g., B corporations) to drive more scalable, efficient social impact.
• Embracing Innovation: Growth mindsets, risk-taking, and willingness to iterate commercial strategies will differentiate leading nonprofits.
• Technology as a Catalyst: For lasting sector health, innovation and tech adoption are critical—especially amid limited resources and rising complexity.
  • “…the organizations that I see that are doing super innovative and kind of impactful changing work, world-changing work, are being led by leaders who are willing to take some risks and who are willing to think differently…” (28:47, Hilary)

7. AWS Imagine Grants: Catalyzing Nonprofit Innovation

• Origin and Purpose: Established to remove financial and expertise barriers, enabling nonprofits to experiment and implement tech-driven ideas.
  • “The Imagine grant was really created in a way to say, how can we solve these challenges that are really innate to a nonprofit while at the same time making sure that they are best positioned to be successful…” (31:23, Hilary)
• Beyond Funding: Grant programs include not just money, but guidance and technical partnership to ensure success.
• Imagine Conference: Highlighted as a cross-disciplinary convening space where nonprofit leaders and technologists collaborate and learn.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Reconciling Tech and Humanity:

  • “I'm not a strong technologist. I've always been more about how you apply tools through the lens of a human.” (16:45, Hilary)

• Management Wisdom:

  • “You can't always be a friend when you're a manager. You can be supportive and you can be empathetic, but it actually hurts the dynamic.” (17:56, Hilary)

• Advice for Team Focus Amid Uncertainty:

  • "Focus on what you can control. Let's go back to what we're here to do." (23:30, Hilary)

• On the Future of Collaboration in Nonprofits:

  • “Let’s try to harness that a little bit more. So I think that’s kind of what I see in the sector.” (27:41, Hilary)

• Embracing Change:

  • "Change is hard for humans, and especially in a work environment where we may not always have control over that." (21:44, Hilary)

Important Timestamps

• Guest Introduction and Background: 01:47–04:34
• Comparing Nonprofit, Agency, and Tech Sectors: 04:34–08:33
• How Hilary Got Started in Nonprofits: 09:01–11:39
• Reflecting on Career “Pinch Me” Moments: 13:06–16:00
• Leadership Lessons and Anthropology Influence: 16:00–20:11
• Transition from Individual Contributor to Leader: 20:11–22:28
• Advice for Navigating Uncertainty and “Noise”: 23:07–24:58
• Predictions for the Nonprofit Sector Future: 25:25–29:58
• Background on AWS Imagine Grant and Event: 30:59–33:19

Tone & Language

The conversation is candid, supportive, and insightful—mixing humility and humor (including casual banter about SNL characters and wardrobe choices) with substantive leadership wisdom. Hilary’s approach is practical yet optimistic, with a strong emphasis on fostering innovation, collaboration, and people-first leadership even within highly data-driven environments.

This summary captures all key themes, actionable advice, and memorable insights from the episode, providing a clear guide for listeners seeking to understand what it means to lead with humanity in a data-driven nonprofit world.