Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: We Are For Good Podcast – The Podcast for Nonprofits
Episode: 638. Leading Through Organizational Change: Practical Lessons for Nonprofit Leaders - Jesse Sanchez, The Neurodiversity Alliance
Date: August 20, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode explores the journey of Jesse Sanchez and the transformation of the Neurodiversity Alliance (formerly Eye to Eye). Jesse shares candid insights on leading through significant organizational change, building community, scaling impact, and driving sustainability—all from the lens of personal experience as a neurodivergent leader. The conversation provides actionable advice for nonprofit leaders facing similar transitions, while highlighting the power of authentic community and mutual support.

Introduction to Jesse Sanchez and His Story

[03:40–04:49] Jesse’s Background and Upbringing

• Jesse narrates his early life, growing up with a mother who was a professional racehorse jockey and a father involved in organized crime.
• His mother, Joy, ultimately chose to leave that environment to raise him as a single mom, instilling empathy and a desire to find safe spaces.
• Jesse discusses childhood struggles with ADHD and undiagnosed learning differences, which led to academic and self-esteem challenges.
• Quote:
  “I can’t get started.” – Jesse Sanchez ([06:14]), recounting a pivotal moment as a child struggling with homework.

[09:00–14:00] Discovery of Neurodiversity and Found Family

• Jesse shares his journey of discovering his neurodivergence as a young adult, facing stigma and internalized ableism, and the importance of community support.
• He describes founding a chapter of Eye to Eye (now Neurodiversity Alliance) while at UC Berkeley, which connected him to peers with similar lived experiences.
• This network became fundamental in building self-worth and advocacy skills, shifting from isolation to belonging.

Notable Quote:
“I wish when I was younger I had a community or a peer or an adult or a mentor to tell me, ‘Hey Jesse, you’re wired differently. You have incredible superpowers and gifts.’” – Jesse Sanchez ([08:35])

The Neurodiversity Alliance: Mission & Programs

[19:10–20:55] Organizational Evolution

• Mission: To improve educational experiences for students who learn differently and ensure society values neurodiversity.
• The organization’s pivot: Transitioned from Eye to Eye to Neurodiversity Alliance for clarity and inclusivity.
• National network: Now focuses on student-driven affinity clubs across high school and college campuses—over 630 schools in 46 states in the first year post-rebrand, with 2,700+ students involved.

[20:55–22:45] Strategic Impact

• Shifted from afterschool mentoring to scalable, campus-based clubs.
• Rebranding brought clarity and accessibility to students and partners.
• Staff and leadership are “homegrown”—many are alumni passionate about giving back.

Notable Quote:
“It’s a really important moment for us as a community… this is kind of an idea that has kind of met its time.” – Jesse Sanchez ([21:55])

Leading Through Organizational Change

[22:45–25:40] Leadership During Transition

• Building trust and inclusion is vital—executive team and community must be involved in change.
• Homegrown leadership ensures deeper buy-in: alumni return as staff, board members, mentors.
• Example: At their National Student Leadership Summit, funders like LEGO Foundation engaged directly with students and alumni to shape organizational strategy.

Notable Moment:
“It’s our generation’s turn to step up, to carry the torch forward… Let’s get really direct around the wealth and the wisdom that we can collectively muster to help move this organization forward.” – Jesse Sanchez ([25:15])

Sustaining Legacy—From Founder-Led to Community-Owned

[28:37–30:31] Balancing Legacy with Fresh Leadership

• Jesse co-leads with founding CEO David Flank, respecting original vision while innovating for sustainability.
• Focus on financial stability, growth, and mutual aid—moving towards self-sustaining, interdependent networks.
• Cross-generational mentorship and philanthropy strengthen the community and its resilience.

Notable Quote:
“How do we really become an autonomous, interdependent, kind of mutual aid community… pouring out into one another to support neurodivergent flourishing?” – Jesse Sanchez ([30:10])

Practical Lessons and Real-World Advice for Nonprofit Leaders

Empowering Students and Members

[32:40–35:25] Student-Led Empowerment

• Infrastructure allows any student to initiate a club, receive start-up support, and connect with the national network.
• Growth of paid, meaningful internship and leadership roles for neurodivergent youth to gain professional skills while advancing the mission.
• Lifelong connections and a sense of belonging are common outcomes.

Notable Example:
“It's so common for us to see these lifelong friendships of people who… never really left their tiny corner… but have lifelong friends from around the country from that trip and that experience.” – Jesse Sanchez ([34:45])

Measuring Impact

[36:30–37:08] Beyond the Numbers: What Success Looks Like

• Focus on social-emotional outcomes: confidence, leadership, advocacy, self-awareness, and sense of belonging.
• These metrics are prioritized above traditional quantitative data to better capture the true value of the work.

Philanthropy and Legacy

[37:35–39:37] Giving and Receiving in Community

• Jesse describes his first meaningful philanthropic gift, made in honor of a neurodivergent mentor who inspired and encouraged him.
• This honored relationship fostered deeper personal connections and illustrated philanthropy's community-enhancing power.

Notable Quote:
"Philanthropy can draw you close to people… it's so much more than cutting a check, but it's really about strengthening community.” – Jesse Sanchez ([39:20])

Closing Reflections and Takeaways

Jesse’s “One Good Thing”

[40:01–41:32] Advice for Leaders

• Prioritize faith or a connection to a higher power, especially when reaching the end of one’s individual resources.
• Transformational hope, peace, and resilience come from practices that transcend personal willpower.

Notable Quote:
“The real next level of transformation can come from really engaging with a higher power… a faith practice and a power that’s higher than you.” – Jesse Sanchez ([41:00])

Important Timestamps

• Guest Introduction & Background: [03:38–11:00]
• Discovery and Joining Eye to Eye: [12:00–14:00]
• Organizational Overview and Strategic Shift: [19:10–22:45]
• Challenges of Leading Through Change: [22:45–25:40]
• Honoring Founders and Sustainability: [28:37–30:31]
• Empowering Student Leaders: [32:40–35:25]
• Measuring Real Impact: [36:30–37:08]
• Philanthropy and Personal Legacy: [37:35–39:37]
• Jesse’s Closing Advice: [40:01–41:32]

Memorable Quotes

• “I wish when I was younger I had a community or a peer or an adult or a mentor to tell me, ‘Hey Jesse, you’re wired differently. You have incredible superpowers and gifts.’” – Jesse Sanchez ([08:35])
• “It’s our generation’s turn to step up, to carry the torch forward.” – Jesse Sanchez ([25:15])
• “How do we really become an autonomous, interdependent, kind of mutual aid community?” – Jesse Sanchez ([30:10])
• “Philanthropy… it’s so much more than cutting a check, but it’s really about strengthening community.” – Jesse Sanchez ([39:20])
• “The real next level of transformation can come from really engaging with a higher power.” – Jesse Sanchez ([41:00])

Resources & How to Get Involved

• Website: ndalliance.org
• Social media: Find Jesse on LinkedIn (search Jesse Sanchez), organization is active on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.
• Get Involved: Fill out the “Contact Us” form on their site to connect, start a club, or partner with the Neurodiversity Alliance.

Tone & Final Thoughts

The conversation is deeply empathetic, down-to-earth, and practical—true to Jesse Sanchez’s open, emotional storytelling style and the We Are For Good hosts’ supportive, community-focused energy. Leaders are encouraged to embrace vulnerability, foster community, and pursue sustainable impact by investing in people, legacy, and authentic belonging.