683. Why Most Capacity Building Fails — and What Works Instead - Leona Christy, Catalyst Exchange

Episode notes

Meet Leona , founder and CEO of Catalyst Exchange . Leona’s vision is bold and timely: to transform how nonprofits and schools build capacity—so leaders aren’t trying to change the world with a shovel and a dream. Through flexible funding, trusted expertise, and community-centered partnerships, Catalyst Exchange is strengthening the systems and people behind lasting impact. In this conversation, Leona shares her journey from India to the U.S., and how her experiences shaped a mission rooted in equity, agency, and trust. She challenges traditional, funder-driven models of capacity building and offers a more responsive, mission-driven approach that centers those closest to the work. Join us for a powerful conversation about sharing power, resourcing resilience, and showing up—especially when it’s hard.