Dr. Patton McDowell, MBA, CFRE is the founder of PMA Nonprofit Leadership, a consulting firm that has partnered with more than 325 organizations across the Carolinas and beyond. He hosts Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, a top-ranked podcast with over 335 episodes and listeners worldwide, and is the author of the book, also titled Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership. Patton created the Mastermind Leadership Program, which has supported nearly 200 leaders in the philanthropic sector. A Certified Fundraising Executive and Master Trainer for AFP Global, he has served in advancement leadership roles at Queens University of Charlotte and UNC Wilmington, after beginning his career with Special Olympics in North Carolina and Washington, DC. A native of Elizabeth City, Patton also serves as Director of the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership, where he leads its two signature programs – Leadership Gift School and Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy – and on the board of the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations.