Alan Sorkin is a nonprofit leader, mentor-coach, entrepreneur, and member of the Prebys Foundation Board. He co-founded and served as volunteer CEO of San Diego Social Venture Partners, now Amplified Impact Partners, led the San Diego-Tijuana Bi-National Coalition to reduce substance abuse, and has advised more than 50 small businesses through Vistage Worldwide. Across his work, Alan helps leaders make better decisions, strengthen organizations, and achieve greater impact.
This Episode:
How do leaders turn hard-earned lessons into greater impact?
Grant and Alan trace the experiences that shaped Alan’s philosophy of service, from his first childhood fundraising effort to launching businesses, founding nonprofit organizations, coaching CEOs, and helping guide the Prebys Foundation.
They discuss why success can become a trap, how imposter syndrome affects even highly accomplished leaders, and why listening is one of the most important and overlooked leadership skills. Alan also reflects on the personal experience that drew him into the nonprofit sector and what he learned by bringing business and nonprofit leaders together.
The conversation explores the difference between directing people and helping them find a shared vision, why organizations must keep adapting, and how philanthropy can move beyond generosity toward meaningful, lasting impact.
Key Moments:
- [1:47] The childhood fundraising lesson that taught Alan about leverage
- [14:24] Imposter syndrome, anxiety, and the pressure leaders carry
- [24:40] Why effective leadership begins with listening
- [37:24] Helping the Prebys Foundation move from generosity toward impact
- [42:37] The shared foundations of businesses, nonprofits, and philanthropy
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Amplified Impact Partners – Formerly Social Venture Partners San Diego, Amplified connects experienced professionals with nonprofits seeking strategic guidance, capacity support, and stronger organizational sustainability.
- Vistage – A peer advisory and executive coaching organization where Alan has helped CEOs learn from one another, examine their blind spots, and become more effective leaders.
Take Action:
- Listen Before You Lead – Understand what people care about before trying to create the vision or direct the solution.
- Make New Mistakes – Learn from the experience of others rather than repeating problems that have already been solved.
- Examine Your Success – Ask whether a successful model is still serving its purpose or preventing necessary change.
- Use More Than Money – Consider how your time, knowledge, relationships, and experience can strengthen organizations and leaders.
- Build a Shared North Star – Bring people together around a clear vision shaped by the voices and perspectives needed to achieve it.
Credits:
This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Produced by Adam Greenfield, Tess Karesky, Edgar Ontiveros Medina, and Crystal Page
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina
The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.
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Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team
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