Are you curious about what a career in nonprofit Learning and Development looks like across different types of organizations? In this episode of Learning for Good, we explore the real-life journeys of two nonprofit L&D leaders - Eric Wu, formerly of Northwestern University, and Matt Tod of Plan International Canada.

You’ll get an inside look at what Learning and Development roles actually look like in two very different nonprofit settings and honest advice if you’re looking to make the transition into nonprofit L&D.

▶️ Key Points:

04:54 Introduction to Eric Wu and his background in university-based talent development

11:11 Key L&D initiatives at Northwestern University

19:40 Eric’s transition from corporate to nonprofit talent development

25:33 Advice for people looking to transition into L&D or the nonprofit sector

34:30 Meet Matt Tod from Plan International Canada

39:27 Structuring L&D across global nonprofit teams

47:00 Building an internal learning culture

50:47 Matt’s journey to L&D

57:33 Career advice for transitioning into nonprofit L&D

You don’t need to start in nonprofit L&D to build a thriving career in it.

That’s one of the big takeaways from this week’s episode of Learning for Good, where I spoke with Eric Wu (former leadership and talent development lead at Northwestern University) and Matt Todd (Director of Learning & Organizational Development at Plan International Canada).

Their stories prove that nonprofit L&D careers are as varied, dynamic, and mission-driven as the sector itself.

The Career Journey to Nonprofit Learning & Development

Eric started his career in beer sales.
Matt began as a youth facilitator.

Neither of them had “L&D” in their job titles early on, but both paid close attention to what they loved: helping people grow, solving systems challenges, and creating environments where people can succeed.

That curiosity and sense of purpose led them to careers in nonprofit L&D, where they now support staff development, culture, performance, and change at scale.

The lesson? You don’t need to check every box to get started. You need a compass, not a map (an analogy Matt shares in the interview).

There is More to Learning and Development than Training

While many assume Learning & Development is all about workshops and training courses, Eric and Matt make it clear: L&D in nonprofits is expansive.

They’re doing things like:

Supporting performance management
Building leadership development programs
Developing career pathways
Leading culture change initiatives
Helping teams navigate complexity and growth

These are strategic, high-impact roles that sit at the intersection of people, systems, and mission.

If you’ve ever wondered if you’d be a good fit for an L&D role, this episode gives you a real-world look at what the work entails (and the skills that matter most).

What Makes Learning & Development Different in Nonprofits?

Both Eric and Matt highlight the unique joys and challenges of working in nonprofit settings:

Mission is front and center.
Budgets may be tighter, but creativity and innovation thrive.
Change often happens through relationships, not authority.
Learning is deeply connected to values, equity, and systemic impact.

It’s not easy work—but it’s deeply meaningful.

How to Make a Career Transition into Learning and Development

I asked Eric and Matt to share their advice for transitioning into L&D and/or the nonprofit sector.

Here’s what they recommend:

Follow your curiosity—pay attention to the parts of your work that energize you.
Look for opportunities to support people, build systems, and solve real problems.
Don’t wait for permission; start learning by doing.
Stay grounded in your “why.” Purpose will carry you through complexity.

To learn more about working in nonprofit L&D, tune into episode 136 of the Learning for Good podcast.

Additional Resources Just for You

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Join the Nonprofit L&D Collective.

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