Episode 85 - From Predictive Models to AI Coaches: A New Era for Nonprofits with Ben Miller & Tanuja Korlepra

Meet Ben Miller, Senior Vice President of Data Science and Analytics at Bonterra, and Tanuja Korlepra, Chief Technology Officer at Bonterra. Starting the conversation, Ben shares his experience in fundraising analytics and industry research, while Tanuja mentions her background in big tech, including work with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, and her passion for using technology to drive meaningful impact. The conversation introduces Bonterra as a mission-driven company that supports nonprofits through fundraising tools, donor engagement, and campaign management. Ben reflects on the early days of AI in fundraising, when predictive models faced skepticism, and contrasts that with today's rapid adoption following breakthroughs such as ChatGPT. Tanuja and Ben discuss key AI concepts -predictive, generative, and agentic- and highlight Bonterra's innovation, "Bonterra Que," an intelligent AI coach designed to help nonprofits improve fundraising outcomes. They also address the challenges of AI adoption, encouraging organizations to focus on practical use cases rather than hype. The episode closes with a strong emphasis on ethical AI, trust, and the shift toward outcome-driven solutions that empower nonprofits to achieve real-world impact more effectively. HIGHLIGHTS [03:37] Overview of Bonterra and Its Mission [06:40] Evolution of AI in Nonprofit Sector [10:34] Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption [15:09] Understanding Predictive, Generative, and Agentic AI [20:54] Development and Impact of Bonterra Que [30:01] Feedback and Success Stories from Bonterra Que Users [33:27] Outcomes as a Service in Fundraising [39:22] Responsible and Ethical Use of AI Resources: Connect with Ben and Tanuja: LinkedIn (Ben): linkedin.com/in/ben-miller Email (Ben): ben.miller@bonterratech.com LinkedIn (Tanuja): linkedin.com/in/tanuja-korlepra Email (Tanuja): tanuja.korlepra@bonterratech.com