On today’s episode, Jeff Bond chats with Patrick Plonski, Executive Director of Books For Africa, the world’s largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent. Books For Africa has shipped over 54 million books and served every African country since 1988 with an annual fiscal impact exceeding $30 million.

Pat talks to Jeff about the challenges of running a logistic business with international complexities, balancing ambitious growth goals while consciously creating a culture where your workforce feels they have a strong work-life balance, and his hope for positively impacting future generations.

More About Patrick Plonski

Pat Plonski has served since 2003 as Executive Director of Books For Africa, the world’s largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent.  Books For Africa has shipped over 54 million books and served every African country since 1988 with an annual fiscal impact exceeding $30 million. Books For Africa has been rated in the top three percent of all U.S. charities by Charity Navigator, partnering with organizations such as the United Nations, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Peace Corps, the U.S. Library of Congress, OPEC, Merck, the African Union, and Oprah’s Angel Network.  Plonski has traveled to 48 countries in his career.  He has served as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences teaching coursework on world development issues.

Previously, Plonski has served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council at the University of Minnesota (1998-2003), and Committee Administrator of the Minnesota House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture (1987-1998).  

He holds a PhD in International Education (2009) from the University of Minnesota,  a Master’s Degree in History (1994) from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in History from St. John’s University (1985).

Plonski is a frequent commentator in the media on topics pertaining to development, education, and literacy in Africa.

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE
Visit https://www.booksforafrica.org/
Follow Books For Africa on Facebook
Follow Pat on LinkedIn

CREDITS
Theme Music 🎵RickyValadez from Pond5.com
Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

On today’s episode, Jeff Bond chats with Patrick Plonski, Executive Director of Books For Africa, the world’s largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent. Books For Africa has shipped over 54 million books and served every African country since 1988 with an annual fiscal impact exceeding $30 million.
Pat talks to Jeff about the challenges of running a logistic business with international complexities, balancing ambitious growth goals while consciously creating a culture where your workforce feels they have a strong work-life balance, and his hope for positively impacting future generations.
More About Patrick Plonski
Pat Plonski has served since 2003 as Executive Director of Books For Africa, the world’s largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent.  Books For Africa has shipped over 54 million books and served every African country since 1988 with an annual fiscal impact exceeding $30 million. Books For Africa has been rated in the top three percent of all U.S. charities by Charity Navigator, partnering with organizations such as the United Nations, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Peace Corps, the U.S. Library of Congress, OPEC, Merck, the African Union, and Oprah’s Angel Network.  Plonski has traveled to 48 countries in his career.  He has served as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences teaching coursework on world development issues.
Previously, Plonski has served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council at the University of Minnesota (1998-2003), and Committee Administrator of the Minnesota House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture (1987-1998).  
He holds a PhD in International Education (2009) from the University of Minnesota,  a Master’s Degree in History (1994) from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in History from St. John’s University (1985).
Plonski is a frequent commentator in the media on topics pertaining to development, education, and literacy in Africa.
RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Visit <a href="https://www.booksforafrica.org/">https://www.booksforafrica.org/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Books-For-Africa-27933548445/timeline/">Books For Africa on Facebook</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-plonski-40579a8">Pat on LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>
CREDITS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Theme Music 🎵<a href="https://www.pond5.com/artist/rickyvaladez">RickyValadez</a> from <a href="https://www.pond5.com/">Pond5.com</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Produced by <a href="https://chatwithleaders.com">ChatWithLeadersMedia.com</a> </li>
</ul>

The Steward Chair is a podcast that explores business leadership as stewardship – the responsibility of guiding organizations, people, and industries with integrity, long-term thinking, and a commitment to doing good while doing well.

Through deep, candid conversations with CEOs, Presidents and Founders that have stood the test of time, we unpack the challenges, decisions, and strategies that define values-driven leadership. This is a space for leaders who recognize that success is about more than personal achievement – it’s about leaving a lasting, positive impact on their organizations and communities.

Each episode provides real-world insights on how to navigate key business decisions while maintaining ethical integrity, long-term sustainability, and a legacy-driven mindset.

This show is produced in collaboration between Chat With Leaders Media and End of the Line Productions. 

The Steward Chair is a podcast that explores business leadership as stewardship &ndash; the responsibility of guiding organizations, people, and industries with integrity, long-term thinking, and a commitment to doing good while doing well.
Through deep, candid conversations with CEOs, Presidents and Founders that have stood the test of time, we unpack the challenges, decisions, and strategies that define values-driven leadership. This is a space for leaders who recognize that success is about more than personal achievement &ndash; it&rsquo;s&nbsp;about leaving a lasting, positive impact on their organizations and communities.
Each episode provides real-world insights on how to navigate key business decisions while maintaining ethical integrity, long-term sustainability, and a legacy-driven mindset.
This show is produced in collaboration between <a href="https://chatwithleaders.com/">Chat With Leaders Media</a> and <a href="https://www.eotlproductions.com/">End of the Line Productions</a>.&nbsp;

The Steward Chair is a podcast that explores leadership as stewardship—the responsibility of guiding organizations, people, and industries with integrity, long-term thinking, and a commitment to doing good while doing well.

The Steward Chair

In a world defined by disconnection, human connection is your most powerful asset in building companies that last. At Chat With Leaders Media, we're dedicated to helping you unlock that power by delivering actionable insights from leaders who are leveraging business as a force for good.

Through our podcasts – The Steward Chair, The People Experience Pulse, and B The Change Georgia – we cut through the noise to bring you candid, real-world strategies for building a better business. We explore what it takes to elevate people, grow your business with integrity, and build a legacy that goes beyond the bottom line.

This isn't just about inspiration; it's about giving you the tools to elevate your influence and make a tangible impact on your organization and the world.

In a world defined by disconnection, human connection is your most powerful asset in building companies that last. At Chat With Leaders Media, we're dedicated to helping you unlock that power by delivering actionable insights from leaders who are leveraging business as a force for good.
Through our podcasts &ndash; The Steward Chair, The People Experience Pulse, and B The Change Georgia &ndash; we cut through the noise to bring you candid, real-world strategies for building a better business. We explore what it takes to elevate people, grow your business with integrity, and build a legacy that goes beyond the bottom line.
This isn't just about inspiration; it's about giving you the tools to elevate your influence and make a tangible impact on your organization and the world.