Keynote Session | 9:30 a.m.– 10:30 a.m. CT
Kishshana Palmer, CFRE (she/her)
Kishshana Palmer is an international speaker, trainer, and coach with a 20+ year background in fundraising, marketing, and talent management. Kishshana is CEO of ManageMint, Inc., an organizational development firm focused on helping everyday leaders live well and lead well, and centers on equity, social justice and practical solutions for today’s organizations. She is also the founder of The Rooted Collaborative— a global community focused on the growth and development of women leaders of color in the social sector. With her experience and diverse set of credentials, Kishshana is an expert on the future of collaborative leadership and building thriving, high performing teams.
Join us to discuss how we can stop doing the absolute most and thrive doing less. We’ll have a conversation about what it means to not do all the things all the time. Kishshana will share all of the ways she’s started to look at real self-care, rest, wellness, and saying “no” as an opportunity to invite in doing less as a pathway to really doing the most.
Concurrent Session 1 | 10:45 a.m.– 11:45 a.m. CT
Vincent Phipps, MA, CSP (he/him), Communication VIP Training and Coaching
Communication with Less Confrontation
Stop treating others how you want to be treated. Instead, treat others the ways they want to be treated. Today’s technological advances are instrumental to our evolving communication, but emotional intelligence is the key to establishing meaningful relationships in our professional in personal endeavors. Success does not always go to the smartest, the best connected, or even the most educated; today’s most valuable resource is our ability to adapt and influence others by having effective and efficient communication skills.
Moderator: Jaime Freidrichs, CFRE (she/her), New Chapter Coaching Strategic Partner
Panelists: DeAnna Alonso (she/her), Woodhaven; Jothi Pallikkathayil (he/him), KVC Foundation; Nikkia Johnson (she/her), Legal Aid Justice Center; Sara Cleveland (she/her), Amnesty International
Fundraising Panel
This panel of nonprofit leaders from across the U.S. will explore the joys and complexity of fundraising. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about donor relationships, career-building, your burning fundraising questions, and more.
Ruby Lopez Harper (she/her/ella), Craft Emergency Relief Fund
Reimagining the Performance Review
Productivity equals value but in the Nonprofit sector, we often find the structures by which we measure progress and outputs doesn’t align with our work. How do you calibrate relationship building? How do you push against productivity as value? How do you use a wellness and care approach? How do you shift accountability? All questions that arose as we reimagined the process by which we give feedback, support, assign resources and align priorities.
J Scott Christianson (he/him), Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at MU
Harnessing AI for Nonprofit Growth
Midday Mini Sessions | 12:30 p.m.– 1:00 p.m. CT
HeartSpace Clinic
Somatic Exercises
HeartSpace Staff will guide you in a simple practice to notice your particular stress response and to shift that response into a more settled state. Specific tools will be shared that can be used in your daily life and taught to others.
Carolyn Sullivan, (she/her), New Chapter Coaching; Tonika Starks, MBA-HRM, SHRM-SCP (she/her), TRHR Consulting, New Chapter Coaching Strategic Partner
The Solution Room
Concurrent Session 2 | 1:15 p.m.– 2:15 p.m. CT
Sam Peters (he/him), DFW Neurodivergent Family Management
Unlocking the Power of Neurodiversity for Cultural and Organizational Success
In today’s rapidly evolving workplace landscape, embracing neurodiversity has emerged as a pivotal factor in fostering innovation, enhancing employee well-being, and driving overall organizational success. This presentation delves into the concept of neurodiversity – the recognition and celebration of neurological variations such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more – and its transformative impact on workplace dynamics. Join us as we explore the numerous benefits that arise when workplaces create an inclusive environment for individuals across the neurodivergent spectrum. We’ll delve into case studies, best practices, and actionable strategies that empower employers to harness the unique strengths of neurodiverse talents. From leveraging exceptional attention to detail, creativity, analytical prowess, and divergent thinking, to promoting workplace accommodations that foster engagement and productivity, this presentation equips you with the insights to cultivate an environment where all employees can thrive. Our discussion will also address the role of leadership in promoting neurodiversity, eradicating stigma, and nurturing a culture of acceptance. Join us to learn how to unlock the power of neurodiverse perspectives and build a brighter, more inclusive future for your organization.
Sean Hale (he/him), Nonprofits CFOs, New Chapter Coaching Strategic Partner
Smart Solutions: Enhancing Administrative Operations
This session will cover over 4-6 actionable ideas that attendees can take back to their organizations to help them run their back offices more smoothly. After participating in the workshop, participants will have fresh ideas for: identifying savings and efficiencies in their organizations; working smarter (not harder); improving leadership engagement with financial data; and making their policies and procedures more inclusive.
Laci Gatewood. MHA, CPC (she/her), The Mindful Spaces Initiative
Cultivating Organizational Wellness
This presentation unveils a practical framework for leaders to cultivate well-being within their organizations. We’ll explore key actions leaders can take, like fostering a well-being mindset and building supportive structures that empower staff. We’ll also explore leadership behaviors that promote healthy work-life balance and psychological safety for a thriving work environment. Expect to learn how prioritizing well-being isn’t just about happy staff, but also leads to a more productive and successful organization. Walk away with actionable strategies to create a culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Sara Leonard, MA (she/her), New Chapter Coaching
Planning for Impact: Customizing Strategic Planning for Your Organization
Time to get strategic plans off the shelf and into the game! Nonprofits’ missions, budgets, and leaders are as unique as the communities they serve, so it’s no wonder that one size doesn’t fit all, leading to frustrating planning processes and uninspiring results. No more! In this session, you’ll get critical insights and actionable strategies to customize both the planning process and product to fit your organization. We’ll explore the components of highly-effective planning, strategies to determine what’s right for your organization, and the roles of data, participation, and measurability in setting your organization up to achieve deep and lasting impact for those you serve.
Concurrent Session 3 | 2:30 p.m.– 3:30 p.m. CT
Jonathan Meagher-Zayas (he/him/él), Equity Warrior Strategies, LLC; Christine “Chrissey” Nguyen Klockner (she/her), Nguyen Strategy
Why Your Board is Not Diverse and How to Recruit in Equitable Ways
According to research, board diversity continues to remain one of the toughest challenges nonprofit boards face. It is primarily because there is a difference between ‘We welcome everyone’ and ‘We created this space with you in mind’. In this session, we’ll dive into currently board diversity trends, walk through a personal change model, provide a framework for leaders to create an inclusive mindset, and brainstorm board recruitment and retention strategies that advance equity. The presenters will provide insights, models & frameworks, and resources as well as coach attendees in group discussions to determine practical solutions for their organizations.
Carolyn Sullivan (she/her), New Chapter Coaching
The Manager’s Guide to Building a High-Performing Team
Unlock the secrets to building a high-performing team in this engaging and interactive session tailored for managers who want to elevate their leadership game. “The Manager’s Guide to Building a High-Performing Team” goes beyond theory, offering actionable strategies that you can implement to transform your team into a cohesive, motivated, and results-driven powerhouse. Join us to explore the critical role managers play in shaping team performance and why your leadership matters, identify the key characteristics of high-performing teams, and uncover actionable strategies to positively influence your team’s dynamics, motivation, and results. Whether you’re new to management or looking to refine your leadership approach, this session will provide you with practical insights you can start using right away.
Andrew Shaughnessy, MPH, MA (he/him), Limitless Horizons Consulting, LLC, New Chapter Coaching Strategic Partner; Krysta Grangeno, MS (she/her), Reflecting Change, LLC
Are You Grant Ready? Assessing & Planning for Your Nonprofit’s Grant
Securing grants is essential for nonprofits, yet many organizations struggle with grant applications due to a lack of preparedness. This session will demystify the concept of “grant readiness” and provide nonprofit leaders with practical tools and strategies to evaluate and enhance their readiness for grant funding. Attendees will be equipped with the knowledge to assess their organization’s current state, identify gaps, and develop a concrete plan to become grant-ready.
Amy C. Horner, CPA, MBA (she/her), True Nine
Navigating the Choppy Waters of Change
Change is inevitable and inevitably tricky. How you handle change can be a differentiator in your career and your organization. Navigating change takes strategy, planning, and collaboration. Whether reacting to a change outside your control or initiating change yourself, the approach must be robust yet flexible, determined yet nimble. This session examines the lens through which people see change, defines the ultimate destination to guide strategy development and boost motivation, and demonstrates the importance of expanding beyond organizational leadership personnel for the collaborative creation of change strategy.
Leadership Panel & Closing Remarks | 3:45 p.m.– 5:00 p.m. CT
Moderator: Carolyn Sullivan (she/her), New Chapter Coaching
Panelists: Misty Janks (she/her), Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities; Elle Davis, MSW (she/her), The Ellevate Group, LLC; Elisa Glick, PhD (she/her), Elisa Glick Consulting, New Chapter Coaching Strategic Partner
A panel of leadership experts sharing best practices to help nonprofit leaders lead thoughtfully, inclusively, and boldly.
Join this panel of exemplary and highly experienced leaders with specialties in courageous, resilient, and inclusive leadership. Participants will have opportunities for Q&A and leave with actionable steps to increase their leading potential.