• Room: Heritage A
• Best for: Senior Staff, Executive Leadership
• Topics Covered: HR/ Organizational Culture, Strategic Planning
• Speaker: Katie SanFilippo

Nonprofit leaders are facing growing challenges in staff retention, burnout, and leadership transitions—each of which directly impacts an organization’s sustainability. In this highly interactive session, participants will explore practical strategies to foster a culture of retention, mitigate burnout, and prepare for smooth leadership transitions. Through guided discussions, case studies, and self-assessments, attendees will leave with actionable tools to strengthen their organization’s capacity and leadership pipeline. This session is designed for senior nonprofit leaders seeking advanced-level insights and peer-to-peer exchange on navigating these critical workforce issues.

• Room: Heritage B
• Best For: ALL LEVELS
• Topics Covered: Information Technology
• Speakers: Aimee Pourciau, CPA and Edwin Harvey, Ph.D.

AI is evolving rapidly, with new opportunities use cases for Nonprofits emerging at a staggering pace. This session is designed to help you think about where begin, what pitfalls to avoid, and what resources and capacity your organization will need to make this buzzy, hyped-up race worth running. We’ll distinguish between traditional automation, AI-augmented automation, and agentic AI. We’ll explore lessons learned from actual use cases. We’ll highlight the stakes and urgencies of “Responsible AI”. And we’ll talk about how to create safe environments in which you can say yes to your organization’s early adopters and explorers. Join us as we answer common questions about: 1) what distinguishes AI from more traditional forms of automation, 2) how to play to AI’s strengths and away from its weaknesses, and 3) how to approach the ethical, privacy, and legal components of “Responsible AI.”

• Room: Learning Center
• Best for: Senior Staff, Executive Leadership
• Topics Covered: Governance, Leadership
• Speaker: Learning Center

This interactive session will explore strategies for addressing conflicts within nonprofit boards, including tensions between the Executive Director and Board Chair and conflicts among board members. Participants will learn internal solutions such as establishing guiding principles, grievance policies, and feedback processes, as well as external approaches like mediation and professional development. The session integrates DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) principles to foster a collaborative, inclusive environment, emphasizing diverse perspectives, equitable decision-making, and accessible communication. Through role-playing crucial conversations and reflective activities, participants will practice conflict resolution techniques and improve communication within their boards for stronger organizational outcomes.

• Room: Fremont
• Best for: Senior Staff, Executive Leadership
• Topics Covered: Leadership
• Speakers: Amy Humble, Kurt Wilson

Strong leadership is one of the most valuable assets a nonprofit can have—yet too often, leaders operate in silos. This exclusive, small-group session with Amy Humble and Kurt Wilson offers nonprofit leaders a chance to connect, reflect, and strengthen the leadership bonds that drive real impact. Through interactive discussions, you’ll explore the networks that shape our community, identify opportunities to increase your influence and effectiveness, and gain insights to help navigate today’s leadership challenges. Space is limited to the first 20 nonprofit leaders per session, but don’t worry, we will hold this session in each breakout to ensure everyone who wants to participate can do so.

• Room: Heritage A
• Best for: Early Career, Mid-Career
• Topics Covered: Fund Development, Information Technology
• Speaker: Megan Ferry

Do grants overwhelm you and your team, at times? Is your nonprofit’s Return-On-Investment (ROI) with grants not what you think it should be? In this session, participants will learn what foundations are looking for with grants today, including attachments. They’ll also see how 2-3 “real” nonprofit Case Studies used AI to improve their grant writing efforts and go through a prompt exercise to demonstrate how AI can be used to do free grant research. Participants will leave the session with real-life tools and how to use them to improve their nonprofit’s ROI with grant writing and grant-seeking

• Room: Heritage B
• Best for: Mid-Career
• Topics Covered: Advocacy
• Speaker: Maegan Vallejo & Nia Wassink

Your nonprofit has the power to create real change—are you using it to its fullest potential? Advocacy isn’t just for policy organizations; it’s a superpower that every nonprofit can harness to strengthen its mission and community impact. Whether it’s mobilizing voters, supporting local initiatives, or inspiring civic engagement, strategic advocacy can amplify your work without mission creep. In this session, you’ll learn how to integrate advocacy in a way that energizes your supporters, strengthens donor relationships, and drives lasting change. Through case studies and hands-on planning, you’ll leave equipped with the tools to become a true changemaker in your community.

• Room: Learning Center
• Best for: ALL LEVELS
• Topics Covered: Information Technology
• Speaker: Brian Wortley

Come learn the basics of Cybersecurity for Nonprofits. Topics include: why security cannot be ignored, simple and practical ways to stay safe, creating a culture of awareness, when to get help, implications of handling donor information, and Colorado legal requirements for Nonprofits.

• Room: Fremont
• Best for: Senior Staff, Executive Leadership
• Topics Covered: Leadership
• Speakers: Amy Humble, Kurt Wilson

Strong leadership is one of the most valuable assets a nonprofit can have—yet too often, leaders operate in silos. This exclusive, small-group session with Amy Humble and Kurt Wilson offers nonprofit leaders a chance to connect, reflect, and strengthen the leadership bonds that drive real impact. Through interactive discussions, you’ll explore the networks that shape our community, identify opportunities to increase your influence and effectiveness, and gain insights to help navigate today’s leadership challenges. Space is limited to the first 20 nonprofit leaders per session, but don’t worry, we will hold this session in each breakout to ensure everyone who wants to participate can do so.

• Room: Heritage A
• Best for: ALL LEVELS
• Topics Covered: Fund Development
• Speaker: Ben Domingue

Join us for an engaging session exploring the need to invest in fundraising amid the decline in philanthropy. We’ll break down where to invest for the greatest impact, how to assess your organization’s current fundraising performance, and what level of investment makes sense. This discussion will also address concerns about watchdog organizations like Charity Navigator and provide real-world case studies demonstrating what works. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this session will equip you with the insights needed to make informed, strategic fundraising decisions.

• Room: Heritage B
• Best for: Senior Staff, Executive Leadership
• Topics Covered: Leadership, Strategic planning
• Speaker: Robin Chalecki

In today’s uncertain economic and social landscape, nonprofits must balance growth with financial sustainability. This session will explore how strategic engagement with consultants can help organizations expand capacity, enhance efficiency, and drive impact—without increasing long-term operational costs. Participants will gain insights into when and how to engage consultants effectively, as well as the key roles they can play in supporting nonprofit success.

• Room: Learning Center
• Best for: ALL Levels
• Topics Covered: HR/ Organizational Culture, Leadership
• Speakers: Tes Cohen

In a world where time is our most valuable resource, gatherings must do more than just fill the calendar– they can and should serve as catalysts for achieving your organization’s mission. In this session, you’ll learn Gather Better’s 5-step framework for designing events that foster connection, inspire action, and drive impact. Drawing from real-life case studies, you’ll gain tips to craft engaging gatherings. Leave with a clear game plan to transform your next gathering into a purpose-driven experience that propels your organization’s impact forward.

• Room: Fremont
• Best for: Senior Staff, Executive Leadership
• Topics Covered: Leadership
• Speakers: Amy Humble, Kurt Wilson

Strong leadership is one of the most valuable assets a nonprofit can have—yet too often, leaders operate in silos. This exclusive, small-group session with Amy Humble and Kurt Wilson offers nonprofit leaders a chance to connect, reflect, and strengthen the leadership bonds that drive real impact. Through interactive discussions, you’ll explore the networks that shape our community, identify opportunities to increase your influence and effectiveness, and gain insights to help navigate today’s leadership challenges. Space is limited to the first 20 nonprofit leaders per session, but don’t worry, we will hold this session in each breakout to ensure everyone who wants to participate can do so.

• Room: Heritage A
• Best for: ALL LEVELS
• Topics Covered: Leadership, HR/Organizational Culture
• Speaker: Priya Ford

Priya Ford’s “Unlocking the Confidence Within” session helps individuals unlock higher levels of self-confidence by challenging self-doubt, reframing limiting beliefs, and developing a mindset of resilience. Through dynamic storytelling, interactive exercises, and proven psychological strategies, Priya guides audiences to step into their full potential with conviction and clarity. She teaches practical tools to build unshakable confidence, communicate assertively, and lead with authenticity. Whether addressing corporate teams, military leaders, or athletes, Priya’s energetic and empowering approach equips individuals to break past mental barriers, trust their abilities, and lead with unwavering self-belief in any situation.

• Room: Heritage B
• Best for: ALL LEVELS
• Topics Covered: Fund Development
• Speakers: Laura Andes, Lori Collins

Over the past two decades, the number of donors to nonprofit organizations has declined, driven by eroding trust in U.S. institutions—including nonprofits—a growing wealth divide, and the rise of crowdfunding. Remaining donors are more generous but are increasingly focused on trustworthiness, efficiency, and impact.This session will explore the latest donor research on motivations, preferences, and the pivotal role trust plays in giving. Participants will gain insights into emerging giving trends and practical strategies to connect with today’s donors. Learn how to leverage tools like Charity Navigator ratings to effectively communicate your nonprofit’s story, showcase your organization’s impact, and build the trust needed to inspire support.

• Room: The Learning Center
• Best for: Early Career, Mid-Career, Senior Staff
• Topics Covered: Marketing/Communications
• Speaker: Katie O’Dell, Jennifer Gauerke, Jenny Mulligan

Feeling lost in the madness of marketing? Overwhelmed by changing definitions, new technology and the pressure to be everywhere? Ready to stop chasing squirrels and channel your efforts towards real impact? Then this interactive session is for you. The brand and marketing experts at YellowDog will guide participants through a high-level marketing audit, providing the blueprint for an effective, efficient marketing strategy. We will define the essential ingredients to help you make the most of your brand and budget.

• Room: Fremont
• Best for: Senior Staff, Executive Leadership
• Topics Covered: Leadership
• Speakers: Amy Humble, Kurt Wilson

Strong leadership is one of the most valuable assets a nonprofit can have—yet too often, leaders operate in silos. This exclusive, small-group session with Amy Humble and Kurt Wilson offers nonprofit leaders a chance to connect, reflect, and strengthen the leadership bonds that drive real impact. Through interactive discussions, you’ll explore the networks that shape our community, identify opportunities to increase your influence and effectiveness, and gain insights to help navigate today’s leadership challenges. Space is limited to the first 20 nonprofit leaders per session, but don’t worry, we will hold this session in each breakout to ensure everyone who wants to participate can do so.