Somewhere right now, a nonprofit’s strategic plan is sitting on a shelf. It took months. It cost thousands. And no one has opened it since the board presentation.  This is the most common outcome in nonprofit strategic planning — not because organizations don’t care, but because they were handed a product when they needed a process. Because they started before they were ready. Because they were checking a box.  This session cuts through the noise. You’ll learn what strategic planning actually is, how to know if your organization is truly ready, and what makes a plan that drives decisions instead of collecting dust. Walk away with a leadership tool, a fundraising asset, and a board magnet. 

Presented by Anna Wilcox, Backburn Co.

Doing good work and getting funded for it are not the same thing. This session uses Athletics & Beyond, a 20-year Montbello institution, as a real case study to bust the myths that keep well-rooted nonprofits stuck in funding cycles. Working Within founder Charlyn Moss and A&B Executive Director Narcy Jackson share what actually changed when they tackled financial positioning, funder communication, and narrative clarity together. Attendees leave with a completed mythbusting action plan: the funding myths most alive in their organization, prioritized next steps, and practical tools to act on them immediately.

Presented by Charlynn Moss, Working Within

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how nonprofits operate, fundraise, and communicate. This practical, non-technical session introduces AI through a blend of lecture and live demonstrations of tools designed for mission-driven organizations. Participants will see how AI can streamline daily work, enhance storytelling and donor engagement, and support smarter, data-informed decisions—without compromising trust or ethics. Through real-world examples and guided demos, this session makes AI approachable and actionable. Attendees will leave with clear use cases, practical tools, and immediate next steps to responsibly integrate AI and strengthen their organization’s impact.

Presented by Jonathan Liebert, BBB of Southern Colorado

Nonprofit leaders are constantly making decisions about funding, staffing, and operations, often under pressure and with limited information. These decisions almost always overlap and affect each other. Changes in revenue can affect people, governance, and long-term sustainability. This interactive session helps leaders work through real decisions in real time through guided discussion and scenario-based problem solving. Participants will explore how these choices connect and where risks or opportunities may be missed. The focus is practical: helping leaders think clearly, ask better questions, and make value-aligned decisions that can confidently withstand scrutiny from funders, boards, grantmakers, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

Presented by Mike Gemm & Jessica Gemm, Gemm Consulting

Drew Wiley, Willey Law Firm, PLLC &  Jessica Wiley, Jessica Willey, CPA

Nonprofit leaders face constant pressure—limited resources, rising needs, and relentless urgency. Under stress, even well‑intentioned leaders can slip into the “dark side”: fear‑based decisions, excessive control, silence, and ethical blind spots. Using Halloween‑inspired metaphors and real nonprofit examples, this fun and interactive session explores leadership behaviors that quietly haunt organizations over time. Participants will identify warning signs in themselves and their organizations, complete a brief self‑assessment, and leave with practical strategies to stay grounded, transparent, and mission‑aligned—even when times are scary.

Presented by Dan Prater, Forvis Mazars

The most valuable leadership lessons rarely come from a keynote—they come from conversations with peers facing similar challenges. In this facilitated executive roundtable, nonprofit CEOs and executive directors will discuss the real-world challenges of leading through change, uncertainty, and disruption. Together we’ll examine what’s working, what’s proving difficult, and how resilient leaders help their organizations adapt while staying true to their mission. Expect an honest, confidential discussion focused on practical leadership rather than theory.

Facilitated by Paul Lhevine, Colorado Nonprofit Association

Economic uncertainty, fluctuating donations, and increased demand for services have made financial resilience more critical than ever for nonprofits. This session will help leaders build stronger, more adaptable financial foundations—no matter their size or mission. We’ll explore key strategies for managing cash flow, diversifying revenue streams, leveraging reserves, and strengthening governance around risk.

Presented by Manda Dinkel, CBIZ

Nonprofits are doing more with less and many teams are quietly losing capacity to “leadership noise”: unclear direction, misaligned priorities, meeting overload, and emotional static that drains focus and morale. This session introduces a practical, brain-aware approach to reduce noise, increase shared clarity, and build resilience without adding more process. Participants will run a fast “Noise Audit,” diagnose whether the issue is clarity, connection, or execution, and leave with a one-page Signal Plan they can use immediately to improve meetings, decisions, and change communication over the next two weeks.

Presented by Bettina Faerber, Goodwill of Colorado

A rebrand is an organizational transformation that touches your culture, community and credibility. And like any major transition, it rarely goes exactly as planned. In this session, we’ll take you inside a real rebrand from start to finish. You’ll hear directly from Provecho Collective – formerly the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger – about what led them to step boldly into a new identity and what it actually took to get there. Whether you’re just starting to wonder if a rebrand is right for your organization or you’re already deep in the process, this session will help you navigate what’s ahead.

Presented by Laura Schwinkendorf & Jinha Servais, Barefoot PR 

Michelle Ray & Dolores Ramirez, Provecho Collective

This session explores how small nonprofits can move from passive board engagement to active, structured leadership during times of crisis. Drawing on extensive experience working with nonprofit boards as a consultant, staff leader, and board member, the presenter examines common breakdowns in board engagement, including unclear roles, lack of accountability, and missed opportunities to mobilize support during funding and organizational crises. Participants will engage with a realistic case study centered on a funding shortfall and leave with practical tools, including a board role matrix, rapid response checklist, and redesigned board meeting template. The session emphasizes both strategic clarity and immediate, actionable application.

Presented by Jessica Nurack,  ImpactCurve Global Consulting

This session helps nonprofits better understand and communicate the full cost of delivering their programs, including infrastructure and administrative support. By shifting the conversation around overhead, organizations can improve financial transparency, strengthen funder relationships, and position themselves for more sustainable funding models.

Presented by Nathan Oberle & Jennifer Dombek, Your Part-Time Controller

The most valuable leadership lessons rarely come from a keynote—they come from conversations with peers facing similar challenges. In this facilitated executive roundtable, nonprofit CEOs and executive directors will discuss the real-world challenges of leading through change, uncertainty, and disruption. Together we’ll examine what’s working, what’s proving difficult, and how resilient leaders help their organizations adapt while staying true to their mission. Expect an honest, confidential discussion focused on practical leadership rather than theory.

Facilitated by Paul Lhevine, Colorado Nonprofit Association