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

Leadership today often feels like walking high steel. Nonprofit, healthcare, and public sector leaders are facing funding uncertainty, workforce strain, burnout, public scrutiny, technology disruption, and personal challenges that affect their ability to lead well. Drawing from the story of famous ironworkers, this session explores how leaders can move from fear to discipline, and from disruption to steadiness. Participants will learn how to recognize signs of distress, adjust the load, steady their teams, and help others find their footing when the winds of change begin to blow.

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 & Brent Wilson 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 Barefoot PR about their experience guiding nonprofits, large and small, as they 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.

• Evaluating the risks and rewards of a rename or rebrand to determine if and when the timing is right for your organization.
• Understanding the realities of the transition process, including how to manage uncertainty and maintain momentum.
• Applying strategies for engaging your community authentically to build trust and buy-in.
• Identifying key creative principles for naming and visual identity that reflect your mission and resonate with your audiences.

Presented by Laura Schwinkendorf & Jinha Servais, Barefoot PR

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

The Colorado Lawyers Committee has been an invaluable partner to Colorado Nonprofit Association for more than a decade. Through the Nonprofit Legal Audit Clinic, Legal Match Program, and expanded legal resources, CLC has connected hundreds of nonprofits with pro bono legal expertise, helping organizations strengthen governance, navigate complex legal challenges, and build long-term resilience. Their unwavering commitment to partnership has made a lasting difference across Colorado’s nonprofit community

Marco Dorado is being recognized for his leadership in advancing policies that improve access to resources for community-based nonprofits. From championing reforms that make state grants more accessible to developing a statewide grant database, Marco has helped remove barriers and ensure nonprofits have greater opportunities to serve their communities and thrive.

James R. Coleman is honored for his steadfast support of Colorado’s nonprofit sector. A longtime nonprofit leader himself, President Coleman has championed policies that strengthen nonprofit organizations, including serving as the lead sponsor of Colorado Nonprofit Association’s legislation to improve legacy giving. His ability to build broad coalitions and advance meaningful policy solutions has had a lasting impact on nonprofits across the state.