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Conference breakout sessions tackle nonprofits’ toughest challenges across departments – and engage you in examining fresh approaches to strengthen your organization.
Session presentation slides and handouts are available for download following the conference for continued learning.
Thursday, October 9
Round I Breakout Sessions // 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Don’t Freak Out: Simplifying Minnesota Paid Leave Preparedness
Tracks: Finance, Legal & Stewardship; Human Resources & Supervision
Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program begins in 2026, and this session will help you prepare with confidence and no-stress. Employment attorney Kate Bischoff and recruiting expert Terra Carbert will break down the law in plain language and share practical strategies for maintaining operations during employee leave. You’ll leave with clear action steps for compliance, staffing, and planning.
Presented by Terra Carbert, Frederick Fox; Kate Bischoff, k8bisch LLC
Establishing Sustainable Investments: A Round Table Discussion
Track: Finance, Legal & Stewardship
Nonprofits need smart, multi-pronged long-term financial strategies to thrive. One available tool is developing sustainable investment funds to generate income and provide growth of assets. This session brings together a panel of executive directors, investment managers, board members and development officers for a conversation on key categories surrounding how to initiate a long-term investment fund.
Presented by Patrick Kincade AIF, and Gauri Jadhav CFA, Stonebridge Capital Advisors; Chris Evans, Colon Cancer Coalition; Erin Kreeger, and Jennifer Berges, Duluth Library Foundation; Kathy Tolo, Angel Foundation
Federal Actions and What They Mean for Nonprofits
Track: Advocacy & Public Policy
Federal actions are creating confusion and real concerns for nonprofits, from threats to tax-exempt status, DEI efforts, major cuts to Medicaid, and the Johnson Amendment. In this session, you will break down and understand key federal developments in clear, accessible language and learn ways you can engage in advocacy to protect your organization and community. You will leave with a better understanding of current policy threats and practical tools to respond with clarity and purpose.
Presented by Bailey Sutter and Halla Henderson, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Getting Ahead of the Curve: How to Develop a Practical AI Policy for Your Nonprofit
Tracks: Communications & Technology; Leadership & Governance
AI is unlocking big opportunities for nonprofits—but without a clear policy, it can also create risks. This session will give you a practical, mission-aligned framework to help you prioritize your next steps in developing an acceptable use policy. You will leave equipped to lead your organization’s responsible AI journey.
Presented by Eric Molho, Bon Partners
Good, Better, Best: Smart Decisions That Build Fundraising Capacity
Tracks: Fundraising, Grantseeking, Grantmaking; Evaluation & Planning
What if the key to stronger fundraising isn’t more hustle… it’s better decisions? In this session, you will walk through a practical, real-world framework for making good, better, and best choices to build your fundraising capacity. You will leave with tools, examples, and the confidence to advocate for what your fundraising program truly needs to grow with clarity and purpose.
Presented by Anne Haddad, Haddad Consulting
In Our Words: Lessons from SPYS’ Use of Video Storytelling
Tracks: Communications & Technology; Equity & Justice
Video is a powerful way to show impact, but how we use it matters just as much as what we share. Learn how SPYS has partnered with Black youth to design and tell their own stories through video, centering equity, resistance, and authentic youth voice. You will also discuss the implications of emphasizing Black youth voices during the current backlash to DEI policies.
Presented by Dr. Tracine Asberry, St. Paul Youth Services
Rooted & Resilient: Leading with Clarity Through Change
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Values, Vision, & Mission
Breathe, reflect, and recharge in this energizing session that draws from Shannon Leadership Institute’s 30 years of resilience work for nonprofit leaders. You will learn practical tools to stay grounded, lead with purpose, and navigate challenges without losing your values. Whether facing change or uncertainty, you will leave with strategies to support your well-being and sustain your impact.
Presented by Lissa Jones-Lofgren and Amanda Ziebell Mawanda, Shannon Leadership Institute
Shared Leadership’s Potential for Increased Resilience
Track: Leadership & Governance
In August 2023, Hope Community faced an unexpected executive leadership transition and adopted an interim shared leadership structure. After a lengthy search for a new executive director, the board chose a standing shared executive leadership model to maximize resilience, support growth, and ensure sustainability. Join this session to explore Hope’s journey, engage in interactive discussions, and leave with an understanding of how one organization’s journey with executive leadership transition has unfolded.
Presented by Will Delaney, Chaka Mkali, and Ani Koch, Hope Community, Inc.
Storytelling as a Pathway Through Change Management
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Communications & Technology
Organizational change is more than new policies—it is a new story unfolding. During this session, you will learn how to lead change as a journey using storytelling tools like story listening and narrative mapping. This session helps you surface unspoken stories, align your team, and build buy-in around a shared, strategic narrative. Join us to lead change with clarity and purpose.
Presented by Danami-Maurice Champion, BairStories
Total Rewards with a Whole Family Approach
Tracks: Human Resources & Supervision; Values, Vision, & Mission
Wilder is on a multi-year journey to embed a whole family approach across programs and operations to help families thrive. Join this interactive session to learn how we center these principles in supporting employees and shaping our culture. We will explore how staff voice informs our work and how we align total rewards with whole family values.
Presented by Jennifer Thao, Shaila Jensen, and Anne Li, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
Understanding Uncertain Markets While Saving for Retirement
Tracks: Finance, Legal & Stewardship; Retirement Planning
You may be concerned about market volatility and how it affects saving for retirement through your employer sponsored 401(k) or 403(b) plan. In this session, you will learn how to address market ups and downs, understand your portfolio and asset allocation, and decide when to invest or withdraw. You will gain confidence in building a secure retirement with practical strategies like target retirement funds.
Presented by Jerry Bruzek and Casey Brown, Mutual of America Financial Group
Round II Breakout Sessions // 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
A Nonprofit Leader’s Roadmap to Integrating AI in Operations
Tracks: Communications & Technology; Operations
AI is transforming how organizations operate, and you may wonder how to embrace this game-changing technology. In this session, you will learn a framework to evaluate AI opportunities and develop a roadmap for your organization. You will also understand important data privacy and security risks. Join us to gain practical tools for using AI to achieve operational excellence safely.
Presented by Kathleen Buelt, RSM, and Heidi Leach, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota
A Thriving Wage Model for Staff: It’s Mission Critical
Tracks: Equity, Justice & Inclusion; Human Resources & Supervision
In this session, you will learn how People Serving People transitioned to a total compensation model starting at 25 dollars an hour to better reflect the true cost of living in the Twin Cities. You will hear how listening to staff led to big changes in pay, benefits, and wellness support. We will share the steps, timeline, and outcomes of this shift, including retention improvements. At the end, you will leave with tools to start evaluating your own compensation model.
Presented by Hoang Murphy, Kenneth Smith, and Bob-e Simpson Epps, People Serving People
Building for Impact: Engaging Designers to Strengthen Capital Fundraising
Tracks: Fundraising, Grantseeking, Grantmaking; Leadership & Governance
Designers can be powerful partners in nonprofit fundraising, helping to translate mission into fundable, inspiring visions. Learn how early collaboration with designers can strengthen capital campaigns and grant proposals through visual storytelling, feasibility studies, and strategic planning. Featuring real-world examples from local nonprofit partnerships, you will learn how to engage design professionals to shape budgets, build trust, and elevate funding success. Ideal for nonprofit leaders preparing for capital projects or seeking to maximize their fundraising impact.
Presented by Kaitlin Schalow and Rebecca Krull Kraling, HGA; Robert Chelimsky, Playwrights’ Center; Kori Redepenning, Camp Fire Minnesota; Joli Grostephan, Interact
Financial Modeling for Uncertain Times
Tracks: Finance, Legal & Stewardship; Evaluation & Planning
This session will introduce financial modeling and scenario planning techniques tailored to nonprofits, using real-world examples and hands-on exercises. You will leave with actionable skills to assess risks, forecast outcomes, and strengthen strategic decision-making for long-term sustainability.
Presented by Geniene Scherer, Abdo; Anthony Washington, Pillsbury United Communities; Stephanie Lundquist, Abdo
From Burnout to Balance: Integrating Self-Care into Nonprofit Leadership
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Equity, Justice & Inclusion
Nonprofit leadership comes with high demands and little time for self-care, often leading to burnout and challenges in retention. In this session, you’ll experience a guided meditation, engage in reflective journaling, and leave with resources to help you build sustainable self-care habits that support both you and your organization.
Presented by Felicia Perry, DesignHer Life
Investing in Pathways Programs for Advocates of Color
Tracks: Equity, Justice & Inclusion; Values, Vision & Mission
Nonprofit and DEI efforts are under growing scrutiny, making it more important than ever to protect pathways to programs that support advocates of color and invest in BIPOC communities. In this timely panel, learn how you can show up for DEI, protect critical programs, and support BIPOC leadership. You will leave with stories of impact, practical strategies to strengthen your work, and a renewed sense of purpose and community.
Presented by Chai Lee, Program Director, Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute at Domonick Fields, Capitol Pathways Program Manager at Citizens League; Juventino Meza, Co-Founder at Capitol Pathways; Michelle Koffa Dormoh, Community Equity Program Manager at Wilder Foundation.
Is Your Board Leading—or Leaning on the ED?
Track: Leadership & Governance
Too often, boards rely on the executive director to lead, blurring roles and straining leadership. In this interactive session, you will explore the Board Building Cycle—a practical framework to help boards govern with clarity and confidence. You will identify where your board is strong, where it struggles, and how to build a more effective leadership partnership.
Presented by Mary Kay Delvo, INspiring SIGHT
Joining the Choir: Arming Nonprofits With Advocacy Tools to Meet the Needs of Minnesotans
Track: Advocacy & Public Policy
Learn how recent and upcoming federal budget decisions could drastically cut funding for health and nutrition services in Minnesota and and impact nonprofits in and outside this sector. We will break down what is at stake, how these shifts affect your organization, and what you can do about it. You will leave with concrete ways to advocate for the Minnesota communities you serve and ensure our state’s public policies reflect the values your organization promote through your work and mission.
Presented by Laura Mortenson, Minnesota Budget Project
Leading Through Constant Change: Building Empowered and Resilient Teams
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Operations
Change isn’t an event—it’s a constant. In this session, you will learn a practical and human-centered framework for leading nonprofits through ongoing transformation. Jason D. Mack will share real-world lessons as executive director of a regional domestic violence agency, CADA. You will leave with tools to lead with clarity and courage, facilitate conversations that strengthen team alignment, and create systems that respond (not react) to change.
Presented by Jason Mack, Mack Integrated Strategies
Magic or Mayhem? Making Creative Partnerships Actually Work
Tracks: Communications & Technology; Leadership & Governance
Hiring a designer or marketing firm is a big investment, so how do you make it count (and minimize frustration along the way)? In this session, a nonprofit comms lead and their design partner share candid lessons from a successful collaboration. Learn how to scope projects, manage expectations, give feedback, and center community. You will hear what worked, what they’d do differently, and leave with a framework for building respectful, mission-aligned vendor relationships.
Presented by Carly Viegut, Boreal Waters Community Foundation and Mike Smíšek, Šek Design Studio
Why Psychological Safety in Today’s Workplace Is Critical, and Practical Ways to Foster It
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Change Management
This interactive session offers practical tools to assess and foster a culture where people can contribute, learn, and challenge ideas without fear. You will learn what psychological safety means and why it is critical for teams and organizations today. Through real examples and frameworks, you will gain skills to boost innovation, performance, and talent retention in your organization. Join us to build a safer, stronger workplace.
Presented by Laura Johansson, Johansson Consulting
Friday, October 10
Round III Breakout Sessions // 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Access for All: Understanding Digital Accessibility
Tracks: Communications & Technology; Equity, Justice & Inclusion
Learn how to make your everyday digital work—like PDFs, PowerPoints, and webpages—accessible to all. This beginner-friendly, hands-on session offers practical tips to build accessibility into your workflow with minimal extra effort. Co-created with a national accessibility expert, the training is ideal for anyone who creates or edits digital content.
Presented by Keeri Tramm, Lifeworks Services
Belonging Across Generations
Tracks: Equity, Justice & Inclusion; Values, Vision & Mission
Creating a culture of belonging means navigating tough conversations around power, privilege, and identity—including the assumptions we make about different generations. In this session, you will learn key traits of each generation, how intersectionality shapes experiences of ageism, and ways to move from perception to perspective. You will leave with de-biasing techniques to build more inclusive workplace relationships.
Presented by Andrew Zhao, AmazeWorks
Best Practices for I-9 Management and Auditing
Tracks: Human Resources & Supervision; Finance, Legal & Stewardship
Nonprofit leaders and HR professionals often face challenges in managing Form I-9 compliance amid changing regulations and limited resources. In this session, you will walk through I-9 requirements, common mistakes, and best practices for building a strong compliance process. You will learn how to audit forms, fix errors, stay current with regulations, and leave with practical tools and resources to protect your organization.
Presented by Mary Grace Morgese and Elissa Biegen, Gallagher
Finding Common Ground: Policy Wins in Divisive Times
Tracks: Advocacy & Public Policy; Equity, Justice & Inclusion
Big changes start with a simple idea, but moving from problem to system reform requires strategy. You will learn key steps from a multi-year campaign that united community partners, advocates, and lawmakers. This session covers issue framing, engaging lawmakers, and coalition building. Join us to gain practical strategies for effective, broad-based advocacy and increased impact.
Presented by Josh Crosson and Matt Shaver, EdAllies
Leading Through Loss: Grief-Informed Leadership for Change-Makers
Track: Leadership & Governance
Nonprofits today face relentless change in leadership, carrying unseen emotional weight often rooted in grief. This workshop offers a personal and practical approach to grief-informed leadership, drawing from Carley’s own experience. You will learn how to acknowledge loss, use tools to move through grief, and lead your team with clarity, compassion, and courage. Leading well starts with grieving well.
Presented by Carley Kammere, Wildflyer Coffee
Leveraging Business Partnerships to Advance Your Nonprofit’s Mission
Tracks: Fundraising, Grantseeking, Grantmaking; Leadership & Governance
Big challenges like economic equity and civic engagement require strong cross-sector partnerships — but aligning goals between nonprofits and businesses can be tough. This session features leaders from Genesys Works and employer partners sharing how they’ve built partnerships that benefit companies, communities, and students. You will gain best practices and real-world examples to strengthen or start your own cross-sector collaborations.
Presented by Allison Barmann and James Nagbe, Genesys Works – Twin Cities; Leah Henrikson, Securian; Jackie Berry, 3M Community Gives
Organizational Planning When Everything is on Fire
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Values, Vision & Mission
Amidst chaos and uncertainty, how do you lead, plan, and adapt without losing sight of your mission? This session is for executive directors, board members, and leaders making real-time decisions about what to keep, change, or let go. Through peer conversation, shared strategies, and honest reflection, you will gain practical tools and fresh perspectives for leading through the unknown.
Presented by Melissa Martinez-Sones and Roger Meyer, Mighty Consulting
Pivot & Persist: Agility, Equity, and Paths to Sustainability
Tracks: Equity, Justice & Inclusion; Fundraising, Grantseeking, Grantmaking
Learn how to stay rooted in equity and inclusion even as funders shift away from supporting this work. In this interactive session, you will work in groups to explore real-world scenarios, generate solutions, and receive real-time feedback. You will leave with practical tools to say DEI without saying DEI and a shared document of strategies created by all participants.
Presented by Donte Curtis, Catch Your Dream Consulting; Brianna Edwards, The Power of People Leadership Institute
Regulated & Resilient: Building Resilience Through a Trauma-Informed Lens
Tracks: Equity, Justice & Inclusion; Leadership & Governance
Resilience is often framed as “bounce back faster” or “push through no matter what.” But what if true resilience isn’t about doing more—it’s about responding differently? In this interactive session, you’ll discover how nervous system regulation is central to sustainable resilience. Explore how chronic stress and urgency culture affect nonprofit teams, and practice simple, trauma-informed tools to foster grounded, compassionate leadership. You’ll leave with practical strategies to support well-being and stability—for both yourself and your team.
Presented by Terri Allred, Allred Consulting
Rooted in Values, Learning from Nation Rebuilding
Tracks: Equity, Justice & Inclusion; Values, Vision & Mission
You will explore what it means to lead with values today through the lens of Native Nation Rebuilding principles. This interactive session uses real-world examples and reflection to deepen your understanding and offer actionable steps. You will learn how to align your leadership with values that support Native nations and create sustainable change. Join us to connect, reflect, and lead with renewed clarity and commitment.
Presented by Jessica Glidden, Anne O’Keefe Jackson, and Amber Annis, Native Governance Center
So You’re Thinking About a CRM…
Tracks: Communications & Technology; Leadership & Governance
Thinking about a CRM switch? This session will help you plan a tech transition that works—without the jargon or overwhelm. You will leave with practical tools to build buy-in, budget smartly, and create a system your team will actually use.
Presented by Andrea Hanson, Redpath Consulting Group
Round IV Breakout Sessions // 1:45-2:45 p.m.
AI in Nonprofits: Tensions and Practical Tools
Tracks: Communications & Technology; Leadership & Governance
AI is transforming the nonprofit world, but is it a helpful partner or a risky distraction? In this lively, interactive session, you will take a stand on real-world AI dilemmas through a Creative Tensions format that sparks debate, reflection, and laughter. You will leave with a practical self-assessment to gauge your organization’s AI readiness and a list of affordable tools you can actually use. Come for the heated debates, stay for the practical solutions!
Presented by Jordan Vernoy, See What I Mean
Developing Adaptive Boards to Govern Through Uncertainty
Track: Leadership & Governance
Nonprofits must navigate rapid and often unpredictable change, making adaptive board leadership more important than ever. This session will explore practical strategies for redesigning board meetings, committee structures, and financial communications to better support responsive governance. You will hear real-world examples and insights from a nonprofit board member who has successfully implemented these changes.
Presented by Kabo Yang, Propel Nonprofits; Thomas Keller, The Aliveness Project; Candice Ellis, Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce
Embedding Policy Advocacy and Engagement in Nonprofit Culture
Tracks: Advocacy & Public Policy; Values, Vision & Mission
Staff engagement can transform your nonprofit’s advocacy efforts, but earning true buy-in takes strategy and intention. In this session, you will learn how Neighborhood Development Center has made policy engagement a core part of their identity—from CEO conversations to staff-led legislative meetings. You will leave with practical ideas to embed advocacy into your culture, build relationships with lawmakers, and shape lasting impact even without a formal policy team.
Presented by Martha Grave, Earlsworth Letang, and Meti Abera, Neighborhood Development Center
Financial Scenario Planning Approaches
Tracks: Evaluation & Planning; Finance, Legal & Stewardship
Nonprofits have been figuring out how to continue to do their work in community despite uncertainty swirling around them, from Executive Orders aiming to eliminate DEI to loss of funding at the federal, state, and local levels. This session features real-world examples from three organizations that partnered with Propel to navigate funding challenges through financially informed scenario plans. You will learn when to use scenario planning, explore different approaches, and gain practical insights for applying it in your own organization.
Presented by Sarah Bauer Jackson and John Skillings, Propel Nonprofits
Panelists: Leah Porter, Propel Nonprofits; Brenda Jarosiewicz, HACER; Jill Johnson, Change Inc.
How to Go From Collaborating … to Cooperating
Tracks: Operations; Evaluation & Planning
Cooperatives (businesses owned by and for their members) offer a powerful model for nonprofits to solve shared challenges like rising service costs, unstable office space, and unaffordable insurance. This session introduces practical examples of how cooperatives can help nonprofits build long-term, cost-saving solutions together. You’ll leave with foundational knowledge to start cooperative conversations and partnerships within your network.
Presented by Katie Marty, Collectivity; Victoria Clark-West, Northcountry Cooperative Foundation/CoNorth; Erin Heelan, Platform CRE
Oops to Awesome: Celebrate Mistakes to Unlock Potential
Tracks: Values, Vision & Mission; Leadership & Governance
Mistakes aren’t just inevitable—they are essential for growth. In this interactive session, you will explore how embracing mistakes can boost connection, resilience, and problem-solving. You will learn the science behind why mistakes matter and gain practical tools to foster a failure-friendly team culture. Walk away ready to shift mindsets and celebrate learning out loud.
Presented by Kathleen Cannon, Girls on the Run Minnesota
Recharge to Resist: Finding Strength in Rest for Conflict Transformation and Activism
Tracks: Equity, Justice & Inclusion; Conflict Transformation
In this session you will learn why rest is essential for sustaining activism and transforming conflict. You will explore how deliberate pauses can build resilience, reduce burnout, and improve decision-making. The presentation will share practical strategies to care for your nervous system and stay grounded in stressful moments. You will leave with tools to approach justice work with clarity and balance.
Presented by Nikki Beasley and Lauren Thrift, Conflict Resolution Center
Reinvention as Resilience: Leading Through the Pivot
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Values, Vision & Mission;
When funding falls short or systems fail, how do you lead with purpose and resilience? In this session, Ronda Disch shares how her small nonprofit navigated a major pivot by downsizing, restructuring, and realigning with its core mission. You will gain a practical framework for scenario planning and values-based decision-making to help your organization adapt and thrive in uncertain times.
Presented by Ronda Disch, Disch Consulting and Alpha Emergence Behavioral Health
Start Up Status: From Chaos to Accountability and Impact
Tracks: Transparency & Accountability; Values, Vision & Mission
In a sector often resistant to accountability, how can it drive innovation and impact? This session will share how a start-up social enterprise thrived amid uncertainty by fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and strategic partnerships. You will learn reflective practices, communication tools, and policy strategies to embed accountability for lasting change.
Presented by Celeste Fionn and Emily Northey, Big Wonder Child Care
The Spaces Between: Supporting Underrepresented Organizational Leaders
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Equity, Justice & Inclusion
Explore how to support underrepresented individuals who are established within organizations. You will learn practical strategies to foster inclusion, understanding, and advocacy in complex dynamics. Through exercises and case studies, you will develop skills to create environments where diverse leaders thrive and shape culture. Join us to bridge gaps and empower all voices toward true equity.
Presented by Michael Nguyen, Global Ascent Consulting Corporation
Transforming Crisis into Opportunity: CAPI’s Journey to Organizational Resilience
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Values, Vision & Mission
Learn how CAPI turned a major financial deficit into a surplus within a year by transforming its structure, leadership, and financial strategy. This session offers a real-world case study with practical tools for financial discipline, staff engagement, board transformation, and strategic communication. You will leave with actionable steps to strengthen your organization’s resilience and stability during uncertain times.
Presented by Mary Niedermeyer, CAPI USA; Laura Martin, The Glinda Group
Round V Breakout Sessions // 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Board Service for Young Professionals
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Operations
This session invites emerging professionals to explore the impact they can have through nonprofit board service. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of board roles and how to confidently pursue leadership opportunities. Designed for those interested in career growth and inclusive leadership, the session highlights the importance of engaging the next generation in governance. Together, we’ll examine how to create more inclusive, multigenerational boards.
Presented by Cassidy Steinberg and Sarah Battis, Leaders of Today and Tomorrow
Cookies + Strategic Planning for Real Life
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Operations
Last session energy? We’ve got cookies and a planning framework for real life. This session offers a human-centered, adaptive approach to 2026 planning that matches your team’s true rhythms. Learn simple tools to look ahead, make tradeoffs, and stay in sync—plus get ready-to-use templates you can implement Monday morning—so you leave with clarity, momentum, and plans that respect the humans that move your mission forward. Doable, measurable, and built to evolve? Yes, please.
Presented by: Janie Dunckley Moore, Brico Works & Brico Collective
Employee Sourced Innovation: An Incubator Model
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Program Development
Innovation often starts with those on the front lines. This session shares how Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota created a staff-driven incubator program to surface bold ideas, support business case development, and fund pilot projects across the organization. You will gain practical tools to structure internal innovation efforts, engage staff at all levels, and align new ideas with strategic goals.
Presented by Laura Blue, Kim Miller, and Kyle Sommer, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Five Key Takeaways for Successful Building and Renovation Projects
Tracks: Finance, Legal & Stewardship; Transparency & Accountability
In this session, Executive Director Alma Flores and General Contractor Jill Kalogerson share their story of bringing capital project Plaza del Sol to fruition. They will share the collective learnings from Plaza del Sol and from many other renovation and construction projects led by nonprofit organizations. Attendees will leave with five actionable takeaways for nonprofit practitioners and teams to lead a successful renovation or new construction project.
Presented by Alma Flores, Latino Economic Development Center; Jill Kalogerson, RISE Collaborative Development
Follow the Leader: Leading After Founders
Track: Leadership & Governance
In this session, you will explore the rising leadership turnover in nonprofits, especially the challenges of transitioning from founder to new executive. Understand current factors driving turnover, and discover strategies to turn transitions into transformational opportunities. You will also learn how to engage boards, staff, and stakeholders for successful leadership change.
Presented by Jehra Patrick, Highpoint Center for Printmaking; Julie Bluhm, Bluhm Forward; Shateka Flowers, Family Values for Life
Leading from the Emerging Future: Living Into Adaptive Change
Tracks: Evaluation & Planning; Leadership & Governance
In a time of ongoing upheaval (ecological, political, and organizational), nonprofit leaders are navigating constant change while doing more with less. This session teaches adaptive leadership to build resilience, foster connection, and engage with upheaval in ways that can be generative and transformational. Framed through systems thinking and inspired by doula practices, this session shares strategies for expanding rooted values, building adaptive capacity, and forging unlikely partnerships, equipping participants with practical tools to lead with care and stay grounded in uncertainty.
Presented by Cat Polivoda, Alex Jacques, TideTurn.Co; Callie Chamberlain, Callie Chamberlain Inc.
Neurodiversity Affirmation and Accommodations in the Workplace
Track: Equity, Justice & Inclusion
This session explores how embracing neurodiversity benefits everyone. Learn about sensory needs, communication styles, and common workplace barriers—plus how to support all team members, diagnosed or not. You will learn beyond basic ADA compliance, gain practical tools, inclusive language tips, and a customizable checklist to create a more accessible, affirming nonprofit workplace.
Presented by Chelley McLear, Next in Nonprofits; Ellie Wilson, Autism Society of Minnesota
Safeguarding Nonprofit Data: Risks, Best Practices, and Legal Considerations
Tracks: Communications & Technology; Finance, Legal & Stewardship
Learn to recognize cybersecurity threats, develop data incident response plans, and understand legal obligations for effective support during a data breach. During this session, you will hear from a panel of tech, legal, and nonprofit specialists on proactively protecting the data you hold—especially on behalf of vulnerable constituents. Prepare to set aside worry and uncertainty, and approach data protection with greater confidence.
Presented by Karen Graham, Karen Graham Consulting; Jessica Birken, Birken Law Office; Jonathan Hatch, Saint Paul Media; Joel Barker, Brave North Technology
Today’s Federal Funding Landscape: What it Means for Minnesota
Track: Advocacy & Public Policy
Federal funds represent approximately 35% of Minnesota’s annual budget. These funds are critical to the State’s ability to administer essential programs and services. Over the past year, federal administrative actions, new laws, and shifts in federal fiscal policy have altered the funding landscape in ways that directly affect Minnesota’s budgetary stability and programmatic operations. This session will explore how recent federal actions are affecting Minnesota’s funding streams, what that means for state programs and grantmaking, and how Minnesota is responding to this evolving environment.
Presented by: Leah Corey, Sam Rockwell, Kery York-Myles, Minnesota Management & Budget
Reimagining Volunteerism: Equity, Engagement, and Innovation in a Changing World
Track: Volunteerism
Volunteerism is changing fast as social values and challenges shift. In this session, you will learn how to engage volunteers as vital changemakers driving justice and systemic progress. You will explore trends, how organizations are adapting, and inclusive models that center equity and lived experience. Leave with practical ideas and inspiration to transform volunteer programs in your community.
Presented by Tracy Nielsen, HandsOn Twin Cities; Kelly Mortvedt, Second Harvest Heartland
The Unright Thing: Your Catalyst for Breakthrough
Tracks: Leadership & Governance; Values, Vision & Mission
Innovation is now essential for nonprofit survival, not just progress. During this session, you will learn how to embrace a cultural shift toward creativity and collaboration to meet evolving challenges. Steve will share strategic tools and insights from decades of experience to help you lead confidently through uncertainty. Join us to push beyond comfort zones and turn roadblocks into breakthrough opportunities.
Presented by Steve Fredlund, The Safari Way
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