Nonprofit Leadership Summit 2024
The Nonprofit Leadership Summit, the NH Center for Nonprofits' signature event, brings together 250+ nonprofit board and staff leaders, along with corporate and philanthropic partners to explore trends and issues impacting the sector.
Full agenda available here. The day will include:
- Networking and opportunities to visit exhibitors
- Keynote address
- Community Conversations – Lifting Up Nonprofit Careers
- Lunch
- (5) Idea Exchange sessions
- Endnote
KEYNOTE
Beyond the Comfort Zone: Building Power through Committed Collaboration
Nonprofits can and should lead in this new era. The time is now to reshape our thinking, our language, and our approaches toward building our power through strategic collaboration. We relied on our superpowers of perseverance and tenacity during the unprecedented pandemic and moved through the crisis together. Imagine what can be done if we continue to work in this way. Donna Murray-Brown, Vice President of Strategy and Development for the National Council of Nonprofits, will share her journey toward bigger and bolder leadership through courageous collaboration.
About Donna Murray-Brown
Donna Murray-Brown is the inaugural Vice President of Strategy and Development of the National Council of Nonprofits. In her new role, Donna will lead the growth of NCN's core resources through practical and impactful strategic initiatives that integrate the knowledge, policy, and advocacy competencies and support the network in advancing those strategic initiatives.
Donna can trace her introduction to the nonprofit sector twenty-five years ago while serving on the United Way for Southeastern Michigan's advisory board. After transitioning from a 20+ year banking career, she officially began her career in the nonprofit sector in 2009. Initially, she led the work of the Metro Detroit Partnership Office for Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), a statewide membership organization serving nonprofits by providing a range of services, including advocacy, training, technology services, and civic engagement initiatives. In 2013, Donna was named president and CEO of the MNA. During her tenure at MNA, she is credited for being a bold and inclusive leader who created space for groundbreaking nonprofit initiatives.
Twice honored as a NonProfit Times Power and Influence Top 50 leader in the nonprofit sector, Murray-Brown was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2021 as one of the Most Influential Women in Michigan. She was also recognized as a 2024 Social Impact Woman to Watch by Nonprofit HR.
IDEA EXCHANGES
Following lunch, (5) sessions will be offered and you will be invited to attend the session of greatest interest. These sessions will provide nonprofit staff opportunities for dialogue and peer learning.
Fostering a Strong Culture to Drive Impact: Insights and Stories from Nonprofit Leaders
Join us for an inspiring session where a diverse panel of nonprofit colleagues share their experiences in building strong organizational cultures that drive meaningful impact. Through captivating stories and practical insights, our panelists will delve into the strategies and practices that have helped their organizations thrive. This session promises to spark a robust exchange of ideas, offering you the tools and inspiration to enhance your own nonprofit's culture and effectiveness.
- Facilitator: Latonya Wallace, Director of Community Relations, NH Community Loan Fund
- Panelist: Lauren Judd, Executive Director, Cornucopia Project
- Panelist: Gene Martin, Executive Director, NH Fiscal Policy Institute
- Panelist: Emma Stratton, Executive Director, Portsmouth Historical Society
The Power of Collaboration: Driving Impact through Partnership
Join us for an enlightening session where a diverse panel of nonprofit colleagues shares their stories about the transformative power of collaboration. Through engaging narratives and practical insights, our panelists will discuss how strategic partnerships have driven impactful results for their organizations. This session will ignite a robust exchange of ideas, providing you with the inspiration and tools to leverage collaboration for greater impact in your own nonprofit work.
- Facilitator: Laura Milliken, Executive Director, NH Hunger Solutions
- Panelist: Kerry Artman, Executive Director, Carter Community Building Association
- Panelist: Kate Constantine, Engagement Manager, Gather
- Panelist: Shana Hawrylchack, Executive Director, SEE Science Center
Getting to know Community-Centric Fundraising
Since Brightspot Consultants launched in 2018, the firm has been interested in Community Centric Fundraising (CCF), a movement aimed at breaking traditional fundraising practices that “perpetuate the very injustices the nonprofit sector wishes to end.” While Brightspot has learned a lot in the last six years, the team remains curious and continues to learn and share why making this shift is crucial, how to implement this type of change, and how to support clients in creating a fundraising model that centers the wide range of people that make up our communities.
In this session, Brightspot Partners and clients will share what they’ve learned about CCF, tips and suggestions for getting started, and will engage participants in discussion to push us all to think differently and more expansively about what fundraising is and how it can be done.
- Guests: Caitlin Delaney and Kelly Delekta, Brightspot Consultants and Mary Boisse-Barnes, Director of Development, Joan G. Lovering Health Center
Election Playbook for Nonprofits
Election season frequently raises important questions for nonprofit leaders regarding opportunities for stakeholder mobilization, candidate education, as well as staying clear of legal prohibitions on certain electoral activities. This panel will not only explore the dos and don’ts, it will also share models of successful nonprofit engagement so that we can make the most of the opportunity to educate candidates on the importance of our sector.
- Facilitator: Elissa Margolin, Public Policy Consultant, NH Center for Nonprofits
- Panelist: Olivia Zink, Executive Director Open Democracy
- Panelist: Ben Kremer, Organizing Director, NH Youth Movement
- Panelist: McKenzie St. Germain, New Hampshire State Director, America Votes
- Panelist: Grace Kindeke, Vote Together NH
DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Journeys
Facilitator: Anna Adachi- Mejia, Adachi Labs, LLC
Join us for an interactive workshop where we’ll share, learn, grow, and find support for your DEI journey, wherever you are. We will explore and consider new approaches to advancing equity at your nonprofit. Come prepared to share your stories, learn from other people’s stories, and bring your questions.
ENDNOTE
Leadership & Joy: Expanding our capacity to reclaim joy and transform our work
Let’s embrace the reality that our old ways of working were leading us to burnout. It's time to reimagine leadership by inviting curiosity and forging a new, deliberate path—a sustainable approach centered in joy and authenticity. By reclaiming joy, we can better navigate the challenges ahead while prioritizing our well-being. Our communities need your vibrant energy, but never at the cost of your physical or mental health. Join us to close out the Summit with reflections from Jennice Chewlin.
About Jennice Chewlin
Jennice Chewlin is the founder and driving force behind Chewlin Group, a workplace well-being consultancy focused on promoting mental health and social connection for organizations that give a damn. Leveraging more than 15 years of experience as a public health champion for health equity, she's designed an innovative approach to organizational well-being and employee engagement that centers joy, authenticity, and creativity. She believes that everyone deserves access to mental health and well-being resources that strengthen the ability to care for your mind and body and her work challenges the structural limitations imposed on our collective ability to thrive. Known as the "Reina of Joy", she focuses on supporting partners enhance their capacity for employee culture and engagement through training and facilitation, peer-learning, and consultation. As a new Granite Stater, she enjoys building community and volunteers with the Nashua Family Network.
