education sessions
Bamboo vs. Bonsai: Applying and Creating an Organizational Entrepreneurial Mindset
Room: Regency Ballroom
Friday, October 21
10:45am - 11:45am
Individuals with Entrepreneurial Mindsets look for fresh alternatives, willingly accept risks, and are resilient to failure. But how do we as leaders ethically and inclusively create a team approach, an Organizational Entrepreneurial Mindset (OEM?) Do we go for fast-growing, dynamic change (bamboo) or a longterm, incremental-improvement approach (bonsai)? In this interactive session, we explore which components of EM are useful in development and explore research-based decision-making matrices to implement EM-thinking for greatest organizational impact.
Speakers
Benjamin Mohler, ACFRE, CFRE, MA
GivingThree LLC - Principal Consultant and Executive Director
Benjamin Mohler most recently served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Kentucky Community and Technical College System. He oversaw all advancement operations for 16 colleges, 70 campuses, and 100,000+ students. He has served in key advancement roles at Eastern Kentucky University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Cedarville University, and University of Texas Austin. With a masters in philanthropy from St. Mary’s University, Ben serves as principal of GivingThree LLC. A CFRE and one of just 110 Advanced Certified Fundraising Executives, he serves on the ACFRE Board. He was named Charlotte Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” in 2013.William (Bill) Bartolini, ACFRE, MA, PhD
Bartolini Philanthropic - Principal
Bill Bartolini, Ph.D., ACFRE, is a well-known mentor, AFP Master Fundraising Teacher, coach, and counselor in philanthropy. He served on his local and the Global AFP board, and AFP Foundation. After 40 years in the profession, Bill recently retired from Ohio State where he solicited gifts of $5M+. He previously worked at George Washington University, Northeastern (where he was VP for Development), Kent State, Ball State, and a variety of nonprofits. Bill received degrees from Ball State, Indiana University, and Kent State, where his PhD dissertation asked “What do People Think and Feel when You Ask them for Money?”IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access): Moving the Fundraising Community Forward
Room: Window Box
Friday, October 21
10:45am - 11:45am
As the world around us demands our continual evolution to ensure equity and inclusion, it can be difficult for nonprofits and nonprofit leaders to know where to begin. This program is a genuine, candid space to explore the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Liberation (IDEAL) and the effect of these principles on the communities we serve and organizations as a whole.
Speakers
Illyasha (Illy) Peete, MA, MBA
California Life Sciences & Center for Excellence in Nonprofi - Executive Director of Racial and Social Equity & CEN Consult
Illy earned a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Western Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration in Global Management from Ashford University. She earned a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University and a certification from BoardSource in nonprofit leadership. In addition to all of her work experience, Illy has a 25-year history of board service and currently serves as the Vice President of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).The Leadership Factor: Why Some Fundraising Professionals Always Succeed
Room: Imperial Ballroom West
Friday, October 21
10:45am - 11:45am
No longer is it enough to be the best fundraiser in the room. Through a commitment to character development, continual learning, confirming the fundamentals, innovation, and modeling excellence, the leader of a development program can bring out the best from their team and build a successful program of significance. Through this session walking through the speakers’ new book BeneFactors, attendees will learn the key factors to becoming leaders of the modern fundraising enterprise.
Speakers
Josh Birkholz, MA
Building A Community of Care: Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellness At Work
Room: Arboretum 1
Friday, October 21
10:45am - 11:45am
Organizations want to optimize results by supporting employees' mental health and well-being. However, with the growing mental health crisis, it's more important than ever for managers to support their teams. Join us as we proactively review policies and programs, including implementing innovative professional development mental health and wellness programs.
Speakers
Linda McGhee, JD, PhD
McGhee & Associates, LLC
Dr. Linda McGhee is a licensed clinical psychologist who speaks and writes nationally on mental health, race, and education. She received her Psy.D. from George Washington University following a career as an attorney. Dr. McGhee is on the Board of Directors and the President of the Maryland Psychological Association. Dr. McGhee specializes in speaking and training on mental health, diversity and inclusion, and culturally competent therapy and assessment.Advocacy in the Nonprofit Sector: What, Why, and How
Room: Arboretum 4
Friday, October 21
10:45am - 11:45am
More than ever, the nonprofit sector has an important role and responsibility in advocacy work. This session will provide a framework to understand what advocacy work actually entails, how and why the nonprofit sector fits into it, and concrete and practical ways nonprofit professionals may be advocates for the communities they serve, the causes they care about, and the organizations they represent.
Speakers
Lillian Ortiz, MSW
Preparing Your Nonprofit For Growth and Success: Lessons Learned from a High Growth For-Profit
Room: Arboretum 1
Friday, October 21
1:45pm - 2:45pm
Determining how to shift strategies in a tough economic environment is difficult for any organization. Your nonprofit’s brand, mission, vision, and values are all vital to your nonprofit’s success, but when was the last time you evaluated your organization’s unique story? In this session, Bloomerang’s Chief Marketing Officer will share mistakes and lessons learned from her first-hand experience with leading high-growth companies – and all the leadership challenges and successes she’s gathered along the journey.
Speakers
Bloomerang - Chief Marketing Officer
As Bloomerang‘s Chief Marketing Officer, Ann is responsible for thought leadership, brand, marketing, and community outreach programs that work to strengthen relationships with nonprofits. Ann brings with her more than 24 years of experience in business-to-business marketing, and was named one of the “Top Women Leaders in SaaS of 2018.”How to Leverage Strategic Alliances for Optimal Financial Management
Room: Arboretum 4
Friday, October 21
1:45pm - 2:45pm
With new organizations popping up almost daily, small grassroots community organizations have the opportunity to join forces with those doing similar work in order to cut costs, maximize impact in the community, and ultimately grow together. Join this session to see examples of strategic alliances we have formed and how you can negotiate similar alliances within your organizations.
Speakers
Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, CFRE, MBA, PhD
Edgehill Neighborhood Partnership - Executive Director
Dr. Quintanilla Plattsmier has twelve years of experience in the nonprofit sector, has worked with 50+ organizations, and raised approximately $4 million. She currently runs her own nonprofit consulting firm, AQP Consulting, and is the Executive Director of Edgehill Neighborhood Partnership. She was the youngest recipient of AFP's Outstanding Young Professional in 2018 and recently completed AFP's Women's Impact Initiative Leadership Development Program. She currently chairs the AFP LEAD Host Committee and serves on AFP’s Emerging Leaders Initiative Task Force where she chairs the mentor program.How to Succeed with Succession Planning
Room: Regency Ballroom
Friday, October 21
1:45pm - 2:45pm
Nonprofit senior-level leaders and C-suite roles are not immune to the employment factors contributing to the great migration. Organizational leadership must adequately plan for the “who” comes next in addition to the “what” comes next that we typically see in strategic plans. Those responsible for nonprofit succession planning and hiring need to be mindful of current trends and best practices, and make the most of technology that can help leaders ensure smooth transitions.
Speakers
Kimberly O’Donnell, CFRE, ACC
Rahul Shah, MBA
How to Maximize Employee Engagement
Room: Window Box
Friday, October 21
1:45pm - 2:45pm
Employee engagement manages employees' perspectives on the crucial elements of your workplace culture. You can discover if employees are actively engaged, or simply putting in their time. With the right approach, you can improve employees’ connection to their work and to the organization.
Speakers
Sargent Solutions Inc - President and CEO
Wendy Smith has worked in fundraising for over 30 years! She named Sargent Solutions, which she launched in 2006, after her father who became disabled while Wendy’s mother was pregnant with her. After witnessing her parents’ pursuit of giving back to a community that had given them so much, it has always been her belief that one person can make the world a better place. Sargent is doing an impressive job of living this belief. Wendy has created a cohesive family of high achievers dedicated to making a difference.Leading to Inspire Joy in your Development Team
Room: Imperial Ballroom West
Friday, October 21
1:45pm - 2:45pm
Overwhelmed. Disconnected. Frustrated. Your mission – inspire Joy in your development team. How? We’ll explore how values have changed and today’s stressors have left many development professionals fragile and uncertain. Then we’ll deep dive into helpful assessment tools and tips for leading JOY that will inspire renewed energy, creativity and excitement for fostering generosity. Bring your success strategies to share. You will learn, sing, have fun and leave with a long list of effective ideas.
Speakers
Marcy Heim, CFRE, AFP Master Teacher, Certified Speaking Profession-NSA and Professional Life Coaching Certification, UW Madison
The Artful Asker - CEO
Marcy Heim, CEO, The Artful Asker, lives to inspire generosity and transformation! She’s a resilient risk-taker enhancing your major giving, leadership and life! She has 20+ years managing teams and a leadership-level portfolio at UW-Madison through 3 campaigns including the $1.8 Billion Create-the-Future Campaign. As a consultant since 2006, Marcy’s in-person & virtual presentations and coaching programs have empowered fundraisers/boards with skills/confidence to raise millions. Credentials include: CSP, PLCC (UW-Madison), CFRE, AFP Master Teacher, CASE Crystal Apple and CASE Laureate. Her book, "Empowering Effective Development Ambassadors" is a key board resource. You will learn, be lifted up, and have fun.Prospecting Perfection: Organize Your Portfolio for Optimal Results
Room: Arboretum 1
Friday, October 21
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Whether you’re new to fundraising or a seasoned vet, a functional organized, portfolio is a must-have. Oftentimes, portfolios can get convoluted or out of line with the fundraising goals of your organization. This session provides valuable tips on how to assess your portfolio for improvement, clear a path for an intelligible prospecting direction, and follow that trail for a long-term, successful strategy for yourself and your team.
Speakers
The Urgency of Now: We Need a New Approach to Planning
Room: Arboretum 4
Friday, October 21
3:00pm - 4:00pm
We need to stop looking to the past for solutions and to charge forward and take the risks necessary to truly reinvent our organizations to meet the needs of a changing world. The pandemic has taught us when laying plans, whether they be specific to fundraising or designed with larger organizational, programmatic, or operational goals in mind, a reliance on what we have done in the past has never been less predictive of the future.
Speakers
Craig Shelley, CFRE
Orr Group - Partner and Chief Growth Officer
Craig Shelley is Partner and Chief Growth Officer at Orr Group, which provides nonprofits with strategy, fundraising, leadership and management solutions and has offices in New York City and Washington, DC. Craig partners with the sector’s most ambitious leaders to help realize their organizational goals. Prior to joining Orr Group, Craig served in a variety of positions with the Boy Scouts of America, most recently as the national director of development and corporate alliances. He serves a the President-Elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ New York City Chapter and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).The Paradox of Leadership
Room: Regency Ballroom
Friday, October 21
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Leadership is a privilege and at the same-time a painful experience. So many responsibilities, so many voices, so many challenges, it can make even a veteran leader want to run for the hills! Giving and receiving feedback is often at the center of this issue and individual and group exercises will help us get on top of the practice. We will also discuss how to handle the hurt through work/life balance and self-care.
Speakers
Lisa Stueckemann, CFRE, MNA
New Life Solutions - Vice President of Philanthropy
Lisa Stueckemann, MNA, CFRE, is the Vice President of Philanthropy at New Life Solutions on the West Coast of Florida. Her undergraduate degree in theatre from the University of Cincinnati and master of nonprofit administration from North Park University provide a unique and creative lens to her fundraising strategy and leadership style. She has on-the-ground experience in annual giving, major gifts, corporate philanthropy, event design, and planned giving. Lisa is a member of the AFP Tampa Bay Chapter serving in the Mentor-Protege Program and as a facilitator for their Leadership Affinity Group.Embracing I.D.E.A. During Hiring: What Nonprofits Can Learn From My Job Search
Room: Window Box
Friday, October 21
3:00pm - 4:00pm
We’ve all heard about ‘The Great Resignation.’ Now come hear how one seasoned fundraiser navigated a job search during the pandemic, uncovered some unsavory hiring practices, and what your nonprofit can learn from it to ensure you are embracing I.D.E.A. during your next hiring process.
Speakers
Sarah Cortell Vandersypen, CFRE, MA
Philanthropic Partners - CEO and Consultant
Sarah Cortell Vandersypen, CFRE has more than 10 years of fundraising and consulting experience. She currently leads a consulting firm, Philanthropic Partners, which provides training and coaching services. Most recently, Sarah served as the Vice President of Development for HelpCureHD. She is dedicated to advancing the profession as a committee member for AFP Global, board member for the Greater Baton Rouge Chapter, an AFP Master Trainer, and a former Board Member for AFP Global.How to Impact Your Personal Wealth with Better Passive Investments
Room: Cottonwood
Friday, October 21
3:00pm - 4:00pm
We're all focused on creating a positive impact on the world and improving our communities, but how do we impact our own lives, especially with personal finances. In this session, we’re going to explore how to use passive investments to create a springboard and cushion for ourselves financially.
Speakers
Angela Matthews, CFEI, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL EDUCATOR
Happy Investor Method
Angela E. Matthews is an Investment Coach, and founder of the Happy Investor MethodTM. As an experienced investor of over 12 years, she has conducted workshops and 1:1 coaching with thousands of individuals. As a first-generation investor, she was making $40,000 a year, and was six figures in debt when she taught herself how to generate multiple 6 figures passively in the stock market. Her goal is to make investing accessible and fun for all.The Lonely Road to Leading
Room: Imperial Ballroom West
Friday, October 21
3:00pm - 4:00pm
It’s not as glamorous as social makes it seem on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. It can be challenging and lonely. True leaders will ensure they do what’s right, even at their cost. They often take the high road concerning truth and ethics. They take the hard times straight on and make the tough calls. This session will explore the Leadership experiences of three leaders about their diverse backgrounds based on gender, race, disabilities, and sexuality.
Speakers
Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, LLC - Founder, and CEO
With over 30 years in the philanthropic industry, Dwayne Ashley has utilized his knowledge of fundraising and passion for social justice to create opportunities for people of color through his founding of Bridge Philanthropic Consulting (BPC), the nation’s only full-service Black-owned fundraising firm. Throughout his career, Dwyane sought to align with organizations that shared his values regarding the betterment of Black-and-Brown people and, through that alignment, has raised over $1 billion to support those communities.Tammy Smithers, Ed.d
