Leader to Leader Mentoring

Are you a new ED/CEO who needs some mentoring? This might be a fit for you!

Leader to Leader Mentoring Program - for NEW Executive Directors/CEOs as mentees and experienced Executive Directors/CEOs as mentors 

This exclusive benefit for Leadership Council members pairs new Executive Directors/CEOs with seasoned volunteer ED/CEOs. This opportunity is designed for executives new to their role, new to Greater Cincinnati, new to the nonprofit community or new to Leadership Council. Let someone who has walked in your shoes help guide you.

If interested, please reach out to info@leadershipcouncil.us.

23^rd Annual Nonprofit Leadership Summit

Leadership Council is pleased to partner with sponsor Barnes Dennig and Association for Fundraising Professionals to host an informative, educational, and engaging nonprofit summit. Held annually, we hope you can join us in 2025!

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Greater Cincinnati Foundation!

Our programming is designed for your mission and challenges. From small to large nonprofits organizations across the spectrum of our region, we have something for you!

Some of our programs are open to anyone and some are exclusive to Leadership Council members - learn more about the benefits of membership here.

Programming and resources to attract, nurture, and develop the nonprofit workforce in our region.

2023 LEADERSHIP LEGACY AWARDS

Leadership Challenge

The Leadership Challenge® 3-Day Experience

April 28-30, 2025 at Camp Joy (two-night stay)

Registration has closed.

The Leadership Challenge® is an intense and interactive three-day program that helps you tap into your personal leadership skills through a variety of activities. As you'll come to learn through The Leadership Challenge®, leadership isn't about titles. It's not about the position you hold. It's about the way you behave, the way you influence and the way you inspire. And each of you needs to serve as leaders as you work toward your shared vision. 

The below blocks are info from the previous page when Leaders Circles registration was live. These blocks have been updated on the live page to remove registration information.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Cintas Center

2026 conference sponsorship packages now available!

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Cintas Center

Which program is right for me?

Need help choosing a program for yourself or your team? Check out our upcoming programs guide below to learn more about our upcoming events, who should attend, plus all the pertinent details. If you have any questions, please reach out to info@leadershipcouncil.us.

We hope to see you at our upcoming programs! 

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Cintas Center

2026 conference sponsorship packages now available!

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Cintas Center

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Cintas Center

2026 conference sponsorship packages now available!

VUCA Leader:  Vision, Understanding, Clarity, & Agility
This award recognizes an early-career leader in the Greater Cincinnati nonprofit sector who is positively impacting their organization and the community through demonstrated:

Vision, Understanding, Clarity & Agility (VUCA+)
while operating in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex & Ambiguous (VUCA-) world

Jai’La Nored, Council on Aging, Senior Innovation Designer
In her role as Senior Innovation Designer at Council on Aging, Jai’La has managed development — in conjunction with the University of Cincinnati’s Live Well Collaborative — of two game-changing, original technologies that have the potential to be scaled and adopted for statewide or national use to make a notable difference to older adults and caregivers who require the support of help at home but aren't able to secure it due to a nationwide aide shortage. As a result of this partnership, Live Well has tapped COA as a subject matter expert to inform their other endeavors, including a project with Procter & Gamble related to older adults, hygiene and personal care.

Jai'La has also led the development and implementation of COA’s employee intranet and other projects that have touched all COA’s programs in some way. She has become a sought-after resource within COA when a creative solution is required to fix a problem or launch a new service.

Jai’La is actively engaged in volunteer leadership roles where she organizes and advocates on behalf of those whose needs aren’t being met and at-risk individuals and communities, including Xavier University, Community Matters, Rosemary's Babies Co., and Girls with Grit.

Leaders Circles 2026-27 registration has closed. 

Exclusive 2026-27 program sponsorship is still available (see full partnership lineup here).

Previous Event:

Your Story Is Worthy Too 

October 9, 2024, 8 am - 12 pm

Schiff Family Conference Center at Xavier Cintas Center

As leaders, we’re often so focused on sharing our organization’s mission that we forget the magic of sharing our own stories – and the power they have. Believing that your story is worthy transforms your posture in all circumstances.

In this groundbreaking keynote and workshop, we discovered how to release our internal self-doubt, eliminate imposter syndrome, and move past comparison mentality to grow visibility for our personal brand and thought leadership.

Through a series of comedic stories, Dana Snyder shared hard-won personal branding lessons to help us gain credibility and be recognized as a thought leader in our industry.

Following the workshop, Dana and special guest Karen Harshaw dove into annual giving and tackled our toughest questions.

This event was hosted by Barnes Dennig, the Association for Fundraising Professionals, and the Leadership Council for Nonprofits. Thank you to event sponsors Fifth Third Bank and Anne M. Maxfield, LLC.

Program Overview

• Monthly meetings (generally 90 minutes) September through May
• Regular meeting day, time, and location determined by each group and facilitator
• 8-12 nonprofit leaders grouped by role or responsibility
• Participants commit to meeting real-time challenges and creating solutions
• Skilled facilitation by a professional volunteer

NOTE:  this program is an exclusive benefit for Leadership Council nonprofit organization members - please verify your 2025 membership before registering.

Who's Coming? 

We hope you will join us at Securing the Future!

25th Hour

4C for Children

A Picture's Worth

Accelerate Great Schools

Activities Beyond the Classroom

Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership

AFP of Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati

ALS United Ohio

Allison Dolan Consulting

Alzheimers Association - Greater Cincinnati Chapter

Anne M. Maxfield, LLC

Arts & Humanities Consultants

ArtWorks

Bahl & Gaynor

Barnes Dennig

Beech Acres

Bethany House Services

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County

Black Achievers

Blue & Co.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Breakthrough Cincinnati

Brighton Center, Inc.

Building Value

Caracole

Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

Center for Closing the Health Gap in Greater Cincinnati

Center for Respite Care

Central Clinic Behavioral Health

CHNK Behavioral Health

Chronic Condition Care for You Inc

Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency

Cincinnati Computer Reuse

Cincinnati Preschool Promise

Cincinnati Preservation

Cincinnati Regional Chamber

Cincinnati ToolBank

Cincinnati Works

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative

Cindy Martin CPA

CityLink Center

Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Collab

Collective Spaces Design Works

Combined, a CHUBB Company

Co-op Cincy

Cooperative for Education

Cornerstone Renter Equity

Corporation for Findlay Market

Crayons to Computers

DBD Group

Easterseals Redwood

Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky

EngageKY

FIESTA

First Financial Bank

Forever Kings

Forvis Mazars

Found House IHN

Freestore Foodbank

Friends of Cinti College Prep Academy

Friends of Music Hall

From Fatherless to Fearless

Generation NOW

Gilman Partners

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio

Give Like A Mother

GO Pantry

GrantAlly

Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services

Hearing Speech and Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati

HER Cincinnati

HEY! Hopeful Empowered Youth

Hope's Closet

Housing Opportunities Made Equal

Huntington National Bank/Huntington Insurance

Ignite Philanthropy

IKRON Corporation

Immigrant & Refugee Law Center

Independence Alliance

Interact for Health

iSPACE

Jewish Family Service

Junior League of Cincinnati

Juniper

JVS Careers

Keep Cincinnati Beautiful

Last Mile Food Rescue

Leadership Bridges

Learning Grove

Lighthouse Youth & Family Services

Lincoln Heights Outreach Incorporated

Linden Grove School

Madisonville Emergency Assistance Center

Make It Count

Mary Magdalen House

Mercy Health Foundation

Mercy Neighborhood Ministries

Movers & Makers

New Life Furniture Bank

Next Step Networking

Oasis Senior Advisors

Ohio Justice & Policy Center

Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol / ProSeniors

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Partnerships for Advancing Community Health

Paylocity

Payroll Partners

Per Scholas

Perspective Guides

Philanthropy Ohio

PNC Bank

Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio

ProSeniors

Public Allies Cincinnati

RetireMed

Ronald McDonald House of Greater Cincinnati

S. Kastner Consulting

Samaritan Car Care Clinic

San Francisco Symphony

Sandra Hughes Strategies, Ltd.

Santa Maria Community Services

Scrap2Home

Shelterhouse

Sidekick Services

Signal & Proof

Social Venture Partners

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Cincinnati

St. Francis Seraph Ministries

St. Rita School for the Deaf

Strategic Impact Consultants

Strive Together

SuperSeeds LLC

Sycamore Capital

Talbert House

Tender Mercies

The Chatfield Edge

The Crossroads Center

The Dragonfly Foundation

The Grail in the U.S.

The Healing Center

The Health Collaborative

The LIT Movement

The Welcome House

Tikkun Farm

UpSpring

USI Insurance

Valley View Nature Preserve

Wesley Chapel Mission Center

Westwood Works

WordPlay Cincy

World Affairs Council - Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky

XPLANE at Tier1

YMCA Greater Cincinnati

YWCA Greater Cincinnati

Your Store of the Queen City

Advocacy & Public Relations

Soapbox Media "A Force for Good" series

Economic Impact Study

Research Resources:

Leading Through Innovation: Defining the Future of Nonprofit Talent Management (Nonprofit HR)

Nonprofit HR Practice

Nonprofit Compensation & Benefits Study         

Unemployment Savings & Workforce Solutions

Medicare & Insurance Guidance

Retirement Plans

Workers Compensation Savings

Health Plan Option

Other Resources for Nonprofit Executives/Dept Heads/HR Leaders:

Nonprofit Leadership Institute

Nonprofit Management Essentials Online Program: The Allstate Foundation offers free online training programs for nonprofit professionals through Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management's Center for Nonprofit Management.

HR Question of the Week - Clark Schaefer Strategic HR

Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio - Quarterly Employment Series and Employment Hotline

Local Workforce Organizations/Programs:

Cincinnati Works

JVS Careers

Regional Behavioral Health Workforce Coalition

Workforce Innovation Center (Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber)

Workforce Innovation Network (Hamilton County Educational Service Center)

Presenting Sponsor - available!

More info and registration:

PBPO Quarterly Employment Webinar Series: From Evaluation to Termination

IT Roundtable

Illuminated Rooftop Fundraiser

Securing the Future Conference

Quarterly Nonprofit Executive Forum

Quarterly Nonprofit HR Forum

BOLD Cohort 27

Career Pathways

For Jobseekers:

Curious about the kind of jobs available in the nonprofit industry? Check out these current job listings:

Leadership Council Job Board

Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News Job Postings

ArtsWave: Jobs in the Arts

Green Jobs (Green Umbrella)

AFP Cincinnati Job Listings

Some resources to explore careers:

My Next Move

Occupational Mobility Explorer (Federal Reserve Bank)

Academic Programs:

Northern Kentucky University:

Nonprofit Management & Leadership Certificate

University of Cincinnati:

Organizational Leadership: Non-Profit BA Program

Non-Profit and Community Leadership Certificate

Master of Public Administration Program

Xavier University:

Non-Profit Management BA Program

Opportunities for students, K-12:

NaviGo - Career Exploration Opportunities for Students

For Nonprofits:

LinkedUp Connect

To reach high school students in 30 local districts in SW Ohio, you can create an account and share “experienceships.” Or you can share with Leadership Council and we will publish them through our account.

For Educators:

Careers in Nonprofits Lesson Plans (Magnified Giving)

More Coming Soon!

Keynote Speaker

Jane Wei-Skillern, Ph.D.

Jane Wei-Skillern, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized pioneer in network leadership and nonprofit collaboration, with over two decades of research, teaching, and fieldwork experience. She is currently a Senior Fellow at the Center for Social Sector Leadership at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. Previously, she has served on the faculty at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Harvard Business School (HBS), and London Business School. She has studied and published extensively on nonprofit networks for more than two decades. She has also taught courses on social entrepreneurship, nonprofit strategy, and network leadership to MBAs and executives, and is the author and coauthor of dozens of publications, including journal articles and HBS and UC Berkeley Haas School of Business case studies.

Her widely cited research explores how social impact leaders—funders, executives, staff, and board members—can achieve greater mission impact by fostering trust-based networks and building on existing community assets rather than focusing primarily on organizational growth. Her 2013 article outlining the “Four Principles of Network Leadership” is the most downloaded article in The Foundation Review’s 15-year history, with over 31,000 downloads. She has also published several popular Stanford Social Innovation Review articles and white papers in partnership with Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) and Board Source.

Jane now works directly with nonprofits, boards, funders, and collaboratives to apply these principles and strengthen trust-based community partnerships. She regularly delivers keynotes, webinars, and workshops to support leaders building high-impact networks.

Visionary Board Leader
This award honors an established and proven board member of a nonprofit organization in the Greater Cincinnati region who has led their organization through transformational change, weathered difficult circumstances, or demonstrated outstanding vision and achievement.

Jack Geiger, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Immediate Past Board Chair
Like many organizations, CYC was impacted by COVID. CYC also experienced the loss of a significant grant that led to the layoff of 8 people (16% of the organization) and went through a challenging leadership transition. During a vacancy in the CEO role, Jack jumped in as the interim CEO to help lead the organization through this difficult time. He went way above and beyond as a volunteer to help stabilize relationships with critical partners, donors, and staff members.

His nominator, CYC CEO Amy Thompson said, “Jack has role modeled and taught us about: conflict resolution, relationship building, employee development, improving the culture, donor connections, follow up, embracing a strategic mindset and focus, and so much more. CYC is a mentoring organization and Jack embraces this to the core. Jack has mentored younger board members including a future board chair. Jack has enhanced board members, staff and students’ leadership capabilities. Jack is constantly making connections to other organizations to help the organization collaborate and have greater community impact. and impact.”

Attendance and Refund Policy

Consistent attendance is a crucial element to the trust built in Leaders Circles. Please ensure that you can commit to a meeting a month for nine months. The meeting time will be determined by each Circle with their facilitator before meetings begin. Refunds will not be issued after meetings start. If you miss more than two consecutive meetings, you may be asked to step away from the Circle.

Contact administration@leadershipcouncil.us with questions

REGISTER NOW

Check out this article from Harvard Business Review on the value of a peer to peer coaching program.

Interested in facilitating?

Each year, we need a few new volunteer facilitators for our Leaders Circle program. You can find out more about the role here. If this is something that interests you, please reach out to our Executive Director at bbenson@leadershipcouncil.us.

1. The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership you will learn are understandable, relevant, and applicable. Those who have already attended the program will tell you that they were able to immediately start leading in better ways.
2. The 30-plus years of research supporting this model of leadership continues to this day. There are decades of evidence proving that the program leads to higher results.
3. You leave the program with a number of options on how to lead more effectively, not simply with more work to do. It can actually reduce the feelings of overwhelm, which many are facing today.
4. It is regarded as one of the premier leadership development programs, available around the world.

2026 Conference Workshops

BEAM Center for Nonprofits is a merger of Leadership Council for Nonprofits, OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence, and Social Venture Partners Cincinnati. Stay tuned as we work to integrate our programs!

Program Overview

• Monthly meetings (90-120 minutes) September through May
• 6-10 nonprofit leaders grouped by role or responsibility
• Participants commit to meeting real-time challenges and creating solutions
• Meeting time and location determined by each group and facilitator
• Skilled facilitation by a professional volunteer

NOTE: This program is an exclusive benefit for Leadership Council members.

Keynote Sponsor

As the Founder of Positive Equation, Dana Snyder teaches non-profits how to use social media marketing and innovative technology to transform their online experiences. Dana has spoken at events such as the Classy Collaborative, Television Academy Foundation Summit, Cause Camp, NIO Summit, Take Stock in Children Statewide Conference, Dress for Success International Conference, Peer-to-Peer Forum, and many others.

After working in New York City and Los Angeles running digital campaigns for Movember, Dress for Success, Hashtag Lunchbag, LA84 Foundation, USTA, American Idol, and others, Dana wanted to share her learnings outside individual company boardrooms. In 2022, Dana launched her podcast, taking listeners behind the feed of compelling marketing strategies and case studies.

Today, through virtual workshops and in-person speaking engagements, she finds so much joy in sharing the room with people inspired to change the world providing intentional sessions designed for immediate impact whether guests are in the room…or on Zoom.

Leadership Council is pleased to launch “A Force for Good,” combining existing and new programming designed to draw attention to job opportunities in the nonprofit sector and equip nonprofit employers to attract and retain talent.

A natural complement to longstanding Leadership Council programming, A Force for Good will encompass three focus areas:

1. Nonprofit HR Practice (including recruitment/retention, culture, and compensation)
2. Career Pathway Education (at all levels of educational attainment)
3. Advocacy and Public Relations (positioning the sector as an economic force and career of choice)

PROGRAMMING & RESOURCES

Check our Event Calendar for related programs!

Securing the Future is an annual conference dedicated to building the strategic, leadership, and resource development skills of the board, staff, and donors of the region’s nonprofits. This educational conference is designed to address the needs and concerns of board members and senior leadership. In addition to the keynote address, participants will have a chance to interact with peers and attend breakout sessions led by local speakers for a deeper dive into the keynote topic.

For the conference's 25th year in 2025, Securing the Future was expanded to a full day, packed with even more breakout sessions and actionable content. This annual conference is dedicated to building the strategic, leadership, and resource development skills of the board, staff, and donors of the region’s nonprofits.

Inclusive Culture
This award recognizes a nonprofit organization that is welcoming at every level to every individual.

ArtWorks
To support its first formal board-approved DEIA plan, ArtWorks formed a DEIA committee, engaged an outside practitioner to help staff heighten cultural awareness, and in 2022 participated in the Ellequate Equity Certification Program which is focused on equity-centered action plans and data-driven insights. ArtWorks’ participation in the Ellequate program resulted in a silver level certification award which signified that the organization achieved significant progress in creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Through the Ellequate program ArtWorks assessed policies and practices and engaged staff to identify core strengths and growth areas. They created an individual and family leave policy to promote flexible support to help employees thrive professionally without sacrificing important and essential obligations. The policy includes paid maternity and paternity leave up to 12 weeks, medical leave up to 12 weeks and family care leave up to 6 weeks. Priorities for 2023-2024 were established that include standardized recruiting and interviewing processes to eliminate unconscious bias, articulation of flexible work options that are perceived as equitable for all roles, development of a transparent, standardized, and objective promotion policy, set leadership diversity targets, and enhanced internal and external communications that use inclusive and accessible language that welcomes all.

Since the implementation of the plan, there has been an increase over two years in BIPOC board representation from 13% to 33% and an increase over two years in BIPOC administrative staff representation from 7% to 38%. Both seasonal and year-round staff participate in cultural awareness training, with a cultural assessment and 1:1 coaching for all new year-round administrative hires. Seasonal employment includes the employment of 55% BIPOC young artists and 50%+ BIPOC teaching artists over a three-year period. Mental health 101 training is required for all staff working with young people and professional mental health resiliency training is provided to young people participating in ArtWorks programs.

Become a 2026 Securing the Future Conference Sponsor!

If you are interested in becoming a Securing the Future Conference sponsor, please download: 

Sponsorship Packages

Please contact Beth Benson with any questions!

Karen Harshaw is a seasoned fundraising and development professional with over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector, committed to empowering non-profits to maximize their impact and achieve their fundraising goals.

Karen’s distinguished career is marked by her exceptional leadership in guiding development and advancement teams, advising on philanthropic giving, and partnering with boards and leadership to drive fund development and governance initiatives. With a successful track record in strategic planning, major gift programs, corporate giving, and capital campaigns, Karen has raised millions for both private and public philanthropic campaigns.

As the first and only Black woman-led fundraising consulting firm in Cincinnati, (SPARK), Karen is a trailblazer in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the fundraising profession. Through SPARK, she strives to inspire fundraising professionals and boards to embrace a positive outlook on fundraising while amplifying the talents and experiences of fundraisers of color.

Gold Level Sponsor - available!

We are excited to announce that A Force for Good has been selected by Social Venture Partners Cincinnati as its next long-term investee as part of the Project XLR8 program!

Thank you to SVP Cincinnati for your faith in our idea to power up the nonprofit workforce. We're also grateful to Clark Schaefer Strategic HR and a generous private foundation for being seed-stage investors. Read the announcement in Movers & Makers! 

Circles available:

• Executive Director/President/CEO
• CFO, VP of Finance
• COO, VP of Operations
• Chief Development Officer, VP Development,  Development Director
• CHRO, VP HR, Human Resource Director
• CMO, Communications/Marketing Director
• Quality Assurance Professionals
• Volunteer Manager
• Program Director/Manager

We do our best to match similar positions and similarly sized organizations. Please select the group that most aligns with your current position or area of responsibility, regardless of your title.

Typically, we only form a Circle if at least six participants register. If you request a group that does not fill up, we will offer the opportunity to join a different type of group, or refund your registration fee.

Program Fee

Like membership dues, Leaders Circle fees are on a sliding scale to keep them affordable for all sizes of organizations, and is based on annual revenue from the most recent IRS Form 990 or 990EZ. The fees remain the same as last year.

This program was financially assisted by Millstone Fund. 

Keynote Speaker:

Jane Wei-Skillern, Ph.D., Senior Fellow at the Center for Social Sector Leadership, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley

Jane Wei-Skillern, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized pioneer in network leadership and nonprofit collaboration, with over two decades of research, teaching, and fieldwork experience. Learn more. 

Psychological Safety at Work: The Power of Diverse Perspectives

Creating a mentally healthy workplace goes beyond offering benefits—it requires building a culture where employees feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and be their authentic selves. We will explore the critical role psychological safety plays in supporting mental health at work and how a broadly diverse workforce strengthens that foundation. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of psychological safety, examine common barriers that prevent employees from feeling heard and valued, and learn practical strategies to foster inclusive, supportive environments. This session will provide actionable insights to help create workplaces where all individuals can contribute, thrive, and feel a true sense of belonging.

Presenter: Stephanie Schuckman, MA, MCLC, Senior Corporate Program Manager, 1N5

Stephanie Schuckman is the Senior Corporate Program Manager at 1N5, bringing more than 25 years of experience in corporate learning, higher education, leadership development, and organizational culture.

She designs data-informed learning experiences that turn complex ideas into practical action—strengthening employee engagement, inclusion, recruitment, retention, and individual growth. Stephanie is especially skilled at helping organizations build cultures where people feel supported, capable, and connected.

Before joining 1N5, Stephanie led large-scale professional development and research training initiatives at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, partnering with diverse stakeholders to deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes. Earlier in her career, she developed training programs and supported team leadership at Fidelity Investments.

At 1N5, Stephanie advances the organization’s mission to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote optimal mental wellness through proactive workplace education.

Audience: CEO/EDs specifically, yet all are welcome to attend.

Lunch Sponsor 

Facilitators needed!

Each year, we need a few new volunteer facilitators for our Leaders Circle program. People with prior coaching or facilitation experience, as well as veteran Leaders Circle members make great candidates. You can find out more about the role here. If this is something that interests you, please reach out to our Executive Director at bbenson@leadershipcouncil.us.

Leading Through Disruption: Building the Human Capacity AI Can't Replace

Nonprofit leaders are navigating burnout, disruption, and the growing demands of an AI-driven world — often without the internal capacity to sustain it. "Brain capital" — the human skills that drive adaptive, resilient leadership — is emerging as a defining factor in organizational sustainability. This session explores what the research tells us about the capabilities leaders need most, and offers practical tools to assess and strengthen them in your organization.

Presenter: Anne Wallace, Founder and CEO, Coaching for Change LLC

Anne Wallace, PhD, is Founder and CEO of Coaching for Change. She brings 20+ years applying behavioral science and positive psychology to leadership development — helping leaders and organizations build the human capacity to navigate change, strengthen their cultures, and achieve outcomes that last.

Audience: Executive directors and senior leaders responsible for organizational strategy and leadership development

Attendance Policy

Consistent attendance is crucial to the trust built in Leaders Circles. Please ensure that you can commit to 9 monthly meetings. Your facilitator will reach out in August to set a consistent meeting time for the full year — you are expected to respond by August 31 so all members can block their calendars before the year begins. Refunds will not be issued after meetings begin, and failure to participate in scheduling is not grounds for a refund. If you miss 2 or more Circle sessions, you may be asked to step away. Exceptions may be made for illness or emergency at the discretion of the Executive Director.

Check out this article from Harvard Business Review on the value of a peer to peer coaching program.

Breakfast Sponsor

Forvis Mazars

Stay in the know! Sign up to get updates on nonprofit workforce programs and resources from Leadership Council for Nonprofits.

2026 Conference Workshops:

“Psychological Safety at Work: The Power of Diverse Perspectives”

Stephanie Schuckman, MA, MCLC, Senior Corporate Program Manager, 1N5

“Leading Through Disruption: Building the Human Capacity AI Can't Replace”

Anne Wallace, Founder and CEO, Coaching for Change LLC

“Stronger Together: Mobilizing Volunteer Leadership for Fundraising Success”

Tara Noland, President, Ignite Philanthropy

“Building the Future: Aligning Strategy, Funding, and Innovation for Sustainable Impact”

Ashley Afya, Director of Consulting Services, BEAM Center for Nonprofits, and panel

“Planning for Fundraising Growth: Aligning Mission, Revenue, and Capacity”

Katie Askey, Founder & Principal Consultant, Katie Askey Consulting

“Your Board Isn't Broken—It's Governing the Wrong Organization”

J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D., Director of Executive Search and Senior Management Consultant, Cooper Coleman

“Mindful Leadership: Leading with Presence, Resilience, and Connection in Times of Change”

Nune Sargsyan, Chief Development Officer, Santa Maria Community Services; Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Sweet Mandala

“Operationalizing Mission Through Technology”

Jill Collet Riester, Vice President, Operations, Programs & Member Services, The Health Collaborative

“Practicing Curiosity: Choosing Courage Over Certainty”

Shiloh Turner, Principal, Executive Philanthropy Advisors

“Strategy to Service: Implementing Vision with Purpose, Alignment and Commitment”

Laura Mitchell, President and CEO, Beech Acres

“Recession-Proof Revenue: The Leadership Decision Hiding in Your Boardroom”

Ligia Peña, CFRE, International Legacy Consultant, Globetrotting Fundraiser

Stronger Together: Mobilizing Volunteer Leadership for Fundraising Success

Every successful campaign depends on volunteers—but how do executive leaders inspire them to become true fundraising partners? In this candid panel discussion, local executive directors will share lessons learned from leading major campaigns and capital projects, highlighting the strategies that helped volunteers move from passive supporters to passionate ambassadors. Through real-world stories and practical insights, attendees will gain actionable ideas for recruiting, engaging, and partnering with volunteers to build momentum, strengthen relationships, and achieve ambitious fundraising goals.

Presenter: Tara Noland, President, Ignite Philanthropy

Tara Noland is President and co-owner of Ignite Philanthropy, where she has helped clients raise more than $500 million since 2020. A former nonprofit executive, Tara brings deep experience in campaign strategy, fundraising, and organizational leadership, helping nonprofits build stronger organizations and achieve ambitious philanthropic goals.

 Audience: CEO/EDs, fundraisers, board members; any size or stage nonprofit

Media Sponsor

Thanks to our seed-stage investors!

These companies and foundations have invested in launching our expanded programming to address nonprofit workforce issues. To help scale this work, reach out!

Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News

Social Venture Partners Project XLR8

Conference Sponsorship:

Your business or foundation's sponsorship gives you visibility before, during, and after the conference to a broad cross-section of nonprofit leaders. Plus, it helps keep the ticket cost accessible to more nonprofits!

Workshop Sponsors - available!

Past Keynote Speakers:

2025: Suzanne Smith; Patrice Borders

2024: Kishshana Palmer

2023: Vu Le

2022: Pearl Alexander

2021: Vanessa Mason

2020: Barry Posner

2019: Alton Fitzgerald White

2018: Bob Johansen

2017: Vu Le

2016: Amanda Maria Navarro

2015: Jason Saul

2014: Paul Alofs; Nell Edgington

2013: Randall Moss; Amy Sample Ward

2012: Dan Pallotta

2011: Paul Carttar/Rosetta Thurman

2010: Peter Goldberg; David Kuehler; Rich Boehne

2009: Bob Johansen; Jan Masaoka

2008: Ruby Payne; Carol Weisman

2007: Paul Light; William Butler

2006: Jerr Boschee; James Votruba

2005: Elizabeth Beresford; Peter Block

2004: Bernard Ross; Claire Gaudiani

2003: Norma Hotaling; Peter Benson

2002: Doug Hall; Kathy Merchant

2001: Francis Hesselbein

Building the Future: Aligning Strategy, Funding, and Innovation for Sustainable Impact

In our rapidly changing nonprofit environment, organizations must balance mission, sustainability, and growth. This panel brings together leaders in strategic planning, philanthropy, and artificial intelligence to discuss how nonprofits can build stronger futures through intentional planning, funding readiness, and innovation. Participants will gain practical insights into developing actionable strategic plans, understanding what funders seek in funding requests, and leveraging AI to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and organizational capacity. Attendees will leave with tools and strategies they can immediately apply to strengthen their organization's impact and long-term sustainability.

Presenter: Ashley Afya, Director of Consulting Services, BEAM Center for Nonprofits

Ashley Afya is a dynamic leader, strategist, and advocate for nonprofit excellence, with a steadfast commitment to strengthening communities and advancing equitable opportunities. With more than ten years of consulting experience across healthcare, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations, Ashley has built a reputation for helping teams develop stable, sustainable programs and high-functioning divisions that are positioned for long-term success.

Ashley currently serves as the Director of Consulting Services at BEAM Center for Nonprofits, where she partners with organizations to design innovative strategies, implement sustainable solutions, and strengthen internal operations. Her portfolio spans strategic planning, program development, organizational audits, leadership coaching, and sustainability planning.

Ashley also founded Accent Events that specializes in nonprofit events that elevate outreach, boost visibility, and drive organizational growth. She helps nonprofits deepen donor engagement, expand networks, and bring their missions to life through intentional, high-impact experiences for organizational growth.

Ashley’s diverse background across healthcare, construction, and the nonprofit sector fuels her ability to understand complex challenges and deliver solutions that are practical, innovative, and community-driven. She is also a certified expert in Leadership Development, Equity, and Inclusion, bringing a holistic perspective to every project.

Audience: CEO/EDs and Development teams

Happy Hour Host

LARaterman Associates

Planning for Fundraising Growth: Aligning Mission, Revenue, and Capacity

Many nonprofit organizations set ambitious fundraising goals without first defining what additional revenue would make possible or what investments will be required to achieve sustainable growth. This interactive session will introduce a practical framework for aligning fundraising goals with mission impact, organizational capacity, and strategic priorities. Participants will work through a simple scenario-planning exercise to evaluate growth opportunities, identify resource needs, and determine whether their organization is truly ready to pursue additional revenue. Attendees will leave with a worksheet and actionable tools to support future planning conversations with staff, leadership, and board members.

Presenter: Katie Askey, Founder & Principal Consultant, Katie Askey Consulting

Katie Askey is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Katie Askey Consulting. With more than a decade of experience in fundraising, campaign planning, and development operations, she previously held leadership roles at Riley Children's Foundation, where she helped plan and manage a $300 million comprehensive campaign.

Audience: Executive directors/CEOs, fundraising professionals, and board members; most relevant for organizations in growth or mature stages

Silver Level - available!

Your Board Isn't Broken—It's Governing the Wrong Organization

Nonprofit boards rarely fail because they lack commitment—they struggle because they continue governing the organization they remember instead of the one it is becoming. As public scrutiny, funding, workforce expectations, technology, and community needs evolve, leaders must help boards evolve as well. This interactive session introduces the Future-Ready Board Framework, giving leaders practical tools to strengthen board partnership, navigate change, and prepare their organizations for what's next.

Presenter: J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D., Director of Executive Search and Senior Management Consultant, Cooper Coleman

J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D., a nationally recognized nonprofit thought leader has spent more than 30 years helping organizations evolve through leadership transitions, governance challenges, and strategic growth. Having served as CEO, COO, board president, and executive search consultant, he brings practical insight from every seat at the boardroom table.

Audience: Board members, CEO/EDs, C-Suite leaders

Break Sponsor

Excelsior Accounting Services

Bronze Level Sponsors - more available!

Bartlett Wealth Management

Better Business Bureau Cincinnati

Blue & Co./Blue Pioneer

Ignite Philanthropy

Anne M. Maxfield, Nonprofit Consultant

Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co.

US Bank

Mindful Leadership: Leading with Presence, Resilience, and Connection in Times of Change

Nonprofit leaders are navigating unprecedented levels of complexity, uncertainty, and change. Yet sustainable leadership requires more than strategic thinking - it requires the ability to remain present, resilient, and connected while facing daily challenges. In this interactive session, participants will explore practical mindfulness-based approaches to managing stress, responding rather than reacting, active listening, and fostering authentic workplace relationships. Drawing on contemporary mindfulness practices and real-world nonprofit leadership experience, attendees will learn simple tools they can immediately apply in meetings, difficult conversations, decision-making, and self-care. Participants will leave with actionable strategies for leading with greater clarity, compassion, and effectiveness.

Presenter: Nune Sargsyan, Chief Development Officer, Santa Maria Community Services; Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Sweet Mandala

Dr. Nune Sargsyan is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Inner MBA graduate, and nonprofit leader with nearly 25 years of fundraising experience. Her mindfulness practice deepened through her own healing journey from chronic pain. Today, she combines lived experience, mindfulness, and nonprofit leadership to help others cultivate resilience, presence, and compassionate leadership.

Audience: CEOs, senior leaders, fundraisers, board leaders, and emerging leaders; organizations in any stage

Operationalizing Mission Through Technology

Technology projects often fail when they start with the tool instead of the mission. In this session, The Health Collaborative and TDEOS will share an 18-month case study of replacing an underused CRM, automating reporting, improving stakeholder visibility, and building toward an AI-enabled operating model. Beyond the tools, this session focuses on what made the transformation work: investing time upfront to understand process and data, choosing technology aligned with staff capability, and bringing the team along through change management. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for operationalizing mission through technology.

Presenter: Jill Collet Riester, Vice President, Operations, Programs & Member Services, The Health Collaborative

Jill Collet Riester applies her training in engineering and public health to lead initiatives at The Health Collaborative at the intersection of technology, mission, and process. Her work builds the capacity and efficiency to unite and empower healthcare stakeholders and community partners to address critical healthcare issues best solved together.

Audience: CEO/EDs, CFOs, COOs, technology and operations leaders at small-to-midsize nonprofits

Practicing Curiosity: Choosing Courage Over Certainty

Today's nonprofit leaders are expected to have answers amid uncertainty, scarcity, and constant change. But what if one of the most courageous leadership choices is resisting certainty in favor of curiosity? Drawing on insights from a Fulbright in Central Europe and 25 years of nonprofit leadership, this interactive session explores how practicing curiosity helps leaders reclaim agency, ask better questions, strengthen relationships, and rediscover purpose—even when circumstances remain beyond our control.

Presenter: Shiloh Turner, Principal, Executive Philanthropy Advisors

Shiloh Turner, MPA, IPA, is Principal of Executive Philanthropy Advisors and a nationally recognized advisor on philanthropy, collective impact, and civic infrastructure. A 2026 Fulbright U.S. Scholar to the Czech Republic, she helps foundations, nonprofits, and cross-sector partnerships strengthen leadership, collaboration, and lasting community impact.

Audience: CEO/EDs, senior leadership teams, board, foundation staff, consultants, and emerging nonprofit leaders

Strategy to Service: Implementing Vision with Purpose, Alignment and Commitment

In today’s rapidly evolving social landscape, having a bold vision isn’t enough, execution is everything. This workshop equips leaders and changemakers in social services with the tools to translate strategic plans into high-impact service delivery. Participants will explore how to align organizational vision with community needs, build implementation roadmaps that are both agile and accountable, and lead teams with clarity and purpose. Through real-world examples, interactive exercises, and practical frameworks, attendees will leave with actionable strategies to drive measurable outcomes and foster lasting change. 

Presenter: Laura Mitchell, President and CEO, Beech Acres

Laura Mitchell is President and CEO of Beech Acres, leading a vision to nurture children’s strengths and unlock their potential. Former Cincinnati Public Schools superintendent, she guided 36,000 students through crisis and drove growth. A Cincinnati native, she champions innovative, family-centered solutions that empower communities and transform outcomes for youth. 

Audience: CEO/EDs, VP or Director level leadership

Recession-Proof Revenue: The Leadership Decision Hiding in Your Boardroom

Government grants wobble, donor cycles swing, and reserves run thin. Legacy giving is the most resilient revenue a nonprofit can build, committed years in advance and decoupled from the economic cycle, yet most organizations never ask for it. With $124 trillion set to change hands by 2048, your mission's future may already be written into someone's will. This session makes the financial case for legacy giving as a sustainability strategy, then tackles the leadership and governance moves that set a program up to succeed rather than stall. Leave ready to put it on your board's agenda.

Presenter: Ligia Peña, CFRE, International Legacy Consultant, Globetrotting Fundraiser

Ligia Peña, CFRE, is President of Globetrotting Fundraiser, helping nonprofits with fundraising and legacy strategy. A PhD candidate at the University of Kent, she researches how trust shows up in the donor-charity-fundraiser relationship in legacy giving. An AFP Certified Facilitator and international presenter, she empowers nonprofits to think about legacies creatively. 

Audience: CEO/EDs, fundraisers; startup to mature organizations