CSR Communications

[Executive Forum] How Funders Can Adapt 2026 Grantee Capacity Building Plans to Meet Shifting Needs
2025-12-02 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
The Reality: The ground beneath your grantees has fundamentally shifted this year. Nonprofits and funders agree that an increasing share of social impact is at risk from unexpected events.
Why It Matters: Every dollar and resource provided counts more than ever, and you need to feel confident that what you provide will make a difference for the organizations, causes, and people you support.
What nonprofits need from funders today is different from what they needed 18 months ago. And if your capacity-building plans aren’t focused on organizational resilience, then the gap between what you’re providing and what your grantees actually need will grow in 2026.
The Challenge: If you’re designing 2026 learning communities or capacity-building initiatives the same way you have for the past few years, you’re solving for yesterday’s problems. How do you adapt your plans to meet the needs of now?
Join peer foundation leaders to explore:

Lessons from T. Rowe Price Foundation’s Leading Through Change: The Board’s Role cohort – what worked, what surprised them, and what they’re applying to 2026 planning;

What nonprofit leaders are looking for from funders now that’s different from 18 months ago (from a CEO/board chair living it);

Practical ideas for adapting your 2026 capacity-building and grantee learning community plans.

This forum is for you if you’re finalizing 2026 plans and wondering how to invest time, energy, and dollars wisely and effectively.
Special guests:

Sabrina Thornton, Creativity & Innovation Program Officer, T. Rowe Price Foundation

Jennifer Bell-Ellwanger, President & CEO, Data Quality Campaign; Board Chair, Maryland Reads

BoardCQ™ Change Readiness Assessment for Nonprofit Boards Live Demo and Deep Dive
2025-10-22 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Live via Zoom
Is your nonprofit board a booster, a blocker, or at best, neutral in times of change? With the social sector in upheaval this year, the answer to this question will determine the future of your organization.
The nonprofits still on solid footing heading into 2026 will be there because they have change-ready, change-capable, and change-resilient boards.
The boards that will help their organizations navigate tomorrow’s uncertainty have one critical advantage: they know exactly where they stand on change readiness and what gaps they need to close to lead through the rapid change ahead.
Most don’t.
This Webinar and Demo is for you if you are:

A program officer or foundation leader watching grantees struggle and seeking better ways to help protect their mission and your investment

A membership organization whose members are facing layoffs, funding cuts, leadership transitions and more, and you want to be part of their solution

A nonprofit executive whose board needs to move from crisis management to strategic response to become your steady partner in navigating change

A nonprofit board chair or member wondering if you’re doing enough (or enough of the right things) to support staff and find a viable path forward

Board CQ™ Demo and Deep Dive Wednesday, October 22nd | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET via Zoom
What You’ll See:

Demo of BoardCQ™, our proprietary change readiness index for nonprofit boards, measuring your board across the eight characteristics that separate organizations that adapt easily from those that don’t

Real examples of how boards use their results to build the governance muscle needed for uncertain times

What change-ready boards do differently when facing leadership transitions, funding challenges, and strategic pivots

The Reality: Crisis management has become a daily routine. The cost of waiting to assess your board’s readiness is too high when every decision matters more than ever.
Why Now: The gap between optimism about the nonprofit sector’s future and confidence in boards’ ability to lead us there is widening. Board CQ ™ gives you objective data about where your board stands and clear steps to close that gap.
Register Here
The best time to measure change readiness was yesterday. The second-best time is now.

2026...Here We Come! What Smart Executives Are Doing Differently
2025-09-23 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Live via Zoom
Join peer executives in our Next Big Thing Executive Forum to share key lessons from 2025 and explore alternatives to traditional strategic planning that will make or break 2026.
We’ll cover:

How 2025’s meta trends are playing out in your organization and what they mean for 2026

The antidote to the BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible) world we’re sharing with our clients now to help them prepare for 2026

The alternative annual planning approaches savvy executives turn to when nonlinear causality has broken traditional models

Whether your 2025 goals got derailed by unexpected disruptions, you’re struggling to plan for 2026 amid constant uncertainty, or you need fresh approaches for leading when careful linear thinking is now a liability, this conversation will help you find new ways forward.
When: September 23rd @ 11:00 am ETWhere: Live via Zoom
The Reality: Many organizations spent 2025 trying to manage complexity with frameworks designed for a more predictable world. Strategic plans became obsolete before the ink dried. Traditional cause-and-effect thinking couldn’t keep up with nonlinear outcomes.
Why It Matters: The executives who adapted fastest this year changed how they plan. They built resilience instead of efficiency. They embraced rapid iteration over perfect analysis. They prepared for incomprehensibility. They demonstrated speed and discernment.
The Value Is Being in the Room
The Next Big Thing Executive Forum brings together small groups of C-Suite executives and senior leaders for off-the-record, peer-to-peer, idea exchange conversations. We cover topics essential to defining, designing, and successfully realizing your “next big thing,” whether it’s a new strategic initiative, internal policy shift, or significant organizational change. There’s no fee to participate and no sales pitch at the event.

Annual Performance Review Anxiety: What smart executives do in August to prepare their managers for these uncomfortable year-end conversations
2025-08-21 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Live via Zoom
Join peer executives in our Next Big Thing Executive Forum to learn what makes a difference to boost the ROI on your annual performance reviews.
We’ll talk about:

The common mistakes most organizations make in preparing managers for performance conversations

What high-performing organizations do differently in August to avoid year-end anxiety

The hidden costs of traditional performance reviews

The four psychological barriers that undermine even well-intentioned efforts to change performance review processes

Whether you’re an executive tired of the annual performance review time suck, an HR leader scrambling to find last-minute “difficult conversation” training, or a senior manager who knows reviews can be valuable when done right, this conversation is for you.
When: August 21 @ 11:00 am ETWhere: Live via Zoom
Your managers are getting that familiar knot in their stomach already. Performance review season is coming, and they know it’s going to be uncomfortable, even if they have a team of high performers.
This forum brings together executives, HR leaders, and senior managers for a candid exploration of what works, what doesn’t, and what you can do differently before the year-end anxiety hits.
The Value Is Being in the Room
The Next Big Thing Executive Forum brings together small groups of C-Suite executives and senior leaders for off-the-record, peer-to-peer, idea-exchange conversations. We cover topics essential to defining, designing, and successfully realizing your “next big thing,” whether it’s a new strategic initiative, internal policy shift, or significant organizational transformation. We charge no fee to participate and make no sales pitch at the event. To honor our “off-the-record” commitment, we do not make recordings available.

What Funders and Nonprofits Really Need to Know About Mergers and Acquisitions
2025-07-22 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Live via Zoom
Join peer executives in our Next Big Thing Executive Forum to explore the realities of nonprofit consolidation:

When mergers actually strengthen mission impact (and when they don’t)

What funders and nonprofit leaders wish they’d known before encouraging or pursuing consolidation

The hidden costs and unexpected benefits that don’t show up in due diligence

Whether you view nonprofit mergers as long overdue (“there are too many nonprofits”), a risky trend with serious pitfalls, or something you didn’t even know was possible, this conversation is for you.
When: July 22 @ 11:00 am ETWhere: Live via Zoom
The Reality: Funding cuts, economic uncertainty, and shifting political dynamics are pushing more social sector leaders to consider strategic alliances, mergers, or acquisitions as possible paths forward.
Why It Matters: The pressure to consolidate is real, but the track record is mixed. Some mergers create stronger, more sustainable organizations. Others destroy what made each organization valuable in the first place.
Bottom Line: Whether you’re a funder considering which organizations to nudge toward consolidation, a board member weighing strategic options, or a nonprofit executive exploring possible partners, you need honest insights from peers who’ve been there.
This forum brings together funders, board members, and nonprofit executives for a candid exploration of what works, what doesn’t, and what questions you should be asking before anyone signs anything.

The Value Is Being in the Room
The Next Big Thing Executive Forum brings together small groups of C-Suite executives and senior leaders for off-the-record, peer-to-peer, idea-exchange conversations. We cover topics essential to defining, designing, and successfully realizing your “next big thing,” whether it’s a new strategic initiative, internal policy shift, or significant organizational transformation. We charge no fee to participate and make no sales pitch at the event. To honor our “off-the-record” commitment, we do not make recordings available.

[Executive Forum] The People Side of Successful AI Adoption
2025-05-22 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Join peer executives in our Next Big Thing Executive Forum to address the human side of AI adoption:

Strategies that shift team perception from worry to opportunity
What most often goes wrong with AI integration initiatives (and how to prevent it)
The true cost of waiting or failing in the effort to incorporate AI into your organization

Whether you’re actively implementing AI, planning for future integration, or questioning all the AI hype, you’ll gain valuable insights from other leaders navigating these same challenges.
When: Thursday, May 22 @ 11:00 am ETWhere: Live via Zoom
The Reality: According to Pew Research, 80% of American workers aren’t using AI tools at work, and only 6% believe AI will create more job opportunities for them long-term. At the same time, Conference Board data shows 100% of CEOs will have an AI strategy in 2025.
Why It Matters: “The biggest piece of advice I have when it comes to anything related to AI – is that it’s change management. This is behavioral change. That is not about the technology,” says Microsoft’s Deb Cupp.
Bottom Line: The future belongs to organizations that can bridge the gap between AI’s productivity promise and human adoption concerns. Will yours be among them?
The Value Is Being in the Room
The Next Big Thing Executive Forum brings together small groups of C-Suite executives and senior leaders for off-the-record, peer-to-peer, idea-exchange conversations. We cover topics essential to defining, designing, and successfully realizing your “next big thing,” whether it’s a new strategic initiative, internal policy shift, or significant organizational transformation. We charge no fee to participate and make no sales pitch at the event. To honor our “off-the-record” commitment, we do not make recordings available.

[Executive Forum] Safeguarding Impact: What private and corporate foundations can implement in the next 90 days to strengthen grantee resilience amid disruption
2025-04-15 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
What private and corporate foundations implement in the next 90 days to strengthen grantee resilience amid disruption
Join other directors, senior program officers, portfolio leads, and strategy officers to discuss practical ways to support grantees and safeguard outcomes amidst federal funding cuts.
Forward-thinking foundations recognize that protecting grant investments requires more than emergency funding—it demands wholistic approaches to building grantee adaptability and maintaining momentum despite quickly shifting funding, policy, and regulatory landscapes.
In this executive forum, participants will share practical approaches for:

Assessing grantee vulnerability
Strategically deploying resources
Building organizational adaptability

Join us to explore strategies that transform the current volatility from a threat to an opportunity to strengthen the sector.

Middle Manager Burnout Threatens Your 2025 Stability
2025-03-26 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Your organization’s vital connective tissue is breaking. Middle managers are quitting, burning out, or collapsing under pressure as companies cut management layers while demanding more execution.
Why it matters: This exodus strips away institutional knowledge and leadership capacity precisely when market volatility and economic uncertainty demand stability.
Our March forum tackles this crisis head-on with practical solutions. Y
You’ll learn:

Warning signs: Detect management collapse before it’s too late
Common pitfalls: Why conventional approaches make burnout worse
Actionable alternatives: Proven interventions that work in volatile environments

👉 The bottom line: Waiting costs more than good people—it costs organizational stability when external conditions demand it most.

Trends Among Trends: What executives must know now to keep pace (or stay ahead) of where the world is heading in 2025
2025-02-19 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
We’re back with our most popular topic of the past several years! Every major publication, and many minor ones, for every industry and field, publishes trends in January. If you’ve wondered how anyone can possibly keep up with even the most relevant ones, let alone make time for trends outside one’s industry or field, then this Forum is for you. We’ve done the heavy lifting with a meta-analysis to discover the trends among the trends, the patterns that transcend industries and fields, and the forces driving the opportunities and risks for 2025. Join fellow executives to discuss insights and ideas for what these trends among trends mean for your organization this year.
The Next Big Thing Executive Forum is a monthly series that brings together small groups of C-Suite executives and senior leaders for off-the-record, peer-to-peer, idea-exchange conversations. We cover topics essential to defining, designing and successfully realizing your “next big thing,” whether it’s a new strategic initiative, internal policy shift or significant organizational transformation. There’s no fee to participate and no sales pitch at the event. To honor our “off-the-record” commitment, recordings are not made available. The real value is being “in the room.”

Survey Says... Now What? Your Employees Have Spoken, But They’re Still Waiting for Your Response
2025-01-22 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York) | Live via Zoom
When 34% of employees say manager inaction on their input drives them to leave, the stakes are clear. Yet even organizations with robust survey programs struggle to move from insights to meaningful change. What’s blocking progress, and what are innovative leaders doing differently?
Join your peers for a candid discussion about turning employee feedback into action that leads to sustainable change. We’ll explore why traditional approaches fall short, share real-world solutions, and tackle the hidden costs of delayed implementation (or no implementation at all.) We’ll look at what works—and what doesn’t.
Together We’ll Address:

The warning signs that signal your feedback loop is breaking before it impacts retention or engagement
Which implementation approaches are delivering results (beyond engagement surveys, committees and town halls)
How to avoid the common mistakes that derail feedback initiatives

This is perfect for you if you’re looking to revitalize your employee feedback process and implement meaningful organizational changes in the next 30-60-90 days.
The Value Is Being in the Room The Next Big Thing Executive Forum is a monthly series where C-Suite executives and senior leaders connect in off-the-record, peer-to-peer exchanges on defining, designing, and achieving their “next big thing”—from new strategic initiatives to major organizational transformations. There’s no fee to participate, and no sales pitch at the event. To honor our “off-the-record” commitment, recordings are not made available.

Your Post-Election Strategy Shift: Finding Opportunity in 2025
2024-12-03 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York) | Live via Zoom
In times of significant change—like the recent U. S. election—leaders often feel caught in a reactive cycle of forces outside their control. But as we look toward 2025, leaders can keep spinning in a tornado of reaction or build the disciplined momentum of a flywheel to drives your organization forward, no matter the headwinds. Which path will you choose?
This forum offers a post-election “quick start” for executives who know their current strategy needs a reboot and they can’t wait nine months to complete it.
Join Us to Explore Three Steps to Future-Proof Your Organization for 2025

Three Essential Questions: Reexamine assumptions and identify what truly matters for 2025.
Two Targeted Exercises: Engage your team in scenario planning that’s adaptable and grounded in current realities.
One Critical Action: Discover the commitment that will keep your organization on track, no matter what surprises come your way.

We’ll use our Strategy Quick Start 3-2-1 toolkit, initially created in early 2017, adapted in March of 2020 and recently updated again, to explore frameworks and intentional practices that will help you anticipate shifts, seize opportunities, and move forward with purpose.
If you can’t wait until December 3rd to reboot your 2025 plans, book a conversation with me sooner using this scheduling link.
The Value Is Being in the Room
The Next Big Thing Executive Forum is a monthly series where C-Suite executives and senior leaders connect in off-the-record, peer-to-peer exchanges on defining, designing, and achieving their “next big thing”—from new strategic initiatives to major organizational transformations. There’s no fee to participate, and no sales pitch at the event. To honor our “off-the-record” commitment, recordings are not made available.

Executive Communication In a Polarized Climate: How to navigate the spotlight in times of heightened political polarization and uncertainty.
2024-06-25 11:00 - 12:15 UTC | Live via Zoom
50% of the world is going to the polls this year. We’re living in times of heightened political polarization and uncertainty. Executives face unprecedented challenges in determining when, how and what communication is necessary and appropriate, especially during election seasons.
This virtual conversation, featuring CSR Communications’ experts Susan Oliver and Fabia D’Arienzo, will share strategies for navigating the complex media landscape, building and preserving a positive organizational image, and effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders, including employees, amidst political turbulence.

Bust the Burnout Bubble & Stop the Summer Slump: What executives can do in the next 30 days to create and sustain momentum with their teams
2024-05-22 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York) | Live via Zoom
If you’re like most leaders right now, you’re probably burned out on employee burnout and looking for ways to re-motivate and re-engage your teams. Doing that as we approach summer – with its typical “half-day Fridays” and week-long vacations – won’t be easy. But can you really wait three more months to overcome inertia and get performance back on track? It’s time to change the refrain inside our organizations from one of post-pandemic burnout to one of peak opportunity. Join your peers for this virtual conversation on ways to spark momentum rather than fall further behind this summer.

Implementing Change in High Stakes-High Stress Environments: What executives need to know to get results without revolt.
2024-04-24 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York) | Live via Zoom
Every leader has a mandate for change this year, from major reinventions and growth goals to small improvements or minor process fixes. And while change can be difficult in any workplace, it’s especially hard when the stakes are or feel higher – we make a mistake and really, really bad things happen – or when the culture is intense and high-pressure with high expectations. In this context, even small behavior changes or a new, seemingly innocuous policy change, can put employees into fight, flight or freeze mode. Join peers for a virtual conversation on getting the results you need while avoiding unnecessary risk.

Is Your 2024 Plan At Risk? Warning signs to pay attention to in Q1 that will help you course correct starting now.
2024-03-26 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York) | Live via Zoom
Many organizations fail to implement their annual strategy and achieve their goals because they don’t realize they’re off track until it’s too late.
Join this virtual conversation where we’ll share the early warning signs that don’t show up on your dashboard and aren’t captured in your KPIs, but do indicate you’re at risk of missing your 2024 goals.
Of course, we’ll share a few things you can do now to get your plan back on track.
Share your experience and learn from peers facing similar challenges.

Trends Among Trends: What executives must know now to keep pace (or stay ahead) of where the world is heading in 2024
2024-02-28 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York) | Live via Zoom
4,110,000,000… That’s the number of results Google spits out in response to the search “2024 trends.” Every major publication, and many minor ones, for every industry and field, publishes trends in January. If you’ve wondered how anyone can possibly keep up with even the most relevant ones, let alone make time for trends outside one’s industry or field, then this Forum is for you. We’ve done the heavy lifting with a meta-analysis to discover the trends among the trends, the patterns that transcend industries and fields, and the forces driving the opportunities and risks for 2024. Join fellow executives to discuss insights and ideas for what these trends among trends mean for your organization this year at The Next Big Thing Executive Forum.

Using AI To Make Us More Human: The Future of Business Communication
2024-01-24 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
Ever wished you could clone yourself? Well, now you can (sort of). When used well, technology allows us to expand access to information and enhance communication. And strategic uses of AI can allow us to be more human (not less!) by giving us more ways to build relationships.
Start 2024 off with a discussion of possibly one of the coolest PhD theses ever. If you can only make one of our events this year (and I hope you can make them all!), this is the one!
Join Dr. Jill Schiefelbein to explore:

The cutting-edge digital avatar technology
Her hot-off-the-presses research on its effectiveness in a variety of business applications
Why your organization shouldn’t miss the opportunity to be on the forefront of this movement

Developing Talent for an Unpredictable Future: What executives can do to boost the ROI from their training programs in 2024.
2023-12-07 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
While we can’t predict the future, we do know that the pace and volume of change will only increase. Middle managers hold the key to unlocking human potential at work and, specifically, to revitalizing, reenergizing and reimagining their teams. For every dollar organizations spend on technology (think, AI…), they need to invest an additional $9 in talent development (identifying people with the right skills; developing the right skills; enabling proper change-management processes; and creating the conditions for people to live up to their potential). How do you ensure that type of investment will yield the desired results?
Our last Forum of 2023 is a success showcase featuring Shadae Hospedales, HR Director-Business Partner for Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, and Stacy Reyan, Chief People Officer for the economic consulting firm, Bates White. They’ll describe the ROI they’ve achieved on their manager training programs and share the lessons, structure, format and techniques that contributed to their results.

The Hidden Costs of Annual Performance Reviews (& The 3 Biggest Risks of Initiatives to Change Them)
2023-10-25 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
210 hours (nearly 5 weeks!). That’s how much time, on average, each manager spends each year on annual performance reviews. Employees each spend about 40 hours a year. All that, and only 5% of managers and 10% of HR leaders find the annual appraisals effective. Those are the (shocking) obvious costs. What about the costs we don’t see? Over the past 10 years, big companies, including Deloitte, Accenture, Adobe and Microsoft, have done away with traditional performance reviews. But most employers – large, small and in-between – maintain the practice. Join fellow executives (including some who’ve experimented with performance management options) on Wednesday, October 25th at 11:00am ET for an off-the-record, virtual conversation about what the status quo is currently costing your organization, the pros and cons of different approaches, and the risks to pay attention to when you implement any change to the process.

The Future of, well…, Everything!: Key Insights from The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival & a 3-day deep dive into AI
2023-05-09 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
Flying taxis (here sooner than you think). Biometrically verified identity (in unexpected places). Elimination of the clipboard (and all those forms!) at your next doctor visit. Tech that could radically change unemployment and quality of life for people with total hearing loss. A basketball that never needs air (and the mindset behind its development). In many ways, the future’s already here. ChatGPT reached 1 million users in 2 days (it took Netflix 3 years!). It may have risks and downsides, but it won’t go away. It’s time to step into the unfamiliar, unknown, expansive space that’s calling us to stop thinking in small bites and start dreaming big. YOU are essential to creating the best possible future for us all. Are you ready? Join me and your fellow executives to explore how we prepare for (and create!) what’s next.

Succession Success: What executives & board chairs can do in the next 30 days to ensure a healthy leadership transition (whether it’s happening in 6 months or 6 years)
2023-04-11 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
The Great Resignation has reached the C-suite, with executives predicting a surge in retirements and departures in 2023. This surge is part demographics, part economics, and part pandemic stress. Whether you know an executive transition is eminent, one’s recently happened, or you just like to be ready for when one does, this conversation is for you. We’ll be joined by Eric Dawson, PhD., co-founder and former CEO of Peace First, now CEO of RIVET, who will share his recent research on founder-successor transitions. Specifically, he’ll reveal insights from 16 case studies on the relationship between social entrepreneur founders and successors with a focus on four themes: the context of the transition, and the qualities, process of creating, and roadblocks and enablers of successful partnerships. As always, we’ll have participants with rich personal experience to share as well. Join us for thoughtful conversation and actionable insight to ensure succession success in your organization.

Waiting to Exhale: What executives can do in the next 30 days to safeguard your own emotional well-being and create a well-balanced 2023 for yourself and your team.
2023-01-17 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
The trauma and impact of last 2+ years isn’t over yet. As a result, we haven’t even begun to heal. Many executives fear that they don’t know how to lead in this new environment (even if they were excellent leaders before). And while we’re all paying closer attention to employee mental health these days, the emotional well-being of executives is still often overlooked. In fact, a recent Deloitte study shows around 70% of high-level executives are seriously considering quitting their jobs, largely due to help with their emotional well-being. Megan McCamey, founding president of goBeyondProfit, jump starts our conversation with findings from the 2022 Business Generosity Report: A Road Map for Resilience.

Bold Commitments, Moonshots & Big Goals: What executives can do in the next 30 days to ensure your organization fulfills its big promises and proclamations
2022-10-18 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Events of the past couple years have sparked big promises from companies, nonprofits, philanthropy and government alike on issues including diversity, equity, climate change, and, most recently, hunger. Last week’s White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health and next month’s COP27 are the latest triggers for commitments toward a “moonshot.” But we all know, the hard work begins when the press conferences end. What does it take to achieve a “moonshot?” What organizational change needs to happen to launch successful initiatives and fulfill your commitments? What most often gets in the way and how can you avoid mistakes others made in the past? Join other commitment-makers in this discussion designed to turn promises into results.

From Blockers to Backers: What executives can do in the next 30 days to get your mid-level managers engaged, aligned, and taking action on your most important priorities for Q4 (& beyond).
2022-09-20 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
Mid-level managers and supervisors are the bridge between senior leaders’ vision and those frontline employees who make it real. When they’re unclear on the “why”, disengaged, not aligned with the vision, goals and plans, or lacking the skills and tools to fulfill their role effectively, consequences ripple across the organization. This session is for you if you’re about to launch a big new initiative or plan, your team is falling short of its 2022 goals, you’ve got a bunch of newly-hired or newly-promoted managers still adjusting to their roles, or your managers are rockin’ it and you want to maintain that momentum as we head into 2023.

Rethinking Resilience: What executives can do in the next 30 days to boost organizational resilience, insulate against risk and prepare for whatever comes next.
2022-08-16 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Continued resignations and turnover, looming recession, wildfires, heat waves and monkeypox. What if some of the same actions that prepare your organization for these threats could also position you to grow and thrive? Cross-functional training and position redundancy support business continuity, and they also help team members learn and grow into new roles, improving retention. Agile systems are vital for crisis response, and they also support innovation. Join this conversation to learn from other’s organizational resilience lessons, share some of your own and get my key take aways from the recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s “Building Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships” Conference.

Sudden Windfall Shock: What executives can do in the next 30 days to position your organization for catalytic investment and avoid paralysis, conflict and missed opportunity
2022-07-12 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) Chief of Staff, MacKenzie Garvin, will share lessons MOED learned as a recipient of American Rescue Plan funds last year. Unexpected, significant resources, whether Mackenzie Scott donations, venture capital investment, a big new client or government grants, can be a shock that sends leaders scrambling or a stimulus that allows organizations to soar. We’ve identified what makes the difference. This discussion is for you if your organization aims to be the beneficiary of a sudden windfall, is already reeling from an influx of resources multiple times larger than last year’s entire budget, or if you’re ready to think bigger, bolder and more creatively than ever before about radical solutions to problems impacting millions of people and end those problems, for good.

Recession-Proof: What executives can do in the next 30 days to prepare your organization for the looming economic downturn
2022-06-14 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)

Change Reaction: What leaders can do in the next 30 days to prevent change fatigue from becoming change revolt
2022-05-17 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
Chaotic implementation of Covid protocols, bumpy return-to-office experiences, disruptive resignations and new hires, juggling kids’ summer schedules (and the new commute) and the ever-expanding ripple effect of supply chain issues…many teams have hit their absorptive capacity for change. Our polling of leaders in the last 60 days shows that about 20% of teams are experiencing change fatigue, 75% change exhaustion and 5% change revolt. Did you know that eye-rolling and skepticism can quickly turn to increased errors, toxic culture, sabotage and more? Are you responding to your team’s change fatigue in ways that make things worse? Join this discussion to learn what to watch out for and how to pull your team back from revolt.

Here Come the Zoomers! What leaders can do in the next 30 days to prepare for the first shockwave of Gen Z employees entering the workplace this summer.
2022-04-12 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
From communication and engagement with managers to availability of training and professional development, expectations of the Gen Z workforce (those born after 1995) differ significantly from those of the generations before them. Is your organization ready? How open are you, your managers and frontline supervisors to the change required to attract and retain the next generation of team members? Does your organization meet the expected diversity, environmental commitments and social impact that drive Gen Z’s choices as consumers and employees? Deepen your understanding of this generation and walk away with a playbook to jump start the necessary conversations inside your organization as graduation season approaches and the first wave of Zoomers join your team.

Escaping Groundhog Day: What Executives can do in the next 30 days to get your team back in the driver's seat & reclaim your strategic thinking time
2022-03-15 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York)
If you feel trapped in an endless loop of meeting after meeting, crisis to crisis, transactional activity, then this gathering is for you. If you want to get your team back in the driver’s seat so that you can recapture your strategic thinking time and focus on your biggest priorities, then this conversation is for you. If you’re spending too much time on the urgent and (maybe) important quadrant and are ready to shift time into Stephen Covey’s “Quadrant II” activities like planning, prevention, pursuing new opportunities and relationship building, then this month’s forum is for you. I’ll share a few of my best tools and techniques, then we’ll dive into conversation about what’s getting in the way of pursuing your next big thing now and what you can do in the next 30 days to overcome those barriers.
