Programs
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Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cintas Center
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About the Conference:
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.
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.
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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
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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!
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