OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER | GAELIN ELMORE!

KEYNOTE: Leaders Who CARE, Change Everything

The CARE Model has inspired tens of thousands of leaders across the continent through simple challenges. The simple challenge is to be Compassionate, Authentic, Resilient, and Empowering Leaders. Which quality do you need to CARE about more?

GENERAL SESSION: Creating Environments of Belonging

Belonging is a crucial, innate need that influences our daily decisions, motivation, problem-solving, and overall well-being. Genuine belonging fosters resilience and positive health outcomes in us, and those we serve. This workshop addresses the fundamental need to belong as it pertains to the clients you serve, but especially the staff and professionals doing the serving. Utilizing the 4 Directions of Belonging Framework, we will explore the science behind belonging and its role in creating cultures and environments where people can thrive.

Gaelin Elmore is a dynamic and nationally sought-after keynote speaker, trainer, and thought leader. He works with organizations and people to become belonging-informed in order to help children overcome trauma and unleash their potential. Gaelin's passion and energy for his work stems from his heart for justice and his own lived experience. His own belonging journey has led Gaelin to the National Football League, and now stages, board rooms, and organizations, all across the country, aiming to inspire, encourage, and equip others to think differently about their work and its long-term impact on others. Gaelin now lives in Burnsville, MN, where he gets to experience the purest form of belonging as a husband to his wife, Micaela, and dad to their three children, Laniah, Tatum, and Gideon!

  • THURSDAY KEYNOTE: Opportunities to Do Good | Jerry Milner & David Kelly | Family Justice Group

    We will discuss opportunities in the current social services environment to impact families, children and communities in positive ways. We will share examples of successful private sector and public/private efforts to build community-driven family support networks that help families to be strong and adaptive.

  • FRIDAY CLOSING KEYNOTE: Strategy for Turbulent Markets: Keeping Your Plan on Top of Market Changes | Elizabeth Carey

    The human service industry is facing an era of uncertainty. Shifting policies, evolving payer models, workforce shortages, and rising service demands create a volatile landscape that can challenge even the most established organizations. How can human service leaders not just survive—but thrive—in this environment? This session will provide practical, real-world strategies that organizations can implement to remain financially stable, expand access to care, and continue delivering high-quality services in an unpredictable market. We will explore proven approaches that have helped organizations weather market turbulence sharing tools and examples from real situations.

GENERAL SESSIONS

  • Children's Services Administration Updates: The Future is Now

    This session will explore a leadership-focused approach to front-end service redesign through the lens of a 2-Generation (2-Gen) model. Emphasizing prevention, the presentation will detail how integrated teaming strategies can drive more effective, holistic outcomes for families. Participants will gain insight into aligning cross-sector collaboration with family-centered design, fostering innovation while maintaining operational coherence.

    Key takeaways include actionable strategies for implementing a 2-Gen approach, practical examples of front-end redesign, and leadership considerations for sustaining systemic change. The presentation will highlight innovative initiatives such as I Care 4 Children, the Statewide Fatherhood Initiative, Family Resource Centers, and our Family Integrity & Teaming (FIT) Teams.

    Children’s Services has also stepped into the future through expansive collaborations with strategic partners—including the Economic Stability Administration, the Federation, Kresge, and Chapin Hall—to ensure integrated, data-informed, and family-centered solutions that strengthen both systems and outcomes for the communities we serve.

    MODERATED PANEL to include:

    • Demetrius Starling | Senior Deputy Director for the Children’s Services Administration

    • Patricia Neitman, MS LLP, Bureau Director (she/hers) | Bureau of Children’s Coordinated Health, Policy, and Support

    • Jennifer Wrayno, BSC 5 Director

  • Nonprofit AI: Distinguishing between hype, harm and hope | Lauri Goldkind, PhD, Professor, Fordham University

    Join us for a dynamic and interactive workshop designed to enhance the knowledge and tools nonprofit leaders need to assess the opportunities and challenges of using Artificial Intelligence in their organizations. In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital technologies, understanding how to strategically implement AI can significantly enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of nonprofit initiatives. Participants will be introduced to the three main applications of generative artificial intelligence, learn about how to conduct an organizational assessment of AI readiness and consider the elements of an AI policy for their agency.

  • Countering Burnout with Trauma Informed Leadership | DeMarra West

    Burnout is more than exhaustion—it’s a leadership risk. And it’s showing up everywhere. In fact, 75% of executives say they’ve considered leaving their roles for the sake of their well-being, and over half of CEOs report struggling with their mental health this past year (Deloitte; Businessolver, 2024). According to the Center for Effective Philanthropy’ State of Nonprofits 2024 report, 95% of nonprofit leaders expressed concern about burnout. While 50% of nonprofit leaders are struggling to ensure work life balance based on the 2024 Chronicle of Philanthropy survey. When leaders aren’t at their best, it can affect the whole team and their personal lives in detrimental ways. This workshop will help leaders understand how to proactively counter burnout on an individual and organizational level. Through a trauma-informed lens, we’ll explore how burnout disrupts how we lead—from our communication to our ability to connect with others. You’ll also be introduced to four relational practices that provide a framework for leading with greater clarity, compassion, and intention. Designed for leaders in high-responsibility roles who are ready to lead sustainably, this session equips you with actionable tools to lead with awareness, stability, and care—before burnout takes its toll.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

  • Executive Leadership | BREAKOUT SESSION

    Making the Case for Hope – Opportunities in Place Based Strategies for Care | Dr Crystallee Crain

    In "Making the Case for Hope," Dr Crain will delve into the transformative power of place-based strategies through the lens of Hope Starts Here Detroit. This presentation will showcase how intersectional approaches can fundamentally enhance support systems for children and families. Hope Starts Here will serve as a prime example of successfully integrating care, equity, and community voice to foster sustainable improvements in local structures. Attendees will gain practical insights into implementing these strategies, learning how they can be tailored to meet unique needs while promoting systemic change in their communities. Our session will not only illuminate our successes and learning lessons from Detroit but will also explore potential applications in five other municipalities in Michigan. By examining demographic trends, care needs, and public health risks in these locales, we will present tailored strategies designed to enhance community well-being and design a system and culture of care. Participants, ranging from direct service providers to executives, will learn how to leverage similar frameworks for fostering a culture of care that engenders profound change and resilience. This engaging presentation will leverage interactive elements, including case studies and group discussions, to tailor lessons for participants' specific contexts. By drawing on real-world successes and the lessons learned from Hope Starts Here and other city examples, this session will equip attendees with the knowledge and strategies needed to drive impactful community transformation. Join us to see firsthand how hope can be catalyzed into real-world change, harnessing the potential for scaling success across diverse urban landscapes.

  • Executive Leadership | BREAKOUT SESSION

    Future-Ready Leadership: AI-Enhanced Tools for Multigenerational Strategy, Self-Awareness, and Impact | Erica Curry Vanee

    This immersive and interactive session invites nonprofit executives, senior managers, and aspiring leaders to explore the power of AI to increase organizational impact, deepen self-awareness, and strengthen leadership strategy. Designed specifically for those navigating the pressures of leading through disruption, the workshop presents a pragmatic and hopeful look at how AI tools can augment leadership, clarify vision, and build alignment across diverse, multigenerational teams. Through live demonstrations, real-life nonprofit case studies, and hands-on facilitation, participants will learn how to integrate AI-enhanced leadership tools that improve communication, support trauma-informed management, and streamline strategy execution. We’ll introduce easy-to-use prompt libraries and frameworks that simplify decision-making, reveal blind spots, and help teams better understand values, strengths, and opportunities for renewal. Participants will engage with interactive Menti polls and facilitated small group discussion to identify the leadership behaviors and bottlenecks shaping their organizations today. Participants will walk away with immediate tools and a leadership strategy template for building team cohesion, retaining talent, and positioning their agency for long-term impact. Grounded in emotional intelligence, scenario planning, and the latest applications of generative AI in mission-driven spaces, this session demonstrates how nonprofit leaders can become more efficient, human-centered, and future-ready—without needing to be tech experts.

  • Program & Practice Leadership | BREAKOUT SESSION

    A Leading with Heart: Authentic Leadership in Today’s Non-Profit World | Alisa Otto

    In the ever-evolving landscape of non-profit work, authentic leadership is more important than ever. Drawing from my 20 years of experience in leadership roles across child welfare, refugee services, and behavioral health, this session will explore the power of genuine connection in driving mission-focused impact. Through real-world experiences and proven business strategies, we’ll dive into how leaders can cultivate trust, inspire teams, and create a workplace where people feel valued and motivated. By focusing on meaningful engagement, leaders can strengthen their organizations, align teams with their mission and vision, and ultimately become more effective in their work. Whether you're a seasoned leader or new to leadership, this session will provide practical insights to help you lead with authenticity and purpose.

  • Program & Practice Leadership | BREAKOUT SESSION

    A Youth-Centered Approach to Reimagining Programs and Services | J.K. Elder & Associates

    Leaders, are you ready to engage youth in meaningful, transformative ways? Join us for "A Youth-Centered Approach to Reimagining Programs and Services," an immersive experience that demonstrates how to bring youth-centered, equity-driven practices to life. In this dynamic session, you’ll uncover strategies to balance power, foster trust, and build shared spaces where youth are seen, heard, and valued as true partners. Through engaging activities, you’ll practice applying principles like mutual respect, cultural humility, and shared decision-making to co-create policies, programs, and solutions that authentically reflect youth voices. Don’t miss this opportunity to lead the way in implementing youth-centered practices that forge stronger connections and deliver better outcomes for the next generation. Come ready to reflect, engage, and take actionable steps toward creating shared spaces where youth can truly thrive!