People Power: Capacity, Strategy & Talent

Nonprofits are powered by people, but sustaining impact requires more than passion alone. Today's nonprofit leaders must build resilient organizations, make strategic decisions in an increasingly complex environment, and cultivate the talent needed to advance their missions.

The Nonprofit Summit brings together executive directors, staff, board members, and community partners for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. Through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and peer networking, attendees will gain practical strategies to strengthen their organizations and lead with confidence.

Through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and peer networking, attendees will leave equipped with practical strategies to strengthen organizational resilience, improve operational effectiveness, make more intentional decisions about growth, cultivate high-performing teams, and build workplace cultures that support both mission success and employee well-being. Participants will also have opportunities to exchange ideas and build meaningful connections with nonprofit leaders from across the region.

This year's program explores three critical pillars of nonprofit success:

Capacity
Strong nonprofits require healthy systems, sustainable infrastructure, and operational resilience. Explore strategies to improve efficiency, strengthen partnerships, leverage technology, prevent burnout, and create organizational practices that support long-term impact.

Strategy
In a rapidly changing landscape, strategic thinking is essential. Learn how organizations can navigate uncertainty, respond to challenges, build resilience, and make intentional decisions that position them for sustainable growth.

Talent
People are at the heart of every mission. Discover approaches for attracting, developing, and retaining talented staff, volunteers, and board members while creating workplace cultures where individuals feel engaged, supported, and connected to a shared purpose.

Admission includes all keynote presentations and breakout sessions, lunch, and access to the networking reception featuring the Freedom First Ice Cream Truck.

Who Should Attend?
Executive directors, nonprofit staff, board members, emerging leaders, volunteers, funders, and community partners committed to strengthening the nonprofit sector across the Lynchburg region.

Agenda

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM           Registration & Networking

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM           Welcome & Presenting Partner

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM         Opening Keynote Presented by Armstrong McGuire

10:30 AM - 10:40 AM       Break

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM       Breakout A
                                             Building Resilient Nonprofits

                                             Culture Keeps Score: Why People Stay, Leave or Quietly Check Out
                                                Bonnie Chavez, Chief Executive Officer; Building Beloved Communities

                                             Beyond Clients (System Approach): A Distinctive Approach to Building Consumer-Centered Care
                                                Nicholette Antoniuk, Chief Program Officer; FIVE18 Family Services

12:00 PM - 1:15 PM         Lunch Table Topics

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM           Breakout B
                                             Choosing Strategic Growth
                                                Laura Hamilton, Office of Advancement; Washington and Lee University

                                             Generations in the Workplace: Tips, Tricks, & Superpowers
                                                Sarah Milston, CEO; The Spark Mill

                                             Using AI to Increase Efficiency Without Sounding Disingenuous
                                                Tim Schauer, Interim Dean and Associate Professor; University of Lynchburg

2:30 PM - 2:45 PM           Break

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM           Closing Keynote

3:45 PM - 5:00 PM           Networking Reception featuring the Freedom First Ice Cream Truck



 

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