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2026 Regional Conference Session Information

Session Block 1    
Mark Zawacki, Jillian Carter & Mike Osborn Hard Hats & Big Hearts: Constructing a Campaign That Goes Beyond the Goal What does it really take to build a capital campaign that doesn’t just succeed, but transforms your organization?

Most campaigns don’t fail because of fundraising. They fail because the foundation was never built. Campaigns are construction projects requiring strong foundations, aligned leadership, and systems built to last.

In this session, we’ll take you inside Heritage Christian’s Homes with Heart campaign, which exceeded its goal by more than 55% during a time of uncertainty. More importantly, we’ll break down how it was built from assessing readiness and aligning leadership to engaging top donors and sustaining momentum.

Drawing on real experience and sector data showing that 95% of campaigns succeed with strong planning and leadership, this session will challenge common myths and offer a practical framework.

You’ll leave knowing what must be in place before launch, how to align your board, and how to build donor relationships that drive lasting results.
Lynn M. Lubecki, Ed.D. What I Wish my CEO Knew About Fundraising Attendees will leave with practical strategies for clarifying their messaging, deepening donor engagement, and building fundraising practices that are more human-centered, sustainable, and responsive to the realities of this moment.
Nick Kohner Different Brains. Better Tools. Fundraising is deeply human work, but most systems, expectations, and communication styles are built around a narrow definition of how people “should” think and operate. So what happens when we build differently?

In this session, neurodiverse fundraiser Nick Kohner shares practical, field-tested strategies for navigating fundraising work with a neurodiversity-focused approach, and how those same strategies can strengthen any team. From clearer donor communication and intentionally-structured conversations to sustainable productivity systems and managing rejection, this session focuses on what actually works in day-to-day fundraising.

Attendees will walk away with actionable tools to improve donor relationships, strengthen team communication, and build workflows that are more inclusive, efficient, and resilient. Whether you identify as neurodiverse or not, you’ll gain practical approaches that make fundraising more effective for you, your colleagues, and your donors.
Dr. Lorna Washington, Jennie Schaff & Krystle Ellis How to Talk to Funders What are funders looking for when proposals are submitted? How can small and large shops garner positive attention and build relationships?

Key takeaways:
Best practices with proposals - the dos and don'ts
How to make small shop orgs seem bigger (how do they attract funding without the big budgets and capacity)?
How can big shops increase their asks?
What can be done for capacity building?
Stacey Steinmiller Built to Ask You raise funds for a living so why does making the ask still make your palms sweat?
Ask-aversion is one of the most common and least-talked-about barriers in fundraising, and it's costing your organization real dollars and you too much stress.
In this workshop, business coach Stacey Steinmiller will help you uncover the beliefs driving your discomfort around asking and replace them with tools you can use in your very next donor conversation. Through learning to ask yourself the right questions and getting honest about what's actually in the way, you'll walk away with a personalized approach that feels authentic, not forced, and the confidence to ask without apologizing for it.
The best fundraisers aren't the ones who never feel awkward but rather they're the ones who've learned to ask anyway.
Hard hat optional. Breakthrough guaranteed.
Session Block 2    
Jonathan Meagher-Zayas Building Equitable and Sustainable Fundraising Systems Fundraisers have a lot going on, but often have to deal with the same challenges over and over again. These issues might be persisting not due to a lack of effort or talent, BUT they may be persisting due to a failure of organizational systems. Come join global nonprofit educator and accountability architect as you learn how to create an organization that doesn't survive but thrives and creates impact, equity, and sustainability. Attendees will learn about emerging trends, discover the 8 Pieces of Sustainable Systems Framework, and engage in interactive exercises to help prioritize action at their organization.
Sami Sheehan Direct Mail, More Than a Letter Direct Mail – More Than a Letter reframes direct mail as a relationship-building tool, not just a one-time ask. In this session, I’ll share how direct mail can support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship—working together as part of a thoughtful donor journey. We’ll cover how to gather meaningful, reusable stories, apply smart data practices, and extend each mailing through email, text, and social to create a true multi-channel strategy. I’ll also walk through how to prepare gift officers for a mail drop so outreach feels timely, aligned, and human. Attendees will leave with practical ways to turn every mailing into a stronger donor experience.
Melanie Barnas-Simmons Identifying Opportunity: Don’t Wait for the Job—Create It! The greatest opportunities often come from unmet needs. This session shares the journey of identifying a gap and turning it into a high-level role in alumni engagement and fundraising.
Melanie Barnas-Simmons will share her story of putting herself and her ideas out there, even when some friends and colleagues were doubtful. She manifested an incredible opportunity and then had to live up to the quote: “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
Attendees will learn how to recognize opportunities both outside and within their own institutions, confidently present ideas, and position themselves as part of the solution. The session will also explore the realities of navigating an environment without a traditional fundraising model—where progress requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to pick the right battles.
Through Melanie’s stories of struggle and results, this presentation offers practical strategies for building credibility, gaining buy-in, and creating momentum—even when systems and processes move slowly.
Kevin Wilson Blueprints for Ad Supported Giving Campaigns Your donors are online — and the tools to reach them are more accessible than you think. This session pulls back the curtain on media strategies that have traditionally lived inside big agency budgets and puts them in the hands of development professionals. We'll walk through three practical tactics: using AI and website behavior to trigger personalized direct mail, warming up prospects with targeted digital ads before a major campaign launch, and reaching people who look and behave like your best donors through social connection targeting. You'll leave with a clear picture of what these campaigns actually look like, what you need to pull them off, and how to have a smarter conversation with your existing agency — or run pieces of this yourself. No jargon, no fluff, just real blueprints you can take back to the shop
Ben Thomas Silencing Self-Doubt Imposter syndrome often makes nonprofit professionals feel unqualified or “lucky” to be where they are—but those beliefs aren’t reality. This session explores how imposter syndrome shows up in the workplace and offers practical strategies to quiet self-doubt and build authentic confidence. Through reflection, discussion, and actionable takeaways, you’ll learn to reframe your inner narrative, recognize your strengths, and embrace that you belong.

You’ll also explore the value of mentorship and support systems in navigating career challenges and reinforcing self-worth. By connecting with others and seeking guidance, you can overcome doubt and grow with confidence. Whether you’re just starting out or taking your next step, this session will empower you to own your value, advocate for yourself, and confidently move forward—knowing your skills and experiences define you, not imposter syndrome.
Session Block 3    
Jeff Bagel 25 Stewardship Ideas in 50 Minutes Who is responsible for stewardship in your organization? (Hint: it's you). Join Jeff Bagel, CFRE for this fast-paced session and leave motivated and excited to enact new stewardship ideas that are easily implemented,, affordable, and effective.
Dr. Kesha Carter Culture Is the Infrastructure: Why Fundraising Fails Without It You have the strategy. The campaign plan is solid. So why aren’t the results following?

Fundraising challenges are often treated as strategy problems, but the real issue is usually what’s happening behind the scenes. Misalignment across teams, unclear ownership, inconsistent messaging, and gaps in trust can quietly derail even the strongest efforts.

This session takes a practical, behind-the-scenes look at the internal conditions that drive fundraising success. Participants will explore a simple framework that connects culture, systems, and strategy, and learn how to identify where breakdowns are occurring in their own organizations.

Through real-world examples, guided reflection, and interactive discussion, attendees will walk away with a clear diagnostic tool and actionable strategies they can apply immediately to strengthen alignment, improve collaboration, and drive more sustainable results.
Hannah Davis From Draft to Done: Introduction to Grant Writing It’s 3:35 p.m. on a Tuesday. Someone just told you about a new grant from an obscure state agency. You should apply, but the deadline is Friday at 5. And, you’ve never really written a grant application before! Can you make it happen?

Meet the deadline (and your budget goals!) after attending this hands-on workshop. Designed for new development professionals—and anyone who still feels a little afraid to click “submit”—this session will address the bare-bones basics of grant writing, including drafting, submission, budget development, and review processes.

This session is led by Hannah Davis, Director of Development at Genesee Country Village & Museum. With 15 years of experience, Davis has worked as a grant administrator and development professional for a wide range of local and state-level nonprofits.
Alicia Montalvo & Meghan Callan One Voice, Clear Value! In small nonprofit organizations, the margin for misalignment is slim and the stakes are high. This session explores how Connected Communities, a non-direct service organization, has built a clear and compelling value proposition by tightly aligning marketing, communications, and development efforts. Presenters will share how cross-functional collaboration ensures the organization speaks with one voice, avoids competing narratives, and strengthens both funder engagement and community trust.

Drawing from real examples, this session will highlight how to balance stakeholder feedback with mission integrity, using your mission as a north star while still adapting messaging to resonate with diverse audiences. Participants will gain practical strategies for defining what sets their organization apart, aligning internal teams, and confidently communicating impact without diluting purpose. This session is ideal for small to mid-sized nonprofits looking to strengthen collaboration, clarify their message, and elevate their positioning in a crowded funding landscape.
Andi Espenshade 911 - What’s the nature of an emergency? If the building isn't on fire, why are we acting like it is?! Andi has survived "cursed" career milestones, from embezzling CEOs to national policy shifts, and lived to tell the tale. This session is designed to help fundraisers distinguish between organization-threatening car wrecks and simple potholes. We'll talk about blueprints to manage sideways, up, and down during high-stress moments and actual emergencies. Come for the horror stories, stay for the strategies that could save your sanity, your team's morale, and your donor relationships.
Session Block 4    
Julie Murawski When Money Talks… Who Gets Heard? Navigating Power, Voice, and Mission in Fundraising Money fuels mission—but it can also shape influence in ways we don’t always stop to examine. As fundraisers, we sit at the intersection of resources, relationships, and responsibility. So how do we ensure that financial support strengthens our work without unintentionally shifting priorities or silencing important voices?

This interactive session invites you to explore the dynamics between money, power, and voice in fundraising. Together, we’ll reflect on real-world experiences, share perspectives, and discuss practical ways to align donor engagement with mission-driven, community-informed priorities.

You’ll leave with fresh insights, practical language you can use in your day-to-day work, and space to think more intentionally about how you navigate donor relationships.
Tamara Varner Elevating your Event, beyond Golf and Galas. How to work smarter, not harder to maximize your ROI when it comes to fundraising events. There's more than just golf and galas. Let's get creative with fundraising events and elevate your game.  
Jenna Cohen & Shae Carrey Words That Build: Ethical Storytelling for Real Fundraisers This session explores relationship-centered fundraising through authentic, equitable storytelling and community engagement. Participants will learn how to build donor trust and visibility without relying on deficit-based narratives, using strategies grounded in Equity, Ethics, and Effectiveness. Attendees will leave with practical tools for creating impactful messaging across marketing and fundraising platforms.
Gerianne Puskas Science of Hope As Your Competitive Advantage What if you could measure transformational impact in 2 minutes and use it to win more grants, retain donors, and prove lasting change?

The answer is hope measurement. And it's not what you think.

Research shows hope-centered appeals (combining sadness + hope) generate significantly higher donations than crisis-only messaging. Learn the formula that builds sustainable donor relationships, positions donors as change agents (not passive givers), and increases retention.

Differentiate your proposals with validated hope metrics instead of homegrown surveys. Write compelling needs statements citing hope research, develop hope score targets, and build evaluation plans using evidence-based tools that demonstrate deep impact.

This is the science of hope, a validated construct supported by 2,000+ studies showing that hope is the single best predictor of well-being. Hope is measurable, teachable, and proven to predict employment, health, and education outcomes that funders care about most.
Marlisa Post Building a Better Database: Priorities, Pitfalls, and Practical Fixes Session blurb coming