Concurrent Session 7 | October 7 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Workshops

Theresa Haenn

Buzzwords aside, communication, collaboration, and teamwork are the foundation for an organization to achieve success and have an impact. Business plans are designed to bring about some kind of change, and in the nonprofit sector, the change often leads to transformation for members of the community.

While silos can be useful for focused objectives or problem-solving, they often hinder the overall growth and impact of an organization. What happens when teams are so focused on pushing out their own work that communication, collaboration, and teamwork only occur in individual departments and not through the organization?

As fund development specialists, our purpose is to achieve remarkable fundraising outcomes while fostering a culture of collaboration. By embracing a seamless synergy approach, we aim to address the fundamental question: how can we effectively open the doors of our silos to amplify our collective impact?

The Workshop will focus on these areas: 

• Amplify Fundraising Potential: Interactive discussion using scenarios, stories, and brainstorming to identify the varied ways to begin – and sustain important conversations.
• Elevate Transparency and Impact: Impactful communications (and not just marketing communications) are essential to ensure that valued funders, donors, and stakeholders fully understand the impact of their collective contributions by providing compelling evidence of progress. 
• Strengthen our Resolve to Speak: Stepping out in this fashion can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. We will walk through a communications model to open the silo doors to be able to have calm, creative, and productive conversations fostering greater collaborations among teams.
• Evaluate and Adjust based on Metrics: How will you know when you are successful? There are quantitative and qualitative metrics that you can use to support your case for greater collaboration across the organization.

Theresa Haenn, MBA; Donor Advisor, Corus International

Theresa F. Haenn held roles as Major Gifts Officer, Vice President of Development and Executive Director. A strategic leader, Theresa leverages a deep understanding of philanthropy and management supporting leaders for stretch goals and creating impact in the community. Earlier, Theresa and her husband co-owned a call center in suburban Philadelphia providing services to businesses, schools, and medical practices that grew 300% under their leadership. Theresa earned her MBA from Drexel University and her BS from Rosemont College. Theresa is certified as a CliftonStrengths® professional coach from Gallup; Nonprofit Consultant for BoardSource. Theresa achieved the CFRE in 2004, recertifying through 2023.

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Session 7B: Boundaries: The Best Business Tool for Managing Up, Down, and Across

Kay Coughlin

Participants in this workshop will learn how to identify when boundaries are needed and how to set them, when to set or clarify expectations, and how to align the work of setting boundaries with mission, vision and values. Key discussion points will include boundaries, expectations, accountability and emotional responsibility in adults; participants will receive several short scripts to practice communicating boundaries and expectations.

Kay Coughlin

Kay has been a member of ADRP for many years, was the Director of Stewardship at Oberlin College for almost 8 years before pivoting to frontline and then becoming a business and family caregiver coach. Kay is well-known for her public speaking on boundaries and self-care, and also for helping teams understand how to work with people of different ages through her "Building Trust Across Generations" seminar.

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Session 7C: Inclusive Storytelling and Values-Based Communication

Bronwen Butler and Rocio Johnson

Developing and nurturing authentic relationships are a cornerstone of creating a culture of philanthropy. Learning to tell compelling, engaging stories can go a long way toward forging those connections. Great stories have the power to connect us across seemingly vast differences, to explore shared beliefs, uncover new ideas, and discover the common values that bind us. In this session, we’ll talk about how messages and stories work together, dig into four types of stories, and discuss the importance of asset framing and people-first storytelling. We'll also introduce a concept called values-based communication and share a helpful assessment tool you can use to build better, more inclusive stories.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the importance of stories and inclusive storytelling in connecting emotionally with donors
• Recognize differences between stories and messaging, and how the former can and should be a vehicle for the latter
• Learn the concepts of asset framing and values-based communications to create and analyze donor-facing and organizational narratives

Bronwen Butler, Senior Strategist, Storytelling, The Nature Conservancy

 Audience-focused, strategy-minded, and food-motivated, Bronwen Butler is a curious communications professional and self-confessed word nerd. She creates messaging for TNC's global fundraisers; oversees a body of work focused on inclusive storytelling; and provides strategy, recommendations, research, and training to strengthen staff’s ability to create and leverage compelling, diverse stories. A speechwriter, ghostwriter, and long-term freelancer, she holds a bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Texas at San Antonio and a master’s in journalism from Ohio University. She’s based in a home office in Austin (with her Hubs and two middle-aged chihuahuas) and has a deep affinity for alliteration, history, Korean dramas, and pie.

Rocio Johnson, Associate Director of Communications for Community & Equitable Conservation, The Nature Conservancy

Rocio works to increase the adoption of values-based communications and storytelling for community and equitable conservation by sharing best practices, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and helping to shift narratives. Rocio has held several roles in her 10 years at The Nature Conservancy, supporting communications for Florida, the Cities Network and most recently, Internal Communications. Before joining TNC, Rocio directed communication strategy and execution for Sea Turtle Conservancy.

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Session 7D: Fund Management - From People to Paper to Purpose

Debbie Meyers and Kathleen Diemer

Fund management starts long before your donor makes a gift.  Conversations that happen during cultivation often set the stage for success.  But that’s just the start.  What exists at your organization today, may not exist tomorrow.  Today’s institutional priority may never become a reality.  What should you do when a program can no longer be administered?  Or that incredible building never gets built? And what about those funds that never quite meet the financial mark to achieve their purpose?

In this workshop, you will:

• Learn about the conversations and education that should be taking place within your organization before funds get established
• Gain a better understanding of how to approach funds that can no longer be utilized as initially intended
• Discover how you can set your organization up for successful fund management now and in the future

Debbie Meyers, Writer/Editor, Rutgers University Foundation

Having worked in advancement for more than 30 years, Debbie Meyers has honed her editorial skills by writing countless acknowledgments, talking points, proposals, gift agreements, and impact reports. She created or enhanced operations, communications, donor relations, and stewardship programs at several major universities, a Catholic high school, an art museum, and a regional health center. An ADRP founding board member, Debbie chaired the international conference in 2011 and has a consecutive streak of presenting at every international conference. She and her former drum major husband live in southwest New York with their three spoiled rescue dogs, Bo, Boo, and Marco Polo.

Kathleen Diemer, CFRE, Associate Vice President, Advancement Relations, George Mason University

Kathleen Diemer has worked in fundraising for almost three decades. During her tenure at two universities, she has led every behind the scenes fundraising unit - from Donor Relations to Strategic Advancement Services.

From 2013 to 2018 she served on the board of ADRP, including time as both Secretary-Treasurer and President.

A proud University of Maryland Terrapin, Kathleen holds a B.A. in Journalism and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership at Maryland’s Do Good Institute, where she is a Do Good Nonprofit Leadership Fellow.

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Session 7E: Leading Authentically: How to Lead with Values and Impact

Nicole Wood

Learn how to lead authentically at any stage of your career. This workshop will help you reflect on who you are as a leader, exploring your leadership style and your personal mission statement, and how you show up for your team to make the greatest impact.

You will

• Understand the qualities and skill sets of a great leader
• Walk away with clarity on what type of leader you are
• Know your strengths and blind spots as you develop as a purpose-driven leader

Nicole Wood, Chief Executive Officer, Ama La Vida

 Nicole Wood loves building something from nothing and seeing the impact it can make in the world. After landing her dream job in management consulting at PwC, she quickly learned it wasn't actually her dream. She began her journey of self-discovery with the leadership coach they provided her and uncovered her true dream: to create her own business that could help everyone find the same clarity she did through her coaching journey. Nicole has been featured in publications like Fortune, Bustle, Glassdoor, and CNBC. She holds bachelor’s degrees in finance and supply chain management from Arizona State University and was inducted into ASU’s hall of fame.

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Session 7F: Honor your Potential with Grace and Care in a Changing Culture

Eileen Bastien

Get ready for an inspiring, empowering presentation on cultivating a culture of care in the workplace and world—for our donors, co-workers, and fellow humans! Gain practical tips and insights to transform your workplace and achieve success. Learn how to prioritize self-care, empower your team, celebrate successes, invest in personal development, and promote mental fitness. Infusing warmth, enthusiasm, and inspiration, we'll discuss building relationships, encouraging open communication, and fostering a culture of collaboration, even in remote work settings. Make a positive impact in the world by elevating your workplace and transforming your approach to donor relations. Let's make a difference together!

Learning Objectives

• Understand the importance of self-care in today's fast-paced and often remote work environments, as well as the importance of community and connection in fostering a culture of care
• Learn practical tips for prioritizing self-care and encouraging your team to do the same, as well as tips for building relationships, encouraging open communication, and fostering a culture of collaboration, even in remote work settings
• Learn the importance of celebrating successes and acknowledging the hard work and achievements of your team members
• Understand the importance of investing in personal development and offering opportunities for professional growth and learning
• Learn practical tips for reducing stress, managing anxiety, and promoting well-being through mental fitness
• Be inspired and motivated to create a culture of care in your organization that fosters self-care, personal growth, and success in a post-COVID era

Eileen Bastien, Senior Director of Stewardship and Donor Engagement, Seton Hall University

 A warm, compassionate advocate for women, Eileen Bastien emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships to build thriving communities and successful fundraising efforts. A spirited leader, she fosters unity across departments, enabling staff, alumni, and donors to flourish under her guidance. As founder of Mastering Unstuckness, Eileen has created an uplifting webinar series aimed at helping professionals and entrepreneurs overcome challenges in their careers and personal lives. Acknowledging the impact of daily demands on individuals' time and energy, she provides invaluable insights on maintaining balance between professional pursuits and personal well-being. Eileen frequently shares her knowledge on topics such as leadership, self-care, resilience, and mental fitness.

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