Nonprofit Conference Presenters

Keynote Speaker

The Stress-Proof System for Inspiring Change and Preventing Burnout

In the world of nonprofit education and development, professionals are driven by purpose, passion and the desire to create meaningful change. But this dedication often comes at a cost—overwhelming stress, uncertainty and burnout. Constantly juggling limited resources, high expectations and the emotional weight of service, nonprofit leaders are particularly vulnerable to the physical and psychological impacts of chronic stress. When left unmanaged, stress diminishes personal well-being and hinders organizational success, reducing productivity, creativity and long-term sustainability. The solution lies in a new approach: The Stress-Proof System. The Stress-Proof System, developed by stress management expert Eliz Greene, is a practical, data-driven process designed to equip nonprofit professionals with the tools to prevent burnout and maintain resilience in high-pressure environments. This system transforms stress management into a hard skill—giving leaders the strategies they need to thrive in their work without sacrificing their health. By addressing the root causes of stress—overwhelm, uncertainty and the physical toll on the body—this system fosters an environment where both leaders and teams can sustain their energy, creativity and drive, ensuring long-term success in their mission-driven work.

Eliz Greene

Stress Researcher, Speaker & Consultant

Surviving a heart attack at age 35 while seven months pregnant with twins, Eliz knows stress management isn't a 'nice-to-have' but rather an essential survival skill. For over two decades, Eliz has been on a mission to inspire busy people to pay attention to their heart health.

Recognizing stress as an essential and often under-addressed risk factor, Eliz conducted a research study on job stress. She developed the Stress-Proof System to protect high-performing people from the stress they can't avoid. Eliz is an author and writes a top health and wellness blog. She was named a Top Online Influencer on Stress and Heart Health. She's been seen on CNN, PBS, Lifetime, TNT and many national and local news programs. Organizations such as NASA and CVS have used her strategies to reduce workplace stress.

Breakout Sessions

A Development Plan that Works for Your Small Nonprofit

10:30 a.m.

Equip small nonprofit leaders with practical strategies to create sustainable and effective fundraising plans, even with limited resources. Aligned with the "Leading with Heart" theme, this session emphasizes balancing financial sustainability with mission-driven leadership. Participants will learn to cultivate authentic donor relationships, craft personalized engagement strategies and tell compelling stories to enhance donor retention, secure major gifts and diversify funding. The training provides actionable tools for building a comprehensive fundraising plan by covering key areas—individual giving, major donors, sponsorships and events, and grants. Attendees will leave empowered to align their organization’s mission with effective development strategies, ensuring they thrive while continuing their compassionate work that resonates deeply with their communities.

Amanda Moore

Owner & Principal

Amanda Moore, CFRE, has 17 years of nonprofit experience, specializing in fundraising growth for small to mid-sized organizations. With a Master’s in Public Administration and expertise in strategy, finance, donor relations, grant writing and campaigns, she founded Moore Fundraising Solutions to provide tailored coaching and execution. Amanda has helped clients raise millions to advance programs and achieve sustainable growth.

Robin Kasel

Owner & Principal Consultant

Robin Kasel, CFRE, is a seasoned nonprofit professional with over thirteen years of expertise in fundraising, development strategy and donor engagement. Her skills span annual fund management, capital campaigns, event planning and major gift fundraising. Robin is a Certified Fundraising Executive at Cornerstone Consulting Solutions who drives impactful results while fostering meaningful donor relationships.

Advocacy as a Strategy to Advance Your Mission

10:30 a.m.

Many nonprofits overlook advocacy despite discovering harmful laws or policies affecting their mission. This session aims to address the widespread absence of advocacy in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the need for deep conversations about the subject in boardrooms. Advocacy is a potent tool for mission advancement; it combines legislative lobbying, non-partisan electoral activities and education of policy and decision-makers. The session targets nonprofits new to advocacy, offering insights on its importance, legal allowances, barriers and roles for board and staff members. Attendees will leave with a toolkit, actionable steps and entry points for integrating advocacy into their organizations.

Frank Martinelli

President

Frank Martinelli has over 40 years of work, training and consulting experience with a wide range of nonprofit and public sector organizations. He is president of the Center for Public Skills Training.

He specializes in strategic planning, governing board development, organizational capacity building for advocacy and systems change, and development of community partnership and alliances. Beginning with a TEDx talk on social change and nonprofits in 2016, Frank also provides resources and network building opportunities to help nonprofits deepen their impact at the underlying systems level, thereby creating more permanent solutions to community problems.

Start Here: A Communication Plan

10:30 a.m.

Think of this as a 101 to communication and marketing strategy. This session is for marketing and communications staff that are new to departmental strategic planning or a nonprofit staff that would like to understand marketing/communications strategy better. This is a practical guide on how to create an integrated marketing communications plan and how long content creation and communication actually take. Intended Results of Session: 1. Participants will learn what is an integrated marketing and communications strategy. 2. Participants will be exposed to what the difference is between a strategy, tool, and method within a marcom strategy. 3. Participants will learn the estimated time it takes to create content and collateral pieces commonly used in a communications plan.

Kaelyn Ahola

Communications Manager

Kaelyn Ahola is the Communications Manager (aka the whole department) at Achieve Brown County.

She works her magic with words and visuals to spread awareness about the organization's mission. As a “one-of-one”, she has learned what it means to be scrappy with her time and talent, and how important it is to share resources and tips with your fellow nonprofit compatriots. Her knack for design and love for creative storytelling brings a splash of color and personality to her work and play.

Collaborative Impact: Engaging Volunteers with the 5 W's Model

10:30 a.m.

How can nonprofits cultivate a volunteer base who are deeply engaged and motivated by purpose? This workshop introduces a person-centered framework designed to tap into individuals' unique strengths—whether through hands-on service, sharing wisdom, contributing financially, expanding influence, or nurturing organizational culture. "The 5 W’s of Volunteer Engagement" is a model that will empower you to recruit, inspire, engage and retain volunteers, committee members and board members by valuing their contributions. Nonprofit professionals will leave with practical tools to foster authentic relationships and amplify their organization's impact.

Rikki Harry

Founder & Owner

Rikki Harry, founder of LEAP Nonprofit Consulting, is a seasoned fundraiser, board member, and volunteer with experience across diverse nonprofits.

From healthcare and human services to higher education and humanities. she has worked with organizations of all sizes, including all-volunteer and multi-billion-dollar nonprofits. Passionate about helping nonprofits adopt best practices, she empowers leaders to focus on driving positive change. In her “free time”, Rikki is pursuing a doctorate in Ethical Leadership.

Panel: Leading with Heart

10:30 a.m.

Hear from local nonprofit executive directors and founders on the topic of Leadership. Learn from your peers and ask questions in this interactive session.

Rhonda Chandler

Executive Director

Rhonda Chandler is the Founder/Executive Director of Lovin The Skin I’m In, which empowers Black and Brown girls by providing opportunities to develop their talents and leadership skills. She works as a School Social Worker for Green Bay Area Public Schools. Rhonda also serves on local nonprofit boards and has received several community awards.

Said Hassan

Co-founder & Executive Director

Said Hassan is a passionate advocate for social justice and community development. Said co-founded COMSA, a nonprofit supporting refugees and immigrants in Green Bay. As COMSA's Executive Director, he leads programs promoting housing, employment, health and education.

Beverly Scow

Executive Director

Beverly Scow, the Executive Director of Wise Women Gathering Place, has provided support and leadership to grow WWGP impact in the community. Serving over 26 years, WWGP provides services to over 1,500 community members a year. Beverly is a member of the Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis First Nation.

Cate Tinker

Executive Director

Cate Tinker has dedicated her career to nonprofit education and administration with a focus on inquiry-based learning through play. She currently holds the role of Executive Director of Above and Beyond Children's Museum in Sheboygan.

Heart-Centered Resilience: Sustainable Leadership for Nonprofits

1 p.m.

This session empowers nonprofit leaders with actionable strategies to reduce burnout and sustain purpose-driven work. Using the C.E.O.™/E.D.™ framework—Centered, Energetic, Optimistic/Elevated Determination—in this interactive participatory session you will explore mindful pauses, breathwork techniques and self-care practices to enhance clarity, resilience and leadership effectiveness. Discover how personal well-being creates a foundation for community care, inspiring teams to flourish among life's many unknowns and strengthening your nonprofit’s capacity to create meaningful, lasting change in this world.

Jen Murray

Founder & CEO

Jen Murray (they/them), founder of High Vibe Healing Collective, is a heart-centered facilitator specializing in relationship-focused team building, fostering emotional well-being, and elevating leadership.

With over 30 years of experience in meditation and visualization, Jen supports leaders in cultivating authentic connections, emotional regulation, and collective resilience. Through breathwork and integrative practices, they inspire sustainable transformation, blending ancient wisdom with future-focused strategies to advance personal well-being and foster inclusive, purpose-driven leadership.

You Can't Potluck Your Way to a Great Culture: Practical Tips for Building a Thriving Culture

1 p.m.

Let's face it, competing for talent is tough for all employers, but it's even tougher for nonprofits! Stress and burnout across the sector are at an all-time high. Rapid change and ongoing uncertainty have employees feeling less connected than ever. Understanding what motivates employees to stay is essential to employee engagement and a healthy culture. In this workshop you will learn about the unique challenges and opportunities nonprofits face in creating a thriving culture. What factors motivate employees to stay. How to create a culture blueprint to engage your team and board in building the intentional culture you want. Back by popular demand.

Lisa Kogan-Praska

President & CEO

Lisa has served as the CEO for three large, regional nonprofits with a passion for working collaboratively to build healthier communities.

Currently, she is CEO of United Way Fox Cities. Her experience leading rapid growth organizations has given her a solid foundation in leadership, collaboration, strategic planning, community engagement and culture optimization. Lisa is also an active board member and community volunteer in Northeast Wisconsin.

Diverse Teams, Strong Leadership: Effective Collaboration in Multicultural Teams

1 p.m.

This diverse group of speakers works with resettled populations to provide education for newcomers. Learn about cultural norms when it comes to communication between cultures, and take away a list of essential things to consider when working within a team that has a variety of cultural backgrounds and communication styles. They will also share tips for how to serve diverse clients well within your nonprofit.

Farahnaz Asghari

Group Program Lead

Farahnaz Asghari joined the World Relief Wisconsin team April 2022. She brings experience working for the U.S. Embassy coordinating capacity-building programs, teaching American culture, Information USA and ESL. Farah was instrumental in creating a new group program for newly arrived Afghan women.

Susie Brekke

Associate Director of Integration & Wellness

Susie Brekke joined the World Relief Wisconsin team January 2021 and serves as Associate Director of Integration & Wellness. Her greatest joy has been building a team of incredibly skilled leaders working across three programs: education, extended case management and health.

Lorraine Dunia

Education Services Manager

Lorraine Dunia joined the World Relief Wisconsin team August 2023 as a Group Program Specialist, leading the African Women’s Group. Bringing her background in finance and program and team management, Lorraine now serves as Education Services Manager, providing guidance that focuses on cultural orientation for newcomers.

Samah Obaidin

Education Services Coordinator

Samah Obaidin joined the World Relief Wisconsin team November 2023 as an Education Coordinator. Her background as a physician in Aleppo, Syria brought a fantastic skillset to her current work as she educates new arrivals to the US on essential topics helpful for restarting a new life.

Capital Campaign: Ready or Not?

1 p.m.

Are you serving more individuals and outgrowing your space? Are you considering a capital campaign? Not sure where to start? This is the session for you! Participants will learn campaign insights and complete a campaign readiness assessment where you will identify your strengths, your weaknesses and opportunities as you consider next steps in planning your successful capital campaign.

Tonya Dedering

Founder & CEO

Tonya L. Dedering, CFRE, Founder and CEO of Vigeo Nonprofit Advising & Coaching, partners with small-medium sized nonprofits in Northeast Wisconsin.

She brings twenty-four years of experience raising millions for nonprofits through capital campaigning and general fundraising. As a CFRE, consultant member of Capital Campaign Pro, and BoardSource certification in Nonprofit Board Consulting, Tonya brings industry best practices and a great deal of passion to champion nonprofits.

Panel: Boards of Directors

1 p.m.

Hear from local nonprofit executive directors and founders on the topic of Leadership. Learn from your peers and ask questions in this interactive session.

Pat Cavanaugh

Board President

Pat Cavanaugh serves as the Board President for Encompass Early Childhood Care and Education. Encompass includes a staff of 220 and serves nearly 900 children across eight locations. Pat has a unique blend of leadership experience that spans nearly 20 and is currently the Director of Growth and Performance for the leadership company, Jadin Jones.

Rashad Cobb

Chief Operating Officer

Rashad Cobb is the first COO at Brown County United Way. With over 20 years in nonprofit work, including workforce development, social services, and philanthropy, he builds relationships to improve life in Greater Green Bay. Rashad is also involved as a board member with multiple local organizations and mentors youth and young professionals.

Maria Lara

Adjunct Instructor & Corporate Trainer

Maria Lara is an adjunct instructor and corporate trainer at NWTC. She is President and Co-founder of Latino Professionals Association of NEW (LPA) and launched Maria M. Lara Consulting LLC in 2024. She serves as a board-committee member at the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, College Ready, LTF UW Madison-Extension and Green Bay Mayor’s office.

Jose Luis Villa

Vice President of Commercial Lending

Jose Luis Villa is Vice President of Commercial Lending at Fox Communities Credit Union and Board President of Casa ALBA Melanie, a nonprofit serving the Hispanic/Latino community in Greater Green Bay and surrounding areas. He also serves as Treasurer of the Green Bay Botanical Garden and on the St. Norbert College Alumni Board.

Grant Writing in an Age of AI: Balancing Technology with Authentic Voice

2:15 p.m.

Equip nonprofit professionals with strategies to incorporate AI and technology into the grant-writing process while preserving the authenticity and passion that drives their mission. The session will focus on streamlining grant efforts without compromising emotional impact or organizational values.

Carmen Dehn

Grant Specialist

Carmen Dehn has worked in the local nonprofit sector for five years, currently serving as a grant specialist at The Bellin Health Foundation. Carmen has completed the Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program and is a UW-Green Bay alum.

Ashley Jones

Director

Ashley Jones, MPA, CFRE, Director of The Bellin Health Foundation, has 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Since beginning at the Foundation in 2021, she has secured over $7 million in grants for the region. Ashley’s expertise in fundraising and grant writing supports vital programs in the health and wellness space.

Succession Planning: Just Do It!

2:15 p.m.

Every organization needs a succession plan! Succession planning helps an organization nurture transparent and shared processes and stay healthy and strong in the event of unexpected or planned disruption in leadership. Join presenters, along with executive directors who have gone through the succession planning process, to learn about the value of customized succession planning for your organization and leave with tools and strategies which will help you do it. In this session, participants will learn about and contemplate risks that a lack of succession plan may pose to organizations, as well as gain knowledge and tools to take action toward an appropriate succession plan for their organization. Executive directors who have undergone the planning and transition process will share their insights about the experience.

Jeff Burkhart

Founder & CEO

Jeff Burkhart started Mission Forward in early 2023 to empower nonprofit organizations to increase their sustainability and impact. Jeff has more than 20 years of professional leadership experience in government and nonprofit organizations.

Mary Beth Collins

Executive Director

Mary Beth Collins, J.D., M.A., currently serves as the Executive Director of UW-Madison Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies, where she and her team conduct teaching, research and outreach about community efforts and the nonprofit and civil society sectors.

Stuart Hee

Operations Director

Stuart is the Operations Director for Center for Community Stewardship. He has spent the last 25 years working in various operations and finance roles. Stuart currently sits on the board of CEOs of Tomorrow and Collaboration for Good.

Communicating Your Story: Positioning and Messaging to Showcase Your Impact

2:15 p.m.

Get to know your audience. Learn what you need to know from your donors before you finalize your strategic marketing/communications plans. Using primary research to learn as much as possible about your donor’s interests and decision-making drivers is key to constructing an effective communications plan that will yield the fundraising results you seek. Learn what questions you should be asking, how to gather the data and how that data informs your strategic communication efforts to demonstrate your impact.

Michelle Dejno

Executive Vice President

Michelle Dejno is the Executive Vice President at O'Connor Connective, providing over 30 years in strategic marketing communications.

She guides clients in research, planning and storytelling. Previously, she held leadership roles at St. Mary Catholic Schools and Willems Marketing and taught marketing at Fox Valley Technical College. Michelle serves on several local boards including AFP.

Small but Mighty Teams: How to Do More with Less

2:15 p.m.

Small nonprofit organizations have a remarkable way of achieving big things, but it’s not easy. This session explores strategies for maximizing productivity and impact with limited resources. It will offer tips to manage the strain of a large project, an unexpected staffing vacancy or a financial shortfall. We’ll talk about the importance of partnerships, collaborations, volunteers and community connections. Whether you’re the leader of a small team, or one of the mighty members, this session will inspire you to find ways to work smarter, not harder, and how to best use the tools have in your own toolbox!

Jen Metcalf

Assistant Director

With an overarching purpose of downtown revitalization and activation, Jen Metcalf's everyday tasks include everything from project management to fundraising to human resources. As assistant director at Downtown Green Bay, she is proud to help lead a team who does such great work for our community.

Jenny Vanden Langenberg

Director

As director of Downtown Green Bay, Jenny Vanden Langenberg's goal is to make sure that anyone who spends time in downtown Green Bay feels safe, welcomed and impressed with what they see! She is proud to be part of a team dedicated to creating a vibrant downtown.

Are You an Iguana or a Border Collie? Stress Recovery Strategies that Work

2:15 p.m.

How do you maintain your sanity, relationships, and health when there is never enough time to get things done? Hectic pace, chronic high-stress, uncertainty and unavoidable negative influences can threaten productivity, creativity and suck the fun out of even the most enjoyable professions. Identifying your stress recovery personality is one of the first steps in becoming stress-proof! Join keynote speaker Eliz Greene as she shares insights and strategies to limit the impact of stress to improve performance and quality of life. She will discuss emotional stress triggers that reveal why some people are bogged down by stressful environments while others thrive. Explore different types of stress recovery strategies and understand the importance of motivation in behavior change in this engaging and humorous session.

Eliz Greene

Stress Researcher, Speaker & Consultant

Closing Session

Agents of Change

3:30 p.m.

Join us for an enlightening session with Nacho Enriquez Jr., a licensed professional counselor and passionate advocate with a unique background in public service. Drawing from his diverse experience, Nacho will share powerful insights on driving systemic change in our communities. His presentation will explore the transformative impact of advocacy and the crucial role of change agents in the non-profit sector. Prepare to be inspired as Nacho shares strategies to empower individuals and organizations to become catalysts for positive change in our communities.

Nacho Enriquez Jr.

Founder & President

Nacho Enriquez Jr. is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, well-being expert and the leading authority on emotional wellness for first responders, blending nearly two decades of law enforcement experience with a master's degree in Science in Education specializing in community mental health counseling.

As the founder and president of Ascent Consulting, LLC, Nacho has collaborated with over twenty-five law enforcement agencies, including the Madison Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, as well as corporate giants like Plexus Inc. and U.S. Venture Inc., to help professionals in high-pressure roles overcome the emotional toll of their careers. With over 1,300 individual wellness sessions conducted in just two years and a TEDx Talk titled "In Case of Emergency, Listen," Nacho has established himself as a transformative force in crisis intervention and mental health support.

Register for the Conference

The third annual Nonprofit Conference takes place on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. All levels of nonprofit professionals are invited—entry level to Executive Director. Last year the conference sold out, so register early!

Need Guidance?

If you need additional guidance, please contact Kayle Petitjean, Office of Professional Continuing Education, at professionaled@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2642.

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