education sessions
We have a wide array of educational sessions waiting for you at AFP ICON 2024. Whether you want to master leadership, relationship building, securing the gift, trends and innovation, or all of the above, AFP has the latest and greatest information to unlock your fundraising potential.
Volunteer Involvement
Fundraising and the Nonprofit Board
Fundraising and the Nonprofit Board takes a deep dive into how board members can support fundraising efforts through both active and supporting roles Designed to nurture partnership and collaboration between executive directors, development staff, and board leaders, this workshop will provide practical tips for empowering board members to get involved.
Education Track(s): Volunteer Involvement
Audience: Applied
Speakers
Launa Wilson, MSW
Launa Wilson Consulting LLC - Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Launa Wilson is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. Through her company, Launa Wilson Consulting, she provides guidance and hands-on assistance to strengthen governance practices, enhance fundraising, and support organizational sustainability. Prior to establishing her consultancy, Ms. Wilson held a variety of positions in the sector, including program manager, major gifts officer, and executive director. She has built programs from the ground up, raised millions in charitable dollars, and led systemic changes resulting in stronger, more efficient, and more diverse nonprofits.How Good Governance Can Improve Business and Strengthen Volunteer Engagement
Attendees will immerse themselves in two vital facets: cultivating robust governance frameworks and fortifying volunteer engagement strategies. By harnessing the power of volunteerism, organizations can catalyze an influx of donors, cultivate future leaders, and foster stronger community connections, propelling their mission forward with amplified support and engagement.
Education Track(s): Volunteer Involvement
Audience: Applied
Speakers
Indy Arts Council - Director of Development
Rochelle Jerry is a nonprofit executive, professional fundraiser with an expertise in governance and volunteer cultivation. She is the Director of Development at Indy Arts Council, central Indiana’s leading arts advocacy agency that supports artists, arts organizations and public art programs. Having spent 20+ years in the nonprofit sector, she has a knack for developing innovative fundraising models and transforming organizations through collaborative leadership–strategies.A Wide Journey: Embedding Welcome, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in Organizational Culture
Executive leaders, fundraisers and consultants recount lessons from one organization’s multi-year journey of embedding a welcoming, inclusive, diverse and equitable culture. More than a strategic priority, this case study shares the approach used, stakeholder voices lifted, philanthropic funding secured, and outcomes achieved toward a WIDE way of being.
Education Track(s): Volunteer Involvement
Audience: Strategic
Speakers
Ryan Roemerman, BS
Lexicon Strategies - Partner
Ryan Roemerman is a partner at Lexicon Strategies, consulting with organizations advancing equity and social impact. He leads projects from concept to practice for collaborative transformation. Ryan began his career co-founding an Iowa nonprofit that built coalitions to pass safe school and civil rights laws by helping young LGBTQ people tell their stories to motivate legislative action. Ryan was the founding executive director for the Atlanta-based National Center for Civil and Human Rights LGBTQ Institute, served as an advisor for the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, and as the Atlanta Mayor's LGBTQ Advisory Board co-chair.
Cornerstones of Care - President & CEO
Merideth Rose is President/CEO of Cornerstones of Care, whose mission, partnering for safe and healthy communities, provides trauma-responsive care to 15,000 children and families across Kansas and Missouri. Previously Rose held roles with Community Services League and the Independence (Mo) School District leading pandemic response, strategic planning and diversity initiatives and was a Public Affairs Officer for FEMA. Rose is a board member of the Health Forward Foundation, Truman Heartland Community Foundation and Park University Trustee. Her civic leadership was recognized in 2023 by the Kansas City Royals with the Buck O’Neil Legacy Award.
Dynamic Transformations LLC - Founder and Principal Consultant
Jenna Ortiz is founder and principal consultant for Dynamic Transformations, which guides groups to create more empathetic and efficient work environments. As a practitioner, coach, strategist and systems guru, Jenna helps individuals show up fully to engage in DEI work. She is a Certified Professional Diversity Coach (CPDC) who supports leader DEI growth for successful, intentional organizational change to occur. She earned degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and The New School, received a certificate in Workplace Ethical and Inclusive Leadership from the University of South Florida and is a doctoral candidate in organizational leadership development at the University of Arizona.Chad Harris, CAE, PhD
Cornerstones of Care - Chief Development Officer
Dr. Chad E. Harris, CAE, is Chief Development Officer of Cornerstones of Care, a mental and behavioral healthcare agency, which annually helps 15,000 children and families heal from trauma, based in Kansas City, Mo. Previously Harris served as FarmHouse International Fraternity's President/CEO and professional roles in higher education advancement at the Indiana University Foundation and Wisconsin Alumni Association. He is past president of AFP Greater Kansas City and the KC Society of Association Executives. He is a graduate of Iowa State University (BS), Indiana University-Bloomington (MS) and received his doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of Missouri.How the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Will Impact Charitable Giving
Absent Congressional action, trillions of dollars of tax relief will expire at the end of 2025. Learn how to prepare for/navigate massive tax reform, and a once in a generation opportunity to pass a universal charitable deduction. You’ll learn how advocacy can help avoid hastening historic declines in giving.
Education Track(s): Volunteer Involvement
Audience: Strategic
Speakers
Lisa Chmiola, CFRE, AFP Certified Facilitator (formerly AFP Master Trainer), MS, CSPG
University of Missouri-St. Louis - Director of Gift Planning
Lisa has more than 22 years in philanthropic development. Currently the Director of Gift Planning for the University of Missouri-St. Louis, she also serves as the Chief Fablanthropist for Fablanthropy, working with nonprofit organizations and fundraising professionals providing consulting services on legacy giving strategies. An AFP Certified Facilitator since 2014 and TEDx speaker, Lisa has presented at five AFP International Conferences, and a variety of AFP and other industry regional conferences, chapter meetings, and webinars. Lisa is chair of the AFP Global U.S. Government Relations committee, a member of the AFP PAC board and of the LEAD Educational Advisory Committee.Sally Schaeffer, MA
Uncorked Advocates - Principal Consultant
Bringing nearly 25 years of experience, Sally and Uncorked Advocates provide federal government relations services to some of the largest nonprofits and philanthropic associations in the country. Previously, Sally represented more than 500 nonprofits and foundations as Independent Sector's Government Relations Director, served as Washington advocate for Girl Scouts of the USA, and worked on Capitol Hill for former Rep. Louise Slaughter as Legislative Director and Chief of Staff. She was named by The Hill as a Top Lobbyist for 2021, 2022, and 2023 and as Top 100 Lobbyist in 2022 by The National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics.Nicole Weingartner, Registered Lobbyist
