Leading Nonprofits Through the Twists and Turns

Leading Nonprofits Through the Twists and Turns
Maintaining Momentum, Leading Hard Conversations, and Supporting Teams Through Turbulent Times

Wednesday, October 8
1:00 - 3:00 PM ET

The nonprofit sector today is under deep strain — the work feels more urgent than ever, but the way forward is anything but simple. Nonprofit leaders are expected to stay calm, communicate clearly, and keep things moving … even when they’re not sure what’s coming next. Some days, the strain shows up loud — pushback on a decision, clashing priorities, a tense conversation you didn’t see coming. Other days, it’s quieter: a team stretched thin, a community on edge, a funder or partner asking for certainty you can’t honestly give.

This workshop offers a chance to step out of survival mode and rethink what leadership looks like in moments like this. We’ll explore why even well-intended efforts to create change can backfire, how everyday tension can slide into unproductive conflict, and how to lead others more intentionally when complexity becomes the norm. You’ll leave with practical tools, fresh perspective, and a bit more space to breathe.

In this workshop, you’ll learn:

• Understand the distinction between healthy conflict (which drives growth) and high conflict (which derails progress)
• Explore the Conflict Foresight Model to anticipate others’ reactions before tensions escalate
• Identify the common “elephants in the room” that prevent genuine buy-in, even when everyone verbally agrees
• Gain tools to develop responses that address both logical objections and emotional reactions to change
• Engage in creative reflection exercises that unlock new perspectives on persistent challenges

Registrants: Please bring a notebook, something to doodle with, and three pieces of 8.5 x 11 paper to the session.

About the Speaker
Melanie Ho, Ph.D., Founder, Strategic Imagination

Melanie Ho is a consultant who combines more than 20 years of leadership experience with her perspective as an artist and multimedia storyteller to help organizations achieve bold transformations. She delivers unique workshops and keynotes for leaders at Fortune 500 organizations, start-ups, universities, nonprofits, and government groups, focusing on today’s most important leadership concepts — and bringing them to life through art and storytelling. Previously, she served as SVP of Research at EAB Global, a technology and services firm in Washington, DC (formerly part of The Advisory Board Company), where she managed a team of 100 consultants that provided strategic and operational advice to more than 1,500 colleges and universities worldwide. 

Her recent book, Beyond Leaning In: Gender Equity and What Organizations are Up Against, received a silver medal in the 2022 Axiom Awards recognizing the world’s best business books. Also a visual artist, Melanie has drawn dozens of comics about the challenges that women face at work. She received her Ph.D. in English from UCLA, where she taught literature, visual culture, and leadership and earned the Distinguished Teaching Award. 

International registrants: If you have trouble registering, please email copevents@philanthropy.com or call 1-571-540-8070 and include the name of the workshop for which you wish to register.