Ask The Experts Schedule & Speakers

Schedule Overview
(This program has been approved for 5.5 CFRE points) 

8:00 am - 8:30 am – Registration and Breakfast 

8:45 am - 10:15 am – Opening Keynote
Featuring Vu Le, Nonprofit AF

10:15 am - 10:30 am – Morning Break

10:30 am - 11:30 am – Concurrent Breakout Session #1

11:45 am - 12:15 pm – Lunch & Networking

12:15 pm - 1:00 pm – Keynote Panel
Featuring Marilu Garza, Seven Acres; Melissa Simon, CFRE, MSW, Casa De Esperanza De Los Ninos; Gregory S. Robertson, Houston Grand Opera; and Ronnie Hagerty, Ph.D., CFRE, United Way of Greater Houston

1:00 pm - 1:15 pm – Break

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm – Concurrent Breakout Session #2

2:15 pm - 2:30 pm – Break

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm – Concurrent Breakout #3

Ask The Experts Session Descriptions

Time to Own Our Awesomeness: Unleashing the Full Power of Nonprofit and Philanthropy
Presenter: Vu Le, Nonprofit AF
The last few years have seen how vital nonprofits are. And yet, we continue to have so many barriers. Overhead myth. Misconceptions among the public. Comparisons to for-profits. Crappy chairs held together with duct tape. How do we unlock our true potential? What philosophies and practices must we let go? These and other topics will be covered in a provocative and entertaining presentation that will have you laughing, thinking, and probably cursing. 

Capital Campaign Planning: From Fundraising to Construction and Architecture
Presenters: Aimee Clark & Mary Claire Walther, Dini Spheris; Janis Brackett, Kirksey Architecture
This session will focus on how to prepare for a capital campaign, both in terms of fundraising and understanding the potential from philanthropy AND in terms of scoping the construction project and working with an architect to finalize plans. Participants will leave with a better understanding of how to begin a capital project, how to best collaborate with and utilize an architecture firm and/or campaign consultant, how to leverage volunteers alongside these experts, and how these key partners would approach your project.

It’s Time to Elevate!
Presenters: Lereca Monik, 4.0, and Andrea Sankey, Prairie View A&M University
Do you want to lead people at your work or in your community? Are you seeking a promotion and wondering how to prepare for your next opportunity? This session is geared for any professional who is looking to grow and elevate professionally. Learn key strategies that will help you own your power and hold space with confidence. Emerging and transitioning leaders encouraged to attend.

Listening Session - AFP Global’s Fundraiser Bill of Rights
Presenter: Rebecca Lamb, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast 
Want to play a vital role in shaping the future of our profession? Join us for this interactive listening session to provide input on AFP Global’s Fundraisers Bill of Rights. This document will address the unique challenges fundraisers face regarding donor interaction and engagement, with a focus on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access. A key component of this work is to create the document and supporting materials collaboratively. It is the goal for the Fundraisers Bill of Rights to become a valued sector-wide document and a critical addition to AFP’s Ethics portfolio.

The Importance of a Compelling Case
Presenter: Nicole McWhorter, CFRE, YMCA of Greater Houston
Imagine - you are a seasoned fundraising professional working at an organization that changes the lives of so many community members, but you struggle to meet your board’s annual fundraising goals. You probably need a stronger case statement! Join us as we explore the importance of a compelling case, and ways to update your existing case for support to secure more impactful gifts and build stronger relationships with your donors.

Keynote Panel: The State of the Nonprofit Profession
Presenters: Marilu Garza, Seven Acres; Melissa Simon, CFRE, MSW, Casa De Esperanza De Los Ninos; Gregory S. Robertson, Houston Grand Opera; moderated by Ronnie Hagerty, Ph.D., CFRE, United Way of Greater Houston
Three advanced and tenured professionals will discuss the current state of the nonprofit profession: how they feel it is has changed through the pandemic, biggest lessons learned, advice on advancement in your career, management of staff, diversity in our sector, etc. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions to these colleagues on their best practices, what they expect from the staff members, advice on work/life balance.

Using AFP International Data to Enhance Your Fundraising Effectiveness
Presenter: Angela Seaworth, Ph.D.,Seaworth Nonprofit Solutions
There is more fundraising data available than ever, but do you ever wonder which you should use to improve your fundraising? Dr. Seaworth, who serves on the AFP Global Research Council and the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) will explain national data from FEP and how it can be applied to our fundraising shops. She will also introduce FEP tools that help measure fundraising efficiency to help fundraising managers. 

Updating Gift Acceptance Policies to Protect Your Organization and to Encourage the Right Gifts
Presenter: Ann Wolford, The Wolford Group
In this ever changing environment, it’s time to dust off your gift acceptance policy and view it with a new set of eyes as you consider potential gifts your donors may want to give you (think cryptocurrency). Have you accepted donations that cost more money and headache than they were worth? Have you found yourself accepting a gift for a naming opportunity and the donor ran into legal issues that would shed negative light on your organization? Together, we’ll explore how updating your policy not only protects your organization, but attracts the right gifts.

Mentoring New Board Members to Build Board Culture
Presenter: Michele J. Sabino, Ed.D., Third Sector Services
A critical factor in ensuring successful nonprofit board engagement and deliberation is board culture. Board culture refers to the manner in which a board works together to impact outcomes. Mentoring allows seasoned, senior members of the board to function as one-on-one advisors and relationship builders to ensure that all members of the board are aligned with history, process and policy. Most importantly, it makes certain that new board members feel welcome and included.

It’s 2022: Let’s Move Fundraiser Self-Care to the Top of the List
Presenters: Melinda English, Rice University; Michelle F. Vryn, CFRE, OneStar Foundation; Evan Wildstein, Good Gotham
As fundraisers, we sprint to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for our organizations every year. Often this dedication comes at our own physical, mental, and emotional expense. We do this because this sector is our home, this field is our passion, and these donors are amazing individuals and institutions. However, if the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that self-care and psychological safety have moved front and center. To more deeply focus on ourselves, this working session will uniquely support you — the fundraiser — in prioritizing yourself, so you, your organization, and your communities all thrive. Let this session be the start of collectively walking this journey, together.  

Navigating Agency Complexities and Practicing Equity-Based Leadership
Presenters: Lereca Monik, 4.0;  Marvin Pierre, 8 Million Stories; Courtney Taylor, Veritex Community Bank; Victoria Chen, BridgeYear; Kate Dearing Fowler, The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation
In response to societal shifts and radical curiosity of what it means to embrace diversity, organizations are working diligently to develop a more inclusive and equitable ecosystem for their teams, clients, and board of directors. Gain perspective from four practitioners who anchor their work In equity-based leadership.

Using Data to Build a Robust Donor Base at Every Level
Presenters: Audra Jesudason & Brittani Williams, Houston Zoo
This session will explore how the Houston Zoo has harnessed the power of existing member, visitor, and donor data as they embark on the largest capital campaign in the zoo’s history. We will explore best practices for prospect research, portfolio development, and how to engage donors at all levels, from annual giving to principal gifts.

Retention and Engagement in a Hybrid World
Presenters: Robin Susman and Jennifer Wijangco, CFRE, YES Prep
It’s 2022, and there’s no going back. We now raise money in a world that lives somewhere between in-person and virtual. However, engagement remains the key to fundraising success, not only for financial goals but also team stability. In this session, you’ll hear how YES Prep has managed to keep its $80 million campaign rolling and team retention high. 

Major Gifts in Small and Large Shops
Presenters: Desmond Bertrand-Pitts, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum; Jeff Doherty, The Center for Pursuit; Kimberly Koehn, Memorial Hermann Foundation; Deborah Kirkland, The Joy School; and Amanda George and Sarah Thornton Lewis, Sterling
During these unprecedented times, major gifts are critical to supporting and sustaining the important work of nonprofit organizations. Join this excited panel moderated by Sterling’s Amanda George to explore how two very different organizations have secured powerful major gifts from the Houston philanthropic community and beyond.