Nonprofit Leadership Institute

Thursday, June 11, 2026. 8:30 AM - 3 PM

Bob Duncan Center, Arlington TX 

Dr. Colton Strawser, Ph.D. , Colton Strawser Consulting

Stop Leading Softly: Strategic Leadership for Nonprofit Impact

Nonprofit leaders are often encouraged to embrace servant leadership—to prioritize others, build consensus, and lead with humility. While these qualities have value, they are not enough to meet the growing complexity, urgency, and accountability demands facing today’s nonprofit organizations.

This session challenges the overreliance on servant leadership as the dominant framework in the sector. Nonprofits do not just need supportive leaders—they need decisive, strategic leaders who can navigate ambiguity, make difficult choices, allocate scarce resources effectively, and drive measurable impact.

Participants will explore a range of leadership styles—including strategic, adaptive, transformational, and situational leadership—and examine when and how each approach is most effective. The session will also highlight the core competencies required of high-performing nonprofit leaders, including strategic thinking, data-informed decision-making, financial stewardship, and organizational alignment.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of their own leadership tendencies, practical tools to strengthen their decision-making capacity, and a framework for leading with both clarity and accountability in mission-driven environments.

Irish Burch, Irish Burch Co.

Leadership That Performs Under Pressure: Think clearly. Act decisively. Lead effectively when it matters most.

Leaders are often prepared for the role - but not for the pressure that comes with it. In high-stakes environments, decisions must be made quickly, communication must be clear, and leaders are expected to perform in real time.

In this keynote, Irish Burch equips leaders with practical strategies to navigate pressure without becoming overwhelmed. Drawing from over 20 years of leadership experience, she bridges the gap between leadership theory and real-world execution - giving leaders the tools to respond with clarity, confidence, courage, and control.

This keynote is ideal for organizations navigating complexity, change, and high-stakes decision-making where leadership performance directly impacts outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Make sound decisions under pressure, even with limited information

2. Communicate clearly and effectively in high-stakes moments

3. Maintain composure and lead with confidence when the pressure is on

4. Strengthen leadership effectiveness without becoming overwhelmed

Joshua Hart, Joshua Hart Consulting

Crucial Conversations for Nonprofit Leaders: How to Have Difficult Conversations Without Damaging Relationships

Nonprofit leaders face difficult conversations every day. Addressing underperforming staff, navigating board tension, managing strong personalities, aligning volunteers, or delivering hard feedback to someone deeply connected to the mission. These conversations are often delayed because leaders fear damaging relationships or discouraging passionate supporters. The problem is when difficult conversations don't happen, small issues grow into larger problems that impact team morale, donor confidence, and organizational effectiveness. This interactive session equips nonprofit leaders with practical tools to approach difficult conversations with clarity, empathy, and confidence. Participants will learn how to prepare for challenging discussions, keep conversations productive when emotions rise, and move toward resolution without sacrificing trust.
Attendees will walk away with a simple framework they can use immediately with staff, volunteers, board members, and stakeholders.

Kenny Lange, Kenny Lange Consulting

Be The Buffalo: Resilient Leadership in the Face of Storms 

Nonprofit leaders rarely get to lead in ideal conditions. They face staff strain, donor pressure, limited margin, unexpected change, and the emotional weight of serving people in hard seasons. In those moments, many leaders either avoid the storm, freeze inside it, or push through it in ways that cost them their health and clarity. This session helps leaders build resilient leadership from the inside out. Using a memorable metaphor and practical reflection, Kenny Lange will help attendees recognize pressure patterns, stay grounded in purpose, and lead with steadiness when the storm hits. 

Thank you to our Sponsors

Your Part-Time Controller

M.Gale

Colton Strawser Consulting

Justworks 

Insperity