Tuesday, August 6 | 3:30 - 5:00 PM Workshops
SOARing From SWOT: An Interactive How-To For Strength-Based Participatory Planning and Engagement • Jennie Silbert & Tony Silbert | Spartina Consulting
Session Room: South County
Your organization's success hinges on its strategy, not the published strategic plan tucked in a three-ring binder, but the capacity of your people and partners to think, learn, act, and make strategic decisions every day. This workshop will provide an experiential overview of a participatory and strength-based framework that accelerates strategic planning and ensures ownership and commitment for swift and meaningful follow-through. We begin with a positive 'reframe' of the traditional SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), introducing SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results). More than creating a clear way forward, SOAR generates shared meaning and understanding for coordinating action. Perhaps most importantly, SOAR sparks a spirit of solution-focused inquiry: an openness to what can and should be; what we seek, we find, and what we pay attention to grows (positive image, positive action) and inclusive commitment: engaging key stakeholders and diverse perspectives in a manner that people commit to what they help to create.
About the Speakers: Jennie Silbert is a master group facilitator, trainer, and leadership coach who believes every person is worthy of learning, working, and earning to their full potential. She has a knack for facilitating rich dialogue for participatory strategic planning, a skill that has supported the highest rankings at the CIA; refugee camp survivors, USDA climatologists, IMF and World Bank economists strategizing post-civil war investment in Liberia; and multiple statewide strategic planning processes, from Rhode Island’s Department of Education to Wisconsin’s Department of Revenue. Additional clients include Centreville Bank, Washington Trust, LVMH Moët Hennessy, the United Nations Development Programme, Michigan State University, and CDC University. Before co-founding Spartina Consulting, Jen spent over a decade as an organization development consultant and leadership coach at Bearing Point, EDS, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and IBM. A TEDxProvidence speaker and emcee, dedicated board member to multiple nonprofits (including Leadership Rhode Island), and marathon coach turned soccer mom, Jen is based in Rhode Island with her husband, Tony.
Tony Silbert is a charismatic thought leader, trainer, and C-Suite whisperer who inspires people to challenge what’s possible. His 25 years of experience span business consulting, strategic planning, and leadership development. He is a pioneer in strengths-based, participatory approaches to planning and change. In addition to teaching the Strategic Management Capstone at Providence College’s MBA program, Tony has facilitated a host of strategic planning efforts for banks, Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofits around the world. Clients include Centreville Bank, Washington Trust, American Express, NASA, EuroNext, BASF, USAID, Natixis, Tiffany, AllState, Michigan State University, and CDC University. Tony holds a Master of Science in Organization Development from the American University/National Training Laboratory (NTL) Institute. A triathlete who completed his second IronMan in Mont Tremblant in 2019, you can find Tony swimming, cycling, and biking in Rhode Island, where he lives with his wife, Jen, and two daughters.
How To Leverage Program Milestones • Marisa Markowski & Amber Elizabeth | Leadership Kenosha, WI
Session Room: Kent
Attendees who come to "How To Leverage Program Milestones" can expect to engage in a conversation focusing on special events, business partnerships/sponsorship, alumni engagement, and other key factors relating to program celebrations. Presenters will share their experience with their 25th-anniversary celebration, which was marked with their largest graduation ceremony yet. Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak in small groups about the subject areas that they are most interested in, with an opportunity to learn and share experiences among Leadership Programs of various capacities, generating ideas on how celebrations can be made to fit their current program needs and goals. Participants will leave with new ideas and an action plan for how they can scale it to their program in the upcoming year.
About the Speakers: Marisa Markowski is a rising leader with a demonstrated background in Marketing and Communications. She joined the Leadership Kenosha network in 2020 as a means to stay connected and learn more about her community in a time of disconnection. She now serves as co-chair of the Steering Committee alongside Amber Elizabeth. In her life's journey, Marisa consistently takes on opportunities where she can challenge her creativity and find ways to pull together compelling messaging. Outside of her 9-5, she enjoys traveling to new places to try vegan foods and attending community events between episodes of Stranger Things. If there’s one thing Marisa can say to describe herself, it would be that she strives to be the Leslie Knope of her community — sweet tooth and all. She is a 2021 graduate of Leadership Kenosha.
Amber Elizabeth is Chair of the Leadership Kenosha Steering Committee and a 2020 program graduate. She holds a B.A. in Communications and an M.S.Ed. in Student Affairs Administration. Her first career was in Higher Education, her second career was as a Mom, and now she’s on the path towards her third. Amber also serves as President of the Harborside Academy Foundation Board, an adult leader with 4-H, and enjoys engaging in other community service activities throughout the year. She loves hanging out with her two awesome sons and her family and friends. One motto that Amber tries to live by every day is "Carpe Diem!" Lastly, if you need a recommendation for this season's coolest ice cream (or Chai tea) flavor, look no further than Amber and Marisa.
The Self-Aware Leader: The Link Between Self-Awareness and Leadership Effectiveness • Bryce Roberts | Foxwood Consulting
Session Room: Providence I & IV
In a world continually growing in complexity, the power of self-awareness can be harnessed to help guide leaders and to inform how we serve and create. The more we become aware of our inner landscape, the more equipped we become to lead with greater clarity, creativity, and effectiveness. This workshop will dive into a better understanding of why self-awareness and leadership effectiveness are linked and provide clear models that help highlight why it is crucial to continue deepening our awareness. Participants can expect to learn more about human neurobiology, reactive behavior, and tools for gaining better insight into themselves. They will also leave this workshop with avenues to apply this content to their organizations, teams, and programming.
About the Speaker: Bryce Roberts is a licensed psychotherapist with a leadership development and coaching background. He is the owner and operator of Foxwood Counseling & Consulting, LLC. Before establishing this practice, he worked for Leadership Toledo (OH), where he focused on both adult and youth programming. Bryce believes deeply in the correlation between leadership effectiveness and self-awareness. He holds certifications from The Leadership Circle, an MA in Theology, and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
The Power of 360 Collaboration in Programs: The Black Boardroom Leadership Success Story • Deloria Nelson & Daniel Downer | Leadership Orlando, FL & The Black Boardroom Institue
Session Room: Newport/Washington
Learn about collaborative community programs through the inspiring narrative of the Black Boardroom Leadership Institute (BBLI). Recognized with esteemed accolades, including the 2023 ALP Excellence in Innovation Award and the Innovation in Marketing Pivot & Persist Award, BBLI stands as a shining example of leadership excellence rooted in Black identity. Join us for an enlightening workshop as we delve into the captivating story of BBLI, tracing its inception, growth, and remarkable milestones. Gain insight into how BBLI is revolutionizing nonprofit governance by fostering inclusive leadership and amplifying diverse voices, thereby driving cultural transformation and fostering an environment of inclusivity and equity. Discover the strategies, triumphs, and obstacles encountered by BBLI as it spearheads the movement for inclusive leadership within Orlando's nonprofit landscape. Learn how BBLI's groundbreaking approach ensures that the composition of community boardrooms reflects the vibrant diversity of our society, leading to substantive change and enduring impact.
About the Speakers:
Deloria "Dee" Nelson Streete is the Founder and President of Authentic Culture and Engagement (ACE) Solutions, Inc. ACE is a dynamic consulting firm that focuses on providing solutions to companies who want to enhance and strengthen their culture through authentic engagement and inclusion. Dee was recently the Managing Director of Diversity & Inclusion for Charles Schwab & Company, where she led the firm's national diversity & inclusion efforts. Deloria is a published author and speaker who has worked professionally in Human Resources for more than 25 years with various Fortune 500 companies. Deloria specializes in DEI Assessments, Leadership Training, Coaching, Employee Relations, and Inclusion. Deloria is the Curriculum Designer and Facilitator for the award-winning Black Boardroom Leadership Institute (BBLI). She has a BA degree in Mass Communications and an MPA with a concentration in Human Resources.
Daniel J. Downer (he/him) is an award-winning community advocate, facilitator, and public speaker with a long history of advocating for Black and Brown LGBTQ+, racial, and social movements in Central Florida. Through his work with community initiatives and organizations, Daniel has combined his lived experience with his educational and professional expertise to create movement in addressing allyship, anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ issues. Daniel previously served as the Executive Director of The Bros in Convo Initiative, a community organization in Orlando educating and empowering gay and queer individuals of color living in Central Florida through comprehensive health education, STI prevention linkage, and peer support. He sits on the Board of Directors of RAHMA, a Black Muslim-led organization addressing HIV/AIDS in faith communities through education, advocacy, and empowerment. The Board of Directors of One Orlando Alliance is a vital support network for LGBTQ+ organizations in Central Florida. Daniel provides his clients with relevant, impactful, and comprehensive content and solutions to help build and strengthen their strategies to infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion into their organizational culture, enhancing outcomes for everyone.
Harmonizing Connections: Cultivating Servant Leadership for Transformative Community Engagement • Samantha Bergbauer | Leadership Rhode Island
Session Room: Bristol
This workshop aims to explore the art of thoughtfully stewarding relationships as a cornerstone for fostering servant leadership and driving meaningful community impact. Participants will delve into strategies for cultivating authentic connections, understanding the dynamics of servant leadership, and leveraging these relationships to create opportunities for positive change. Through interactive discussions and a very unique case study, attendees will gain insights into the transformative power of intentional relationship-building in the pursuit of serving others and making a lasting impact on the community. Join us in this collaborative journey towards building purposeful connections and contributing to a culture of servant leadership for more dynamic programming.
About the Speaker: Samantha Bergbauer joined the team at Leadership Rhode Island in 2019 as College Program & Alumni Coordinator. She oversaw College Leadership Rhode Island for three years and loved connecting young leaders throughout the state with their peers and introducing them to everything and everyone in little Rhody! Samantha graduated from Providence College with a Bachelor's degree in Public and Comunity Service and a Business Studies certificate. After her undergraduate degree, she completed a year of service with AmeriCorps at RI Campus Compact and earned a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Providence College. Before coming to Leadership Rhode Island, Samantha worked as a Wellness Coordinator at the Nonviolence Institute, an organization she has been involved with for many years. As Director of Community Engagement, she looks forward to engaging with the broader community and building relationships with various community stakeholders across the state. Though originally from New Jersey, Samantha has been calling Rhode Island home for over 10 years and loves finding new things (mostly beaches!) to admire about Rhody!
Human-Centered Work for an Evolving World: The Future of Work is Now • MJ Kaplan | Kaplan Consulting
Session Room: Providence II & III
COVID-19 demonstrated that workplace function is archaic. In this session, we will better understand what it takes to lead organizations that are deeply human-centered and tech-enabled (also generally hybrid). When systems are aligned - purpose, structure, practices, policies, and culture- people can bring their best selves to work, achieve collective results, and live a balanced and fulfilling life. There are ample case studies to learn from in diverse sectors, but they do not get the attention needed to overcome skepticism. We'll unpack enterprises such as Buurtzorg Health and TiER1 (featured in Impact with Love: Building Business for a Better World), where teams are empowered and joyful and produce exceptional results for years on end. We'll learn practical tools and tips to apply to your leadership organization and to incorporate into programming. We'll dissect distributed decision-making and radically effective meeting structure. We'll distinguish roles from jobs and portfolios from career paths. We will develop action plans so you can start applying new (better) approaches immediately, understanding that agile change happens one experiment at a time. Gain commitment and competency to influence the future of YOUR work so that people feel valued and supported to collaborate creatively to achieve a shared purpose. Prepare to become hopeful and empowered.
About the Speaker: Supporting others to succeed is in MJ Kaplan’s DNA and is her guiding light. She earned her stripes as an internal consultant before founding Kaplan Consulting in 2000. She leads a global consulting network and has earned the trust and confidence of clients, colleagues, entrepreneurs, academics, government leaders, and innovators throughout her career. In 2013, MJ took a sabbatical to be an Ian Axford Fulbright Fellow in New Zealand to focus on the social enterprise ecosystem. She’s a leading speaker, writer, and teacher in social enterprise and co-chairs the board of directors for Social Enterprise Greenhouse - proudly hosting Vice President Kamala Harris and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in May 2021. MJ was awarded the Ashoka U’s Cordes Innovation Award for her work at Brown University and honored as Outstanding Mentor for RI Business Women. Dazzled by one New Zealand venture in 2014, MJ put consulting on hold to grow Loomio into a global social enterprise. Loomio is a SaaS platform that enables collaborative decision-making. MJ joined the Loomio Board of Directors in 2017. She also serves on the Board of Commerce RI.
In 2022, MJ was honored by Providence Business News for a ‘Leader & Achiever Award.’ GLOBAL SOCIAL IMPACT SHAPER, CONNECTOR AND STORYTELLER. MJ is internationally known for her writing and speaking on systems transformation, the future of work, social innovation, and women and leadership. She spent years teaching in an adjunct role at Brown University, creating an award-winning course for student entrepreneurs and a class in adaptive strategy. MJ writes for publications including Stanford Social Innovation Review, Nonprofit Quarterly, OD Practitioner, and The RISD Center for Complexity and publishes a blog on Medium. She’s a generous philanthropist and savvy social impact investor. MJ earned her M.Ed. from Harvard University and her B.A. from Brown University. MJ is the proud mother of three adult children with her husband of more than 30 years, Dr. Scott Triedman.