Tuesday, July 22 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM Workshops
Managing Conflict with Leaders through Restorative Practices • Sharon Bradley, M.Ed. | Leadership Plano, TX
Fostering a healthy culture is essential - not just within your organization but also in your programs among your class participants. People rarely disengage because of the content or the work they are tasked with - they step back because of the dynamics. This interactive session offers practical restorative tools and strategies to navigate difficult conversations, resolve conflict, and build cohesion. Whether you're managing internal staff tension, cohort conflicts, or complex decisions, you’ll leave equipped to lead responsive conversations that support inclusive, collaborative environments - ultimately improving team retention, participant satisfaction, and overall program impact.
About the Speaker: Sharon Bradley is a national educational consultant, speaker, and school district director, where she has played a pivotal role in shaping the district's approach to social-emotional development and truancy prevention for all students. With 24 years of experience in education, she has held various positions, including Director, Alternative High School Principal, Assistant Principal, Dropout Prevention Program Coordinator, General Education Teacher, and Special Education Teacher. Sharon recently received recognition from the Education-First/Rockefeller Foundation for her innovative initiatives to reduce chronic absenteeism.
She is the author of the NPR reference guides 'Chronic Absenteeism: Prevention and Intervention Strategies for Schools, Families, and Communities' and 'Combating Chronic Absenteeism through Attendance Improvement Plans.' Furthermore, she has been honored as a 2024 'Leader to Learn From' by EducationWeek Magazine and was named 'Person of the Year' in 2023 by the International Truancy and Dropout Prevention Association. Sharon is a graduate of Leadership Plano Class 39 and is set to serve as the incoming chair for the Plano Chamber of Commerce Leadership Plano Advisory Board. She holds a bachelor's degree in Special Education from Mississippi State University and a master's degree in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.
Beyond Tuition: Proven Fundraising Strategies for Sustainable Leadership Programs • Michelle Crim, CFRE | Dynamic Development Strategies
Do you need to diversify your leadership program's funding streams? Are you looking for effective ways to engage donors and sponsors to support your mission? This dynamic session, led by a certified fundraising professional with extensive experience, offers proven strategies to develop successful fundraising plans that drive mission-critical work. Attendees will discover actionable approaches to expanding revenue sources, cultivating donor relationships, and creating strategic development plans that align with their organization's goals. Through interactive discussions and real-world case studies, participants will gain practical tools to enhance fundraising efforts and secure sustainable support for their programs.
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand key strategies to diversify funding streams and reduce reliance on a single source.
- Learn effective donor and sponsor engagement techniques that foster long-term relationships.
- Develop strategic, integrated fundraising plans tailored to their leadership program's unique needs.
Join this session to equip yourself with the knowledge and resources needed to elevate your leadership program's financial sustainability and continue fostering a vibrant and thriving community.
A
bout the Speaker: Michelle Crim currently serves as President of Dynamic Development Strategies, LLC, an award-winning nonprofit consulting firm she founded in 2019 to provide interim leadership and strategic fundraising services to nonprofits throughout Texas. With over 20 years in nonprofit work, Michelle is uniquely qualified to both understand the work of a nonprofit leader and also be able to work alongside the staff and board of directors to ensure sustainable success.
Michelle received her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credentials in 2008. She is a past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Fort Worth Metro Chapter and a 2010 graduate of Leadership Fort Worth, TX. She is a Grant Professionals Association (GPA) certified grants trainer and provides workshops on fundraising, nonprofit best practices, and grant readiness.
Executive Resilience Blueprint: Practical Tools for Leading Under Pressure • Gary Owens, Ed.D., BCC | The Synergist Group
In today's high-stakes, fast-paced world, leaders face mounting pressures that can quickly overwhelm even the most seasoned professionals. The ability to navigate uncertainty, foster collaboration, and make clear, confident decisions is more crucial than ever. In this dynamic, results-driven workshop, you will gain practical, science-backed strategies to build personal and team resilience, enabling you to lead with clarity and purpose. You'll walk away with a toolbox of actionable practices designed to enhance decision-making under pressure, improve communication, and strengthen team cohesion - even in high-adversity environments.
Learn how to build a resilient leadership mindset that boosts your performance and fosters an environment where your team can thrive, no matter the challenges faced. By the end of the session, you will have a personalized resilience action plan tailored to your leadership style and immediate tools to implement within your organization. These tools will help you cultivate individual and organizational resilience, ensuring your team is equipped to tackle challenges with confidence and agility. Whether leading through a significant transformation, navigating crisis management, or simply striving for excellence in your day-to-day operations, this workshop will equip you with the resilience needed to thrive under pressure, drive measurable outcomes, and inspire lasting change.
About the Speaker: Dr. Gary Owens is a seasoned executive, serving most recently as division chief operating officer within a multi-billion dollar healthcare system. He recently left corporate healthcare to launch The Synergist Group, a consulting and coaching firm dedicated to developing resilient leaders and teams in high-adversity environments. In addition to 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, Gary is a board-certified executive coach and certified resilience coach, specializing in empowering leaders to navigate complexity, enhance team performance, and achieve sustainable success. A scholar-practitioner, he earned a B.A. degree in human services and counseling from Lindsey Wilson College (KY), an M.S. in strategic leadership from Mountain State University (WV), and an Ed.D. in leadership from American College of Education (IN).
Known for his engaging and practical approach, Gary delivers actionable strategies that inspire leaders to thrive under pressure while fostering resilience and excellence in their organizations. He is a frequent speaker on resilience, authentic leadership theory, and team dynamics. His research interests include authentic leadership theory, empathy, and physician leadership. He’s CEO and founder of the Hear Me Out Foundation, a 501c3 organization advocating for and giving voice to under-represented populations. He also volunteers his time by providing executive career coaching for displaced leaders, students, and non-profit leaders. Gary is a Class 102 graduate of Leadership Orlando, FL
Building Bridges: Creating and Sustaining Student Engagement Programs • Katelyn Sides-Baker | Leadership Greater Huntsville, AL
This interactive workshop offers a step-by-step guide to launching and maintaining programs designed to connect college and high school students with their communities. Participants will explore strategies for program development, fostering collaboration with local organizations, and creating meaningful experiences that inspire young talent to stay and contribute locally. With a focus on sustainability, the session highlights best practices, challenges, and success stories to equip attendees with the tools needed to build impactful and lasting initiatives for youth engagement.
Examples include Leadership Greater Huntsville’s SPARK and Challenge programs - two proven models of youth leadership development. SPARK connects college students with local leaders, industries, and career opportunities through hands-on experiences, while Challenge engages high school juniors in civic awareness and leadership training that encourages early community involvement. Both programs serve as powerful tools for talent retention and long-term community investment.
About the Speakers: Katelyn Sides Baker is a passionate leader in program development and community engagement. As the Alumni, Focus & Spark Program Director at Leadership Greater Huntsville, Katelyn excels in creating transformative experiences that inspire professional growth and strengthen community ties. She is the visionary behind a program designed to retain college students by introducing them to the vibrant opportunities within the Huntsville area, a testament to her innovative approach to leadership and talent retention. Katelyn moved to Huntsville in 2014 after graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. Her first role was with Downtown Huntsville, Inc., which is when she fell in love with the Rocket City.
She was first introduced to Leadership Greater Huntsville in 2016 after completing the Connect program. In her spare time, Katelyn enjoys traveling around the world with her husband, Mark, spending time with their two children, Lachlan and Lairryn, or going for a run outdoors.
Beyond Governance: Strengthening Board Leadership for Program Success • Bindiya Patel, MPA + C. Marie Taylor, MBA | Leadership Tomorrow, WA
A strong and engaged board is essential for driving an organization's mission and ensuring programmatic success. However, many boards struggle with balancing governance responsibilities with active leadership and strategic involvement. This interactive workshop will equip participants with practical tools and strategies to enhance board engagement, decision-making, and program impact. Through real-world case studies, guided discussions, and scenario-based exercises, participants will learn how to align board leadership with organizational goals, foster a culture of accountability, and develop board practices that directly contribute to program effectiveness.
Attendees will leave with an actionable framework to strengthen board dynamics, enhance strategic decision-making, and build a high-performing board that moves beyond oversight to active leadership and program support. If you're a leader looking to activate your board's full potential, this session will provide proven techniques to transform board engagement into a catalyst for program success.
About the Speakers: Bindiya Patel serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Tomorrow (Seattle, WA). She has over two decades of leadership experience at equity-focused nonprofit organizations, where she has worked toward her lifelong mission to support women and people of color in leading healthy lives and developing their leadership skills. Bindiya spent 19 years serving in several roles at PATH, a global health nonprofit based in Seattle. Most recently, she oversaw strategy and operations as Managing Director of PATH's largest division. She also created and implemented an innovative approach to center equity in all of the organization's programming. Earlier in her career, she led advocacy coalitions for new HIV prevention options for women, managed US government-funded projects to fight tuberculosis in Tanzania, and led organizational change across technical and country programs.
In line with LT's mission, Bindiya also serves part-time as co-director and faculty for Seattle's Global Leadership Forum, which brings together and develops globally-minded social purpose leaders. She also teaches at the University of Washington's Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. Bindiya earned a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from Cornell University and a master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University. She is the proud parent of two phenomenal teenage daughters. In her free time these days, she is learning to draw, reading great fiction (and welcomes suggestions for what to read next), and spending time by the water in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
C. Marie Taylor is the founder of Equity Through Action, a consulting firm dedicated to advancing workplace equity by transforming workplace culture, practices, and policies. With over 25 years of leadership experience, she is recognized for her expertise in creating innovative programs, designing adult learning curricula, providing strategic guidance, and delivering impactful executive coaching to organizations committed to social change. As a Certified Professional Diversity Coach, C. Marie brings a nuanced approach to executive coaching. She helps leaders navigate complex challenges, enhance their leadership effectiveness, and foster inclusive work environments.
C. Marie holds an MBA and a BA in Human Relations from Trinity Washington University. Her work centers on fostering inclusive, people-centered environments where innovation and productivity thrive. In addition to her role at Equity Through Action, C. Marie serves as a program consultant for Leadership Tomorrow, where she designs sessions on leadership and community development, civic engagement, and sector collaboration. Prior to founding ETA, she served as the Executive Director of Leadership Montgomery (MD).
The Trust Factor: How to Build and Sustain Social Trust in Diverse Communities and Organizations • Matisa Wilbon, Ph.D. | Wilbon Enterprises
In an increasingly polarized and diverse world, the erosion of social trust poses a significant challenge to community cohesion, effective leadership, and sustainable progress. Research from the Pew Research Center indicates that trust among individuals and institutions in the U.S. has steadily declined, leading to greater societal fragmentation and reduced collective problem-solving capabilities. At the same time, Robert Putnam's findings in Bowling Alone highlight how diminished trust weakens civic engagement, undermining the very fabric of community life. Diverse communities and organizations, in particular, face unique trust-related dilemmas, as stereotypes and unconscious biases can create barriers to inclusion and collaboration. Without intentional efforts to address these trust gaps, organizations risk perpetuating cycles of exclusion, disengagement, and stagnation.
In this session, 'The Trust Factor: How to Build and Sustain Social Trust in Diverse Organizations,' Dr. Wilbon will equip leaders with actionable strategies to build trust and foster inclusive environments where diverse voices are valued, and collaboration thrives.
About the Speaker: Dr. Matisa Wilbon is a consultant and TEDx speaker who uses her 20 years as a sociologist and equity and impact strategist to help institutions understand the power of equity. Dr. Wilbon earned her B.A. in Anthropology/Sociology from Centre College in Kentucky. She received her Master's and Ph.D. degrees in Sociology from The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Formerly a tenured associate professor, she taught university courses centered on Leadership, Race and Ethnicity, and Structural Inequality. She has a unique way of communicating her scholarship practically to her audiences.
Dr. Wilbon is the CEO of Wilbon Enterprises (WE), a consulting firm specializing in Equity, Inclusion, and Impact strategic planning and training for universities, organizations, and non-profits across the country. She consults, customizes, and implements equity and impact plans that move organizations from awareness to action to impact. She understands that true leadership is about seeing our differences as strengths and leveraging the wisdom within our personal stories to guide us in leading with authenticity and trust. As a researcher, Dr. Wilbon uses data and best practices to help individuals build a unique practice of leadership and to empower organizations to become more equitable and inclusive. As a speaker, she utilizes practices to help leaders develop their skills based on the values and insights within their own stories. This approach incorporates inclusion and equity strategies, storytelling techniques, and emotional intelligence to assist leaders in setting groundbreaking goals and cultivating conscious communication habits, fostering deeper trust and innovation in their relationships.
As a four-time graduate of community leadership programs (Focus Louisville, Leadership Louisville, Bingham Fellows, and Glance Gwinnett), Dr. Wilbon understands the importance of leadership that is rooted in service, guided by equity, and committed to transforming communities from the inside out.