Wednesday, July 23 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM Workshops

Shattering Stereotypes for Solidarity • Valery Dragon | UnboundEd + Tamra Simpson | SBCSS

Leadership is never neutral , and the journey to it rarely is.

Grounded in improvement science and intersectionality research, this dynamic session invites all leaders to explore how systems of power shape the leadership landscape, especially for those who sit at the margins. By centering the lived experiences of Black women leaders, participants will uncover patterns and practices that impact not only individuals but also the structures in which they lead.

Together, attendees examine the critical shift from mentorship to meaningful sponsorship—and the roles all leaders can play in dismantling inequities and building more inclusive, accountable systems. Through courageous conversation, collaborative learning, and actionable frameworks, participants will be challenged to reflect deeply, act intentionally, and move beyond performative allyship toward sustained change.

You’ll leave equipped to design equity-centered sponsorship models, embed anti-oppression practices into your leadership, and cultivate authentic solidarity across lines of difference. Join Valery Dragon, a national thought leader in instructional leadership and equity, and Tamra Simpson, a passionate advocate for education and justice, for a session that dares to disrupt the status quo and reimagine leadership for everyone.

About the Speakers: Valery Dragon has worked for over a decade in the Washington, DC area as an ELL specialist, language teacher, and instructional coach, before leading a PK-8 school as a principal. Both New Leaders and RELAY trained, she then transitioned to a national organization as a managing director of instructional support to focus on leadership actions and practices. In this role, Valery crafted development for district/network leaders through targeted cycles of improvements anchored in operationalizing instructional improvement plans, auditing systems and structures through the lens of internal coherence and equity, as well as modeling and developing coaching practices anchored in content-specific pedagogy.

As Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Valery contributes to the design of UnboundEd's leadership programs. It is Valery's belief that fidelity to our mission will empower partners and school leaders to own their input in school-based outcomes, and will allow them to intentionally launch their influence as change agents in hopes that their affirmed identities and leveraged leadership position them to build a strong coalition for change.

Tamra Simpson is an education leader, county office administrator, researcher, and author. With experience as an elementary teacher, instructional coach, education policy manager, principal, and county administrator, she works to influence and illuminate systemic change across K–12 education. Dedicated to promoting high-quality learning environments that are accessible to all students, Tamra has been a leader in the field of education for over ten years. Tamra has presented her research at conferences such as AERA and NABSE and is expecting to release a book on the topic by late fall. Tamra holds a B.A. in liberal Studies, an M.A. in Education Administration, and an M.A. in English Language Learning (applied linguist).

Leading with YES, AND... Creating Trust, Collaboration, and Inclusion Across Teams • Mike Eppehimer | Leadership Delaware

Get ready to laugh, learn, and lead with greater authenticity. This dynamic and interactive workshop explores how the principles of improvisation—especially the powerful "YES, AND..." mindset—can transform your leadership style and strengthen your team’s performance.

Designed for leaders at all levels, the session connects improvisational techniques with proven leadership development strategies, grounding playful practice in respected research and real-world application. You'll explore how embracing spontaneity, active listening, and collaborative risk-taking can lead to more resilient, responsive, and high-performing teams. Expect a highly engaging experience with large-group and individual activities in a welcoming environment that supports reflection, experimentation, and connection. Whether you're center stage or observing from the wings, you’ll walk away with practical tools and renewed confidence to lead more authentically.

About the Speaker: Mike Eppehimer is the CEO of Leadership Delaware, Inc. (LDI), a nonprofit focused on recruiting and mentoring the best and brightest outstanding Delawareans, who can and will transform their communities and the state. He is an LDI Fellowship alum (Class of 2013) and has previously served the organization as a Board Member, speaker, and mentor. Prior to starting his role with LDI, Mike has served as the Founder of Threefold Yes Consulting and has worked in various senior healthcare leadership roles at ChristianaCare in Delaware and the George Washington University Hospital in DC.  
 
Mike has a Master's in Healthcare Administration from The George Washington University and a Bachelor's double major in Theatre and Communication from the University of Maryland, College Park. He also has more than 15 years of experience studying, teaching, and performing improvisational theatre in Chicago and DC. Mike is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from the American Society of Quality.

The Joy-Driven Leader: Inspiring Organizational Excellence through Authentic Leadership • Sharla Horton | Lifted Consulting

In an era when traditional leadership approaches fall short, this engaging and interactive session reveals the powerful intersection of joyful leadership and organizational success. Drawing from real-world examples and evidence-based practices, discover how inspired leadership directly impacts several key outcomes—from employee retention to bottom-line growth. But don't just learn it; practice it!

Moving beyond conventional leadership theory and antiquated approaches, this session provides actionable strategies to transform your leadership style from effective to truly inspirational. We'll work together through a variety of activities to identify powerful personal leadership attributes and learn how to create an environment where people excel, teams thrive, innovation flourishes, and results follow. You'll gain knowledge, strategies, practical tools, and the confidence to become the leader who not only drives performance but inspires lasting positive change in your organization. 

About the Speaker: Dr. Sharla Horton is a dynamic thought leader, gifted speaker, and accomplished strategist whose work inspires hope, joy, and transformational change. As the founder of Lifted Consulting and Strategy, she helps mission-driven organizations improve performance and culture, guides ambitious and high-performing professionals to career advancement, and supports visionary, aspiring, and early-stage entrepreneurs in launching or relaunching impactful and profitable businesses.  
 
Dr. Sharla is also co-founder of School Excellence Solutions, a nonprofit focused on improving PK-12 education through equity-centered leadership and exemplary instruction. She is a lifelong resident of Fort Worth and passionately serves her community, sitting on several boards and committees, including Trinity Metro and Create + Collaborate. Known for her authentic and approachable style, Dr. Sharla empowers individuals and organizations to 'dream big and do bigger,' turning their visions into reality with her strategic expertise, infectious energy, and boundless enthusiasm.

Designing Experiences That Stick: Unlocking Lasting Engagement • Beth Outland | Leadership Indianapolis, IN

Curating events and experiences in your community can be time-consuming and overwhelming. How can you ensure your efforts inspire meaningful, lasting engagement? This interactive workshop provides actionable strategies to help you maximize the impact of your events, drawing on decades of experience designing community programs and insights from a global study on what makes volunteer experiences meaningful. Through hands-on activities, group discussions, and practical examples, workshop attendees will explore:

• How to spark receptivity: Address participant needs upfront to set the stage for deeper engagement.
• What makes experiences truly meaningful: Design moments that connect participants to your mission and create lasting impact.
• The secrets to inclusive spaces: Apply techniques from the arts to foster creativity, collaboration, and trust.
• How to leverage feedback: Turn participant input into opportunities for stronger relationships and greater impact.

Don't miss this session if you want to walk away with key insights and tools you can immediately use to create experiences that strengthen your mission and inspire ongoing involvement!

About the Speaker: Beth Outland serves as the Vice President of Leadership Indianapolis. For over 30 years, Beth's career and civic engagement have focused on building community through creative experience design, innovative programming, and strategic problem solving. Prior to coming to Leadership Indianapolis, Beth served as the Vice President for Community Engagement and Strategic Innovation at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Fueled by a lifelong passion for the arts and a desire to support an inclusive, equitable, and thriving community, she is committed to building connections across sectors to catalyze personal, professional, and community development. 
 
Beth's civic leadership roles include serving on the boards of Leadership Indianapolis and Centric and on the steering committees of Spirit and Place, TEDx Indianapolis, and the Music Crossroads Initiative. Beth is an alumna of the Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Program, class XXVIII, and was granted Creative Renewal Fellowships by the Arts Council of Indianapolis in 2005 and 2013. Beth became a company member of ComedySportz Indianapolis in 2014 where she has performed, coached youth programs and led corporate workshops applying the skills of improvisation to address business challenges.

The State of Generosity: Leadership’s Role in Sustaining Community Giving • Tim Sarrantonio | Neon One

What does generosity really look like today, and how can Community Leadership Programs and organizations harness it to build stronger communities? In this session, participants will explore findings from Neon One's newest research in The Generosity Report, fresh data from the Q4 Fundraising Effectiveness Project, and insights from Giving USA. Together, these sources paint a clear picture of how generosity - through giving, volunteering, and advocacy - fuels local engagement and long-term impact.

Community Leadership Programs play a critical role in fostering civic participation, yet many overlook key opportunities to mobilize everyday generosity. This session will provide practical benchmarks and strategies to help you measure engagement, improve donor retention, and drive sustainable support for your communities.

Key Takeaways:

• The most surprising trends from The Generosity Report and Giving USA and their impact on leadership programs.
• How Q4 Fundraising Effectiveness Project data challenges traditional engagement strategies.
• A leadership-driven framework for deepening community connections and sustaining generosity.

About the Speaker: Tim Sarrantonio is a Nonprofit Ecosystems Theorist studying the intersection of technology, human behavior, and organizational structures in modern giving. As chair of the Fundraising Effectiveness Project and through his work at Neon One, he has helped shape how thousands of nonprofits approach their mission.

A speaker at AFPICON, NTC, and TEDx, Tim holds a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy. He lives in Niskayuna with his wife and three daughters, finding inspiration in the Adirondacks.

Intended Impacts and a Theory of Change: Holding to Purpose, Clarified Decision Making and Attracting Funders • Racquel Thiesen | Kansas Leadership Center

In a world of competing priorities and limited resources, clarity of purpose is a game-changer. This hands-on workshop explores how developing and operating your program or organization based on intended impacts and a theory of change can sharpen decision-making, align your team around a shared vision, and strengthen your case to partners and funders.

Participants will learn how to use these tools to develop a mission-driven strategy that not only guides internal operations but also enhances external communications and grant-readiness. Through guided activities, you'll begin drafting a version of your own Intended Impacts and Theory of Change—leaving with a practical framework you can refine and apply right away.

Whether you're designing a new program or recalibrating an existing one, this session will help you lead with intention and clarity.

About the Speaker: As Partnership Developer at the Kansas Leadership Center, Racquel Thiesen helps CLPs, community foundations, and municipalities across the U.S. assess three levels of impact of their local programs and civic engagement projects, including: individual, organization/business, and community. Racquel has worked on a national scale with CLPs and CLOs who are interested in incorporating KLC’s research-driven civic leadership curriculum and facilitation training.  

Racquel draws on more than 25 years of experience in consulting with local leadership programs, community organizations, and local government, helping individuals and leadership developers utilize the KLC framework to tackle their toughest challenges. In addition to her partnership development work, she was an elected official for 12 years and has served on numerous boards and advisory councils. This firsthand experience in public service strengthens her understanding of leadership in the context of authority. Racquel also serves as a KLC teacher and facilitator, traveling widely as a speaker and presenter, sharing insights on leadership development and community engagement