Wednesday, July 23 | 3:30 - 5:00 PM Workshops
Growing a Thriving and Diversified Alumni Program • Josh Aguilar | Leadership Austin, TX
How do you turn graduates into lifelong ambassadors? In this practical and inspiring session, Josh Aguilar will share how Leadership Austin has built a vibrant, engaged, and diversified alumni community through intentional strategy and a variety of touchpoints—from casual happy hours and signature events to continuing education and even a coveted alumni trophy.
Participants will learn a step-by-step approach to:
- Building an effective communication pipeline through Class Representatives
- Activating and sustaining an alumni committee
- Designing inclusive engagement opportunities that appeal to different audiences
- Integrating alumni involvement year-round with current cohorts
- Measuring success without maxing out your budget
Whether you're just starting to build alumni programming or looking to reinvigorate your current efforts, you'll leave with actionable ideas, tracking tools, and a framework for fostering long-term alumni engagement.
About the Speaker: Joshua Aguilar is the Donor and Alumni Relations Manager at Leadership Austin, where he has helped re-envigorate the alumni program through data-driven strategies and inclusive community-building. With expertise in database management and relationship development, Josh previously transformed donor systems at Austin Habitat for Humanity and San Marcos Academy.
A Texas native with a Bachelor's degree from Texas State University, Josh combines technical knowledge with relationship-building skills to create sustainable alumni communities. His approach connects graduates with meaningful engagement opportunities while measuring impact and managing resources effectively.
Josh serves on the San Marcos Lions Club board and maintains active membership in the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and Business Networking International. He also owns and operates a small guitar studio, bringing entrepreneurial insight to his nonprofit work.
Since moving to Central Texas in 2009, Josh balances his passion for community leadership with playing guitar, racquetball, cooking, and spending time with his wife and dog. His blend of technical expertise and community engagement makes him a valued voice in leadership development.
Civil Discourse Lab: Experience Discourse Frameworks Applied to Challenging Issues. • Sara Emhof | Sara Emhof Leadership
Most Americans have experienced debate, but not true civil discourse. This interactive session invites you to explore the power of multi-partisan dialogue as a tool for leadership, problem-solving, and cultural transformation. Through real-time conversations on topics like education, healthcare, and immigration, you’ll learn a practical framework for fostering respectful, productive discussions across differences.
Participants will leave with strategies for incorporating civil discourse into leadership programs and community initiatives, building a foundation for collaborative leadership and civic renewal.
A
bout the Speaker: Sara Emhof grew up in Community Leadership Programs, having graduated from Leadership Buffalo's Youth Program and later working for the organization. She went on to continue her career at the national level, training students and teachers in skills for leadership in a democracy with the Close Up Foundation. Working with participants from across the US, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, she became a master at facilitating diverse perspectives, experiential learning theory, and community building.
She pursued certifications as a brain-based coach in 2016 and gained expertise in how neuroscience plays a role in shaping our beliefs. Sara is also a 2021 graduate of Leadership Rhode Island.
Spontaneuous Leadership • Dick Hammond | Leadership on the Move!
What do you do when a speaker is running late, or worse, doesn’t show up at all? What if a session wraps up earlier than planned? As a leader or facilitator, there are moments when you need to step in, take charge, and keep the momentum going. This hands-on workshop will equip you with powerful, low-prep activities you can use at a moment’s notice to create meaningful leadership development experiences.
Rooted in the wisdom of experiential learning, “Tell me, and I’ll forget, show me, and I may remember, involve me, and I’ll understand,” these activities get participants up, engaged, and learning by doing. No special supplies are needed—just creativity, presence, and a willingness to lead in the moment.
Whether you're a seasoned facilitator or new to leadership training, you'll leave with practical tools, renewed confidence, and a ready-to-go toolkit for when the unexpected strikes.
About the Speaker: Dick Hammond is the Owner/President of Leadership on the Move! He was first introduced to community leadership as a participant in Class III of Leadership Garland (TX) in 1983. That formative experience sparked a lifelong commitment to community leadership development and experiential learning. With decades of experience, Dick has gone on to facilitate leadership programs across the country, helping shape thousands of leaders through his dynamic and engaging approach. He has twice served as President of the Association of Texas Leadership Programs (ATLP), a statewide network of more than 175 leadership organizations. Dick’s passion for developing leaders and strengthening communities continues to inspire the work of programs from coast to coast.
When the Leopard Needs to Change Its Spots: A Primer in Change Management • Jackie Hancock, CFRE | NavigateNext LLC
Every organization has change resisters that keep it from performing at its best. For example, an organization may want to create a new program and eliminate one that is a drain on the finances but is a community favorite. These types of situations involve change, a change in culture, infrastructure, and/or organizational behavior. What do leaders need to know about change management and executing meaningful change while keeping stakeholders happy?
This session will introduce change management concepts and will demonstrate the seven key steps that will help organizations identify, plan, and execute change, particularly fundraising changes. Change management is important to non-profit organizations because, if performed correctly, it can help move the organization from where it is today to where it needs to be in the future. The session will discuss differences in organizations that have a culture of embracing change and those that do not. The presentation will also show how leaders can implement change by being strategic and methodical while positively involving staff, boards, donors, volunteers, and others in organizational change.
About the Speaker: Jackie Hancock is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, crisis management, and organizational development. With a deep commitment to helping nonprofits succeed, Jackie brings a wealth of knowledge to Navigate Next. He has held various fundraising and executive roles, including serving as the Chief Executive Officer for two large national healthcare organizations. He has successfully managed five capital campaigns, collectively raising over $300 million. Since earning the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation in 1995, Jackie has been a dedicated member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) for over 30 years. He is a frequent speaker at fundraising workshops and seminars nationwide and has authored numerous articles on fundraising for various professional trade publications.
Jackie is also the co-founder of the Central Texas Chapter of the National Association for Planned Giving, now known as the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. He is also a member of the Association for Change Management Professionals and is certified in the use of the Enneagram assessment. Jackie holds an undergraduate degree in social psychology from Park University and a Master's in Operations Management from the Industrial Engineering School at the University of Arkansas. He's an alumnus of Leadership Kingsport in Kingsport, TN.
Leading from Within: The Power of Self-Reflection • Wendy Johnson, Ph. D. | Managing From Afar
This transformative session will empower leaders to harness the power of introspection for greater effectiveness. In today’s fast-paced workplace, successful leadership requires more than managing tasks—it demands self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and authenticity.
Participants will explore how self-reflection enhances clarity, empathy, and purpose, gaining tools to identify values, strengths, and growth opportunities. Through interactive exercises and actionable strategies, attendees will learn to integrate self-reflection into their daily routines to boost decision-making and leadership impact.
Whether you’re an experienced leader or just starting out, this session equips you with the insights and strategies needed to inspire others, build trust, and navigate challenges with confidence. Unlock your leadership potential by starting from within.
About the Speaker: Dr. Wendy Johnson, Founder of the Pinnacle Academic Operations Leadership Training Program, has over 20 years of academic administration experience. As a higher education leadership strategist, she holds a PhD in Administration and Management, has trained thousands of staff members, and has written various articles and books. Over the years, she has served in the following capacities: Vice Chancellor of Academics, Dean of Academic Operations, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Director of Faculty Management, Academic Dean, Regional Dean, and Executive Trainer. She has received the faculty member of the year award, a leadership empowerment award, and many other business and community accolades.
Beyond Assessments: Connecting Leadership Style to Civic Engagement • Cathy Yen | Community Connections Fund, IL
Everyone can lead. But everyone shouldn’t lead everything. Effective community leadership involves matching the right leader to the right situation. Personal assessments, a common feature in leadership development programs, can be much more than an introspective exercise. Done right, they help aspiring leaders understand where and how they can be successful in addressing critical issues within their communities.
In this interactive workshop, we’ll review how people assessments are just the starting point for community leadership. We’ll go beyond the common assessment tool outcomes to understand how to align one’s own unique style, strengths, skills, and values with specific leadership opportunities in a community.
Designed for program managers overseeing programs of all sizes, the workshop offers tools and strategies for bridging your program sessions centered on the aspiring leader to your sessions focused on civic engagement. With a few tweaks to your curriculum, your leadership program participants will come away with a better understanding of not only who they are as leaders, but also where they can best lead the change they want to see.
(Attendees do not need experience with any particular assessment tool to enjoy this session.)
About the Speaker: Cathy Yen is the Co-Founder and Facilitator at Community Connections Fund, which helps leaders in the Chicago area unleash their superpowers in service to their community. She has 19 years of experience in the community leadership space, is an accomplished speaker and TEDx presenter, a nonprofit management consultant, and former executive director of the Oak Park - River Forest Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives and Chief Grant Writer for Beat the Streets in Chicago, which serves over 3,500 Chicago youth through values-based after-school wrestling programs and wrap-around services at low or no cost.
She is passionate about addressing systemic inequities in urban communities and is convinced that offering leadership development to under-resourced neighborhoods will bring about the change she hopes to see. In her free time, Cathy is obsessed with planners and organizational management, and is combining both in a forthcoming book written for nonprofit leaders.