2025 Leadership Retreat Sessions
Full participation in the 2025 Leadership Retreat is applicable for 9.5 CE points in Category 1.B-Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Track One:
Strategy and Innovation
Track Two:
Advancing Philanthropy
Track Three:
The CEO Corner
8:40 A.M.
OPENING PLENARY
Navigating Trends Shaping Health Philanthropy’s Next Big Moves
February 4 8:40 A.M. Combined Track Session
Health philanthropy organizations are at a critical juncture, where evolving practices and priorities must meet the rising demands for performance. In this session, we’ll explore the key trends and emerging challenges leaders face today, offering actionable insights into the changing dynamics of health philanthropy and how leadership must evolve to stay competitive. This session will offer a forward-thinking approach, blending current realities with innovative solutions that can empower health philanthropy organizations to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
Betsy Chapin Taylor
CEO
Accordant
10:00 A.M.
Four Levers to Building Bigger, Bolder and Better Campaigns
February 4 10:00 A.M. Track One: Strategy and Innovation
In today's high-stakes environment, campaigns are essential to an organization's success. Yet, many struggle to execute them effectively…or pursue less than what would be considered ideal, impactful or inspirational. To meet rising expectations, leaders must optimize every aspect of campaign strategy, from building a robust donor pipeline, selecting the right projects, collaborating seamlessly with marketing on messaging, managing portfolios efficiently and leveraging data. Neither getting by nor failure are acceptable options. This session will explore actionable strategies and insights on how to pull every lever and fire on all cylinders. You will learn the key steps to ensure your campaign thrives, addressing what you need to do now and what must come next in your journey to campaign success.
Heather Wiley Starankovic
Principal Consultant
Accordant
Michael Beall
Principal Consultant and Communications Practice Leader
Accordant
John Donovan
Principal Consultant
Accordant
The Next Frontier in Harnessing Gratitude and Clinician Engagement
February 4 10:00 A.M. Track Two: Advancing Philanthropy
The science of gratitude reveals a powerful link between clinician engagement, improved patient outcomes and a deeper sense of purpose that helps reduce burnout. Fostering a culture of gratitude not only enhances psychological and physiological well-being but also boosts workplace engagement, job satisfaction and improved relationships. Meanwhile, predictive modeling is revolutionizing health care philanthropy by identifying prospects with the capacity and affinity to support health systems. But can it also predict which clinicians will be the best partners? The answer is a resounding yes.
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In this case study presentation, learn how Accordant partnered with DonorSearch AI to apply their custom high-impact clinician models to two health care organizations’ grateful engagement strategies, leading to the successful discovery and engagement of new clinician partners.
In this session, attendees will:
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Understand the science of gratitude and its impact on clinician engagement.
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Explore how AI can identify new service lines and clinician partners to engage grateful patients and families.
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Learn how to qualify, engage and track clinician partnerships to maximize stewardship and reporting.
Erin Stitzel
Principal Consultant
Accordant
Scott Rosenkrans
Associate Vice President of DonorSearch Ai
DonorSearch
Susan Attwell
Prinicipal Consultant
Accordant
Debbie Ferguson
Senior Consultant for Philanthropy Operations and Data
Accordant
Linda Roszak Burton
Principal Consultant and Certified Executive Coach
Accordant
Accelerating Philanthropy as a High ROI Revenue Source for Health Care:
A Strategic Discussion with Health Care CEOs & CPOs
February 4 10:00 A.M. Track Three: The CEO Corner
More information coming soon!
Nathan Chappell
Senior Vice President of DonorSearch Ai
DonorSearch
Betsy Chapin Taylor
CEO
Accordant
Lori Counts
Principle Consultant and Certified Executive Coach
Accordant
1:00 P.M.
Building a Culture of Curiosity: An Organization’s Superpower in the Age of AI
February 4 1:00 P.M. Track One: Strategy and Innovation
In this special session for Chief Development Officers, we’ll explore how curiosity, a uniquely human trait, is key to thriving in the age of AI. As AI replicates many human capabilities, curiosity remains a critical differentiator, driving innovation and uncovering opportunities that AI cannot. Leaders will learn how fostering a culture of curiosity within their teams enables them to navigate constant change with agility, giving their organizations a strategic advantage. Through practical insights, this session will empower Chief Development Officers to harness and cultivate curiosity, leading to growth and resilience in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Nathan Chappell
Senior Vice President of DonorSearch Ai
DonorSearch
Donor-Advised Funds: The Future of Philanthropy is Here – Are You Ready?
February 4 1:00 P.M. Track Two: Advancing Philanthropy
Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are transforming the philanthropic landscape at a breakneck pace, becoming one of the fastest-growing giving vehicles in modern philanthropy. Organizations that fail to understand and engage with this seismic shift risk being sidelined by more forward-thinking competitors. In this high-energy, actionable session, you’ll learn why DAFs are not just a trend, but a critical pathway to sustained funding success. We’ll dive deep into the mechanics of DAFs, bust myths and reveal the strategies savvy non-profits are using to attract these powerful donors. You'll leave equipped with smart, practical steps to integrate DAFs into your development plan, optimize your outreach and build relationships with advisors and donors alike. Don’t let your organization miss out on one of the most significant revenue opportunities of the decade. It’s time to get in the game—or get left behind.
John Donovan
Principal Consultant
Accordant
James Gold
Principal Consultant
Accordant
Cindy Reynolds
Principal Consultant
Accordant
2:30 P.M.
Navigating Your AI Transformation
February 4 2:30 P.M. Track One: Strategy and Innovation
This powerful and provocative session offers a deep dive into the ongoing journey of AI integration within organizations, particularly focusing on its implications and opportunities in the fund development sector. It will discuss the evolution of AI technologies like predictive and generative AI, emphasizing their potential to enhance donor experiences through precision, personalization and efficiency. Additionally, it will address common concerns and questions regarding AI, such as privacy, ethical considerations and the fear of job displacement, reassuring attendees that AI's role is to augment rather than replace human capabilities. The session aims to equip attendees with practical insights on leveraging AI responsibly to optimize and innovate in their operational and strategic endeavors, ultimately driving more informed and effective fund development practices.
Scott Rosenkrans
Associate Vice President of DonorSearch Ai
DonorSearch
Activate Your Storytelling Potential: An Action Guide to Maximize Storytelling
February 4 2:30 P.M. Track Two: Advancing Philanthropy
The vast majority of donors want to feel the impact of their gifts, and storytelling can be your most powerful tool to achieve that. Yet, despite being surrounded by incredible stories every day, many organizations miss the mark. We search for elusive "storytelling unicorns," fumble main characters, rely too heavily on clinical narratives or marketing and fail to shape memorable experiences. You already know why storytelling matters—what you need is a proven way to identify and execute it effectively. This presentation offers a fresh approach to planning, developing and delivering powerful philanthropy stories.
Learning objectives:
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Discover how to tell impactful philanthropy stories, not just marketing ones.
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Develop a practical process and tools for collecting, vetting and utilizing stories that move people.
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Find and share your organization’s unique voice and perspective in philanthropy storytelling
Michael Beall
Principal Consultant and Communications Practice Leader
Accordant
BUZZ SESSIONS
February 4 8:00 A.M. Combined Track Session
Attendee will select one Buzz Session to attend.
BUZZ SESSION 1
Partnership and Resilience: Navigating through Clinician Burnout
This session will equip gift officers with strategies to cultivate strong relationships with physicians by harnessing the transformative power of gratitude in health care philanthropy. We will explore ways to address clinician burnout, enhance engagement and foster partnerships that benefit both clinicians and philanthropic efforts. We will offer practical approaches such as personalized engagement, recognition and open communication to build trust and support clinician well-being. This session will also tackle logistical challenges with creative solutions and highlight leadership's role in fostering a culture of gratitude within health care. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to navigate burnout, strengthen relationships and drive positive outcomes.
Sarah Burdi
Principal Consultant
Accordant
Susan Attwell
Principal Consultant
Accordant
BUZZ SESSION 2
Find Funding to Address Health Disparities in Disadvantaged Communities
Health systems have a mission to improve community health, especially where health disparities are starkest. However, historically disadvantaged communities often lack resources, including access to health services, nutritious food and affordable housing. These areas also have fewer high-capacity donors, making traditional fund development strategies less effective.
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With new CMS policies and growing national interest in addressing social drivers of health, fresh opportunities are emerging. In this session, we’ll explore strategies to:
• Engage corporate donors as employee relations and community benefit partners
• Secure foundation support for health disparities work
• Appeal to individuals with donor-advised funds and a heart for health equity
Cindy Reynolds
Principal Consultant
Accordant
BUZZ SESSION 3
Partnership and Stewardship: The Benefit of Expressing Gratitude to Your Donors
In this session, we’ll explore the evidence-based benefits of gratitude in both everyday life and in health care. Attendees will discover the power of recognizing and embracing gratitude to foster stronger, more meaningful relationships with donors. By deepening their understanding of the role gratitude plays, session participants will gain valuable insights on how to enhance donor engagement and elevate stewardship efforts.
Linda Roszak Burton
Principal Consultant and Certified Executive Coach
Accordant
BUZZ SESSION 4
Nike & Apple / Taco Bell & Doritos / Your Organization & the Community Non-Profit
More information coming soon!
Amy Dorrill
Principal Consultant
Accordant
BUZZ SESSION 5
What You Must Do Now and Next to Ensure Your Database is HIPAA Compliant
Does the fear of a HIPAA breach keep you up at night? Are you struggling to ensure your team follows patient data privacy protocols? Are you trying to create a culture of compliance but don't know where to start? This session will address these issues and provide you with the tools to conduct a biannual HIPAA compliance self-assessment for your development department. Attendees will leave with greater confidence in building a HIPAA-compliant fund development shop, along with key resources including a sample patient data workflow, a staff training curriculum and a comprehensive self-assessment checklist.
Debbie Ferguson
Senior Consultant for Philanthropy Operations & Data
Accordant
BUZZ SESSION 6
Building a Planned Giving Culture with Minimal Resources
Small and mid-sized philanthropy programs often miss out on securing planned gifts from existing donors due to limited resources. This session will empower you to look at planned giving differently, offering a fresh perspective on how it can fit within your organization’s existing culture. Key takeaways include:
• Understanding why planned giving is all about culture
• How to start building a successful program without a full-time planned giving professional
• Why legacy societies aren’t the key motivator for most donors
• Why hiring a planned giving marketing vendor is often not the best use of resources
James Gold
Principal Consultant
Accordant
9:15 A.M.
KEYNOTE
Overcoming the Competition for Connection
February 5 9:15 A.M. Combined Track Session
This keynote will discuss the changing definition of generosity, shedding light on the unprecedented competition for connection facing modern non-profit organizations. To this end, non-profits must develop a renewed appreciation for connection and learn to leverage technology once only used by for-profit organizations. Using current data and analysis, attendees will learn the importance of measuring and prioritizing connection as well as which technologies can help them work smarter—not harder—to overcome the competition for connection.
Nathan Chappell
Senior Vice President of DonorSearch Ai
DonorSearch
10:45 A.M.
Redefining Volunteer Leadership: Unleashing Influence Beyond the Boardroom
February 5 10:45 A.M. Track One: Strategy and Innovation
At a time when traditional non-profit board structures can sometimes limit the potential of community leadership, this session invites a bold rethinking of how health care foundations engage volunteers. What if we could leverage the time, talents and influence of community leaders without the constraints? This interactive discussion will explore innovative strategies for empowering volunteers to become a more powerful force for good—helping health care organizations raise more funds while deepening community connections. We’ll challenge conventional thinking and offer new frameworks to maximize the impact of volunteer leaders, allowing them to focus on what they do best: Driving results through influence, advocacy and relationships. Join us as we break free from traditional models and tap into the untapped potential of volunteerism for the future of health care philanthropy.
Betsy Chapin Taylor
CEO
Accordant
Lori Counts
Principal Consultant and Certified Executive Coach
Accordant
Philanthropy, Grants, Government Relations and Community Benefits, Oh My!
February 5 10:45 A.M. Track Two: Advancing Philanthropy
Health care systems face growing challenges in providing better access and care while expanding services to the broader community. Beyond patient revenue, organizations seek additional funding through philanthropy, grants and government appropriations. Many also provide external community funds for community benefit priorities or branding opportunities. These efforts are often siloed, with separate strategies and reporting. A cohesive structure aligning these priorities with health care initiatives can support innovative projects and yield higher returns on investment. However, such alignment requires intentional planning, coordination and transparent reporting to meet all stakeholders' goals. This presentation will explore the value of aligning philanthropy, grants and external community funding with health care system strategies. It will offer best practices and examples of how this integration benefits both the system and its funders and discuss how to approach leadership on these conversations.
Amy Dorrill
Principal Consultant
Accordant
12:15 P.M.
POWER LUNCH
Implementing AI for Social Good
February 4 12:15 P.M. Combined Track Session
During this power lunch, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of how to harness the transformative power of AI to amplify your non-profit’s mission. Drawing insights from the upcoming book, "Nonprofit AI: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence for Social Good,” this session will equip you with practical tools, ethical frameworks and real-world case studies to navigate the AI transformation journey. This workshop will provide actionable strategies to implement AI responsibly, ensuring your organization remains relevant, impactful and poised to drive social good in an increasingly digital world.
Nathan Chappell
Senior Vice President of DonorSearch Ai
DonorSearch
Scott Rosenkrans
Associate Vice President of DonorSearch Ai
DonorSearch
1:15 P.M.
CLOSING PLENARY
Key Takeaways and Considerations
February 5 1:15 P.M. Combined Track Session
Pam will share highlights and key takeaways from all sessions to ensure you have what you need to hit the ground running when you return to your organization. Knowing where to focus will help you implement what you have learned and position you for success. Audience participation is welcomed and encouraged as we share insights learned.
Pamela Ronka Maroulis
President and Principal Consultant
Accordant