From Chaos to Clarity: Operational Organization for Non-Profits

Kelsey Paasch. Founder of Contour Consulting.

Kelsey Paasch is a dynamic Business Organizer renowned for her expertise in teaching the skills needed to effectively organize and optimize business operations. Leveraging her background in operational leadership, Kelsey empowers individuals and organizations to utilize the tools and routines necessary to create their strategies for success. With a wealth of experience in operational leadership roles, Kelsey brings a unique perspective to her teaching approach. Her insights into process optimization, resource management, and team dynamics are invaluable assets that she shares with her clients to help them streamline their operations and achieve their goals. As a passionate educator, mentor, and keynote speaker, Kelsey delivers engaging presentations and workshops that inspire action and drive results. Her ability to break down complex concepts into manageable steps and provide actionable insights has made her an empowering speaker at conferences, seminars, and workshops. Throughout her career, Kelsey has facilitated transformative learning experiences, equipping her clients with the mindset and skill set needed to thrive in today's fast-paced business environment. By emphasizing the importance of adaptability, resilience, and continuous improvement, she inspires her clients to embrace change and seize growth opportunities. Kelsey's teaching philosophy is centered on collaboration and empowerment. Rather than giving solutions to her clients like a traditional consultant, she works closely with them to teach them how to understand their current state, identify desired goals, co-create actionable and measurable execution plans, and develop lasting routines that align with their vision and values. In addition to her professional pursuits, Kelsey is a devoted wife and mother of three children. Balancing her roles as a business leader and a parent, she understands the importance of work-life harmony and strives to lead by example in both aspects of her life. Outside of her career and family responsibilities, Kelsey is also a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating a thriving real estate business. Her ability to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities speaks to her exceptional organizational skills and dedication to excellence. As an Amazon Best Selling author, Kelsey has co-authored multiple books that give insight into the strategies she utilizes with her clients. Additionally, Kelsey has been featured in numerous magazine articles, showcasing her work since the company's foundation in August 2022. Kelsey Paasch's mission is clear: to empower individuals and organizations to unlock their full potential through the transformative power of organizational education. With her passion, expertise, and dedication to lifelong learning, she continues to make a positive impact on the future of business leadership.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Resources

Caitlin Snyder Worth. Preparedness Grants Section Supervisor.

Caitlin Snyder Worth is the Preparedness Grants Section Supervisor at Wisconsin Emergency Management. The Preparedness Grants Section is comprised of three federal grant programs and one law enforcement equipment program. One of the grant programs, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), can be a key resource for nonprofits. This is an annual federal grant available to nonprofits that provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack. The intent of NSGP is to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies.

Authentic Leadership

Rebecca Francis. Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

Rebecca Francis, MPA brings a wealth of experience in organizational leadership, with an impressive tenure of almost 10 years. Currently, she is at the helm of Ignite Change Solutions, LLC, where she collaborates with a diverse range of local and corporate entities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Her expertise lies in supporting companies across various stages of development, driving transformative initiatives that yield impactful results. As a practitioner for DEIB efforts across business, government, non-profit, and education, Rebecca Francis helps organizations assess barriers and prepare to integrate seamless DEIB efforts into their business frameworks. She is presently training companies on various topics to start the thinking process toward a more equitable approach. Rebecca Francis' support combines expertise, passion, vision, and creative style to make an organic connection for the ultimate takeaways. As a native of Rockford, the heart of Rebecca Francis' work addresses the ability to produce transformative environments within her community, with efforts centered around inclusion. To accomplish this goal, she serves on various boards that align with her passion; YWCA, RACAB Foundation, and Rockford Area Arts Council. Rebecca is also the Vice President of the Soar Awards and CEO of B3 Lux Hair Vending Machines, which provides hair products on college campuses for students of color. She strives to help create professional spaces where people can collaborate through a lens of compassion, empathy, and understanding. Rebecca earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Business and a Master's in Public Administration from Upper Iowa University. In addition to Rebecca's professional achievements, Rebecca is a certified SHRM provider for SHRM credential holders who must recertify every three years. Prior speaking engagements and trainings include: Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Northwest Illinois, United Way of Northern Illinois, City of Rockford.

Ann Sitrick Joyce. Retired.

CORPORATE EXPERIENCE - Executive Director, Beloit Health System Foundation (1996-2014); Marketing Manager - Central National Bank & 5 satellite offices,, Rockford, IL (1971-1973); Texas Instruments - CSR for Madison, WI territory (1981-1983) PUBLIC SECTOR EXPERIENCE - Publicity & Editorial Coordinator, Rockford Public Library (& 8 branches) and the Northern Illinois Library System (65 libraries in 12 counties) (1973-1976); Assistant to the Superintendent for Safe Schools, Community Relations and Safe Schools (1989-1996); Blackhawk Technical College - Adjunct faculty - American Banking Institute classes in Bank Marketing; Frontline Management; Certified by General Motors to teach financial planning courses for GM employees. NON-PROFIT EXPERIENCE: Religious Education Coordinator - K-8 - St. Andrew's Verona; k-12 St. Stephen's Clinton VOLNTEER EXPERIENCE: Board member: Rockford, IL Symphony Orchestra; Rockford Arts Council; Girl Scouts (Rockford and Beloit);Cedar Crest; Our Lady of Assumption Stewardship & Social Justice; Officer: President/Board Chair: Rotary Club of Beloit (1st woman President 2000-2001); Visit Beloit; Stateline Community Foundation; Chair - Zonta Tribute to Woken Dinner (3 times); Chair - Beloit Chamber of Commerce Dinner (3 times) With the School District's Equality Committee, created and co-chaired "Beloit A Family Place" community event for 5 years, growing from 95 agencies & 2,500 attendees to 165 agencies and 10,000 attendees over 5 years. NATIONAL: Association Healthcare Philanthropy - National Editorial Board of AHP Journal Blackbaud Analytics - Client Advisory Panel - Statistical Modeling

Mastering the Money Game: Best Practices for Non-Profit Financial Management

Celestino Ruffini. Executive Director of Visit Beloit.

Celestino has been a lifelong resident of the Midwest. He was born and raised in central Illinois and fueled his passion for tourism in Indiana, where he graduated from Purdue University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management. He later returned to Illinois to become a strong advocate for the industry and has since planted roots right here in Wisconsin. For seven years, Celestino served as the director of sales and marketing in Galena, Illinois, one of the leading destinations in that state. He joined the Visit Beloit team in the summer of 2015 as the CEO. He is thrilled to serve the Beloit region as the chief “people connector” – ensuring consumers have the Beloit region top-of-mind, connecting businesses to one of the primary industries in the U.S., and pursuing excellence among staff and board members as we strive to be a leading destination in the Midwest. He resides in Beloit with his wife and son and is dedicated to enjoying all that life offers. Personally, he enjoys exploring off-the-beaten-path restaurants, geocaching throughout the region, spending time downtown with his family, and watching the community come together to celebrate at events and festivals.

What Every Board Should Know

Stephanie Kusibab. Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

Stephanie Kusibab is a strategy consultant with more than twenty years’ experience identifying and implementing strategic initiatives for organizations ranging in size from start-ups to those on Fortune’s Global 500 list. She is the founder and CEO of Essentiam, a strategy consultancy partnering with associations, professional societies, non-profit, and for-profit organizations to capture market opportunities, instill focus, build leadership capacity, enable mission achievement, and accelerate growth. Stephanie believes the most powerful ideas come from bringing people together. Through deliberate, structured interactions digitally and in-person, she helps organizations tackle high-stakes conversations, mine diverse perspectives, generate new ideas, build stronger teams, and understand market opportunities. Stephanie can quickly understand and assess a situation and identify growth opportunities across any industry or profession. As a skilled facilitator she leads high-stakes conversations and governance training that resets expectations and establishes ground rules for ongoing success of teams and boards of directors. Stephanie also helps organizational leaders guide their teams during uncertain times with leadership and change management training and serves as a sounding board and unbiased observer to help identify opportunities for improved performance. Stephanie is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. She co-led implementation of a DEI initiative for the Legal Marketing Association and served on the inaugural executive leadership team of the Smith Bucklin Council. Prior speaking engagements/trainings: South Beloit Public Library, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Episcopal Charities, Nature at the Confluence and Visit Beloit, and Stateline Community Foundation. Stephanie is currently on the board of directors for the Chicago Chapter of the Association for Strategic Planning (ASP),and will join the national board in July 2021. She also contributed to the national ASP Body of Knowledge 3.0 including sections on shared visioning, culture, facilitation, and teamwork. When she is not working, Stephanie is a dedicated baseball and football mom and enjoys international travel and boating with her husband and teenage son.

Putting the "Human" in Resources - What ever Leader needs to know about HR.

MaryAnn Raash. Executive Director of GIFTS Men's Shelter.

My name is MaryAnn Raash and I currently lead the GIFTS Men's Shelter. I hold a PHR (Professional in Human Resources) I like to describe myself as an executive who's passionate about building relationships and mentoring teams. I incorporate my community and corporate experience to enhance organizational efficiencies. Many individuals are either promoted or thrown into leadership positions without experience in Human Resources. They either learn by default or they become the HR department. I can teach the very basics of what they need to know. Anyone managing or leading a team would benefit from this session. This is geared towards existing leaders and up-and-coming. Introduce yourself.

Grant Writing From the Inside Out.

Max Dodson. Executive Director of Caritas.

Executive Director of Caritas Community Resource Center since January 2018. Worked with adults with diagnosed special needs prior to coming to Caritas.

Herding Cats (aka Facilitation).

Stephanie Kusibab. Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Stephanie Kusibab is a strategy consultant with more than twenty years’ experience identifying and implementing strategic initiatives for organizations ranging in size from start-ups to those on Fortune’s Global 500 list. She is the founder and CEO of Essentiam, a strategy consultancy partnering with associations, professional societies, non-profit, and for-profit organizations to capture market opportunities, instill focus, build leadership capacity, enable mission achievement, and accelerate growth. Stephanie believes the most powerful ideas come from bringing people together. Through deliberate, structured interactions digitally and in-person, she helps organizations tackle high-stakes conversations, mine diverse perspectives, generate new ideas, build stronger teams, and understand market opportunities. Stephanie can quickly understand and assess a situation and identify growth opportunities across any industry or profession. As a skilled facilitator she leads high-stakes conversations and governance training that resets expectations and establishes ground rules for ongoing success of teams and boards of directors. Stephanie also helps organizational leaders guide their teams during uncertain times with leadership and change management training and serves as a sounding board and unbiased observer to help identify opportunities for improved performance. Stephanie is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. She co-led implementation of a DEI initiative for the Legal Marketing Association and served on the inaugural executive leadership team of the Smith Bucklin Council. Prior speaking engagements/trainings: South Beloit Public Library, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Episcopal Charities, Nature at the Confluence and Visit Beloit, and Stateline Community Foundation. Stephanie is currently on the board of directors for the Chicago Chapter of the Association for Strategic Planning (ASP),and will join the national board in July 2021. She also contributed to the national ASP Body of Knowledge 3.0 including sections on shared visioning, culture, facilitation, and teamwork. When she is not working, Stephanie is a dedicated baseball and football mom and enjoys international travel and boating with her husband and teenage son.

Marketing for a Mission.

Ben Barker. Founder & Director of Hoan Marketing.

Ben has spent over 15 years in both the nonprofit and marketing worlds. With HubSpot certificates in Social Media and Email Marketing, plus advanced experience in WordPress, he is proud to support projects ranging from activist groups to small businesses to national nonprofits. When the computer turns off, you can find Ben practicing Taekwondo, devouring his wife’s baked goods, or obsessing over his perfect dog.