Spots are limited and conference registration is required.

To reserve your spot, contact Emily Daigle at 985-876-5861, ext. 233.

Conference Agenda

Keynote and Breakout Session Information

Harnessing the Power of AI to Maximize Nonprofit Effectiveness

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), nonprofit organizations have a unique opportunity to leverage this powerful technology to enhance their effectiveness. Join us for an insightful session that will guide you through the essentials of AI and its practical applications in the nonprofit sector.

Dr. Lajaunie has taught in the Al Danos College of Business Administration for the last 33 years. His areas of expertise and teaching span Managerial Finance at the senior- and MBA-levels as well as Commercial Banking and Investments. For the last 3 years, Dr. Lajaunie has been the University’s team lead in the partnership with Balanced Media Technology, LLC, a firm focused on developing the Coastal Data Refinery powered by HEWMEN. In this role, he has engaged governmental agencies, for-profit businesses, and non-profit entities regarding the ability of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Unification to significantly impact the success of their organizations.

Transforming Togetherness: Building Inclusive Communities

Transforming Togetherness: Building Inclusive Communities is a visionary concept aimed at fostering inclusivity and unity within diverse communities. By embracing a transformative approach, this concept will break down barriers, encourage mutual respect, and celebrate the unique contributions of every individual. The overarching goal is to build stronger, more connected communities where inclusivity is not just acknowledged but welcomed as a cornerstone of togetherness.

With a steadfast commitment to fostering leadership and personal growth, Tonya Scott Harris’ role as Founder of LEADERtique is fueled by her passion for empowering professionals through targeted coaching and leadership development.  Her expertise lies in creating dynamic learning environments and developing training programs that have successfully enhanced team engagement and communication across numerous  organizations.  Tonya is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), Leadership Coach and Change Practitioner with an extensive background in learning and leadership development, curriculum development and design, along with team engagement and effectiveness. Through successful strategy planning, Tonya has organized and rolled out initiatives for inclusion and equity practices, leadership development and community advancement.  As a master facilitator and certified culture and bias trainer, she has led numerous workshops laser-focused on personal and professional growth, fostering cultures of belonging, transformational leadership, effective communication and cultural competency.

Perfecting Your Pitch: Promote Your Nonprofit’s Impact in Under a Minute

In the fast-paced world of nonprofit work, having a concise and compelling pitch is essential. This session will equip you with the tools and techniques to craft a powerful message that communicates your organization’s impact in under a minute.

We will explore the key elements of an effective pitch, including clarity, emotional appeal, and a strong call to action. You will learn how to distill your nonprofit’s mission and achievements into a memorable and engaging narrative that resonates with diverse audiences, from potential donors to community partners and through interactive exercises and real-world examples, you will gain practical skills to refine your pitch and deliver it with confidence. 

Sarah Cortell Vandersypen, CFRE has been in the nonprofit sector for more than a decade. Early in her career, she realized that nonprofits couldn’t do the impactful work they do without funding. Through her years of experience at various arts and cultural institutions and higher education around the United States, Sarah has developed a unique skill set in nonprofit operations, fund development, volunteer management, board development, program evaluation, program planning, and grant making.

In February 2023, Sarah joined the United MSD Foundation as its Executive Director. Her team supports an international patient population battling an ultra-rare disease as the Foundation invests in groundbreaking research to hopefully lead to a cure for MSD.

Additionally, she is the face of Philanthropic Partners, a consulting firm that provides fundraising and board development services to nonprofit organizations. You can find her around the state of Louisiana speaking about philanthropy, the fundamentals of fundraising, and her love of connecting donors with their passions.

She is active with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She is a past Global Board Member and currently serves on the AFP Global Nominating Committee and ICON Advisory Committee.

Sarah received her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation in 2016. She holds a Master’s Degree in Arts Policy and Administration from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from Boston University. She earned a Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting from BoardSource in 2019.

Empowering Nonprofits: Financial Literacy for Long-term Sustainability

Smart financial planning is critical for ensuring the long-term sustainability of nonprofit organizations. Attendees will gain insights and receive some simple tips regarding essential financial principles, strategic budgeting, and effective financial management practices tailored to the unique needs of nonprofits. 

Jill Roshto has over 30 years of experience in retail management, corporate sales, business ownership, fundraising and non-profit management. Roshto is the President of Jill Roshto, LLC, a business consulting firm and is currently serving as Executive Director of Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits. Roshto is a proud double graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, with a BA in English & History and a Master of Business Administration from LSU’s EJ Ourso College of Business.
In her varied career, Ms. Roshto worked in multiple roles at Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, the LSU Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute, LSU Foundation and as CEO of Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge and the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation. Ms. Roshto also owned The Keeping Room, a stationery and gift business.
Ms. Roshto has been very involved in community service, serving on numerous non-profit Boards and as an advisor to the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Delta Gamma at Louisiana State University. Her passions include LSU sports (Geaux Tigers!), reading, exercising, live music, Broadway theater and spending time with friends and family.

Strategize With Purpose: Align Your Operations to Most Effectively Deliver Your Mission

To truly deliver on your nonprofit’s mission, it’s essential to align your operations with your core values and strategic goals. This session will guide you through developing operational plans that not only support but amplify your mission.

We will delve into creating comprehensive operational plans that ensure every aspect of your organization is mission-driven and learn how to implement a values-based approach to staffing and HR, ensuring that your team embodies and promotes your organization’s core principles.

Additionally, we’ll tackle the tough decisions involved in maintaining mission integrity, such as resisting funding opportunities that could compromise your long-term goals.

Monica Sanders makes a practice of looking into chaos to find justice. Her academic and entrepreneurial practices focus on disasters, climate change and humanitarianism. She looks for ways to leverage technology to help the most vulnerable among us to be noticed and served in our increasingly digital world. As a New Orleans native her life, like many, was bifurcated by Hurricane Katina and the injustices it revealed. That helped illuminated the need to view both climate change and digital issues through the lens of equity, inclusion and how we can improve those outcomes.

Professor Sanders founded “The Undivide Project”, an organization dedicated to creating climate resilience in divested communities via Internet infrastructure and service-centered digital solutions. She also holds a faculty appointment at the Georgetown University Law Center, manages a program focused on environmental justice and resilience, and is a senior fellow at the Tulane University Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. Professor Sanders is a nationally recognized expert in the field, having been a part of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Committees, and being a part of the inaugural class of the FEMA Vanguard Fellows Program. She is also a National Preparedness Month spokesperson, where she does media messaging around preparedness and risk reduction in partnership with the American Red Cross, Clorox, and FEMA.

Professor Sanders’ prior experience includes serving as a Senior Committee Counsel for both the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Homeland Security. In those roles, she focused on oversight of disaster response and recovery programs, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection. She also served as the Senior Legal Advisor for International Response and Programs at the American Red Cross, and as an attorney for the Small Business Administration during the Hurricane Maria and western wildfire responses. Professor Sanders also studied security and defense–civilian coordination in emergencies as part of the European Union Visitor’s Program and remains actively involved in crisis and resilience work as part of UNDRR, Red de Mujeres en Desastres and several other networks.

Built to Last: Essential Tools for Fund Development Success

This session will supply your organization with the toolbox to create and execute a sustainable fund development plan, including assessing your readiness for various fundraising strategies (grants, individuals, major gifts, cause marketing, etc.) and steps to implement those strategies with success. 

Mandi Cambre is a fundraising professional with over a decade of experience in fund development and capacity-building for nonprofits, and a strong track record of securing six- and seven-figure, multi-year investments. 

Mandi currently serves as the Director of Development at The Historic New Orleans Collection. She has led local development work for several regional and national nonprofits, as well as serving as a consultant for local, national, and international organizations. Mandi serves on the AFP New Orleans Board of Directors and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). A proud South Louisiana native, Mandi is honored to support the transformative work of nonprofits in our region.

Bayou Community Foundation provides grants, workshops and other programs for nonprofit organizations in Lafourche, Terrebonne and Grand Isle to grow nonprofit capacity and create a vibrant and diverse community where all can thrive! 

As events and activities are scheduled, they will be listed on this page.

Our Generous Donors make all of these programs possible!

 

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