2024 Sorkin Summit
NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The 2025 Sorkin Summit
Wednesday, May 7
Chicago | Washington, DC | Minneapolis | Virtual
Join fellow local Executive Directors and board members for a day of insights on trending issues confronting social impact leaders. From experts who share experience and best practices to structured peer learning and networking, the Summit will equip you to better navigate the challenges and opportunities during this period of rapid change.
Wednesday, May 7
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET: Workshops, trainings, networking
Chicago
200 E. Randolph St.
Washington, DC
555 13th St. NW
Minneapolis
225 S 6th St.
Virtual
Zoom
While we’ll connect in person within our local communities, we’re also coming together across all three cities and virtually—harnessing our collective wisdom and energy in service of our communities.
2025 Sorkin Sumit Agenda
10:00am – 10:15am ET | Welcome
Get settled in for a day full of informative sessions.
10:15am – 11:15am ET | Succession Planning for Nonprofit Leaders
Whether leadership transition is imminent or years away, nonprofits should have a plan for succession. This session will cover the current state of the workforce for the Executive Director and other leadership roles, board and staff responsibilities in planning, and budgeting and fundraising for a transition.
Panelists
Carlyn Madden
CEO and Founder, Good Insight
Andrew Blaisdell
CEO, FXG Partners
Moderator
Charles Moore
Founder & CEO, Thrive Street Advisors
11:20am – 12:20pm ET | AI and Fundraising
Starting with demystifying AI, this session will showcase immediately applicable AI tools for fundraising and demonstrate how AI can support a fundraising campaign from drafting a campaign plan through execution. Specific AI prompts will be provided.
Presenters
Mike Burger
Co-Founder, Headquarters for AI
Kevin Chaplin
Co-Founder, Headquarters for AI
12:20pm – 1:20pm ET | Lunch and Activity
Lunch break and activity.
1:30pm – 1:45 p.m. ET | Business at Its Best: Maximizing Impact Through Volunteering
Volunteers from the business community are more critical than ever to the social impact ecosystem. We will share actionable strategies for how corporate leaders and nonprofit partners can reignite involvement, drive meaningful change and strengthen communities.
Keynote Speaker
Mike Gianoni
CEO, Blackbaud
1:50pm – 2:45 pm ET | Nonprofit Sector Trends: Managing in Uncertainty
Rapid changes on the national and local levels are requiring nonprofit boards and Executive Directors to be nimble and prepared. Learn about leading in unsettled times, staying true to your mission and values and planning with uncertain funding
Panelist
Minal Bopaiah
Founder, Brevity & Wit
Nonoko Sato
President & CEO, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Alex Clark
Executive Coach and Consultant, Turnlane
Moderator
Niila Hebert
Executive Director, Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement
2:45pm – 3:00 p.m. ET | Closing
End for the day.
Complimentary Employee Engagement Survey for Sorkin Summit Attendees
Nonprofit organizations attending the 2025 Sorkin Summit can take advantage of an opportunity to get feedback from their team to empower their people and fuel their mission. FXG Partners is proud to support the people and culture needs of nonprofit organizations and extend a special offer for an Employee Survey engagement at no cost. The survey will help organizations get a better pulse on their team, including what they love and what might be getting in the way of impact. The results and insights will help leaders fight burnout, increase engagement, and attract outstanding talent. Please find more information here. Following Compass Pro Bono’s Sorkin Summit, attendees will receive a link to register to participate in the survey.
Thank you to our sponsors
Interested in sponsoring the event?
Learn more or contact Wendy Gualtieri, Managing Director.
Feedback from previous Sorkin Summits