A Different Approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) 

Description: We are excited to present an enlightening keynote as Hanif Fazal shares his personal journey and expertise as a leader in the realm of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Through a captivating blend of presentation and conversation, Hanif will delve into various aspects of the DEI landscape, exploring both personal and professional perspectives on belonging and identity. 

Gain insights into the challenges faced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities within predominantly white-led organizations and explore the vital role of white allies in fostering inclusion. Hanif will introduce a fresh and transformative approach to racial equity – one that centers and uplifts BIPOC communities.

This is not going to be your typical keynote! Hanif will be engaging and sharing his ideas in a discussion-type format.   

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of what it truly means to center BIPOC communities in our collective work toward building a more inclusive and equitable society. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in an empowering dialogue that will inspire change and foster a more inclusive future. 

Hanif’s debut book, “An Other World” officially launches October 17, 2023. However, every High Desert Conference attendee will receive an advanced copy of the book at the conference!

Speaker: Hanif Fazal, Co-Founder, Center for Equity and Inclusion

A nationally recognized facilitator, trainer, speaker, and organizational development leader, Hanif Fazal brings over 25 years of experience, expertise, and commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. In 2015 he founded the Center for Equity and Inclusion (CEI), an organization focused on advancing equity, diversity and inclusion efforts both locally and nationally. Under Hanif’s leadership, CEI has worked with hundreds of organizations in the nonprofit, for-profit, education, philanthropic and public sectors to integrate equity and inclusion principles and practices into all aspects of their organizations.

A prolific speaker and trainer, Hanif has presented for conferences and groups locally and nationally. Most recently he’s spoken at Feeding America, the Oregon Youth Authority and Philanthropy NW. Hanif is a National Pew Civic Change award winner and has won multiple awards for his impact in Portland.

Most recently, Hanif has added inspirational author to his list of accomplishments. His upcoming book, An Other World, is a moving blend of social commentary and memoir documenting his journey towards Black and Brown joy, freedom, and belonging. An Other World offers a hopeful path forward by nurturing identity and centering community. It’s a path where joy is the norm rather than struggle, where school and work are inclusive rather than exclusionary, and where Brown and Black relationships lead to a unique experience of freedom.

Option A: Continuing the Conversation: BIPOC and White Ally Affinity Group Discussions

Description: Participants will have the opportunity to continue the conversation with Hanif, and also Matt LaVine from Center for Equity and Inclusion, through two affinity groups – a separate space will be provided for BIPOC and white allies. Within their respective groups, attendees will build upon the themes addressed during the keynote with particular attention devoted to what it means to center BIPOC communities within organizations. Session facilitators will encourage attendees to consider how they take action in cultivating strong community connections within their affinity groups and reimagining their organizations’ approach to DEI.

*White Ally affinity will be capped at 40 participants.

Presenters: Hanif Fazal & Matt LaVine, Center for Equity and Inclusion

Hanif Fazal is a nationally recognized facilitator, trainer, speaker, and organizational development leader. Hanif brings over 25 years of experience, expertise, and commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. In 2015 he founded the Center for Equity and Inclusion (CEI), an organization focused on advancing equity, diversity and inclusion efforts both locally and nationally. Under Hanif’s leadership, CEI has worked with hundreds of organizations in the nonprofit, for-profit, education, philanthropic and public sectors to integrate equity and inclusion principles and practices into all aspects of their organizations.

A prolific speaker and trainer, Hanif has presented for conferences and groups locally and nationally. Most recently he’s spoken at Feeding America, the Oregon Youth Authority and Philanthropy NW. Hanif is a National Pew Civic Change award winner and has won multiple awards for his impact in Portland.

Most recently, Hanif has added inspirational author to his list of accomplishments. His upcoming book, An Other World, is a moving blend of social commentary and memoir documenting his journey towards Black and Brown joy, freedom, and belonging. An Other World offers a hopeful path forward by nurturing identity and centering community. It’s a path where joy is the norm rather than struggle, where school and work are inclusive rather than exclusionary, and where Brown and Black relationships lead to a unique experience of freedom.

Matt LaVine is an activist for racial, environmental, and social justice. In addition to being on the ground and in the streets, he is a senior race equity consultant and facilitator at the Center for Equity & Inclusion in what is now known as Portland, Oregon (ancestral, unceded, occupied lands of peoples from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians). Prior to this, Matt spent a decade working in higher education as a DEI Analyst and teaching courses on Africana Philosophy, Environmental Ethics & Justice, Residential Segregation, Global Intellectual and Cultural History, Mathematics, and the History of Analytic Philosophy. While he was very excited to move outside of the confines of higher education and into the CEI community, he still occasionally engages in writing and podcasting on racial justice, gender justice, epistemic, and environmental justice.

Option B: Succession! Whether You Plan for It or Not

Description: Succession happens. Planned or not, your current Executive Director won’t be at your organization forever. Are you ready for this eventual transition? 

This workshop is designed to prepare organizations for a change in leadership at the executive level. When your executive director leaves, you’ll have what feels like a multiverse of choices that can panic staff and stress an already busy board of directors. Planning now will make the transition less chaotic and easier to manage in the future.   

We’ll talk about how to identify, assess, and select a new Executive Director, building a plan for a well-managed transition (in an emergency or a planned departure). Participants will learn about the importance of developing leadership talent within the organization and how to create a succession plan that eases disruptions to daily operations. The workshop includes case studies, best practices, and practical tools to help attendees navigate the complexities of succession, ensuring the continuity and success of the organization.

Presenters: Eric Vines & Jani Iverson, Page Two Partners

Eric Vines has been working with nonprofits since 1993. Starting as a physics major and then shifting to business finance, he loves figuring out the systems side of a business, including the human systems! He works to understand why an organization exists and what its purpose is in the community. Eric has worked with foundations, nonprofits, and for profit companies. Some notable successes include the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, the World Forestry Center, the Gray Family Foundation, and the Edward Lowe Foundation. He has also served on several boards including the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, the Association of Women Business Centers and Explore Washington Park. He has rebuilt the website for nearly every organization he's worked with because he loves technology! Eric has an MBA in finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Oregon; Bachelors of Arts in Physics and Math from Whitman College.

Jani Iverson is a Pacific Northwest native who has spent the last 25 years gathering experiences in the non-profit world as a volunteer, staff member, leader and board member. For nearly five years, she was the director of the Oregon Zoo Foundation, raising funds and garnering community support for the zoo's education, conservation and animal welfare priorities. Prior to that she was the interim executive director for several organizations in need of leadership during a crisis or transition, a role with the Nonprofit Association of Oregon that offered opportunities to nurture multiple teams. Before coming to Portland 12 years ago, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Western Samoa, where she mentored two national NGO’s that supported women and was a founding board member of the country’s first HIV/AIDS-specific organization. An explorer at heart, Jani enjoys traveling around the world—or even just getting out of town for some fresh air in the mountains. Her career, another journey in her life, has brought her close to many people and causes she cares deeply about, and she is inspired to support the many nonprofits, nonprofit leaders and board members in Oregon that are doing amazing work in service to our communities. 

Option C: Navigating Shifts in Philanthropy

Description: Join us for a conversation on how nonprofits can best navigate the changing tides of charitable giving together and discover actionable strategies to cultivate donor relationships, broaden support, and make a lasting difference in the Central Oregon community. This session will touch on both national challenges (like the recent decline in charitable giving), and local opportunities (like how to foster meaningful relationships with high-wealth individuals and families who may be relocating to the area).

We'll cover the following:

• Understanding the Downward Trend: Unraveling the factors contributing to the decline in charitable giving and exploring the impact on nonprofits.
• Retaining and Renewing Donors: Proven tactics and engagement techniques to enhance donor loyalty, increase recurring contributions, and inspire continued support.
• Engaging New Donors: Innovative methods to identify, reach, and connect with potential donors.
• Tailoring Fundraising Approaches: Adapting fundraising strategies to align with the values and interests of diverse donor segments, considering different demographics and giving preferences.
• Building Relationships: Establishing authentic connections with potential donors through personalized approaches, cultivation events, storytelling, and volunteer opportunities.

Presenter: Laurel McCombs, Senior Philanthropy Advisor, The Osborne Group

Laurel McCombs brings more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector and a passion for the role philanthropy can play in changing the world to her work as a consultant, partner, and trainer.

Laurel has worked closely with clients on a variety of topics, including donor retention, development operations, planning, donor management, board development and more. Current and recent clients include the ACLU, Mosaic Medical, Earthjustice, and Cal State Fullerton. In addition to well-received workshops at national conferences, such as League of Conservation Voters and State Voices, Laurel has presented at the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, AFP Congress, CASE-NAIS, and several local development professional associations.

Prior to joining TOG, Laurel worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America where she coordinated capacity-building support to agencies across the country. Laurel has a degree from USC and lives in Damascus, OR.

Transforming Communities through Systems-change Grantmaking - Insights from Oregon's Foundation Members

Description: During this lunchtime plenary session, we bring together the visionary leaders behind some of Oregon's major private foundations for a captivating discussion on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, including emerging trends, effective grantmaking strategies, collaboration between foundations and nonprofits, and the evolving role of philanthropy in addressing social and economic challenges. The conversation will offer a unique opportunity for attendees to gain invaluable insights from foundations that are at the forefront of driving positive change through grantmaking that prioritizes systems change. Participants will have the opportunity to pose questions and engage in thought-provoking dialogue.  

Facilitated by: Jim White, Executive Director, NAO
Joined by Carol Cheney, CEO, The Collins Foundation, and Helen Wong, Director of Grantmaking, Meyer Memorial Trust (others pending!)

Option A: Implementing Equitable Strategies

Description: This session aims to help senior nonprofit leaders move their organizations from performative allyship to authentic advocacy by developing an equity plan and equity lens. Through interactive activities and discussions, participants will gain a clear understanding of equity and how it aligns with their organization's vision, mission, and values. The session will encourage collaboration and problem-solving among board and staff to foster a shared understanding of equity and identify strategies for working together effectively. 

Presenter:  Alexis Braly James, Founder/CEO, Construct the Present

Alexis Braly James (she/her) is a longtime educator and innovator. She has supported nationwide nonprofits, companies, and government agencies in activating contemporary responses to leadership development and employee needs through training, coaching, and team building. She has worked with organizations including the Smithsonian, City of Portland, Metro Regional Government, and Multnomah County Library. As a former classroom teacher, she is an engaging and empathetic trainer at meetings, board training, and mediations. She brings her perspective as a biracial, Black, cis woman to her strategic initiatives and looks to create solutions with the most marginalized at the center. Alexis was born and raised primarily in Oregon. She earned her master’s degree from Lewis & Clark College and is pursuing her MBA from Cornell University. Outside of work, you’re likely to find her dancing to Beyoncé.

Option B: Doing More with Less: CFO Perspectives on Financial Resilience for Nonprofits

Description: If, as an organization, you feel like you are having to do more with less it’s because you are.  With ongoing talk of a looming recession, many sources of funding flattening or declining, and donations in 2022 seeing the largest drop in decades, the financial outlook for many nonprofits feels uncertain. Meanwhile, staff costs are higher and demands on reporting and compliance are escalating. In this session, we will discuss, from a CFO perspective, how to leverage financial strategy to cope and manage through these situational and structural challenges. 

Presenter: Vega Tom, CFO Selections

Vega Tom brings 18 years of non-profit accounting, finance, and strategic leadership experience.  After starting her career as a construction bookkeeper and office manager, she quickly shifted gears to pursue non-profit work. Driven by a passion for social justice and equity, she transitioned to be the bookkeeper and human resource coordinator for the Hospice of Washington County.

Expanding her leadership skills and experiences with mission driven staff, Vega grew in her roles to become Director of Finance for a non-profit daycare center and on to Chief Operating Officer of a women’s empowerment organization called World Pulse. She also worked with 211info as CFO and the Native American Youth and Family Center as Director of Finance. Additionally, she has experience providing consulting services to small businesses and non-profits on financial systems, budgeting, human resources, and strategic planning.

Vega holds a Political Science degree from Reed College, and an MBA from the University of Portland, with a focus on finance and sustainability. She enjoys running, drawing, dancing, and playing the saw.

Option C: Building an Impactful Public Policy Program 

Description: As evidenced by the investments made (and not made) in the last Oregon legislative session, public policy work by nonprofits is essential tool in implementing our missions and creating supports for our communities. This interactive workshop is designed specifically for nonprofits already engaged in advocacy but eager to enhance their public policy program. Participants will dive into the process of developing clear and effective public policy guidelines and principles that align with their organization's mission and values. They will walk away with an outline of a comprehensive framework for an impactful advocacy program. 

Presenter: Phillip Kennedy-Wong, Director of Public Policy, NAO

Phillip Kennedy-Wong is a public policy professional with over 20 years of experience lobbying at the state, local, and federal levels. He has worked for several nonprofit organizations throughout his career and served on nonprofit boards. He brings a strong foundation and understanding of the nonprofit sector including operations, board management, fundraising, programing, and tax law. 

Phillip brings a perspective that is not shared by many public policy professionals in Oregon: lived experience as a person of color and a child of immigrants that informs his work in this profession. His parents had no formal education, spoke very little English, raised his autistic brother, worked hard in low-skilled, low-wage jobs all their lives so their children could pursue a better life. As the result of their sacrifices, he was blessed to be the first in his family to go to college, pursue enriching life experiences including military service and graduate school; build a career as a successful, senior level professional public policy advocate and give back to his community. 

Phillip served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves while earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Lewis and Clark College. Upon graduating, he went to work right away as a field organizer on a political campaign during the 1992 presidential election. Getting the political bug, he proceeded to earn a Master of Science in public policy from Rutgers University and has never looked back in his public service career. Phillip lives in Portland with his wife, two daughters, and two cats. 

Option A: Building Culture Through Generations: How to Tie a Multi-generational Workforce Together

Description: In many organizations today, the workplace is bringing together four generations, each with distinct values, beliefs and needs.  An employee born in 1955 has a significantly different perspective than someone born in 2005. This is the age range many organizations must now accommodate. It is a business imperative for organizations to honor and engage the experience, gifts and talents of all employees to best solve the problems impacting these challenging times. In this session, leaders will explore intentional efforts to bridge the gap so workers of all ages feel respected and valued, and the force of the work can be empowered by the best of all perspectives.

Presenter: Erica Briggs, Nonprofit Education Specialist, NAO

Erica Briggs is a facilitator of learning, DEI consultant, community caretaker, creative artist and author. In each capacity she is a storyteller, sharing stories related to developing a more transparent and fluid identity, embracing culture, and aligning with nature to better heal, grow and sustain mental health and well-being. A native Oregonian, Briggs has lived and worked across the country and overseas. Currently, she serves as a Nonprofit Education Specialist at NAO; Facilitator of Learning for the Anti-Defamation League; and is the founder and CEO of a small arts and nature nonprofit based in Troutdale. As a single mother, she earned a BA in Communications at Mills College in Oakland, CA and a Master's in Africana Studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY where she studied the social construction of race in America. For over 25 years, she has served various roles in asset-based community nonprofits, and both traditional and alternative learning environments from elementary through college. When she is at play you will likely find her wandering in her garden, making a mess in her art studio, or hiking with her children to the nearest body of water. 

Option B: Using Logic Models for Grant Success

Description: Join us as we demystify logic models, unlocking their potential to elevate your grant writing, foster effective communication, and demonstrate accountability. Logic models provide a systematic and visual framework for organizing ideas, outlining project goals, and illustrating the relationship between your organization's inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes. In this session, we’ll explore how to use logic models in your grant writing to enhance the way you prepare to seek funding, communicate your needs, and evaluate your impact. 

Presenter: Hannah Cortez, Senior Grant Specialist and Outreach & Education Director, The Dotted i Fundraising

Hannah Cortez has a background in human development, education, and community health which gives her a well-rounded approach to grant seeking for nonprofits and building relationships with funders. She joined The Dotted i team in 2017 and supports nonprofits through thoughtful project development and successful grant writing. As the daughter of a journalist, her investigative spirit lends itself to thorough research and identifying the details that will really sell your organization’s story! Her passion shines when she’s educating others which is why you’ll often find her presenting at nonprofit conferences or leading trainings.

Option C: Making an Impact: Maximizing Community Engagement in Nonprofit Organizations 

Description: Join us for an engaging and interactive breakout session as we delve into the critical role of community connection in advancing the mission of nonprofits. In this session, we will explore the power of volunteer opportunities, board service, and other community engagements in driving organizational success. Participants will uncover effective strategies for recruiting dedicated volunteers and board members, explore the potential of volunteer and board fairs for increased community engagement, and learn best practices for volunteer recognition and appreciation to foster strong relationships. This session goes beyond theory! Immediately after the conference, engage in a real, live volunteer and board fair hosted by Connect Central Oregon. Through your participation you will gain practical experience in your recruitment efforts.

Presenter: Scot Brees, Executive Director, Connect Central Oregon

Volunteer and Board Fair

Description: Immediately after the conference, join Connect Central Oregon for a Volunteer and Board Fair. Over 40 organizations from across Central Oregon will be showcasing opportunities for individuals, groups, and nonprofit board members. Opportunities and more information about each organization participating are available on the Connect Central Oregon volunteer database.

Hosted by: Connect Central Oregon