{"id":1301,"date":"2026-01-30T13:51:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T13:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adelphi.edu\/nonprofit\/programs\/long-island-nonprofit-leadership-forum\/speaker-2\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T14:14:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T14:14:36","slug":"breakout-sessions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.adelphi.edu\/nonprofit\/programs\/long-island-nonprofit-leadership-forum\/breakout-sessions\/","title":{"rendered":"Concurrent Breakout Sessions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Board & Executive Director: Collaborative Partnership in Leadership<\/h2>\n

Effective organizational leadership relies heavily on the partnership between the Board and the Executive Director. This collaborative and crucial relationship creates the foundation for fostering strategic direction and sound governance that significantly contributes to organizational stability, growth, and impact and is defined by complementary well-understood and supported roles, clearly stated goals, effective and timely communication, and mutual respect.<\/p>\n

This session will address the ways in which an organization\u2019s Board and Staff leadership can work together to ensure they have an effective and productive partnership and explore strategies and steps to build and maintain open dialogue and trust, share expertise, leverage Board member engagement, and enhance the overall quality of their relationship.<\/p>\n

\"JenniferJennifer Rutledge<\/h3>\n

Jennifer M. Rutledge has over 35 years\u2019 experience in providing assistance to organizational leadership in the areas of governance, board and individual leadership development, management development, long-range and strategic planning, organizational development, and training. She has helped private companies, associations, and nonprofits develop strategic initiatives designed to address emerging issues and has served as a facilitator and guide providing technical assistance throughout the resulting processes. Rutledge has worked with nonprofit organizations on Long Island for over 20 years and has served as a consultant with the Center for Nonprofit Leadership at 天美传媒\u2019s School of Social Work since 2010.<\/p>\n

Jennifer has a Master\u2019s Degree in Business Administration and an undergraduate degree in Industrial Psychology. She is an author and has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Virginia, Marymount\/Fordham University, and the University of California at Berkeley.<\/p>\n

Fundraising Power: Inspiring Donor Trust with Clear Communications<\/h2>\n

Join this session to learn why clarity and accuracy in fundraising communications are essential when building a strong donor base. We will discuss common mistakes, strategies for avoiding potential problems, and reasons why meeting BBB Standards for Charity Accountability around fundraising practices can benefit your nonprofit. Bring your questions!<\/p>\n

\"LuanaLuana K. Lewis<\/h3>\n

Luana Lewis manages the BBB\u00ae Foundation of Metro New York and its Charity Accountability Program; conducts and supervises marketing and communications for the Metro New York BBB and its affiliated Foundation; develops educational programs and services for charities, businesses and consumers; and participates in strategy and policy development. In that capacity, she produces the annual BBB Charity Effectiveness Symposium in Metro New York, which is entering its 20th year in 2026, as well as a related workshop series for nonprofit leaders. She also produces the annual BBB Forum on Corporate Responsibility.<\/p>\n

Luana was formerly Director-Proposals and Research for the Ad Council, a public service communications nonprofit, where she also directed media outreach and fundraising efforts. She was previously an Advisory Committee member for the Charting Impact project, which was jointly developed by BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Independent Sector and GuideStar, now known as Candid. She is currently a BBB Wise Giving Alliance Advisory Committee member, as well as a participant in the Ahead of the Curve capacity-building collective, and a member of the Human Services Council of New York\u2019s Nonprofit Disaster Preparedness Workgroup.<\/p>\n

Protecting the Mission: Practical Cybersecurity for Nonprofits<\/h2>\n

Nonprofits are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals because they hold sensitive data, rely on trust, and often lack dedicated cybersecurity resources. This session is designed for nonprofit leaders who do not have large IT budgets or security teams but are responsible for protecting their organization\u2019s mission, donors, and the people they serve.<\/p>\n

Attendees will learn the most common cyber threats facing nonprofits today, how a cyber incident can disrupt operations and damage trust, and what practical, low-cost steps organizations can take to reduce risk. The focus is on realistic, actionable cybersecurity strategies that work for nonprofits of all sizes.<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways <\/strong><\/p>\n