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DTSTART:20250627T150000Z
DTEND:20250627T163000Z
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SUMMARY:Proactive Planning is Your Power: A Nonprofit Strategy Session | Connext
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a dynamic\, in-person strategy session designed for nonprofit professionals ready to level up their impact. Proactive Planning is Your Power will feature a panel-style conversation with visionary leaders sharing real-world strategies\, plus breakout sessions filled with future-focused insights. You'll walk away with actionable takeaways to help you plan with intention and lead with clarity.\n\n \n\nWhat We'll Cover:\n\n\n Methods to lead proactively and navigate change with clarity\n Tools to identify and manage resistance both personally and within teams\n Strategies to prevent decision fatigue and lead effectively in high-change environments\n Guidance on setting boundaries and prioritizing well-being without guilt\n Opportunities to reflect on your strengths and apply them to intentional planning and leadership\n\n\nYou can submit your questions for the panelists ahead of the event\, via this Google Form: Audience Question Submissions\n\n\n\n\nMeet the Panelists: \n\n\n\n\n\nStephenie K. Smith\, MSW - CEO/Managing Partner\, Sophic Solutions\n\n \n\nAs co-founder and managing partner\, Stephenie is Sophic's lead authority on operationalizing equity\, executive project management\, organizational structure & design and operations improvement. She has led a number of efforts to align not-for-profit policy with community investments\, with a special emphasis on large-scale transformation.\n\n \n\nAs well\, Stephenie serves as a key community leader and advisor. She is engaged in the revitalization of community by fostering strategic partnerships and leading new program innovations. Stephenie has also served as a Graduate Adjunct Professor where she specialized in operationalizing equity. Above all\, her work has been shaped by a holistic approach to wellness and the belief that equity matters. \n\n \n\nWith over 20 years of experience\, Stephenie has leveraged her social work background to explicitly focus on the effects of poverty and oppression. In so doing\, community revitalization\, change management and diversity\, equity\, inclusion and belonging have taken center stage. These involvements have led to her serving on a number of local government commissions\, boards and national committees. Stephenie is a graduate of Fisk University and the University of Tennessee College of Social Work.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nHannah Bernardini- Director of Marketing and Stewardship\, Rose Brooks Center\n\n \n\nHannah Bernardini is a relationship builder\, nonprofit enthusiast\, and coffee connoisseur. She has worked in Kansas City's nonprofit sector in development\, marketing\, and community engagement roles for nearly a decade. She is currently the Director of Marketing and Donor Stewardship at Rose Brooks Center\, where she directs the internal and external messaging for the organization's programs\, services\, and event and creating meaningful engagements with supporters.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nXavier Montenegro - Major\, Kansas City Area Commander\, The Salvation Army\n\n \n\nMajor Xavier Montenegro currently serves as Area Commander of The Salvation Army's work across the greater Kansas City area. In this role\, he provides leadership and vision for The Salvation Army's operations in the region\, including oversight of eight local church and community centers (known as "corps") and a broad range of social service programs. Xavier works closely with a team of staff and officers to lead strategic planning efforts and manage the regional budget. He also collaborates with the local advisory board and serves as the public face of The Salvation Army in Kansas City.\n\n\n\nBefore entering full-time ministry with The Salvation Army\, Xavier worked with gang-involved youth in the Chicago suburbs\, provided crisis intervention\, and counseled families. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago\, as well as a Master of Christian Formation from North Park Theological Seminary. Xavier and his wife\, Heather\, have been married for 21 years. Together\, they have served in various roles in their 17 years with The Salvation Army\, including leading local church and community centers in Nebraska and Illinois\, teaching at the training college\, and working in regional leadership in Chicago. Xavier is a passionate fan of the Chicago Bears and Cubs\, enjoys reading historical biographies\, stargazing\, and failing at golf. He treasures time with his three children: Xavi (19)\, Hannah (16)\, and Lucas (12). \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nTerri E. Barnes - Founder & President\, The Nia Project Kansas City\n\n \n\nAn advocate for black girls and women\, Terri is the Founder and President of The Nia Project. The Nia Project advocates for\, celebrates\, invests\, and reimagines possibilities for black girls and women. For more than 15 years\, Terri served as Co-Founder and President of Trace's Place A Community Resource for Girls and Women\, an organization that focused on mentoring and personal development. She served 12 years as President and served for more than 22 years as a volunteer at the W.E.B. DuBois Learning Center. These two experiences provided up close and personal challenges that young people and families face\, particularly girls\, in simply trying to live their best lives.\n\n \n\nThe Nia Project is a way for her to commit her time and resources to be part of a solution. Terri is the convener of Black Women Get Fit\, a series of health & wellness events led by local practitioners and designed specifically for Black women. She is also the convener of the Black Nonprofit Leadership Symposium and creator of The Beloved Community A Black Nonprofit Resource Directory. Terri is a founding member of the Contending for Children Initiative\, a faith-based response to illiteracy and mental health support for children\, and is the Chair of the Mayor's Commission on Reparations.\n\n \n\nWith more than 35 years of progressive leadership experience in financial service and healthcare organizations\, Terri has a wide range of skills and expertise that have proved valuable in the work she does today. A lifelong Kansas Citian\, she received her undergraduate degree in Business Management from Park University. Terri is married to Lee Barnes Jr. and has a brilliant son\, Lee Barnes III\, who currently works and resides in New York. In her spare time she enjoys live music\, exploring new restaurants and supporting efforts to help improve the living conditions of people in our most challenging communities\, and uplifting the leaders and organizations that serve them.\n\n \n\n\nCancellation/Program Policies:\n\nNo refunds will be processed within 3 business days of the program date. No shows will be billed. Connext may take photographs\, screenshots\, or video recordings at public and virtual events\, so we ask that you read our Privacy Policy for more information. Each registration is for one individual.
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:Join us for a dynamic\, in-person strategy session designed for nonprofit professionals ready to level up their impact. Proactive Planning is Your Power \;will feature a panel-style conversation with visionary leaders sharing real-world strategies\, plus breakout sessions filled with future-focused insights. You'\;ll walk away with actionable takeaways to help you plan with intention and lead with clarity.
\n \;
\nWhat We&rsquo\;ll Cover:
\n\n\n - Methods to lead proactively and navigate change with clarity
\n - Tools to identify and manage resistance &ndash\; both personally and within teams
\n - Strategies to prevent decision fatigue and lead effectively in high-change environments
\n - Guidance on setting boundaries and prioritizing well-being without guilt
\n - Opportunities to reflect on your strengths and apply them to intentional planning and leadership
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\nMeet the Panelists:
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\n\nStephenie K. Smith\, MSW - CEO/Managing Partner\, Sophic Solutions
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\n\nAs co-founder and managing partner\, Stephenie is Sophic'\;s lead authority on operationalizing equity\, executive project management\, organizational structure &\; design and operations improvement. She has led a number of efforts to align not-for-profit policy with community investments\, with a special emphasis on large-scale transformation.
\n\n \;
\n\nAs well\, Stephenie serves as a key community leader and advisor. She is engaged in the revitalization of community by fostering strategic partnerships and leading new program innovations. Stephenie has also served as a Graduate Adjunct Professor where she specialized in operationalizing equity. Above all\, her work has been shaped by a holistic approach to wellness and the belief that equity matters. \;
\n\n \;
\n\nWith over 20 years of experience\, Stephenie has leveraged her social work background to explicitly focus on the effects of poverty and oppression. In so doing\, community revitalization\, change management and diversity\, equity\, inclusion and belonging have taken center stage. These involvements have led to her serving on a number of local government commissions\, boards and national committees. Stephenie is a graduate of Fisk University and the University of Tennessee College of Social Work.
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\n\nHannah Bernardini- Director of Marketing and Stewardship\, Rose Brooks Center
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\n\nHannah Bernardini is a relationship builder\, nonprofit enthusiast\, and coffee connoisseur. She has worked in Kansas City'\;s nonprofit sector in development\, marketing\, and community engagement roles for nearly a decade. She is currently the Director of Marketing and Donor Stewardship at Rose Brooks Center\, where she directs the internal and external messaging for the organization'\;s programs\, services\, and event and creating meaningful engagements with supporters.
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\nXavier Montenegro - Major\, Kansas City Area Commander\, The Salvation Army
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Major Xavier Montenegro currently serves as Area Commander of The Salvation Army&rsquo\;s work across the greater Kansas City area. In this role\, he provides leadership and vision for The Salvation Army&rsquo\;s operations in the region\, including oversight of eight local church and community centers (known as &ldquo\;corps&rdquo\;) and a broad range of social service programs. Xavier works closely with a team of staff and officers to lead strategic planning efforts and manage the regional budget. He also collaborates with the local advisory board and serves as the public face of The Salvation Army in Kansas City.
\n\n
\nBefore entering full-time ministry with The Salvation Army\, Xavier worked with gang-involved youth in the Chicago suburbs\, provided crisis intervention\, and counseled families. He holds a Bachelor&rsquo\;s degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago\, as well as a Master of Christian Formation from North Park Theological Seminary. Xavier and his wife\, Heather\, have been married for 21 years. Together\, they have served in various roles in their 17 years with The Salvation Army\, including leading local church and community centers in Nebraska and Illinois\, teaching at the training college\, and working in regional leadership in Chicago. Xavier is a passionate fan of the Chicago Bears and Cubs\, enjoys reading historical biographies\, stargazing\, and failing at golf. He treasures time with his three children: Xavi (19)\, Hannah (16)\, and Lucas (12).
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\nTerri E. Barnes - Founder &\; President\, The Nia Project Kansas City
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An advocate for black girls and women\, Terri is the Founder and President of The Nia Project. The Nia Project advocates for\, celebrates\, invests\, and reimagines possibilities for black girls and women. For more than 15 years\, Terri served as Co-Founder and President of Trace&rsquo\;s Place &ndash\; A Community Resource for Girls and Women\, an organization that focused on mentoring and personal development. She served 12 years as President and served for more than 22 years as a volunteer at the W.E.B. DuBois Learning Center. These two experiences provided up close and personal challenges that young people and families face\, particularly girls\, in simply trying to live their best lives.
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The Nia Project is a way for her to commit her time and resources to be part of a solution. Terri is the convener of Black Women Get Fit\, a series of health &\; wellness events led by local practitioners and designed specifically for Black women. She is also the convener of the Black Nonprofit Leadership Symposium and creator of The Beloved Community &ndash\; A Black Nonprofit Resource Directory. Terri is a founding member of the Contending for Children Initiative\, a faith-based response to illiteracy and mental health support for children\, and is the Chair of the Mayor'\;s Commission on Reparations.
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With more than 35 years of progressive leadership experience in financial service and healthcare organizations\, Terri has a wide range of skills and expertise that have proved valuable in the work she does today. A lifelong Kansas Citian\, she received her undergraduate degree in Business Management from Park University. Terri is married to Lee Barnes Jr. and has a brilliant son\, Lee Barnes III\, who currently works and resides in New York. In her spare time she enjoys live music\, exploring new restaurants and supporting efforts to help improve the living conditions of people in our most challenging communities\, and uplifting the leaders and organizations that serve them.
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Cancellation/Program Policies:\n
No refunds will be processed within 3 business days of the program date. No shows will be billed. Connext may take photographs\, screenshots\, or video recordings at public and virtual events\, so we ask that you read our \;Privacy Policy \;for more information. Each registration is for one individual.\n