EMPOWERMENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
in partnership with Mission Advancement Group, LLC.
Empowerment Leadership Academy offers a transformative experience tailored to enhance leadership skills and foster professional growth. With four unique training tracks—HR Fundamentals, Strategy, Board Governance, and Fundraising—participants can select the path that best aligns with their career aspirations and organizational needs. Each track is designed to provide practical insights and tools, enabling attendees to develop competencies that are essential for effective leadership in today’s dynamic environment. Whether you are looking to strengthen HR practices, craft effective strategies, understand governance responsibilities, or master fundraising techniques, these workshops promise valuable takeaways for every aspiring leader.
Christina Gullo, MBA, SHRM-SCP, MSW
Co-Owner/Partner
True North Executive Solutions, LLC.
Michelle Lee, MSM
Co-Owner/Partner
True North Executive Solutions, LLC
Gerianne Puskas, MBA, CNPM, CFRE
President & CEO
Mission Advancement Group, LLC
Mastering HR Fundamentals: Your Path to Success
Facilitator Michelle Lee, MSM, Co-Owner/Partner, True North Executive Solutions, LLC
This series of workshops offers essential insights into critical HR topics, including Independent Contractor vs. Employee, Exempt vs. Non-exempt classifications, and effective Onboarding strategies. Tailored specifically for new HR professionals, small businesses, organizations with limited HR resources, and any individual seeking to enhance their understanding of these subjects, these workshops ensure participants acquire foundational knowledge vital for navigating the complexities of human resources. By engaging in these sessions, attendees will be better equipped to make informed decisions, implement effective HR practices, and contribute meaningfully to their organizations.
Exempt vs. Non-Exempt: Navigating Employee Classification
This workshop will provide participants with essential insights into the distinctions between exempt and non-exempt employee classifications. Attendees will learn the legal definitions and criteria that define each status, equipping them with the knowledge to accurately assess employee classifications within their organizations. This understanding is crucial for ensuring compliance with labor laws and for making informed decisions regarding salary structures, overtime eligibility, and overall workforce management. By the end of the workshop, participants will have the tools needed to navigate these classifications effectively, contributing to a more transparent and equitable workplace environment.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Postponed
Independent Contractor vs. Employee: Key Differences and Best Practices
This workshop will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the key distinctions between these two classifications. Attendees will learn about the critical legal, financial, and operational implications of each status, enabling them to navigate complex workforce dynamics confidently. Additionally, the workshop will guide participants through a structured assessment process to determine the most appropriate classification for their specific workforce needs. This knowledge will empower organizations to make informed decisions that align with compliance regulations and operational efficiency.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Welcoming New Talent: Comprehensive Hiring and Onboarding
In this workshop, participants will learn about onboarding requirements as well as best practices essential for integrating new employees into their organizations effectively. This training will cover the legal and compliance aspects necessary to ensure a seamless onboarding process, highlighting the importance of understanding company policies, culture, and role-specific expectations. Additionally, participants will explore innovative strategies and proven methodologies to enhance the onboarding experience, increase employee engagement, and ultimately boost retention rates. By equipping themselves with this knowledge, participants will foster a smoother transition for new hires, leading to improved organizational performance.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Elevate Your Leadership and Governance: Strategic Transformation & High-Impact Boards
Facilitator Christina Gullo, MBA, SHRM-SCP, MSW
Take your organization to the next level with workshops designed to help leaders and board members succeed. Learn how to plan for growth, lead change, strategic development, and build a culture of authentic and courageous leadership. Discover how to engage your board and leadership team to work together toward lasting success. You’ll also get practical tips to create stronger, more effective boards. From clarifying roles and improving meetings to planning, this workshop gives you the tools to strengthen governance and make a bigger impact.
Beyond the Blueprint: A Deep Dive into Transformational Strategy
This workshop covers key elements of transformational strategy, guiding organizations through change, opportunities, and sustainable growth. Participants will hear real-world case studies that reveal successful strategies for transformation. A main focus is engaging the board of directors and leadership as essential partners in this process, ensuring strong support at the highest level. Additionally, the workshop emphasizes creating a culture of ACE Leadership (authentic, courageous, emotionally intelligent) and implementing supportive policies to facilitate lasting change.
Takeaways:
Importance of leadership (including the board) and culture to the success of a strategic plan
Understand where to begin with strategic planning or ides on a process to refresh
Target Audience:
ED/Sr. Leaders/HR Leadership
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Building High-Impact Boards: Strategies for Engagement, Efficiency, and Leadership"
This presentation focuses on building effective and efficient boards for organizations by emphasizing role differentiation, strategic alignment, and fostering a positive board culture. It highlights key areas such as the distinction between CEO and board responsibilities, the development of a board work plan, optimizing meetings, recruitment strategies, and succession planning. It also includes practical advice for managing crises and enhancing the board's impact through well-structured committees and effective communication.
Takeaways:
· Role Differentiation and Strategic Focus: Clearly define the roles of the CEO and board members to focus the board on strategic direction, resource stewardship, and fostering public trust.
· Effective Meetings and Work Plans: Implement tools like consent agendas and structured work plans to optimize meetings and ensure the board's work aligns with organizational goals.
Target Audience:
· Board Members: Current or aspiring members seeking to understand their roles and improve their effectiveness.
· Leaders: Executives like CEOs or directors who collaborate with boards and wish to foster strong governance practices.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Unlocking Sustainable Impact: Fundraising Strategies with Diversification, Grants, and Dignity
Facilitator Gerianne Puskas, MBA, CNPM, CFRE
In today's ever-evolving landscape, the need for innovative fundraising strategies has never been more critical. By embracing diversification, organizations can tap into various revenue streams that enhance financial stability and foster resilience in times of uncertainty. Additionally, pursuing grants opens doors to vital resources, enabling initiatives that can drive significant change within communities. Nonprofits can approach their work with dignity and respect, focusing on the positive impact and what they truly need to get there.
Strategic Funding Portfolio Design
Transform your organization's financial future through this dynamic session on building sustainable funding portfolios. Members will analyze current funding landscapes, explore revenue diversification strategies, and develop data-driven development budgets aligned with organizational capacity. Learn practical approaches to donor stewardship, emergency fundraising, and strategic advocacy while examining development models across different organizational scales. Perfect for new and seasoned nonprofit executives and board members seeking to strengthen their organization's financial foundation.
Target Audience: Finance teams, Fundraising directors, Board members, CEOs
Takeaways: How to diversify your fundraising portfolio without hiring a whole team; how to plan and protect your future revenue streams.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Mastering the Grant Lifecycle
This comprehensive workshop will help you navigate the full spectrum of institutional funding with confidence. Learn to integrate grants strategically into your organizational budget while building meaningful relationships with funders. Explore practical approaches to proposal development, from initial research through post-award management, and determine the most effective grant-writing strategy for your organization. Perfect for nonprofit leaders seeking to enhance their institutional funding success through strategic planning and skilled stewardship.
Target Audience: Board members, CEOs, Program staff, and fundraisers new to grant writing.
Takeaways: A high-level understanding of the grant process, reporting requirements, and the project teams needed for successful proposals.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
The Professional Nonprofit: Excellence in Action
Challenge outdated perceptions of nonprofits and build compelling narratives that showcase your organization's professional impact. This interactive course connects the dots between infrastructure investment and program effectiveness, helping you articulate the value of competitive compensation, skilled professionals, well-kept facilities, and modern resources. Learn to communicate your organization's impact through data-driven metrics and develop strategies for educating stakeholders about the real costs of quality service delivery.
Target Audience: Anyone who needs to talk about the needs of the organization publicly
Takeaways: Talking points and confidence in the nonprofit profession and deserving equal pay and resources as for-profit entities.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.