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Director’s Roundtable 

Connecting Leaders to Build Community

Running a nonprofit can be full of trials and tribulations.  Today’s leaders are challenged to find new ways to operate to sustain their organizations while meeting society’s needs.  But, there is also a huge opportunity.

In the past two years, Alaska has witnessed an exodus of senior conservation leaders and an influx of new leadership. ACF believes that a sense of community can be fostered by connecting leaders.  The Directors Roundtable is a pilot project focused on bringing Alaska’s conservation leadership together, with the following goals:

  • to inform conservation leaders of new strategies for thriving in a changing landscape;
  • to sustain top talent through peer support and problem-solving; and
  • to strengthen the sense of community toward an atmosphere of greater collaboration.

Every other month, 15 Executive Directors convene for a lunchtime forum on the tough issues facing senior leaders, with helpful strategies being offered by top capacity builders.

Participants are finding these gatherings invaluable. “I have really appreciated having a group of peers to connect with and bounce ideas off of,” says Shawna Larson of Pacific Environment. “It is an incredible support network and the presenters have been very useful. I would definitely recommend it!”

2010-2011 Roundtable topics:

  • A New Model for Organizational Sustainability – Dennis McMillian of The Foraker Group
  • Effective Leadership through Emotional Intelligence – Mary Parish of MVP Associates
  • Effective Board Engagement and Partnerships – David Thomson of Training Resources for the Environmental Community
  • Tricky HR Issues for Every Executive – Lynne Curry of The Growth Company
  • The Real Costs of Doing Business: Cracking the Nonprofit Starvation Cycle – Facilitated by Polly Carr, ACF
  • Conservation Innovation in Changing Times – TBD