Concurrent Breakout Sessions

The Board & Executive Director: Collaborative Partnership in Leadership

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.

This session will address the ways in which an organization’s 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.

Jennifer Rutledge

Jennifer M. Rutledge has over 35 years’ 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 Adelphi University’s School of Social Work since 2010.

Jennifer has a Master’s 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.

Fundraising Power: Inspiring Donor Trust with Clear Communications

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!

Luana K. Lewis

Luana Lewis manages the BBB® 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.

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’s Nonprofit Disaster Preparedness Workgroup.

Protecting the Mission: Practical Cybersecurity for Nonprofits

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’s mission, donors, and the people they serve.

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.

Key Takeaways

• The top cybersecurity threats impacting nonprofits
• How cyber incidents put funding, trust, and mission delivery at risk
• Cost-effective steps to reduce risk immediately
• Free and low-cost resources available to nonprofits
• How to approach cybersecurity without a dedicated security staff

Daniel R. Ford, D.Sc.

Dr. Daniel Ford, CISO at Jovia Financial Credit Union, isn’t just focused on today’s threats. He believes in constantly evolving, like competing against your future self. This drives him to cultivate a culture of continuous learning at Jovia, ensuring both the organization and its people stay ahead of the curve.

“If you classify yourself as a lifelong learner, you tend to retain 60% – 70% of the knowledge over time,” says Ford. “Additionally, if you classify yourself as a lifelong teacher, you tend to retain 90%+ of the knowledge.”

Dr. Ford’s academic journey began with a BS in Computer Science and blossomed into a Doctor of Science (DSC) in Information Assurance. He further complemented this expertise with an MBA, graduating in the top 20% despite no prior business background. This thirst for knowledge extends beyond academics. He champions lifelong learning within Jovia, mandating training hours and actively seeking talent from underserved communities.

Dr. Ford leads with empathy, fostering an environment that embraces diverse perspectives. His growth mindset extends beyond work. A black belt in another martial art, he’s currently a three stripe blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Kroyler Gracie, demonstrating his commitment to stepping outside his comfort zone. When not safeguarding Jovia, he distills award-winning spirits at Dragon’s Mouth Distillery and hosts a popular YouTube show.

Dr. Ford’s legacy extends beyond technical expertise, boasting over 20 years of experience at McAfee, Unisys, and other notable organizations. What is Dr. Ford’s greatest achievement? Great question as he doesn’t dwell on past accomplishments; as he says, “you are only as good as what you do next.” However, he measures success by the number of people he has empowered to grow.

Employee Benefits and Insurance: Expanding Options and Reducing Costs

Learn about supporting and retaining your team through innovative models of employee benefits, insurance, and banking.

Edward Probst

Experienced Insurance consultant specializing in Group Medical, Employee Benefits, Commercial Insurance, and Individual Life. Achieved designation of Chartered Life Underwriter in 2001 and Chartered Financial Consultant in 2007 and Registered Health Underwriter in 2009. Focused on providing superior service to small and mid-sized businesses in the fields of Insurance and Employee Benefits.

Joseph Prinzo

Joseph holds the position of Senior Manager of Business Development at Jovia Financial Credit Union and has worked for the Credit Union since August of 2016. A highly accomplished Business Development Executive with a strong track record and passion for driving results and delivering world class service and customer satisfaction. His primary responsibility is to drive membership through building long lasting relationships with Large Corporations, School Districts, Not for Profits and Centers of Influence through the various communities though out Long Island. Joe has over 25+ years banking experience and has held executive positions with Citibank, Bank-One, Management Recruiters International, Perennial Resources International and NY Bay Capital throughout his career. He holds an MBA in Management and a BBA in Marketing from Dowling College.