Submit a course proposal for
NSWM's 2026 Emerging Leaders Institute

A. Vision Alignment & Emotional Intelligence (45 minutes)

This module explores how emerging leaders align personal leadership values with organizational mission and develop emotional intelligence competencies essential to effective management. Speakers will guide participants in connecting self-awareness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal insight to early-career leadership success.

By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

1. Articulate the relationship between personal leadership values and organizational mission.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of emotional intelligence competencies relevant to nonprofit leadership.
3. Assess how self-awareness and emotional regulation influence leadership effectiveness.

B. Ethical Leadership & Compliance (45 minutes)

This session introduces core ethical and legal responsibilities in nonprofit work, including the implications of emerging technologies such as AI. Speakers will help participants strengthen ethical decision-making, understand compliance requirements, and anticipate challenges in maintaining integrity within complex organizational environments.

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify core ethical responsibilities and legal requirements relevant to nonprofit leaders.
2. Evaluate potential ethical implications associated with emerging technologies such as AI.
3. Apply ethical decision-making frameworks to real or simulated leadership scenarios.

C. Stepping into Leadership: You’re a Supervisor, Now What? (45 minutes)

Designed for new supervisors, this module examines shifting power dynamics, relational changes, and the emotional transition into leadership. Speakers will support participants in understanding their new responsibilities while navigating the uncertainty, identity shifts, and confidence-building required in early supervisory roles.

Participants will be able to:

1. Analyze shifting power dynamics and relationship changes when transitioning into supervisory roles.
2. Describe core supervisory responsibilities and expectations in nonprofit settings.
3. Reflect on personal reactions to new leadership roles and identify strategies for navigating role-related challenges.

D. Team Leadership, Management, and Supervision (60 minutes)

This session focuses on the foundational practices that build effective, high-performing teams. Speakers will highlight the influence of culture and identity on leadership interactions and introduce approaches for addressing common supervisory challenges through practical, scenario-driven learning.

Participants will be able to:

1. Apply foundational leadership and management practices to build and support high-performing teams.
2. Examine how culture and identity shape workplace communication and team dynamics.
3. Demonstrate strategies for addressing internal organizational challenges in supervisory contexts.

E. Board Governance (45 minutes)

This module provides an introduction to nonprofit board structures, roles, and responsibilities. Speakers will support participants in understanding how to build and maintain productive relationships with volunteer board members and navigate the unique dynamics of shared governance.

Participants will be able to:

1. Explain the fiduciary, strategic, and generative roles of nonprofit boards.
2. Identify effective practices for building productive relationships with volunteer board members.

F. Community Engagement (30 minutes)

This session examines the competencies required to authentically engage communities, strengthen trust, and represent an organization effectively. Speakers will address community assessment, relationship-building, and communication strategies that position leaders as ambassadors and partners within the populations they serve.

Participants will be able to:

1. Assess the needs and characteristics of the communities their organizations serve.
2. Develop strategies for maintaining constructive, sustainable community partnerships.
3. Communicate as an organizational ambassador in ways that build trust and credibility.

G. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Workshop (60 minutes)

This module introduces core DEI concepts within leadership and management contexts, including strategies for advancing equity in environments where DEI may be challenged or restricted. Speakers will help emerging leaders practice inclusive leadership and develop practical approaches to sustaining DEI commitments.

Participants will be able to:

1. Define diversity, equity, and inclusion within leadership and management contexts.
2. Identify strategies for advancing DEI in environments resistant to equity-related initiatives.
3. Apply DEI principles to organizational leadership challenges.

H. Understanding Organizational Culture (60 minutes)

This session explores different forms of organizational culture and how they shape behavior, expectations, and performance. Speakers will guide participants in conducting cultural assessments using tools such as SWOT analysis and aligning culture with mission, values, and strategic goals.

Participants will be able to:

1. Differentiate between types of organizational cultures and their implications for workplace behavior.
2. Utilize SWOT analysis to assess organizational strengths and vulnerabilities.
3. Evaluate alignment between mission, vision, and organizational activities.
4. Provide and integrate peer feedback on organizational culture observations.

I. Communication (60 minutes)

This module highlights the communication competencies essential to leadership, including emotional intelligence, bias awareness, feedback practices, conflict resolution, and remote-team communication. Speakers will help participants apply effective communication strategies in diverse and evolving workplace contexts.

Participants will be able to:

1. Demonstrate strategies for emotional self-management and emotionally intelligent communication.
2. Identify and mitigate the influence of implicit bias in leadership communication.
3. Practice effective techniques for giving and receiving feedback.
4. Apply conflict resolution approaches to common workplace scenarios.
5. Develop communication practices suitable for remote or hybrid leadership contexts.
6. Identify strategies for managing up and ensuring aligned communication channels.

J. Financial Management Fundamentals (45 minutes)

This introductory module provides an accessible overview of nonprofit financial systems. Speakers will orient participants to key financial statements, terminology, and practices that emerging leaders must understand to support sound fiscal management.

Participants will be able to:

1. Explain key components of nonprofit financial management.
2. Interpret basic financial statements relevant to nonprofit operations.

K. Budget Development and Analysis (90 minutes)

This hands-on session introduces nonprofit budgeting principles, contract requirements, and forecasting strategies. Speakers will guide participants through the development of program budgets, financial monitoring, and responsive budgeting practices aligned with organizational goals.

Participants will be able to:

1. Apply nonprofit budgeting principles, including fund accounting and forecasting.
2. Develop program budgets aligned with contract requirements and deliverables.
3. Monitor and revise budgets in response to organizational needs and external changes.

L. Introduction to Fund Development (45 minutes)

This module offers an overview of relationship-centered fundraising and key pathways to securing funding for nonprofit programs. Speakers will help participants understand how donor relations

Participants will be able to:

1. Describe the role of relationship-building in donor stewardship and fund development.
2. Identify multiple funding pathways for nonprofit programs.
3. Assess basic strategies for integrating fund development into program leadership.

A. Advanced Strategic Leadership (30 minutes)

This session prepares mid-career leaders for the complexities of executive-level roles. Speakers will explore leadership identity, executive presence, shifting relational dynamics, and strategies for strengthening confidence and authenticity in senior positions.

Participants will be able to:

1. Assess the leadership expectations and dynamics associated with executive-level roles.
2. Examine how leadership style influences effectiveness in C-suite environments.
3. Identify strategies for mitigating imposter syndrome and strengthening executive presence.

B. Ethical Decision-Making & Trauma-Informed Leadership (30 minutes)

This module examines ethical dilemmas through the lens of trauma-informed leadership. Speakers will support participants in applying ethical frameworks, understanding trauma’s influence on organizational behavior, and integrating trauma-responsive leadership practices in complex environments.

Participants will be able to:

1. Apply ethical decision-making models to complex leadership dilemmas.
2. Describe the impact of trauma on organizational behavior and leadership decision-making.
3. Integrate trauma-informed principles into leadership practices.

C.Crisis Management, Psychological Safety & Resilience Planning (90 minutes)

This intensive session equips leaders with strategies for crisis response, organizational resilience, and the cultivation of psychologically safe workplaces. Speakers will integrate trauma-informed, equity-focused, and emotionally intelligent approaches to navigating high-stakes challenges.

Participants will be able to:

1. Develop crisis response and organizational resilience plans for nonprofit settings.
2. Apply strategies to promote psychological safety and mental well-being among staff teams.
3. Integrate trauma-informed and equity-centered leadership approaches into organizational policies.
4. Use emotional intelligence to navigate high-stakes or ambiguous leadership challenges.

D. Strategic HR & Talent Retention (30 minutes)

This module addresses the leadership responsibilities associated with talent development and retention. Speakers will explore succession planning, coaching strategies, workforce well-being, and methods for strengthening organizational culture and leadership pipelines.

Participants will be able to:

1. Evaluate approaches to succession planning, leadership pipeline development, and coaching.
2. Design strategies to strengthen workplace culture and support employee well-being.
3. Identify principles of strategic career planning relevant to nonprofit workforce development.

E. Strategic Planning: When, Where, How, and Who is Accountable? (60 minutes)

This session provides a clear framework for initiating, executing, and adapting organizational strategic plans. Speakers will reinforce practical approaches to accountability, inclusive planning processes, and sustainability considerations across an organization’s lifecycle.

Participants will be able to:

1. Explain the purpose, timing, and inclusive processes of strategic planning.
2. Develop strategies for executing and monitoring strategic plans.
3. Analyze the conditions under which strategic plans should be adapted or revised.
4. Evaluate long-term sustainability strategies aligned with organizational goals.

F. Social Impact Metrics, EI, and Data-Driven Decision Making (60 minutes)

This module focuses on the use of metrics, evaluation tools, and data-driven practices to demonstrate organizational impact. Speakers will integrate emotional intelligence and technology-forward approaches to help leaders apply data thoughtfully and ethically in decision-making.

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify key metrics used to assess nonprofit impact, performance, and outcomes.
2. Apply methods for evaluating program effectiveness and demonstrating impact to stakeholders.
3. Use data-driven decision-making principles to inform organizational strategy.
4. Incorporate emotional intelligence into leadership decisions involving data interpretation.
5. Analyze the role of technological and AI advancements in modern service delivery.

G. Scenario Planning (60 minutes)

This session introduces the principles and practices of scenario planning, helping leaders prepare for uncertainty and anticipate future risks. Speakers will guide participants through developing contingency strategies grounded in realistic organizational challenges.

Participants will be able to:

1. Describe principles of scenario-based planning and risk anticipation.
2. Develop contingency plans for mission-critical disruptions.
3. Apply scenario planning frameworks to real-world organizational challenges.

H. Advanced Financial Management (60 minutes)

This advanced session builds on foundational financial understanding by introducing analysis, risk management, sustainability strategies, endowment considerations, and capital campaigns. Speakers will support leaders in strengthening financial stewardship and long-term planning.

Participants will be able to:

1. Analyze nonprofit financial data to support strategic decision-making.
2. Evaluate risk management strategies related to financial sustainability.
3. Explain endowment management and capital campaign considerations.
4. Apply principles of fund accounting to nonprofit financial planning.

I. Resource Diversification & Fundraising (60 minutes)

This module examines advanced fundraising methodologies, including major gifts, planned giving, and social enterprise strategies. Speakers will help participants assess grant opportunities and design diversified revenue approaches aligned with organizational mission and capacity.

Participants will be able to:

1. Assess major gifts, planned giving, and social enterprise strategies for funding diversification.
2. Evaluate grant opportunities using structured decision-making criteria.
3. Develop strategies for maintaining stable and diverse funding streams.

J. Board Development & Effective Governance (60 minutes)

This session prepares leaders to build and sustain strong boards, emphasizing recruitment, engagement, governance practices, and managing difficult conversations. Speakers will help leaders optimize board relationships to strengthen organizational effectiveness.

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify best practices for recruiting and engaging nonprofit board members.
2. Develop governance approaches that focus boards on high-impact responsibilities.
3. Apply strategies for managing up and navigating difficult board conversations.

L. Strategic Communications & Advocacy (90 minutes)

This module equips leaders with advanced communication, branding, and advocacy tools to elevate organizational visibility and influence. Speakers will address public policy advocacy, media relations, crisis communication, and storytelling for mission impact.

Participants will be able to:

1. Develop advanced advocacy and communication strategies aligned with organizational goals.
2. Apply branding and storytelling techniques to engage stakeholders and advance mission impact.
3. Demonstrate crisis communication principles in nonprofit contexts.

M. Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations (90 minutes)

This session focuses on building, managing, and sustaining cross-sector partnerships. Speakers will explore best practices for collaboration, navigating challenging or politically complex relationships, and facilitating productive conversations across diverse stakeholder groups.

Participants will be able to:

1. Assess and design strategies for building effective partnerships with nonprofits, government entities, corporations, and elected officials.
2. Apply best practices for maintaining and evaluating collaborative relationships.
3. Demonstrate approaches to navigating challenging partnerships and leading difficult conversations.