UNA Annual Conference Sessions

Copy of 2025_ConferenceWebsiteBanner (1)

2025 Conference Keynote

Chan M. Hellman, PhD

Chan M. Hellman is a professor at the University of Oklahoma and Director of The Hope Research Center and has published over 80 research studies. Chan joined the University of Oklahoma in 2002 teaching graduate courses in research methods, statistics, and more recently Hope Theory to Practice. In 2025, Chan was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame.

Chan’s research is focused on hope as a psychological strength helping children and adults overcome trauma and adversity—he presented on this work with TEDx. His on-going research informs the development of the “Hope Centered and Trauma Informed®” training program used to promote Hope Centered Organizations across the US. Chan has Co-Founded Hope Rising Oklahoma along with First Lady Sarah Stitt in their effort to make Oklahoma a hope-centered state. Chan is the co-author of the award-winning book “Hope Rising: How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life” published by Morgan James. Chan was one of five invited workshops for Jane Goodall’s Activating Hope Summit (2021).

In 2023, Chan was invited to a main stage presentation at the American Psychological Association convention. Chan’s work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, American Psychological Association Monitor, CNN, and TIME Magazine. The OU Hope Research Center received the 2024 “Building Knowledge Through Research” award by the US Department of Justice – Office for Victims of Crime based on the effect the science of hope has on helping organizations serve victims of crime.

2025 Conference Breakout Sessions

From Insight to Impact: Turning Frontline Experience into Policy Change

Nonprofit leaders know better than anyone how laws and systems affect the communities they serve. This interactive session helps you harness that frontline knowledge and turn it into actionable policy solutions. Using a framework inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, you’ll learn how to break down big goals into actionable sub-targets, identify measurable indicators, and workshop real policy ideas that reflect the needs of your community. Walk away with a practical strategy to drive change beyond programs—and into policy.

Category: Advocacy/Civic Engagement
Audience Level: Everyone
Speaker: Brooke Gledhill Wood - Chief of Staff, The Policy Project

Hope Through Partnership: Nonprofit Strategies for Cross-Sector Success

Nonprofits thrive when they collaborate across sectors—but building meaningful partnerships takes more than good intentions. This session explores how place-based designations like the “Healthy Utah Community Designation” can serve as powerful tools to align missions, build trust, and drive collective action. Participants will learn practical, adaptable skills for mapping stakeholders, working with Utah cities and towns, setting shared goals, and communicating across sectors—empowering nonprofits of all types to create stronger, more sustainable partnerships that amplify community impact.

Category: Collaboration
Audience Level: Everyone
Speakers: Alysia Ducuara - Executive Director, Get Healthy Utah; Morgan Hadden - Program Coordinator, Get Healthy Utah

Hope Needs a Hustle: Engaging Your Board in Fundraising to Drive Community Impact

Too often, nonprofit staff see board members as disconnected from fundraising—or worse, unhelpful. But what if board members simply lack the tools, training, and shared language to lead effectively in development? Based on original capstone research, this session explores how nonprofit boards and executive staff can work as true partners in fundraising. Using a framework built on four factors—recruitment, education, accountability, and retention—we’ll examine how to mobilize board members into confident, contributing ambassadors for your cause. Participants will leave with evidence-based strategies to foster collaboration, increase fundraising capacity, and build a board that actively advances your mission. If you’ve ever heard (or thought) “Why don’t we just ask Oprah for money?”, this session is for you.

Category: Board
Audience Level: Advanced
Speaker: Josie White - Philanthropic Officer, Shelter the Homeless

The Middle Matters: Unlocking The Potential of Mid-Level Donors

In today’s fundraising landscape, Major Donor stewardship often takes center stage, but there is an equally important group of donors who can be the backbone of your organization’s success—Mid-Level donors. This session will delve into the significance of stewarding and cultivating this valuable group, equipping fundraisers with the tools to build a thriving Mid-Level Donor program. Attendees will learn how to define and identify Mid-Level donors, explore creative stewardship techniques, and develop effective fundraising strategies to engage and inspire this often-overlooked segment. We will also discuss how to build a Mid-Level Giving Society to strengthen relationships and increase donor retention. Mid-Level donors are committed, passionate, and poised to champion your cause for years to come. This session will empower you to harness their full potential and create a sustainable, high-impact giving program!

Category: Fundraising and Development
Audience Level: Intermediate
Speakers: Margaret Langworthy - Annual Giving Manager, Humane Society of Utah; Jennie Vuich - Development Director, Humane Society of Utah

ALL THE FEELS in your Fundraising Event

Fundraising events are about more than just raising money—they’re about connection, inspiration. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how tapping into the full spectrum of human senses and emotions can transform your event from ordinary to unforgettable. Participants will move, engage, and experience firsthand the power of sensory design in creating events that truly resonate. Get ready to feel the difference.

Category: Fundraising and Development
Audience Level: Everyone
Speakers: Mindy Young - Founder and Coach, Constructive Alchemy; Ro Bandeirinha - Founder and Creative Director, Constructive Alchemy

Lead Together: Building High-Level Alliances for Nonprofit Impact

In today’s nonprofit landscape, high-impact partnerships are often sparked through executive-level networking. This session equips nonprofit leaders with actionable techniques to build authentic relationships with CEOs, founders, and influential decision-makers. Through real-world case studies—including TURN’s collaboration with Ivy City Co. and Best Buddies International’s Fortune 500 alliances—you’ll learn how to connect around shared values, frame your mission as a strategic opportunity, and treat executives as peers and co-creators. Leave with a practical networking map and the confidence to turn conversations into transformational support.

Category: Collaboration
Audience Level: Intermediate
Speaker: Alyssa DeHart - Director of Communications and Development, TURN Community Services

Smarter Grant Writing with AI: From Prompt to Proposal

Curious how artificial intelligence can streamline your grant writing process without compromising your voice or values? In this breakout session, we’ll explore practical ways to use AI tools from the first prompt to the final proposal. You’ll learn how to save time, enhance clarity, and strengthen your case statements while staying ethically grounded and funder-ready. Whether you're new to AI or already experimenting, this session will help you write smarter and with more confidence.

Category: Fundraising and Development
Audience Level: Advanced
Speaker: Alison Jones, M.Ed. - Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes

Language That Uplifts: Reframing Your Stories to Build Trust and Drive Donations

Words matter. The way we talk about our work shapes how donors, partners, and community members perceive it, and, ultimately, how they engage with it. In this session, you'll learn how to use strengths-based language to move beyond deficit-driven narratives and instead spotlight the assets, resilience, and leadership of the people and communities you serve. We'll explore real examples, offer practical tools, and invite discussion on how reframing your storytelling can build trust, deepen relationships, and inspire lasting support.

Category: Marketing and Communications
Audience Level: Everyone
Speaker: Katie Donoviel - Executive Director, English Skills Learning Center

Beyond the Press Release: How to Tell Stories of Hope and Build Media Partnerships

Nonprofits have powerful stories to tell, but many miss opportunities to share them beyond event announcements and crisis calls. In this session, reporters from The Salt Lake Tribune will share practical strategies to identify, shape, and pitch compelling “stories of hope” that resonate with newsrooms and readers alike. You’ll leave with actionable tips for working with journalists, plus insight into how ongoing partnerships, including innovative advertising collaborations, (which can help elevate your mission) and connect with wider audiences.

Category: Marketing and Communications
Audience Level: Everyone
Panelists: Palak Jayswal - Culture/Music Reporter, The Salt Lake Tribune; TBD; TBD

From Data to Story: Communicating Nonprofit Impact That Inspires

Impact isn’t just about numbers, it’s about the lives you change and the stories that bring your mission to life. In this storytelling-centered session, we’ll explore how to connect data and human experience to craft powerful narratives that capture hearts, spark action, and deepen trust. Learn how to move beyond dry reports and transform your outcomes into meaningful, memorable stories that funders, partners, and community members can't ignore. Through real-world examples and practical exercises, you’ll gain tools to measure what matters, find the story in the data, and share your organization’s impact in a way that inspires lasting support.

Category: Outcomes
Audience Level: Intermediate
Speaker: Kari Anderson - Principal, Incite! Consulting

From Bystanders to Belonging: Building Inclusive Volunteer Ecosystems that Stick

Volunteers don’t stay where they’re simply needed—they stay where they feel seen, valued, and empowered. This breakout session will guide you through building inclusive volunteer ecosystems that foster belonging at every stage. You’ll learn how to map the volunteer journey, implement equity-driven onboarding practices, and use low-cost incentive strategies that boost engagement and retention. Whether you're part of a grassroots org or a growing nonprofit, you'll walk away with practical tools and fresh inspiration to transform your volunteer culture, by showing your volunteers they matter and here's How we show it.

Category: Volunteer Management
Audience Level: Everyone
Speaker: Jacob Buck, CEO/Founder, VolunQueer