Difference Maker Summit 2026
About this Event
Join us for our 17th annual Difference Maker Summit!
Nonprofits are often asked to do more with less—and this year, we’re diving into how to do that in a way that’s sustainable.
But more importantly, this is a day to refill your cup.
You’ll connect with a diverse community of nonprofit leaders, gain practical tools you can actually use, and experience the kind of energy and encouragement that carries you long after the event. Add in great coffee from Cherrybomb to start your morning and a few surprises along the way, and you’ve got more than a conference—you’ve got a reset.
Agenda (Tentative)
🕑: 08:15 AM - 09:30 AM
Coffee!
Host: Cherrybomb Coffee
🕑: 08:15 AM - 09:00 AM
Check-In & Networking
Host: Dudley DeBosier Team
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:25 AM
Welcome & Introductions
Host: Chad Dudley
🕑: 09:25 AM - 09:45 AM
Mission Over Momentum: Staying Focused When Resources Are Limited
Host: Pamela White
Info: Nonprofit leaders are constantly being asked to do more with less—but staying busy is not always the same as creating impact. In this thoughtful and practical session, Pamela White explores how organizations can avoid burnout and mission drift by staying focused on the work that truly advances their purpose. Attendees will gain strategies for prioritizing impact, building sustainable partnerships, and leading with intention instead of pressure. Through real-world insight and honest conversation, participants will be encouraged to shift from simply managing demands to creating meaningful, lasting community impact.
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Clear Communication, Stronger Teams: Reducing Chaos & Creating Alignment
Host: Meagan West
Info: Clear communication is one of the most overlooked drivers of organizational health—and one of the biggest contributors to burnout, confusion, and misalignment when it breaks down. In this practical and engaging session, Meagan West explores the hidden communication patterns that create chaos within mission-driven organizations and shares strategies for creating stronger alignment across teams. Attendees will learn how to communicate priorities more clearly, reduce reactive communication, and create healthier workflows that keep teams focused on what matters most. Participants will also walk away with practical tools they can implement immediately to reduce overwhelm, strengthen communication, and build more connected, effective teams.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:20 AM
Giveaways
🕑: 10:20 AM - 10:50 AM
Less Pressure, More Purpose: Winning Without Burning Out
Host: Shadana Chaney
Info: Attendees will learn practical strategies for leading with clarity, setting healthy boundaries, managing pressure, and staying connected to their purpose while making a meaningful impact. This session will inspire leaders to pursue sustainable success with confidence, intention, and balance.
🕑: 10:50 AM - 11:40 AM
When Everyone’s Busy but Nothing’s Moving: Rethinking How Work Gets Done
Host: Jasmin Johnson
Info: Many organizations feel stretched thin not because they lack passion or talent, but because communication, coordination, and ownership have become increasingly fragmented. In this engaging and interactive session, Jasmin Johnson explores how poorly designed coordination can quietly contribute to burnout, inefficiency, and team frustration. Attendees will learn how to identify costly communication breakdowns, reduce duplicated effort, and create clearer systems that support healthier collaboration. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, participants will walk away with tools to help their organizations work smarter, communicate more effectively, and create greater impact without simply adding more work.
🕑: 11:40 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
🕑: 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM
The Power of Connection: Building Relationships That Create Lasting Impact
Host: Myles Laroux
Info: Meaningful impact rarely happens alone. In this inspiring and relationship-centered session, Myles Laroux explores how authentic connections, trust, and community relationships can create opportunities, strengthen leadership, and sustain long-term impact in mission-driven work.
Drawing from his own personal and professional journey, Myles shares how intentional relationships, mentorship, and community engagement can help individuals and organizations grow stronger without losing sight of the people behind the mission. Attendees will leave with practical insight into building trust, creating meaningful connections, and leading with purpose in a fast-paced, results-driven world.
🕑: 12:55 PM - 01:25 PM
Champagne Impact on a Water Budget: Planning a Gala Without Breaking the Bank
Host: Chuck Mutz
Info: Nonprofits don’t need massive budgets to create meaningful, high-impact fundraising events. In this practical and engaging session, Chuck Mutz shares creative, budget-conscious strategies organizations can use to plan successful galas, raffles, and fundraising events without overwhelming their teams or resources. Attendees will learn how to maximize donor engagement, leverage “donor pays” fundraising platforms, navigate raffle licensing requirements, and identify simple ways to elevate the guest experience while keeping costs manageable. From DIY planning strategies to fundraising best practices, participants will leave with actionable ideas, practical tools, and a clearer understanding of how to create events that feel polished, profitable, and sustainable—even on a shoestring budget.
🕑: 01:25 PM - 01:35 PM
Giveaways
🕑: 01:35 PM - 02:10 PM
Keynote Address
Host: Jacquise "JT" Terry
🕑: 02:10 PM - 02:15 PM
Closing Remarks / Giveaways
Host: Chad Dudley
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
