Navigating Detours: How to Effectively Lead through Uncertainty and Change

The road to impact is rarely a straight path. From funding shifts to unexpected policy changes, nonprofit leaders must be prepared to respond while staying true to their mission.

This session will provide practical strategies for navigating uncertainty with confidence. Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, you'll learn how to adapt to change, make informed decisions, and turn obstacles into opportunities. Whether you're facing a current challenge or planning for the future, you'll leave equipped with tools to keep your organization moving forward—no matter what detours arise.

Learning Objectives

• Elevate and evaluate.

Attendees will learn how to step back from unexpected challenges and evaluate the impact on their organization layer by layer—starting with overall strategy and mission through to daily operations. 

• Control the Controllable

We often spend valuable time analyzing things outside our control. Attendees will learn to prioritize internal changes to combat external challenges. 

• Build Systems that Support Your Team for Better or Worse

Strong culture builds stability during uncertain times.

Presented by Executive Director of Inform USA, Katie Appold

Katie’s nonprofit career includes a variety of leadership roles for human service, foundation, and publishing-related nonprofits, as well as many volunteer roles. Under Katie’s leadership, nonprofit organizations have developed new programs related to free healthcare, affordable and accessible housing, and literacy programs for K-12 students. In her first Executive Director role, Katie increased the annual revenue of the organization she led by 300% and received the top grant prize nationwide for affordable housing through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. She went on to help establish Do More Good. This nonprofit educational platform eventually merged with Nonprofit Hub, one of the largest free content sites for nonprofits in North America.

Today, Katie serves as the leader of Inform USA, formerly the Alliance for Information and Referral Services. She also serves as an adjunct professor of nonprofit leadership for Cornerstone University and owns a consulting practice called Nonprofit Nav, LLC.

Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree in business administration and a master's degree in nonprofit leadership.

Katie serves on the boards of the National 211 Steering Committee, Gracious Grounds, and the Grand Haven Children’s Museum.

**This course will provide 1 hr of Inform USA Professional Development Credit