Thursday, October 15, 2026 | Philadelphia, PA
Welcome Networking Reception | October 14
Rising Leaders Summit 2026
Join your nonprofit industry peers from nonprofit organizations and agencies serving nonprofits for a day of inspiration, professional development, and networking.
As a rising leader, you divide your time and focus between three levels of impact: ME, yourself as a smart and savvy professional with a track record of success and a list of ambitious goals; WE, your organization, team, or other growing circle of influence; and COMMUNITY, the social impact sector as a whole, your professional “why.” Balancing all three requires intentional practice. If you are ready to up your game, you’re in the right place.
Participation is recommended for midlevel managers and future executives who:
- have a solid foundation of tactical skills;
- are increasingly being recognized as subject matter experts;
- lead a team and/or manage one or more direct reports; and
- are motivated to “think big” and develop strategic planning skills.
The TNPA Rising Leaders Summit blends peer conversations and podium speakers. We use Liberating Structures, facilitation techniques that stimulate critical conversations and elevate the expertise in the room. Attendees will take these facilitation tools and skills back to their own organizations to help ensure all voices are being heard and to spur greater engagement and innovation.
Special Presentation…
The Thermostat Effect: How Steady Leaders Set the Temperature in Times of Uncertainty
In times of uncertainty, every leader broadcasts a temperature. Thermometer leaders reflect the room. Thermostat leaders set the temperature, and steady the people in it. Through real stories, practical frameworks, and a few honest mirrors, we’ll explore how to make decisions when outcomes are unpredictable, build psychological safety under pressure, and transform uncertainty — not by escaping it, but by leading through it with trust, clarity, and forward momentum. The leaders people remember aren’t the ones who waited for the storm to pass. They’re the ones who steadied the room, set the tone, and moved everyone forward, together. That leader can be you.
Presented by Joyce Weru, PhD, SPHR, MBA, MS
Dr. Joyce Weru is an Organizational Psychologist and the President & CEO of Rise Above Consulting Group. As a globally certified executive leadership coach and thought leader, Dr. Weru brings over 20 years of experience across diverse industries and cultural landscapes worldwide. She empowers leaders and organizations to drive transformation, overcome complex challenges, and build high-performing, resilient teams in dynamic, global environments.
Dr. Weru’s work is informed by both her extensive practical experience and academic research, holding a PhD in Organizational Psychology. In addition, she earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, University College. Dr. Weru is a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), certified as an Executive Leadership Coach by Georgetown University, and holds the PCC credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Schedule
Wednesday, October 14
Welcome Networking Reception | 5 – 7 p.m.
Condesa, 1830 Ludlow Street
Join us for a drink and appetizers. Your registration for the Rising Leaders Summit includes your attendance at the Welcome Networking Reception, although we will ask for a separate RSVP for the Welcome Reception.
Thursday, October 15
Rising Leaders Summit Program | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Convene, 2001 Market Street, 2nd Floor
8:00 – 9:00am Registration & Networking Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 Morning Program
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:45 Keynote Workshop: Dr. Joyce Weru | The Thermostat Effect: How Steady Leaders Set the Temperature in Times of Uncertainty
11:45 – 12:30 Managing Up, Down, Across Understanding the challenge, identifying personal strengths and pain points, and much more.
12:30 – 1:30 pm Networking Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 The Wisdom Panel + Exercises/Reflection Hear from accomplished leaders in the nonprofit sector to learn about their paths, explore their current projects and challenges, and ask for advice.
- Glynnis Breen | Vice President of Communications | National Audubon Society
- John Butler, CFRE | Vice President, Development & Mission Advancement | Trinity Missions
- Sarah Newhall | Founder & CEO | The Newhall Group
- Doris Parent | Chief Culture & People Officer | The Philadelphia Orchestra & Ensemble Arts
3:00 – 3:15 Break
3:40 – 4:20 Peer Consulting One of the favorite activities of many TNPA conferences, this workshop allows you to bring a specific work or leadership challenge you are facing to a small group of peers to learn from each other and create possible paths forward.
4:20 – 4:50 The Path Forward
4:50-5:00 Wrap Up
*Bonus Networking Until 5:45
Planning Committee
Co-Chair: Goldie Pyka, Brand Director, World Food Program USA
Co-Chair: Seiko Yoshitake, Director, Digital Marketing, USA for UNHCR
Elizabeth Hefner, Senior Consultant, Schultz & Williams
Tina O’Connell, Senior Manager, Mid-Level Giving, National Audubon Society
Brad Tucker, Director of Compliance, Compassion & Choices
Summit Location: Convene at Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Getting There: Convene is an easy 5-10 minute walk from the main Amtrak stop at 30th Street Station.
Parking: Parking is available in the same building at 2 Commerce Square for $28 per day. Several parking lots are nearby.
Where to stay? There are several hotels convenient to Convene in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. If you have any questions about Philadelphia or would like help making a choice, please reach out to Dominika Brice at dbrice@tnpa.org.
What Past Participants Are Saying…
Loved this event so much! I came back with a positive attitude, motivated to do my job better, and so many good ideas of next steps. I’ve already shared with a couple of our partners how helpful this was and plan to “borrow” some ideas in our upcoming company retreat.
Incredibly appreciative of the interactive and actionable content of the conference. As someone looking to step up in my career, I walked away with a plan of action and about a dozen new peer connections.
Good sessions that were different from the usual career development material.
I rarely give 5s, but this felt so fresh and different — and also very actionable. I gained so many key insights from the panel and also the [peer consulting] session, in particular.
This is the first conference I’ve been to in my career where I’ve walked away feeling like I have an action plan to solve the current problems I’m facing. Additionally, it was geared toward me and where I am at in my career.
Loved the interaction, networking, movement and stretching of the mind in terms of thinking through things differently.
Networking was invaluable and the wisdom panel was second to none in terms of other events I have attended within the nonprofit industry.
I loved how interactive and convicting it was. It was interesting, engaging, helpful and refreshingly unique. I often don’t leave one-day events with any ah-ha’s or big takeaways or action plans, but I did with this Summit.
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