The half-day program begins at 8 a.m. with breakfast and coffee, followed by a keynote panel featuring two leaders who navigated Helene’s aftermath in real time. Andy Barnett, Executive Director of Asheville Habitat for Humanity, and Claire Neal, Executive Director of MANNA FoodBank, will share how their organizations pivoted to continue critical services after floodwaters destroyed both of their facilities. Their discussion, moderated by Stephanie Lee, CFO/COO of the North Carolina Arboretum, will highlight resilience, collaboration, and the power of nonprofit leadership during crisis. 

The keynote will be followed by four workshops designed to strengthen nonprofit capacity: 

● Come Hell or High Water: Is Your Insurance Enough? 

Natural disasters can strike without warning—and the wrong insurance coverage can leave an organization vulnerable. Kristi Shrum of Insurance Services of Asheville will walk participants through the types of insurance nonprofits need most, the gaps often overlooked in policies, and how to ensure facilities, belongings, and operations are fully protected before the next storm. 

● Shoring Up the Foundation: Real Estate Planning for Stability The right space can help a nonprofit thrive, but uncertainty around leasing, purchasing, or selling can create costly risks. Jane Brody and Karl Nelson of NAI

Beverly-Hanks will share how organizations can make sound real estate decisions that support growth, provide security, and help missions weather disruption. 

● Burn Bright! Not Out: Preventing Nonprofit Burnout 

Whether it’s from staff shortages or crisis-driven workloads, burnout is one of the biggest threats to nonprofit missions. Beth Russo of People Who Help, a seasoned nonprofit leader and consultant, will explore why burnout happens, how to spot it early, and what leaders can do to create healthier, more resilient teams. 

● Ready, Set, Respond: 10 Tips for Crisis Communications 

How an organization communicates in a crisis and after it can define its future. With more than 20 years of experience in disaster and reputation management, Kyle Parks of Parks PR will share 10 actionable strategies for responding quickly, credibly, and effectively—whether facing a natural disaster, a lawsuit, or social media backlash. 

The schedule: 

8 a.m. - Doors open 

8:30-9:15 a.m. - Keynote panel 

9:30-10:15 a.m. - First round of workshops 

10:30-11:15 a.m. - Second round of workshops 

This event will be held at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Center for Allied Health & Workforce Development (10 Genevieve Circle, Asheville, NC 28801). Admission is free and open to all Western North Carolina nonprofit staffs and supporters. 

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/3VHv2PA.