Purpose-Driven Leadership & Innovation Conference
A joint conference with Sacred Heart University’s Organizations & Social Issues Research Group
April 17, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. | West Campus
Join nonprofit leaders, researchers and University faculty for a dynamic day focused on innovation and leading with purpose and courage in a time of uncertainty and change.
Together, we’ll explore how research-informed thinking and real-world experience can strengthen resilience, spark innovation and deepen impact. Leave with perspective and practical strategies for what leadership requires now.
Following the keynote, breakout sessions will offer nonprofit leaders practical, research-informed insight on the issues shaping their work right now. Through leadership sessions and research discussions, participants will explore leading through disruption and volatility, designing innovative workforce strategies to strengthen retention and performance, and approaching AI with strong governance and mission integrity. The program is intentionally designed to bridge a big-picture perspective with actionable tools leaders can bring back to their organizations immediately.
Space is limited. Register Today!
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Keynote Speaker
Luciana Bonifacio, Social Impact and Philanthropy Executive
Luciana Bonifacio is a global development leader with more than 25 years of experience in the philanthropic sector. She is recognized for building collaborative partnerships that align donor purpose with community outcomes. As chief development officer for Save the Children, she guided the organization through a period of transformation and growth, expanding the scale and scope of private partnerships and deepening its women’s philanthropic network.
Bonifacio has a reputation of being a connector and “people person,” leads with authenticity and empathy to understand motivations and translate vision into possibility. In her work with Save the Children, this approach resulted in tens of thousands of midwives trained, newborn lives saved, children inspired to read and girls empowered to stay in school.
Sessions
Debra W. Hertz, Ph.D., managing director and founder, The Strategy Group
Nonprofit leaders are increasingly being asked to do more with less while also navigating complex board dynamics. This session explores how to build and activate a high impact board by clarifying roles, strengthening the ED–board partnership and shifting from passive oversight to true strategic engagement.
Claudio Schapsis, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, Jack Welch College of Business & Technology, Sacred Heart University
Carol Meyer, nonprofit communications executive
AI tools are everywhere—but are they advancing your mission or subtly hijacking it? An AI researcher and nonprofit communications leader sit down for a candid, question driven conversation about the real risks hiding in everyday AI use, the prompting strategies that sharpen your thinking and the simple boundaries that keep your organization in control. No hype. No slides. Just what you need to know.
Stephen M. Brown, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus and former Dean, Jack Welch College of Business & Technology, Sacred Heart University
Grace Guo, Ph.D., Professor of Management, Jack Welch College of Business & Technology, Sacred Heart University
We are in a time of constant disruptions coming from every direction. Leading purpose-driven organizations in times of social disruption is difficult. This session will discuss some emerging expectations shaping effective leadership today and potential approaches to leading with clarity in our rapidly changing environment.
Jeannine Andreassi, Ph.D., Professor of Management, Jack Welch College of Business & Technology, Sacred Heart University
Isabel Almeida, President and CEO of United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut
Jose Montes, VP Human Resources at Edgewell Personal Care & Center for Nonprofits Board Member
As workforce expectations evolve, nonprofit leaders must rethink how work is designed to support both performance and people. This breakout explores the employee experience journey, highlights insights on hybrid work and work life balance and introduces a practical leadership framework to drive clarity, engagement and accountability. Participants will leave with actionable ideas to build stronger teams and advance their mission.
Research Presentations
Anton Shufutinsky, Ph.D., D.Sc., MSPH, REHS, RODC, CAC, Director for Innovation and Strategic Collaboration at the Institute for Applied Behavioral & Organizational Sciences (IABOS), Sacred Heart University
In today’s era of rapid social and technological change, organizations are constantly searching for leaders who can effectively manage these disruptive environments. But what makes some people better able than others to perform and survive in complex, rapidly changing environments? Angela Duckworth (2016) has called this Grit—defined by a combination of passion and perseverance—that makes some succeed in these scenarios. New evidence from our latest research indicates that there are factors beyond passion, perseverance, and motivation that are significant contributors. Research outcomes identify specific attributes that stand out in some people even among those high-achieving, Grit-possessing populations. Mettle Zone Mindset Theory is introduced.
Cristina Vlas, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Strategy, University of New Haven’s Pompea College of Business
Innovation works best when people’s expertise and the way they work together stay in sync. In this session, Christina Vlas shows how leaders can avoid costly disconnects and keep innovation producing results.
Mary Tonze Auta, Ph.D. candidate
Thomas Lechler, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Stevens Institute of Technology
This presentation examines the funding challenges faced by social entrepreneurs in Nigeria, based on a qualitative study of 10 hybrid ventures. It highlights key barriers, including misalignment between funder expectations and social mission, limited access to suitable funding and difficulties in demonstrating impact. The session also explores how entrepreneurs adapt their strategies to navigate these constraints and offers insights for building more inclusive and effective funding ecosystems.