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The 11th annual Nonprofit OpCon focuses on streamlining processes and operations for nonprofits in New York. How do we make things easier and more pleasant for executive leadership, operations, IT, risk, finance, HR and more? There are new industry standards to consider, and new guidelines around applying for public funds to learn. Bring your organization into the 21st century and abandon old practices that are depleting your valuable resources! It’s a new day in the nonprofit industry; join us as we explore these insights and strategies.
Details
The Hebrew Union College
1 West 4th Street
New York, NY 10012
Date: June 05, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sponsorships & Ticket Information:
For sponsorships and tickets, please contact Kelly Murphy (kmurphy@cityandstateny.com)
Dress Attire:
Business Casual
Agenda
Times are subject to change.
Streamlining Processes, Operations, Finances & Investments through Strategy
Nonprofits are continually looking for ways to improve their operations and maximize impact. From improving workflows and enhancing team collaboration to adopting technology that drives efficiency, the discussion will explore practical solutions that help organizations deliver their mission more effectively and with greater impact. Panelists will discuss how nonprofits can optimize administrative tasks, reduce operational overhead, and better allocate resources to programs that directly benefit their communities.
Nonprofits are continually looking for ways to improve their operations and maximize impact. From improving workflows and enhancing team collaboration to adopting technology that drives efficiency, the discussion will explore practical solutions that help organizations deliver their mission more effectively and with greater impact. Panelists will discuss how nonprofits can optimize administrative tasks, reduce operational overhead, and better allocate resources to programs that directly benefit their communities.
Nonprofits are continually looking for ways to improve their operations and maximize impact. From improving workflows and enhancing team collaboration to adopting technology that drives efficiency, the discussion will explore practical solutions that help organizations deliver their mission more effectively and with greater impact. Panelists will discuss how nonprofits can optimize administrative tasks, reduce operational overhead, and better allocate resources to programs that directly benefit their communities.
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Jeff Wills (Moderator)
Chief Operations OfficerThe Academy for Teachers

Karin Kunstler Goldman
Deputy Bureau ChiefNew York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau

Greg Taylor
Chief Finance & Operations OfficerRobin Hood

Mark Rubinstein,AIF
President and Investment Advisor RepresentativeIncline Pension Consulting
Nonprofit Efficiency: Managing Liability, Overhead and Failure
This panel will dive into how nonprofit organizations can effectively manage risks, control overhead, and handle the inevitable challenges and failures that arise on the path to achieving their mission. With a focus on sustainability, the panel will offer insights into how to optimize resources while maintaining transparency and accountability. Additionally, panelists will share valuable lessons on embracing failure as a learning opportunity, helping organizations build resilience, adapt, and recover quickly from setbacks. By focusing on the importance of continuous improvement and risk management, nonprofits can ensure they stay on course and make the most of every dollar and every effort.
This panel will dive into how nonprofit organizations can effectively manage risks, control overhead, and handle the inevitable challenges and failures that arise on the path to achieving their mission. With a focus on sustainability, the panel will offer insights into how to optimize resources while maintaining transparency and accountability. Additionally, panelists will share valuable lessons on embracing failure as a learning opportunity, helping organizations build resilience, adapt, and recover quickly from setbacks. By focusing on the importance of continuous improvement and risk management, nonprofits can ensure they stay on course and make the most of every dollar and every effort.

Nikia Hughes-Cousins (Moderator)
Vice President of OperationsCommunity Housing Innovations

Hannan Chaudhary
Chief Financial OfficerNew York Junior Tennis League

Naima Chisolm
Partner and Director of Business DevelopmentBTQ Financial

Shereen Santalesa
Director, Human ResourcesPrimary Care Development Corporation
The Importance of Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations
Effective leadership is at the heart of every successful nonprofit organization. Whether driving strategic vision, inspiring teams, or fostering a culture of accountability and compassion, strong leadership is key to achieving impact and sustaining growth. This panel will explore the critical role of leadership in shaping nonprofit organizations, from executive directors to board members, and how their decisions influence both internal culture and external relationships. Nonprofit leaders will share their experiences in fostering inclusive, transparent, and effective leadership practices, as well as strategies for developing the next generation of nonprofit leaders.
Effective leadership is at the heart of every successful nonprofit organization. Whether driving strategic vision, inspiring teams, or fostering a culture of accountability and compassion, strong leadership is key to achieving impact and sustaining growth. This panel will explore the critical role of leadership in shaping nonprofit organizations, from executive directors to board members, and how their decisions influence both internal culture and external relationships. Nonprofit leaders will share their experiences in fostering inclusive, transparent, and effective leadership practices, as well as strategies for developing the next generation of nonprofit leaders.

Jan Fisher (Moderator)
Executive DirectorNonprofit Westchester

Karen Erren
CEOFeeding Westchester

Tiffany Hamilton
CEOYWCA of White Plains & Central Westchester

Ilana Arbeit
Vice President Benefits PracticeHilb Group

Ilana Batnizky
CFO ConsultantKiwi Partners
Future of Work Navigating Real Estate as a Nonprofit
As the landscape of work continues to evolve, nonprofits are facing unique challenges and opportunities in navigating the real estate market. Whether managing office space, negotiating leases, adapting to hybrid work models, or considering new strategies for community engagement, nonprofits must rethink how they approach their physical spaces in a way that aligns with their mission and values. In addition, panelists will share insights into leveraging real estate as a tool for greater social impact, from creating community hubs to integrating sustainability into facility management.
As the landscape of work continues to evolve, nonprofits are facing unique challenges and opportunities in navigating the real estate market. Whether managing office space, negotiating leases, adapting to hybrid work models, or considering new strategies for community engagement, nonprofits must rethink how they approach their physical spaces in a way that aligns with their mission and values. In addition, panelists will share insights into leveraging real estate as a tool for greater social impact, from creating community hubs to integrating sustainability into facility management.

Wayne Ho (Moderator)
President & CEOChinese-American Planning Council, Inc.

Stacy Bliagos
Executive DirectorHANAC Inc.

Christopher D. Turner
Managing Director of Transaction ServicesDenham Wolf Real Estate Services

Charles Carroll
SPV Asset ManagementUrban Resource Institute

Michelle Greenberg
PartnerTannenbaum Helpern
What Nonprofits Need to Know About Nonprofit Accounting and Finance
Financial management is one of the most critical components of a nonprofit’s long-term success, yet many nonprofit leaders face challenges navigating the complexities of nonprofit accounting and finance. This will cover key topics such as budgeting, financial reporting, managing grants and donations, and understanding nonprofit tax regulations. From financial strategies to tools for streamlining accounting processes, this session will equip nonprofit leaders with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and safeguard their organization’s future.
Financial management is one of the most critical components of a nonprofit’s long-term success, yet many nonprofit leaders face challenges navigating the complexities of nonprofit accounting and finance. This will cover key topics such as budgeting, financial reporting, managing grants and donations, and understanding nonprofit tax regulations. From financial strategies to tools for streamlining accounting processes, this session will equip nonprofit leaders with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and safeguard their organization’s future.

Orlan Wilson (Moderator)
Director of Global FinanceAccess Now

Seth Pinsky
CEOThe 92nd Street Y

Rinku Bhattacharya
Chief Financial and Operating Officer,The Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle

Stephen Shiffman
ManagerYPTC

Thomas Kelly
PartnerPKF O'Connor Davies
Building an Effective Board of Directors
A strong and engaged Board of Directors is essential for the success of any nonprofit organization. Panelists will share insights on the critical roles and responsibilities of board members, best practices for board recruitment, and how to foster a culture of collaboration and accountability. The discussion will cover how to develop a high-functioning board that can drive organizational growth, increase fundraising capacity, and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders.
A strong and engaged Board of Directors is essential for the success of any nonprofit organization. Panelists will share insights on the critical roles and responsibilities of board members, best practices for board recruitment, and how to foster a culture of collaboration and accountability. The discussion will cover how to develop a high-functioning board that can drive organizational growth, increase fundraising capacity, and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders.

Ebony Young (Moderator)
DeputyQueens Borough President

Neela Mukherjee Lockel
President and Chief Executive OfficerEAC Network

Bonnie Kornberg
Chief Strategy OfficerGraham
Strategies for Nonprofit Talent Acquisition and Retention
Attracting and retaining top talent is crucial to the success and sustainability of any nonprofit organization. This panel will explore best practices for recruiting in a nonprofit environment, overcoming resource constraints, and utilizing creative recruitment channels, including partnerships, internships, and volunteer pipelines. The discussion will also focus on retention strategies, with insights on how to create an inclusive, supportive, and growth-oriented work culture that motivates employees to stay long-term.
Attracting and retaining top talent is crucial to the success and sustainability of any nonprofit organization. This panel will explore best practices for recruiting in a nonprofit environment, overcoming resource constraints, and utilizing creative recruitment channels, including partnerships, internships, and volunteer pipelines. The discussion will also focus on retention strategies, with insights on how to create an inclusive, supportive, and growth-oriented work culture that motivates employees to stay long-term.

Katrina M. Jones (Moderator)
Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Talent ManagementACACIA NETWORK

Dawn Pinnock
President and CEOCenter for Urban Community Services

Jon Harper
Chief Operating Officer, Director of Finance, Operations, and AdministrationIrish Arts Center

Mark Dungan
Vice President, NonprofitUSI Insurance Services
Proactive Risk Management and Scenario Planning
In a rapidly changing world, nonprofit organizations face a wide range of risks—financial, operational, reputational, and strategic—that can impact their ability to fulfill their mission. Proactive risk management and scenario planning are essential tools for nonprofits to anticipate challenges, mitigate potential threats, and ensure long-term sustainability. The panel will discuss how nonprofits can build a risk-aware culture, implement effective risk management frameworks, and create contingency plans to navigate uncertainty. The panel will also cover the importance of scenario planning—considering various future scenarios, from economic downturns to natural disasters—and how nonprofits can prepare for the unexpected.
In a rapidly changing world, nonprofit organizations face a wide range of risks—financial, operational, reputational, and strategic—that can impact their ability to fulfill their mission. Proactive risk management and scenario planning are essential tools for nonprofits to anticipate challenges, mitigate potential threats, and ensure long-term sustainability. The panel will discuss how nonprofits can build a risk-aware culture, implement effective risk management frameworks, and create contingency plans to navigate uncertainty. The panel will also cover the importance of scenario planning—considering various future scenarios, from economic downturns to natural disasters—and how nonprofits can prepare for the unexpected.

Damaris Herron-Watkins (Moderator)
Chief Finance and Operations OfficerA Better Chance Inc.

Kristen Elkins
Chief Quality, Compliance, and Ethics OfficerYAI

Maurice Segall
Director, NY and Fairfield County, CT ProgramPro Bono Partnership

Roundtable Technology
SpeakerTBD