CEO Central 100 Atlanta
Click here for the application.
It has been said many times, that the quality of leadership, more than any other single factor, determines the success or failure of an organization. As we all know, leadership is an ongoing journey. It is for this reason that we selected this most important topic as the central theme that is integrated throughout CEO Central.
Launched in 2004, CEO Central is specifically designed to provide nonprofit CEOs with concepts and strategies to manage the everyday complexities of leadership. This program consists of symposia delivered by the leading authorities and subject matter experts on some of the top issues facing nonprofit leaders today. Using a facilitated, case study-based discussion format, symposia concepts are reinforced by interactive peer exchange, enabling participants to share solutions, benchmark performance and build long term relationships.
CEO Central is for the leaders of Georgia’s nonprofit organizations. This forum is programmed over a one year period. Here is what a sample of previous CEO Central members had to say about this unique program:
“I thoroughly enjoy CEO Central. The topics are always very relevant and challenge me to stay current with what’s new and innovative – which is extremely important in order to be successful in today’s environment. It has been a tremendous resource for me.”
“Being able to extend my network to include other nonprofit CEOs is priceless. The true value is that these are genuine relationships now.”
Below is a summary of the program details and the scheduled programming for the 2007 /2008 season.
2007/08 Agenda
Program Information
Four lecture-and-case study symposia, 9:00 am—Noon, networking before and after the session.
Located at the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 845, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
• Four lectures and case-study symposia
• Two Donor Cocktail events; Winter and Summer
• Access to special lecture events
• Events – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. includes breakfast, materials and tools
• Limited number of participants
• Open to CEOs of nonprofits only* and not transferable; no substitutions accepted for any program activity
• Participants are strongly encouraged to not miss more than one program day during the year
*CEO Central 100 is for Executive Directors / CEOs of nonprofits with operating budgets of $1MM or less.
Leading Organizational Performance
October 31, 2007
Dr. Peter Topping, Associate Professor in Organization and Management at the Roberto C. Goizueta Business School at Emory University
Over the years, leadership has been considered a “soft skill” by senior managers in organizations. Today, it is more often thought of as the “hardest skill” – critical to optimal organizational performance. This is especially relevant for smaller for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The leadership practices of the senior leaders have tremendous influence over the behaviors, attitudes and productivity of everyone else in the organization.
This highly engaging presentation will cover the best current thinking on leadership effectiveness that drives performance for community organizations in today’s dynamic environment.
Dr. Topping’s teaching interests include: leadership, organizational change, organizational behavior, human resource development, cross cultural management, collaborative negotiations and strategic, computer-driven business simulations.
He has served as both a human resource development consultant and designer of customized executive development programs for a broad range of client companies, including: The Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Inter-Continental Hotels Group, the Mayo Clinic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emory Health Sciences and the Medical University of South Carolina. As a guest lecturer, management consultant and executive coach, his clients have included: CARE International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the DeKalb County Public Schools (Atlanta) and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Dr. Topping has authored many articles-his most recent book is Managerial Leadership. Peter has served on multiple nonprofit boards and conducted numerous strategy retreats for boards and executive staff over the past 25 years.
Leading Governance
January 9, 2008
Maritza Soto-Keen; Office of the Vice President for Public Service & Outreach, University of Georgia
Nonprofit Governance: The Realities of the Board - CEO Partnership. Ask the most successful nonprofit CEO if they want to do their jobs without their board of directors and their answer will most definitively be "no". The most effective and successful nonprofits boost a strong relationship between the executive and the board. This interactive session will focus on how CEO's can most effectively work with their boards to meet the goals and aspirations of the organization.
Maritza Soto Keen serves as director of the Latino Initiative for the University of Georgia’s Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach. In this position, Maritza directs a new initiative targeted at Georgia’s Latino community. A key focus of the initiative is to increase the number of students in the educational pipeline and to support efforts that will lead to an increased number of students entering the university system.
Maritza previously held a faculty position at the University of Georgia’s Fanning Institute for Leadership, where she focused on: reaching under-served audiences, especially the Latino community, and conducting training for nonprofits organizations, particularly in the areas of board development and training, and strategic planning. Maritza developed the University’s first Latino youth leadership program focusing on high school students, ages 15-18.
She also has served as executive director of the Latin American Association (Atlanta). During her years at the Association, Maritza served as the principal advocate for Latino issues on both the local and national levels resulting in increased access and opportunities for immigrant children. She provided executive staff leadership to two capital campaigns generating over $13.5 million. Her legacy included a budget that had increased tenfold and an increase in staff from 8 to 55.
She was appointed by the Georgia Board of Regents to a statewide task force examining issues impacting Latino students. In 2001, Maritza served on Mayor Shirley Franklin’s transition team and on former Governor Roy Barnes Commission on Hispanic Affairs.
Leading Strategic Alignment
March 12, 2008
Karen F. Beavor; CEO & President, Georgia Center for Nonprofits
How do you make your strategic plan real? How does one go about getting alignment between their everyday work plans and their strategic plan? Why is it that the majority of organizations are not able to execute on their strategic plan?
This session will address the questions by focusing on summarizing and communicating your strategic plan using a strategic framework, developing the alignment of people and processes to execute, and determining some key metrics that measure organizational success.
Karen Beavor is CEO & President of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. She is a graduate of Agnes Scott College and serves as a board member or advisory board member of a variety of civic and nonprofit organizations, including the National Nonprofit Risk Management Center, Family Connections Partnership, the Foundation Center-Atlanta, The Nonprofit Quarterly, American Humanics, The Center for Nonprofit and Government Leadership at Kennesaw State University, The State Bar of Georgia's ABC Committee and the National Center for Charitable Statistics.
Leading and Managing People
May 7, 2008
Ann Schwartz; UPS Southeastern Regional HR Executive
How do you get people to follow your lead? Your success depends upon your ability to influence the actions of others. This session will show you how to use the fundamental principles of human behavior and communication to engage employees in serving your goals, by linking to their individual motivators.
This mind-shifting presentation will offer you an opportunity to step free of the blind spots that automatically arise in fast-paced, get-it-done work situations. You’ll see how you affect your employees - positively and negatively - and gain practical tools and frameworks that help you lead them more effectively to achieve the results you need.
Donor Cocktail Events
Winter 2008: Camaraderie, Cocktails and Conversations
February 28, 2008 Thursday 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.
Margaret Mitchell House and Museum
Relax and network over cocktails with some of Atlanta’s finest philanthropic leaders.
Summer 2008: Panel Discussion followed by Camaraderie, Cocktails and Conversations
Leading Community
June 18, 2008 Wednesday Panel Discussion 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
A great city is only as great as its people. This highly acclaimed panel of leaders will discuss their thoughts on some of the toughest and most important issues facing our community today. They will also offer their insight on what this year’s class of CEO Central leaders can do to enhance the capacity of community leaders in order to help Atlanta stay strong and great for decades to come.
Camaraderie, Cocktails and Conversations 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.