CEO Central 60

Launched in 2004, CEO Central is specifically designed to provide large nonprofit* CEOs with concepts and strategies to manage the everyday complexities of leadership. This program consists of symposia delivered by the leading authorities, professors 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 exemplary leaders of Georgia’s large nonprofit* organizations. It is a unique group of executives that will enable you to strengthen your executive management skills in order to lead a more effective nonprofit. 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.”

Program Information

Four lectures and case-study symposia
Access to special lecture events
Events – 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. includes breakfast and lunch
Invitation only; limited number of participants
Open to CEOs of large nonprofits only and not transferable; no substitutions accepted for any program day
Participants are strongly encouraged to not miss more than one program day during the year
All symposium are held at the Federal Reserve Bank ‘s state of the art facility located in Atlanta,Georgia

* CEO Central 60 is designed for Executive Directors / CEOs of nonprofits with operating budgets of $1MM or more.

2007 – 2008 Symposia Schedule

November 7, 2007

LEADING THE BRAND CALLED YOU
Martha Burgess, President and CEO, Martha Burgess Performance Training, LLC

It’s time to take a lesson from the big brands, a lesson that’s true for anyone who’s interested in what it takes to stand out and prosper in the new world of work. Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be an executive today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called YOU.
What does it mean to have a personal brand? Do you know what YOUR personal brand is? During this highly dynamic, interactive presentation, Martha Burgess will lead us to what makes an outstanding personal brand and how the leader’s personal brand affects an organization and how to sustain the personal brand over time and in times of change.

Martha Burgess is the founder of a full-service firm dedicated to improving the executive, management, employee and ultimately the customer experience. She teaches companies, teams and individuals how to stand out in the crowded business arena, how your voice can be heard loudly and clearly above the din, how to deliver the highest caliber performance in today’s hotly competitive marketplace, and how to be remembered as the best.

Her experience as an acting coach first led her to define a system of Peak Performance Improvement (PPI..) It renders visibility, bestows the dynamic of all great leadership and opens the door to consistently high levels of accomplishment through the peak performance behaviors. The business community quickly embraced her methods, which Burgess has taught to corporations for more than 30 years. As she continued to explore the underpinnings of PPI, her methods evolved into a sophisticated and comprehensive approach to excellence called The Burgess Process.

Burgess’ innovative approach to training and development has been heralded as visionary and her training unequivocally transforms her clients.

February 6, 2008

LEADING PEOPLE – LOOKING BACK
Thomas W. Gathers; Executive Vice President of Human Resources, RARE Hospitality International, Inc.

How do you get people to follow your lead? Your success depends upon your ability to influence the actions of others. Tom Gathers shows 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 leadership development program offers 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.

As Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Atlanta-based RARE Hospitality International, Inc. (one of the fastest growing companies in the hospitality industry) Tom Gathers has responsibility for the Company’s employment, training & development, employee relations and compensation & benefit functions. RARE, a NASDAQ public company, operates the Longhorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille restaurant chains.

From 1990 to 1998, Tom served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for UNO Restaurant Corporation, a Boston-based NYSE company which operates the 170-unit Pizzeria UNO casual dining chain. Prior to UNO, Tom was employed at Darden Restaurants, Inc. (1981 to 1990) where he directed the training & development efforts at The Olive Garden, Red Lobster International, Casa Gallardo, York Steak Houses, China Coast and LeAnn Chin’s.

April 2, 2008

LEADING INNOVATION
Professor Luis L. Martins, Ph.D. College of Management, Georgia Institute of Technology

Recently, Business Week observed that “making innovation work is the single most important business issue of our era.” In fact, innovation has always been a crucial component of leadership, and the key to the survival and growth of organizations in a variety of contexts. Yet organizations struggle with innovation, and most successful innovations in organizations tend to be one-time events. What can we do to make innovation a routine and consistent part of an organization? This symposia will present an innovation management model, encompassing the key aspects affecting an organization’s ability to generate, develop, and implement innovations. The topics covered will include leading innovation, developing and nurturing an innovative culture, managing the innovation process, and balancing innovation with execution.

Dr. Luis Martins conducts research and consults on the role of managerial and group cognitive factors in performance, innovation, and change. His research has appeared in several top management journals and has been covered in major newspapers such as the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune. His teaching interests include innovation management, change management, leadership, and organizational behavior. He has won several teaching awards at the undergraduate, MBA and Executive MBA levels. His consulting and executive development clients include Accenture, General Electric, NASA, Waffle House, and the FBI Crime Labs. He earned his Ph.D. in Management from Stern School of Business at New York University.

June 11, 2008

LEADING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE
To be announced

Change is vital to organizational growth and survival, but it is difficult to do well. While change initiatives take many forms, they share one thing in common: a dismal record of success. For example, researchers estimate that only about 10 to 30 percent of nonprofits successfully implement their strategic plans. New projects take, on average 50% longer to implement than expected. How can you improve the odds for your own change initiatives?

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.

>	CEO Central 60 Application ($1M-plus budgets)