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2026 NNSC Spring Meeting
Program & Agenda
Chicago, Illinois | April 15–17, 2026
The 2026 NNSC Spring Meeting brings members and colleagues together for meaningful conversation, practical learning, and candid peer exchange. This year’s program explores the business of nonprofit search from multiple angles, including growth strategy, branding, market positioning, operations, ownership, visibility, sourcing, and the issues most shaping the field today.
At a Glance
Full Program
Program details are subject to minor adjustment.
Wednesday, April 15
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Opening Welcome Reception
Sponsored by NNSC Thought Leader, Cluen
Welcome to the Windy City! Join your fellow meeting attendees for a relaxed gathering in the Paris Ballroom of the L7 Hotel. Enjoy beer, wine, and cocktails, as you connect with colleagues. Whether you're catching up with old friends or meeting new attendees (nearly 20!) for the first time, you'll enjoy great conversation and good vibes to kick off your meeting experience.
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Optional Dine-Arounds
Optional experiences requiring separate sign-ups. Contact fellow member Abe Taleb for more details.
Thursday, April 16
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Breakfast and Introduction
Gather with colleagues for breakfast and opening remarks as the Spring Meeting gets underway.
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Opening General Session and Keynote: Insights into Scaling an Executive Search Business
Sponsored by
JobElephant
Katie is the visionary founder who built Koya Leadership Partners from a bootstrapped startup into the industry standard for mission-driven executive search. Having navigated the full founder lifecycle (from day one to a successful strategic exit), she brings a rare, candid perspective on what it takes to build a firm that becomes a household name in our space.
Her insights on growth, positioning, leadership, and long-term strategy are directly relevant to today’s nonprofit search landscape (and to the future of your own practice).
Her insights on growth, positioning, leadership, and long-term strategy are directly relevant to today’s nonprofit search landscape (and to the future of your own practice).
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Session Facilitators: Abe Taleb and Melissa Madzel
Featured Speaker:
Katie Bouton
Co-Founder & Managing Partner of TAVO and Founder of Koya Leadership Partners, Katie brings deep experience in scaling a mission-driven search firm into a nationally recognized industry leader.
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11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
State of the Nonprofit Sector
This facilitated conversation features Peter Fissinger, Principal of Fissinger Fundraising LLC, who previously served as President and CEO of Campbell & Company and Chair of the Giving Institute, alongside Brenda Asare, President & CEO of Alford Group and immediate past Chair of the Giving Institute. Designed as an open, conversational exchange, the session will explore the current state of the nonprofit sector, drawing on real-time insights from the field to examine trends in executive leadership, board dynamics, and the broader landscape shaping nonprofit organizations today.
For executive search professionals, this session provides an opportunity to better understand the forces influencing leadership needs and how to support clients in identifying and developing effective leaders.
For executive search professionals, this session provides an opportunity to better understand the forces influencing leadership needs and how to support clients in identifying and developing effective leaders.
Session Facilitator: Johnny Cooper
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Peter Fissinger
(Principal and CEO, Fissinger Fundraising LLC)
Peter specializes in offering strategic counsel to C-suite executives, board members, chief development officers, and development teams. His clients, under his guidance, have collectively raised over $10 billion. His extensive experience spans across diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, arts and culture, human services, and community foundations.
A respected figure in the nonprofit community, Peter has served as Chair and Treasurer of the Giving Institute and Chair of the Advisory Council on Methodology for Giving USA. He has also served on the Board of Managers and Executive Committee of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. |
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Brenda Asare
(President & CEO, Alford Group)
Brenda brings nearly 30 years of management and cross-sector experience and has assisted clients in raising over $2 billion, focusing on campaign execution, strategic planning, corporate partnerships, board leadership development, and organizational design.
Prior to joining Alford Group, she served as Chief Development Officer with the American Red Cross in Chicago, where she led disaster fundraising efforts raising over $100 million. Brenda is a frequent speaker on the intersection of diversity and philanthropy and currently serves as 2nd Vice Chair of the Giving Institute. |
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
The Lindauer Rebrand: A Case Study
The Lindauer marketing team will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the firm’s recent rebrand. More than just a new coat of paint, the rebrand started with a rigorous assessment of market positioning strategy before progressing to messaging, narrative, and visual design.
Through this broader lens, the Lindauer rebrand can serve as a case study revolving around questions of how search firms can differentiate themselves in competitive markets and how they can present themselves in ways that are clear, compelling, and credible.
Through this broader lens, the Lindauer rebrand can serve as a case study revolving around questions of how search firms can differentiate themselves in competitive markets and how they can present themselves in ways that are clear, compelling, and credible.
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Session Facilitator: Torrey Albertazzi
Presenters:
Alex Teller (Director of Marketing, Lindauer)
Alex leads marketing strategy and storytelling at Lindauer, bringing a practitioner’s perspective to how firms can align brand, positioning, and market presence.
Ruth Lin (Designer, Firebelly Design)
Ruth is a graphic designer and graduate with honors from the Rhode Island School of Design. See her work at ruthl.in or behance.net/ruthlin.
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2:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Concurrent Session
Mergers & Acquisitions (for NNSC Member Principals/Equity Partners)
Sponsored by
Lindauer
Designed exclusively for active NNSC members who identify as Principals and Equity Partners of nonprofit search firms, this session provides a dedicated space to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of firm ownership.
Participants will engage in candid, peer-driven conversations on topics relevant to leadership, business strategy, and the evolving landscape of nonprofit executive search. This is a valuable opportunity to connect, share insights, and explore solutions tailored to the realities of running a search firm.
Participants will engage in candid, peer-driven conversations on topics relevant to leadership, business strategy, and the evolving landscape of nonprofit executive search. This is a valuable opportunity to connect, share insights, and explore solutions tailored to the realities of running a search firm.
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Session Facilitator: Christina Greenberg
Speakers:
Deb Taft and
Katie Bouton
Deb and Katie bring firsthand experience and strategic perspective to conversations about growth, succession, ownership, and the changing business realities facing nonprofit search firms.
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2:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Concurrent Session
Operations & Search Process (for all others, including Meeting Guests)
Sponsored by
Benefactor Group
For non-member Meeting Guests and those not attending the Principal/Equity Partner session, this interactive session offers a dynamic space to explore a range of timely topics in nonprofit executive search. Whether you have pressing questions, emerging trends to discuss, or best practices to share, this open-format discussion will be shaped by participant input.
Come ready to engage, exchange ideas, and gain fresh perspectives from your peers in the field.
Come ready to engage, exchange ideas, and gain fresh perspectives from your peers in the field.
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Session Facilitators:
Tony Paskauskas and
Torrey Albertazzi
Tony and Torrey will guide this discussion-based session, drawing on peer questions and shared experiences to surface practical approaches to operations, process, and day-to-day search execution.
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6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Evening Group Dinner
Sponsored by
Crelate
Included with your registration. Plus-one Dinner Guest passes SOLD OUT.
Join your colleagues for a memorable evening at
The Berghoff Restaurant
, a true Chicago institution serving guests since 1898. Set in the heart of the Loop, this classic and welcoming space provides the perfect backdrop for connection and conversation.
The evening will begin with a fresh Berghoff House Salad followed by your choice of entrée (including half roasted chicken, cedar plank salmon, or beef medallions) served alongside seasonal accompaniments. Conclude the evening with signature German chocolate cake, all while enjoying drinks and lively conversation in one of Chicago’s most iconic dining rooms.
The evening will begin with a fresh Berghoff House Salad followed by your choice of entrée (including half roasted chicken, cedar plank salmon, or beef medallions) served alongside seasonal accompaniments. Conclude the evening with signature German chocolate cake, all while enjoying drinks and lively conversation in one of Chicago’s most iconic dining rooms.
Friday, April 17
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Breakfast
A final morning to connect before the day’s sessions begin.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
From Relationships to Reputation: Building a Visibility System That Sells for You
Sponsored by NNSC Contributor Sponsor, Edgility Search
You’re already a great relationship builder, but are you building a reputation that works even when you’re not in the room? This session is for boutique nonprofit search leaders who win business through trust and relationships but haven’t yet turned that into a repeatable, visible system.
Participants will walk away with a clear framework for building consistent visibility on LinkedIn, a 3-part weekly system to connect, contribute, and convert, and a simple template for mapping where business actually comes from. We’ll also explore how AI tools can compress the time it takes to create content, write follow-ups, and stay top-of-mind, giving small teams a real edge.
Whether you’re a solo practitioner or leading a team of 15, you’ll leave with practical, immediately usable takeaways and a fresh perspective on what it means to sell yourself as a trusted expert in today’s market.
Participants will walk away with a clear framework for building consistent visibility on LinkedIn, a 3-part weekly system to connect, contribute, and convert, and a simple template for mapping where business actually comes from. We’ll also explore how AI tools can compress the time it takes to create content, write follow-ups, and stay top-of-mind, giving small teams a real edge.
Whether you’re a solo practitioner or leading a team of 15, you’ll leave with practical, immediately usable takeaways and a fresh perspective on what it means to sell yourself as a trusted expert in today’s market.
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Session Facilitator: Christina Greenberg
Speaker: Amirah Raveneau-Bey (Founder/CEO, Grow | Scale | Develop)
Amirah helps leaders and firms turn strong relationships into consistent visibility, sharper positioning, and more intentional business development.
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10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
State of the Sector: How AI is Reshaping the Future of Executive Search
Mark Jacobson, General Manager of Executive Search at Findem, brings a unique insider-turned-innovator perspective to the conversation. Drawing on his deep roots at industry leaders like Korn Ferry and True Search, Mark will share the professional journey that led him from traditional, manual search methodologies to the forefront of AI-powered sourcing.
As a peer who has sat in the search seat, Mark will explore how modern firms can leverage AI to move beyond legacy research and sourcing hurdles to become more effective, scalable practitioners. The session will conclude with a state-of-the-sector outlook, addressing the critical shifts search leaders must consider as AI reshapes the competitive landscape and the long-term future of the recruiting business.
For search professionals, this session offers a candid look at how to balance deep-rooted search expertise with the technical tools now reshaping the sector.
As a peer who has sat in the search seat, Mark will explore how modern firms can leverage AI to move beyond legacy research and sourcing hurdles to become more effective, scalable practitioners. The session will conclude with a state-of-the-sector outlook, addressing the critical shifts search leaders must consider as AI reshapes the competitive landscape and the long-term future of the recruiting business.
For search professionals, this session offers a candid look at how to balance deep-rooted search expertise with the technical tools now reshaping the sector.
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Session Facilitator: Peter Gray
Presenter:
Mark Jacobson
(GM, Executive Search Vertical at Findem)
Mark Jacobson has spent over 25 years at the intersection of executive search, entrepreneurship, and data-driven innovation. His career reflects a dual commitment: the deep human connections that drive leadership success, and a restless conviction that the mechanics of how companies are built (and how talent decisions are made) can always be improved.
Mark's journey as a builder began when he founded Ignition Talent Group, which he ultimately merged into True Search when the firm was a 20-person team. He opened and led True's San Francisco office and served on the executive leadership team during a transformative period in which True became the fastest-growing search firm in the industry (scaling from $10M to $40M in revenue and from 20 to 120 employees). Across a career spanning 350+ completed executive searches, Mark has been guided by the conviction that data and technology should empower (not replace) human expertise, relationships, and judgment. That belief led him to co-found SignalFire, one of the first quantitative venture capital firms, and Terrain Analytics, a strategic workforce intelligence platform. He also built All Raise's board practice from the ground up, helping place diverse directors into its member community of high-growth startups. Today, Mark serves as GM of the Executive Search Vertical at Findem, where he leads product strategy and go-to-market efforts for Findem's Agentic Platform, including Research-as-a-Service, the industry's first AI product purpose-built to modernize the executive recruiting workflow. Mark holds a BA in English and is a proud husband and father of two. Outside of work, Mark spends his time coaching his son's Lafayette Little League team and volunteering on the LLL Board of Directors. |
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Hot Topics in Search (with Boxed Lunch)
This interactive session will explore the most pressing issues shaping today’s search industry. Attendees are invited to bring forward topics and questions, enabling a timely, participant-driven discussion that reflects the real challenges and opportunities facing the field today.