Registration ends April 1 (Limited Spots Remain)
Secure your place now for the 2026 NNSC Spring Meeting in Chicago.
Register here.
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
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).
|
Session Facilitators: Abe Taleb and Melissa Madzel
Featured Speaker: Katie Bouton
Founder of Koya Leadership Partners, Katie brings deep experience in scaling a mission-driven search firm into a nationally recognized industry leader.
Want to sponsor this session? View sponsorship opportunities or reach out to jhadlock@nnsc.org.
|
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
State of the Nonprofit Sector
Session details are being finalized and will be posted here soon.
|
Session Facilitator: Tony Paskauskas
Speaker: 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 Fissinger has held the position of Chair at the Giving Institute, 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 and remains active in professional and philanthropic leadership.
Want to sponsor this session?
View sponsorship opportunities
or reach out to
jhadlock@nnsc.org.
|
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.
|
Session Facilitator: Torrey Albertazzi
Speaker: 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.
Want to sponsor this session? View sponsorship opportunities or reach out to jhadlock@nnsc.org.
|
2:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Concurrent Session
Mergers & Acquisitions (for NNSC Member Principals/Equity Partners)
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.
|
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.
Want to sponsor this session? View sponsorship opportunities or reach out to jhadlock@nnsc.org.
|
2:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Concurrent Session
Operations & Search Process (for all others, including Meeting Guests)
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.
|
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.
Want to sponsor this session? View sponsorship opportunities or reach out to jhadlock@nnsc.org.
|
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Evening Group Dinner
Included with your registration. Plus-one Dinner Guest passes available for $150.
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.
Want to sponsor this dinner?
View sponsorship opportunities
or reach out to
jhadlock@nnsc.org.
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.
|
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.
|
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Using AI for Candidate Sourcing
Session details are being finalized and will be posted here soon.
Session Facilitator: Peter Gray
Want to sponsor this session? View sponsorship opportunities or reach out to jhadlock@nnsc.org.
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Hot Topics in Search (with Boxed Lunch)
Session details are being finalized and will be posted here soon.
Want to sponsor this session? View sponsorship opportunities or reach out to jhadlock@nnsc.org.