NextGen Philanthropy Panel- Engage, Retain, Empower: Strategies for Fostering Long-Term Commitment in Emerging Philanthropists (Phoenix)

Description

The retention of qualified candidates is a significant issue facing the nonprofit sector. In an era marked by rapid change and evolving values, understanding what drives Gen Z and young Millennials towards careers in philanthropy is crucial for the future of philanthropy. Join us for an insightful panel session, where a diverse group of young nonprofit professionals will share their experiences and perspectives on engaging and retaining the next generation of philanthropic leaders. This session brings together young professionals from various roles, including programs, fundraising, marketing, and more. Their diverse backgrounds and firsthand experiences provide a comprehensive view of what motivates their peers and what they seek in their careers. Through their stories, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the core motivations driving young people into the world of philanthropy, such as social impact, personal fulfillment, and a sense of community. Attendees will leave equipped with innovative engagement strategies to connect with young professionals. You'll explore best practices for retaining this vital talent pool, including:

• Professional Development Opportunities
• Meaningful Benefits
• Engagement Strategies
• Mentorship Programs
• Fostering a Sense of Purpose

The session will also emphasize the importance of creating inclusive and diverse organizational cultures that resonate with the values of young professionals, promoting a strong sense of belonging and long-term commitment. By understanding and embracing the unique strengths and aspirations of Gen Z and young Millennials, you can enhance your organization's effectiveness and secure a vibrant future for the philanthropic sector.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand Core Motivations: Gain insights into the key motivations and values driving Gen Z and young Millennials to engage in philanthropy, including social impact, personal fulfillment, and community connection.
• Effective Engagement Strategies: Learn innovative and practical strategies for effectively engaging young professionals in philanthropic efforts, leveraging technology, social media, and storytelling.
• Retention Techniques: Explore best practices for retaining young talent in the nonprofit sector, including professional development opportunities, meaningful benefits, mentorship programs, and fostering a sense of purpose.
• Building Inclusive Cultures: Highlight the importance of creating inclusive and diverse organizational cultures that resonate with the values of young professionals, promoting a sense of belonging and commitment.
• Leveraging Unique Strengths: Discover how to identify and harness the unique strengths and perspectives that young professionals bring to the table, enhancing organizational effectiveness and innovation.

Cost:

Members: $0

Prospective Members: $25

• *In many cases membership may be less the cost of a few workshops, and provide a lot more benefits to you and your organization, please contact Member Services for more information and potentially check out this event at no cost - membership@azimpactforgood.org.

Emcee: Veronica Aguilar (she/her), Teach for America & Young Empowered Women 

Veronica Aguilar is Vice President, Recruitment at Teach For America (TFA) on the national recruitment team and the founder and chair of Young & Empowered Women. With TFA, she works to provide strategy, direction and oversight to recruit a powerful, diverse corps into the organization. As a proud Arizona native, Veronica works to improve the community by empowering women leaders as founder to Young & Empowered Women.

Veronica is a 2023 Phoenix Business Journal 40 under 40 honoree, the 2022 ATHENA Young Professional recipient for the Greater Phoenix Chamber, Chair of the Valley Young Professionals Board- Greater Phoenix Chamber and Human Relations City Council Commissioner for the City of Scottsdale.

Cindy Quintero, MPH (she/her)

Cindy Quintero is a bilingual and bicultural public health advocate with a rich professional history spanning 15 years. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to working with diverse communities both in the United States and internationally, gaining valuable experience in the nonprofit and local government sectors. Cindy possesses a multifaceted skill set, excelling in relationship building, program implementation and evaluation, research, and facilitation.

 As the Health & Wellness Program Director at Advance Community, Cindy greatly enjoys supervising and mentoring community health educators and interns, helping them grow professionally while ensuring the effective delivery of health programs. Her leadership has been key in fostering a supportive environment that encourages both growth and innovation among her team members. Her commitment to community health, education, and the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate programming is evident in her work.  

Cindy serves on the Arizona Health Equity Conference Planning Committee, fostering ongoing education and collaboration opportunities for statewide public health professionals. She shared her expertise during the 2023-24 school year as a Faculty Associate with Arizona State University School of Transborder Studies, teaching Transborder Community Development and Health and currently serves as part of the university’s CHW Workforce Subcommittee. Cindy holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Arizona and Bachelor's in Transborder Chicana/o Latina/o Studies and Spanish with a Minor in Nonprofit Administration.

Krishnaa Pradhan (she/her)

Krishnaa Pradhan is a Director of Recruitment for Teach For America where she leads the recruitment campaigns at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. She attended ASU where she received her B.S. in Biology and Society. Krishnaa joined Teach For America as a corps member in 2018 where she taught middle school science and high school chemistry and physics in the Chicago/Northwest Indiana region. As an educator committed to educational equity for all, Krishnaa worked with her school community to empower her students to love and pursue STEM. In 2021, Krishnaa transitioned to Teach For America’s staff, where she supports university students across Arizona who are interested in beginning their career of impact. During her time on staff, Krishnaa has recruited over 200 students as a leading contributor to Teach For America’s corps. She has also shared her recruitment knowledge and expertise globally, presenting and facilitating recruitment workshops at Teach For All conferences. Krishnaa is a founding member of Young and Empowered Women and served as the Mentorship Chair for two years.

Tatumn Zale (she/her)

Tatumn Zale is the Institutional Giving Manager at FSL (Foundation for Senior Living), where she excels in shaping and executing the annual fund strategy, including corporate partnerships and major gifts. Her strategic insights have significantly improved donor stewardship and retention.

Tatumn's commitment to positive impact extends beyond her role at FSL. She serves as the Development Chair for Young & Empowered Women and is a Board Member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Phoenix Chapter. She is also co-founder of Kindling Impact, a consulting firm that provides fundraising, communications, and marketing services to small and mid-sized nonprofits.

Tatumn's contributions to the sector have been recognized with accolades such as the 2023 AFP Greater Phoenix Emerging Fundraiser of the Year and the 2023 YNPN Phoenix LINK Pitch Competition Champion. Her diverse experience in advocacy, public policy, and non-profit leadership underscores her dedication to driving meaningful change.

Travis Craddock (they/them)

A Certified Fund Raising Executive, Travis Craddock (they/them) is an accomplished fundraising professional and nonprofit leader. Currently, Travis serves as the Director of Philanthropy at ACLU of Arizona, raising critical resources to protect and advance the civil rights, liberties, and dignity of all Arizonans. Travis is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, dedicating their career to fostering these values within the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.

In their career, Travis has previously held fundraising and leadership roles at ASU Foundation, the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, and San Miguel High School. Travis strives to empower and improve the quality of life in the communities in which they live. This is also evident from their time spent in Malawi with the U.S. Peace Corps, where they worked in education and community development.

Outside of work, you can find Travis building community and volunteering for various causes that are meaningful to them, including sitting on the boards for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Southwest Tennis Foundation, and the Children's Museum Tucson & Oro Valley. Travis also runs a queer and allied pickleball league in Phoenix and enjoys playing many sports, spending time with family and friends, and dancing to the beat of their own drum.