Donor relations leaders are navigating a rapidly changing landscape. Expectations are growing, donor engagement is becoming more personalized and data-informed, and teams are being asked to support everything from impact reporting and recognition to events, communications, compliance, and strategic donor experience. Yet even the strongest program strategy depends on the people and structure behind it.

This interactive senior leaders pre-conference hands on lab will focus on the leadership and management practices needed to build, support, and sustain effective donor relations teams. We will examine current staffing trends, team structure models, evolving skills and competencies, hiring and onboarding practices, culture-building strategies, retention, and offboarding. Designed as a practical leadership lab, this session will help participants assess their own team structures, identify skill and capacity gaps, strengthen talent practices, and leave with actionable ideas to better lead the people behind the programs.