Leadership Roundtable Series
sponsored by: 
Taking the Suck out of
Succession Planning:
Board Responsibilities
Wednesday, July 30th - 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Appleton, WI
Registration opens June 5th!
Join Nonprofit Leadership Initiative (NPLI) and Solutions for Changemakers in an interactive leadership roundtable session discussing board roles and responsibilities regarding organizational succession planning.
Succession planning is often treated like a leadership emergency kit, opened only when a Chief Executive announces their departure. But real succession planning is about more than one person or one moment.
In this session, we will reframe succession planning as a key strategy for organizational and mission sustainability. Board will explore how to prepare for short-term absences, long-term transitions, and leadership development at all levels. This includes documenting core processes, building internal leadership capacity, and reducing reliance on any single individual. Leadership changes are not a matter of it, but when. This session will help boards be ready for both the expected and the unpredictable.
PARTICIPANTS WILL WALK AWAY WITH:
- A clearer understanding of the board's role in all types of succession planning, not just executive transitions
- Practical tools for documenting key processes and leadership functions
- Strategies to support leadership development and continuity across the organization
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Nonprofit leaders and board members serving a nonprofit located within NPLI's service area.
This is a space for nonprofit leaders and board members to learn and have open dialogue. Attendance is capped at 30 people to provide time and space for authentic, peer-to-peer sharing.
FACILITATORS:
Josh Kilgas (he/him) - Founder, Solutions for Changemakers
Josh Kilgas is the Founder of Solutions for Changemakers, a consulting firm that helps nonprofits navigate leadership transitions through board governance training, executive coaching, strategic planning, and succession planning. He brings firsthand experience from across the sector as a staff member, chief executive, board member, and board president.
Josh holds a Master of Public Administration from UW Oshkosh, with an emphasis in nonprofit leadership and management. He also serves on the North American Interim Executive Roundtable for United Way Worldwide, where he contributes to national conversations on interim leadership and succession strategy.
He works directly with nonprofit boards to improve onboarding, define clear expectations, and create practical succession plans that reflect the organization's size, staff structure, and strategic goals. His work is shaped by a deep impact for the day-to-day realities of nonprofit leadership and a commitment to making governance more functional and less intimidating.
JD Gildemeister (he/him) - Consultant, Solutions for Changemakers
JD Gildemeister is a Consultant with Solutions for Changemakers, bringing more than 15 years of executive operations experience from the for-profit sector and leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining Solutions for Changemakers full-time, he held senior operations roles at mission-driven organizations, where he focused on strengthening systems, supporting staff, and advancing organizational strategy.
In addition to staff leadership experience, JD has served on multiple nonprofit boards and committees, including as board president. He is known for his calm presence, attention to detail, and collaborative style that helps leaders translate strategy into practical, sustainable action. His work reflects a deep commitment to helping changemakers build resilient, mission-aligned organizations positioned for long-term success.
COST:
This is a free event, thanks to sponsorship provided by CLA, so participation is limited to nonprofits located within and primarily serving our service area (Outagamie, Calumet, Shawano and Waupaca Counties and the Neenah-Menasha area of Winnebago County).
Thank you for respecting the registration guidelines.
LOCATION:
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
Community Room
4455 W. Lawrence Street
Appleton, WI 54914
