Course Content
Evolving Your Leadership Style for Greater Impact – June 18, 2025: 10am to 1pm PST
Understanding leadership models and decision-making styles; being your authentic self while managing the needs and expectations of your staff, board, and external stakeholders.
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Pre-Work, Reflections, and Readings
The Executive Director’s Role in Program Innovation, Program Strategy, and Mission Impact – July 16, 2025: 10am to 1pm PST
Finding the right balance between leading, collaborating, empowering others, and delegating in the areas of program innovation, strategy, and mission impact.
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Preparation Guide
Strategic HR Leadership – August 20, 2025: 10am to 1pm PST
Navigating complex personnel and HR issues.
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Preparation Guide
Managing Tensions between Fundraising, Financial Sustainability, Organizational Values & Mission Impact – September 17, 2025: 10am to 1pm PST
Making difficult decisions about: (1) whether to accept/pursue funding when the interests & priorities of your funders, board, and/or staff diverge; and (2) how to best focus your financial resources between urgent needs today vs. long-term sustainability.
Crisis Leadership – October 22, 2025:10am to 1pm PST
Proactive strategies for navigating and leading through unexpected crises, ensuring organizational resilience and continued service to vulnerable clients.
Ensuring Organizational Success for a Future with New Leadership – November 12, 2025: 10am to 1pm PST
What can you be doing now to prepare your organization and ensure the success of your successors (whether that leadership succession happens soon or many years later).
Strategic Leadership: Navigating the Now

Session 3 Preparation Guide

Strategic HR Leadership: Navigating Complex HR Challenges

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Zoom Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85895258941?pwd=1vPRbnJMR0qY5xasjrZatZU8i2upeP.1


Session description

Leaders in nonprofit legal aid organizations face the challenge of balancing organizational stewardship, employee needs, diverse stakeholder expectations, and cultural differences—all within justice-focused workplaces. This interactive workshop offers practical and grounded tools to navigate complex HR decisions while fostering people-centered leadership.

 

Training objectives   

  • Be better prepared to: 
    • Navigate complex staff and leadership dynamics with clarity and compassion 
    • Lead through organizational change while preserving team trust and mission alignment   
    • Apply a values-based approach to high-risk or sensitive HR situations 
  • Understand tactical aspects related to strategic org-wide staffing changes, including mergers, layoffs, furloughs, and reductions in force 
  • Be familiar with strategies to integrate trauma-informed and equity-centered approaches into performance management and strategic staffing changes 


About the trainer

Rahel Y. Smith (she/her) is a Coach, Trainer, HR Consultant, DEI collaborator, and founder of Values Forward Leadership, LLC, where she partners with social justice nonprofits and movement-building organizations to create equity-oriented, people-centered workplaces. With over 20 years in nonprofit and mission-driven leadership across HR, finance, operations, and IT, her approach is shaped by deep social justice and anti-racism work, peer counseling, Healing Centered Coaching, and strengths-based models.

 

Prior to this session, please:

  1. Read and Review Community Agreements (2-4 minutes)
  2. Invitation to bring a pen, notepad, and rubber band

 

Agenda

10:00-10:05 Welcome

10:05-10:40 Grounding/Introductions/Connections

10:40-11:45 Organizational Transitions

11:45-12:00 Break/Stretch

12:00-12:45 Employee Relations

12:45-12:55 Closing/Commitment

12:55 Thank you/Close

Exercise Files
Strategic Leadership Session 3 Prep Guide.pdf
Size: 146.87 KB
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