The Nonprofit Leaders Forum

Navigating Advocacy within Nonprofits

The Nonprofit Leaders Forum Series is kicked off this February and is back for Part 2: Navigating Advocacy within Nonprofits. This panel discussion will feature leaders, each with a business sensibility, a deep understanding of the role and power of nonprofit organizations, and a sensitivity to the marketplace of people and ideas.

The program series is sponsored by RPM Consulting Group.

5:00pm: Welcome and Networking

5:30-6:00pm: Panel Discussion

6:00-7:00pm: Q & A and Networking

Mazzoni Center

1348 Bainbridge St, First Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19147

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT CLOSES ON TUESDAY, MAY 14! 

Panelists Include:

Rosalind Spigel (she/her/hers, they/them/theirs)

Rosalind Spigel, MSOD, ACC, works with nonprofits to achieve their goals and fulfill their vision. In collaboration with clients, Rosalind designs and facilitates customized strategic planning and implementation, DE&I initiatives, leadership coaching, board development, capacity building interventions, and workshops. A certified Standards of Excellence© consultant, Rosalind is a consultant with the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, The Hub, and LaSalle’s Nonprofit Center. She was a graduate, Coach, and Practicum Advisor to the American University’s Master of Science, Organization Development program and guest DEI lecturer at Jefferson University.

A recipient of the Hal Kellner Award for contributions to issues of diversity and social justice, Rosalind has published on leadership, gender bias, and most recently co-authored Dissecting Meaning, Scope, and Roles of Social Justice and Social Action. A focus of her work this year is Future Search, an approach to planning that builds trust, commitment, focus, and continuing action from the principle of common ground.

Troy Stevenson (he/him/his)

Troy Stevenson (he/him) is the Director of State Advocacy Campaigns for The Trevor Project, where he leads the department’s work in states across the nation to end conversion therapy, protect trans youth from vitriolic attacks, and advance protections for LGBTQ youth and suicide prevention. 

Troy previously served as executive director of statewide LGBTQ rights organizations Garden State Equality (New Jersey) and Freedom Oklahoma, and as a field director on the 2008 and 2012 Obama presidential campaigns, where he worked extensively in Pennsylvania and other primary states across the nation. 

Troy is an Oklahoma native and an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in political science, and also earned a law degree from the University of Westminster in London. He also has the honor of serving on the boards of directors for numerous local and national organizations.

Diane Cornman-Levy (she/her/hers)

Diane brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership, coalition building, community organizing and fundraising experience to WOMEN’S WAY. A tireless advocate for gender and racial equity, Diane joined WOMEN’S WAY in January 2017 after running for State Representative of the 168th District. Diane was also co-founder and executive director of two non-profits, both of which work to improve education, health and economic equity for families. In each of these positions, Diane challenged the status quo through forging cross-sector partnerships and designing new programs that increased economic, health and education opportunities for families, teens, returning citizens, and self-taught artists with mental health challenges. During her tenure at WOMEN’S WAY, she led the transformation of the organization including designing a new brand, creating new grantmaking programs, building a citywide, collaborative initiative to advance the economic security of women and leading a year-long intervention to embed antiracism in every aspect of WOMEN’S WAY. 

Diane currently is a member of the Forum of Executive Women and two FORUM committees: Pay Equity and Public Sector Leadership Committees, and a board member of the nonprofit organization, LiveWell. 

Growing up in a family who was deeply committed to social justice built the foundation of her diverse career as a community activist, healthcare professional, educator, and non-profit leader. Diane received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Brown University and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy at Northwestern University.

Moderator:

Sebrina Tate (she/her/hers)

Sebrina Tate, the President/CEO of Bebashi, brings over three decades of executive leadership to her role, driving the organization's mission to empower people, enhancing the quality of their health and overall well-being.  A Philadelphia native, Sebrina holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Temple University and a Master of Social Work from Howard University. She furthered her education with a Master's in Criminal Justice from Saint Joseph's University and a post-graduate certificate in LGBTQ+ Health Policy and Practice from George Washington University.

With a diverse background spanning HIV/AIDS health, mental and behavioral health, housing, education, and community relations, Sebrina's expertise is profound. She formerly led the Strength Alliance, advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals. She served as a primary evaluator for a CDC grant to Philadelphia's School District, demonstrating her deep commitment to public health and equity. Sebrina is driven by the imperative for culturally competent healthcare and is passionate about Bebashi's mission to empower Philadelphia's Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ communities. A devoted mother of two, she understands the importance of building a brighter future for the next generation.

Sponsorship Highlights:

Series Sponsor:

RPM Consulting Group

We help clients navigate the complexities of their organizations with an eye tuned toward organizational growth and impact. By providing strategic guidance, structural recommendations, and roadmaps, we assist in expanding reach within communities, with donors, and with grantmakers.

Our team works closely with clients and their stakeholders to craft effective strategies that align with their missions and objectives, scaled to capacity. Let’s start where you are, succeed, and build.

Our work is concerned with the holistic well-being of your organization, but special attention may be paid to:

• Fundraising
• Communication Campaigns
• Donor Outreach and Engagement
• Coalition Building
• Nonprofit Governance
• Enrollment Management
• Building Administrative Systems
• Innovative Programming

By harnessing these areas of expertise, we empower our clients to achieve their goals, create a lasting impact, and contribute to building a better, more equitable world.

Additional Sponsor:

Athena Global Advisors

Maggy Wilkinson is the Chief Executive Officer of Athena Global Advisors, a professional services company that specializes in program management, data-driven strategy and strategic marketing and communications. Founded in 2013 by Wilkinson, Athena services an expansive portfolio of clients in media, telecommunications, professional sports, fashion, healthcare and hospitality. By leveraging diverse talent and expertise, Athena devises strategies, crafts campaigns, activates experiences and optimizes operations to strengthen brands, improve perceptions and shape narratives. Athena is headquartered in Philadelphia. 

Wilkinson founded Athena with a mission to be a force for positive change. Whether it is spearheading Huddle for 100, one of the National Football League’s most successful community campaigns, supporting the city of Philadelphia’s recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic with Ready.Set.Philly! or helping Liberty Latin America build a market-wide digital equity program, community is the common thread that runs through the organization’s diverse client group. Athena is also proud to have Comcast as a client and supporting many of its initiatives. Other notable work includes an engagement to organize Philadelphia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup bid.