WID-NJ Events
About this In-person Event
Navigating Fundraising Burnout—Join us in person on November 20, 2025 from 6–8pm ET for an honest, restorative evening designed for nonprofit fundraising professionals. Burnout is real—and you're not alone. This event offers practical tools, peer insights, and candid conversation to help you reset, recharge, and rethink your approach to the demands of development work. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or simply seeking balance, come connect with others who get it.
Leave with strategies you can actually use—and a renewed sense of purpose. Bring a donation and your authentic self. Let’s heal the hustle, together.
Event Details
Date: Thu, Nov 20, 2025 Time: 6PM - 8PM Setting: In-person
Location: Wine Tasting at Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Rd, Ringoes, NJ 08551
Registration ticket includes a wine tasting experience. Charcuterie and light snacks will be served.
Feel free to reach out to us with any thoughts or questions at info@widnewjersey.org.
Registration Information
To view a full list of our upcoming events, visit www.widnewjersey.org/events and save your spots today!
About this Virtual Happy Hour
Join us for a lively virtual happy hour on December 11, 2025 from 4:30–5:30pm ET, designed exclusively for nonprofit fundraising professionals! Share your favorite fundraising tools, CRMs, email hacks, and templates in a fast-paced, idea-packed hour. Whether you're a tech-savvy strategist or just looking to streamline your workflow, come ready to screen share, drop links, and discover game-changing resources from peers who get it. It’s networking meets knowledge-sharing—with a splash of fun. Bring your beverage of choice and let’s toast to smarter fundraising together!
To view a list of our upcoming events, visit www.widnewjersey.org/events and save your spots today!
About this Roundtable
January 27th at 9 AM EST for "Engaging Reluctant or Uninvolved Boards," a dynamic session designed to equip non-profit leaders with actionable strategies to transform their board dynamics.
Moderated by Debbie Riveros, this insightful discussion will feature expert speakers Lauren Villanueva and Allison Howe who will share their invaluable experience and practical wisdom.
In this session, we’ll dive deep into:
This is your opportunity to gain immediately actionable steps to take back to your board and brainstorm solutions to your unique challenges with fellow non-profit leaders. Don't miss this chance to empower your board, strengthen your organization's culture, and elevate your fundraising success!
About the Speakers
Allison Howe is the Executive Director of NonProfitConnect, a role she has held since January 2019. With over 25 years of nonprofit experience, she has significantly expanded programs and established NonProfitConnect as a key resource for boards and nonprofits. Her consulting work focuses on strengthening boards through self-assessments, training, coaching, and evaluations. Howe's extensive leadership background includes serving as Executive Director of the South Jersey chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and as Vice President of Medical Administration for Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey.
Lauren R. Villanueva, Ed.D., is the Vice President of Alumni and Constituent Engagement at Syracuse University. In this role, she oversees programs fostering connections among alumni, students, families, and friends through various engagements and partnerships. Before joining Syracuse in July 2022, she was the Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of the Alumni Board of Governors at Drexel University, where she led strategy for programs, volunteer engagement, and data management for a $750 million campaign. Dr. Villanueva holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Science, and an Ed.D. from Drexel University. Her research focuses on talent management and gender in higher education advancement. She has also served as an adjunct instructor and presented for CASE and Academic Impressions.
Join us on February 11, 2026 from 4:30–5:30pm ET for a virtual happy hour designed for nonprofit fundraising professionals who want real talk and real solutions. Got a challenge? Bring it. Whether it’s donor engagement, campaign strategy, or tech troubles, this is your space to share openly and get thoughtful advice—judgment-free. Tap into the collective wisdom of peers who’ve been there, solved that, and want to help. No slides, no pressure—just honest conversation and collaborative problem-solving over your favorite drink.
Join us for "Salary, Power & Progress: Advocating for Yourself in Development," a vital discussion on February 26th at 9 AM, moderated by Angela Marie Tayco. This event brings together esteemed speakers Sahana Mukherjee, Jessica Black, and Shannon Clark Johnston to tackle critical issues surrounding compensation and career advancement within the development sector.
We will delve into the persistent patterns of underpayment and undervaluation, especially for women in development roles, exploring both internal and external barriers that hinder self-advocacy. The session will address challenging concepts like "mission guilt" and common misconceptions around nonprofit salary negotiations, offering a fresh perspective on how to navigate these conversations effectively.
Discover adaptive strategies, including recommended tools for researching salary benchmarks and effective language for discussing raises, promotions, and professional development. Learn how to reframe negotiations to feel less intimidating and more like collaborative discussions.
The event will also focus on building confidence and power, highlighting the crucial role of mentorship and sponsorship in career progression for women. We’ll discuss how to balance humility with confidence and normalize these essential conversations across the sector.
Looking ahead, we'll explore the future of salary equity and career progression in the nonprofit world over the next 5-10 years, identifying systemic changes needed at all levels to better support professionals. Don't miss the opportunity to gain one crucial piece of advice for your next negotiation.
Walk away with a transformative mindset shift or a practical tool to feel more empowered in your career conversations. This is an essential event for anyone looking to champion their value and drive progress in the development sector.
Jess Black (she/her) is a Senior Talent Consultant at DRG, partnering with mission-driven organizations to recruit high-impact executives across all functions, including development, in organizations across the country and in diverse sectors. In her role, she helps boards and CEOs identify and define the priorities and core competencies for key leadership roles and partners with them to run a strategic and equitable search process. Jess works closely with candidates to support them in bringing their best selves to the interview process and fully demonstrating their skills and impact. Jess lives in South Orange, New Jersey, with her husband and two kids.
Shannon Clark Johnston is a former C-suite executive, coach, keynote speaker, and leadership trainer with 25+ years across corporate, nonprofit, public sector, and startups. As founder of True HR, she equips leaders and teams to build confidence, resilience, and results through practical training, executive coaching, and engaging keynotes. Known for her no-fluff, actionable style, she turns insight into behavior change. Shannon also hosts True HR: Beyond the Office, a podcast that shares candid conversations and tools to bridge work and real life.
Sahana Mukherjee is the Founder & President of Unveiled: Bridging The Gap to Sponsorship, a nonprofit focused on equitable access to career advancement opportunities. As a visionary executive, she excels at integrating technology, business, and human capital to drive growth. A recognized thought leader and keynote speaker, Sahana was named among Women We Admire’s 2024 Top 50 Women Leaders in New York and Crain’s NY 2022 Notable HR Leaders. Her expertise spans digital transformation, sustainable talent strategies, and leadership innovation. With a background in Applied Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering and HR Management, she combines technical knowledge with data-driven leadership for significant industry impact.
On May 21, 2026 from 6–8pm, join fellow nonprofit fundraising professionals for Ask Me Anything: Careers, Campaigns, and Candid Conversations—an in-person evening of insight, honesty, and inspiration. Dive into a live Q&A with two powerhouse Chief Development Officers, Karyn Vella and Barbara Lovell, as they share hard-won lessons, career advice, and campaign strategies. Moderated by Erica Dekranes, this event invites you to ask anything—no topic too big or too personal. Whether you're navigating leadership, growth, or burnout, come ready for real talk and fresh perspective.
Space is limited, so grab your seat and bring your boldest questions!
Date: Thu, Sep 25, 2025 Time: 6PM - 8PM Setting: In-person
Location: Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd, Pennington, NJ 08534
Guests will enjoy an array of light appetizers, desserts, and wine. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions in your registration.
We look forward to seeing you in person for food, networking, and fun!
Stay tuned for more information about the speakers.
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