Program Overview

In the high-stakes world of philanthropy, we are trained to be the "calm in the storm" for our donors, our boards, and our institutions. But what happens when the storm hits closer to home? Between shifting economic landscapes, organizational restructuring, and personal "lifequakes"—those massive disruptions that reorient our lives—fundraisers are often navigating a complex "pileup" of professional and personal change.

Join us for an honest, insightful virtual session designed specifically for development professionals. We will move beyond standard "resilience" buzzwords to explore practical strategies for managing the cumulative weight of transition. Whether you are navigating a career pivot, a shift in donor priorities, or a significant personal milestone, this session will provide the tools to help you stay grounded while continuing to drive impact.

What You Will Learn:

• Understanding the "Lifequake": How to identify the signs of a major life transition and acknowledge its impact on your professional performance.

• Managing the "Pileup": Strategies for prioritizing when personal and professional stressors collide simultaneously.

• The Fundraiser’s Boundary: Practical techniques for maintaining emotional energy while managing high-touch donor relationships during times of personal change.

• Reframing Transition: How to use periods of instability as a catalyst for professional growth and authentic leadership.

Why Attend?

Fundraising is a relationship-based profession that requires immense emotional intelligence. By learning to navigate your own "lifequakes," you not only protect your well-being but also deepen your ability to lead with empathy and clarity in your development work.

Speaker Bio: 

Laurie Jerger‑Johnson is a certified professional coach and former nonprofit executive who brings decades of leadership experience to her work with individuals and organizations. She helps people do the personal change work they want to do but haven’t yet done, supporting adults as they navigate career shifts, identity evolution, relationship changes, and the pivotal moments when something needs to be different but the next step isn’t yet clear.

Laurie previously served as President of the Greater Northwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, where she led a large regional team, stewarded complex stakeholder relationships, and guided the organization through periods of significant change. Her executive background shapes her approach to transitions: practical, strategic, and grounded in real-world leadership experience.

In her coaching and teaching, Laurie facilitates thoughtful, candid conversations that help people identify what they want, understand what’s getting in the way, and make a plan to move forward with clarity and intention. Her work is rooted in evidence‑based transition frameworks and a deep belief in people’s capacity to change their lives from the inside out.