2023 UMA Annual Meeting General Session Speakers

Debbie Reed, PhD, has served as President and CEO of Chaddock since 2006 and has more than three decades of nonprofit marketing, strategic planning, and organizational leadership experience. She is the author of two books, Attachment Theory in Action and Raising the Challenging Child, both written in collaboration with colleague Karen Doyle Buckwalter.  Debbie is passionate about developing and supporting nonprofit leaders and helping nonprofit organizations maximize their mission impact. In addition to offering executive coaching for nonprofit leaders, Debbie leads a nine-month Nonprofit Leadership Academy and offers executive coaching, training and consultation for nonprofit organizations and boards.

Opening General Session: Around Two Corners: Planning for the Unexpected – in Leadership and Life
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 | 8:30 – 10:00 AM

Chris Heeter is out to create a Wild revolution in the workplace.  A wilderness guide since 1984 and professional speaker since 2001, she was selected as a Top Ten Speaker by MeetingsNet and was featured on the Discovery Channel’s “National Geographic Today.” Combining business expertise with hilarious stories from her sled dog team and from guiding whitewater trips, Heeter challenges and inspires organizations and individuals toward Wild leadership, compassionate presence, and daring authenticity.

General Session: Wild Leadership: Guide Your Team Through Change
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 | 8:30 – 10:00 AM

For the last two decades, Christopher Ridenhour has led major organizational culture shifts as the Chief Learning Officer for two multi-site senior and social services organizations. His primary responsibilities included building Corporate Universities, coaching executives, and “actionizing” the mission, vision, and values into daily behaviors and commitments. His deepest passion lies in assisting organizations to create dynamic workplaces of belonging and inclusion. His highly creative and outcome-based trainings consistently resulted in above-industry staff retention, team morale, and the recapture of millions of dollars in lost revenue.

Closing General Session: Retention 911: Hiring, Inspiring, Engaging and Retaining!
Thursday, April 27, 2023 I 10:15 – 11:45 AM