It’s a VUCA world: Contingency Planning Considering Federal Policy Changes. 

Since the Trump Administration took office this year, unprecedented executive orders have rattled decades of federal policy funding allocations and criteria. Nonprofits, which have historically served as partners with the Government in delivering federally funded programs, are faced with the possibility of losing funding, committing to new terms, and even being questioned about their mission entirely. 

In this session, DANA will unpack the impacts of recent federal policy shifts for Delaware nonprofits and outline how contingency planning could help nonprofits navigate this Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous time. 

Participants will: 

• Grasp an understanding of recent Executive Orders and their impacts on Nonprofits. 
• Understand the aspects of contingency planning and how it can help nonprofits address the changes. 
• Gain insights on questions nonprofits can ask to explore their risks and opportunities. 
• Assess their readiness and capacity to undertake contingency planning in their organization. 

Facilitator: Sheila Bravo & Earl Sissell 

Sheila joined DANA as President and CEO in 2015. She regularly provides training and consulting services to DANA members on strategic planning, governance, and financial management.  Sheila formerly served as Executive Director of the Rehoboth Art League in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Her professional experience spans nonprofit, for-profit, and academia. She has worked in in brand leadership positions launching new products, expanding businesses internationally, and developing strategic growth plans for brands such as Vlasic Pickles, Godiva Chocolatier, Corelle Dinnerware, Corningware Ovenware and Pyrex bakeware. She transitioned to provide strategic planning, new product and leadership consulting services to mid-size companies and nonprofit organizations in a variety of industries. Her work led her to pursue a doctorate in leadership, specializing in non-profit governance. Bravo has a PhD in Organizational Leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, an MBA in International Business from Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a BS in Business and Languages from Millersville University. Sheila lives in Lewes.

Earl Sissell, DANA’s Vice President of Consulting. Earl brings a combination of business development, financial management, strategic planning, and leadership expertise to DANA and its members. Before coming to DANA in 2022, Earl’s work experience included more than a decade in public and private finance and venture capital. Earl then moved into the education sector, serving as a faculty member in public and independent schools, as well as serving as Head of School, Principal, and CEO in both private and charter schools in the Philadelphia region. As a consultant, he has consulted with clients in a variety of nonprofit sectors on strategic planning, board governance and development, succession planning and leadership transition, and leadership development. Earl is a graduate of Kenyon College (BA in Sociology and Anthropology) and the University of  Pennsylvania (M.Ed. in Elementary Education). He is also a Standards of Excellence certified consultant.

This session is made possible thanks to the Delaware Community Foundation