By James Siegal

CEO of KaBOOM!

For nonprofit professionals, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of finding a welcoming group of motivated people who share a passion for advancing the common good. There’s no place better to meet those inspired and inspiring individuals than the Independent Sector Conference. The schedule (and the hallways!) are packed with compelling leaders who are driving big solutions to complex societal challenges, ones that require collaboration across all sectors.

Full disclosure: Years ago, I led the programming for the IS conference and also launched the NGen program, so I’m admittedly a little biased.

I’m particularly excited to see the growth of the NGen program. The IS conference authentically engages leaders at the early stages of their nonprofit careers, providing significant opportunities for professional growth and enriching the conference experience for all attendees. Each year, I leave the IS conference with new insights forged from dynamic interactions with NGen-ers who are grounded in important and difficult mission-driven work, respectfully challenge conventional wisdom and display incredibly fresh thinking.

The conference is not inexpensive, but it is worth every penny. This year, we at KaBOOM! decided to offer the opportunity to four of our very own NGen-ers to participate in the NGen program and attend the full conference. I strongly recommend that other nonprofits do the same. I am confident we will benefit from having our folks there, and I know they will enrich the conference experience for everyone as well.

KaBOOM! CEO James Siegal served as Vice President of Nonprofit Programs and Practice at Independent Sector from 2006 to 2010. He will be speaking at the session on Big Picture Solutions for Healthy Communities, where he will share how KaBOOM! is catalyzing kid-focused community healing in cities that have experienced crisis and tragedy.