11/26/2025
My first time attending Opportunity Collaboration. I decided to jump all the way in as a newbie. What I didn’t expect was to be welcomed with such open arms.
As I reflect on my time there, the one word that keeps coming up is connection. The entire experience felt like a warm hug I didn’t even know I needed until it arrived.
I was grateful to have my colleague, Ellen Greenberg, say “yes” to this adventure and join me in Portugal. OC2025 brought together thoughtful, grounded, purpose-driven leaders from around the world, and being among them was energizing in all the best ways.
I also had the honor of co-leading a session on 11/3 with Beth Ellen Holimon, CFRE titled “Rethinking Board Governance: Who Decides and How?” Together, we held space for deep and sometimes uncomfortable questions:
✨ What might governance look like if we centered lived experience, participatory decision-making, and mutual accountability?
✨ What structures keep board members, staff, and community stakeholders trapped in traditional governance models that no longer serve us?
✨ How do we shift from compliance-driven boards to ones rooted in trust, transparency, and transformation?
The dialogue was rich, honest, and exactly the kind of reimagining I believe our sector needs.
But the true highlight of this “unconference” was my leadership circle, masterfully held by Nicolas Demeilliers. His facilitation created a community where people showed up as their full, authentic selves, a rare but generous gift. I’m deeply grateful for the phenomenal group of leaders I now get to stay connected with.
And of course, the unexpected moments made everything even more special, like an inspiring leadership circle convo with Emma Colenbrander and Tina Ajuonuma and an impromptu hike with Megan wa Mukuria that left me grounded, restored, and recharged.
I left OC2025 with a full heart, new friendships, fresh ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose. Here’s to more connection, more courage, and more spaces where humanity leads.
