Indiana Association of Public Education Foundations

CONFERENCE AGENDA

Day 1: Wednesday, December 10th
Registration Networking Lunch & Exhibitors	11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Welcome & Announcements INAPEF President Jennifer Rakow, Executive Director, Center Grove Education Foundation	12:00 - 12:15 p.m.
Harnessing the Collective Power of your Board Robin Callahan, CFRE, CAP, CEFL, President, The Callahan Collaborative When boards move beyond “approve and fundraise” to act as strategic partners, K–12 education foundations accelerate impact for students. This session translates board engagement from a good intention into a practical system—clarifying roles, aligning on priorities, and activating trustees as governors, connectors, fundraisers, and advocates. We’ll share proven structures (simple charters, roles, and meeting design), quick diagnostics to spot engagement gaps, and low-lift ways to mobilize busy trustees between meetings. You’ll leave with a plan to focus your board’s energy where it matters most—advancing access to equitable opportunities for students.	12:15 - 2:15 p.m.
Break & Exhibitors	2:15 - 2:45 p.m.
The Power of Story: Turning Moments into Meaning Janet Mann, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Zionsville Community Schools At the heart of every education foundation are students, teachers, and community members whose lives are changed by its work. This presentation demonstrates why storytelling is one of the most effective tools used to inspire generosity, deepen engagement, and highlight the human side of education. Participants will explore how to uncover meaningful stories, frame them for different audiences, and use them to strengthen trust and support. Stories inspire. Harness the power of storytelling to create connections that engage audiences, celebrate impact, and build lasting support for students and schools.	2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Round tables by Job Description (Board President, Executive Director, Development Manager, etc)	3:45 - 4:45 p.m.
Exhibitors & Networking	4:45 - 5:00 p.m.
Welcome Dinner at Sangrita Grill + Cantina, hosted by Major Saver (registration required)	5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Day 2: Thursday, December 11th
Continental Breakfast	7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Welcome Back & Performance by the Harlem Wizards	8:30 - 8:45 a.m.
The State of Education in Indiana Jacqueline Kronk, Chief Strategy Officer, Office of the Secretary of Education, State of Indiana This session will povide an in-depth look at the state of education in Indiana, spotlighting the progress made and the work ahead to prepare every Hoosier student for success. Jacqueline Kronk will highlight Indiana’s renewed focus on literacy, including efforts to strengthen early reading proficiency and adolescent literacy; the expansion of STEM opportunities that position students for high-demand careers; and the high school redesign aimed at ensuring diplomas reflect meaningful, future-ready skills. Kronk will also discuss the state’s work to strengthen the handoff between K-12 and higher education, training, and workforce pathways — ensuring students have clear, supported transitions into employment, enrollment, or enlistment. Attendees will gain an understanding of how Indiana is aligning accountability, diplomas, and assessments with these priorities, while engaging communities statewide to build a strong and responsive education system.	8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
AI in Action: Boosting Personal Productivity with ChatGPT James Paden, Pragmatico Solutions In this lively, hands-on session, James will show how tools like ChatGPT can transform everyday work—saving time, sparking ideas, and making complex tasks simpler. Attendees will learn practical ways to apply AI in their own roles. Bring your laptop and follow along to experience the possibilities firsthand.	9:45 - 10:45 am
Exhibitors & Donut Break	10:45 - 11:15 am
Planned Giving: Why It Matters to Your Mission Robin Callahan, CFRE, CAP, CEFL, President, The Callahan Collaborative This workshop will explore the importance of planned giving for education foundations and provide strategies for creating a successful planned giving program. We will discuss the great wealth transfer and its implications, explore tax smart giving strategies for donors and explore strategies for building strong relationships with planned giving donors and professional advisors. We will explore the process of creating an endowment for a nonprofit organization and share stories from donors who have made planned gifts to these organizations. By creating a successful planned giving program, education foundations can build a bridge to tomorrow by ensuring the long-term sustainability of their organizations and make a lasting impact in their communities.	11:15 - 12:15 pm Breakout
AI Use Cases: Peer Sharing and Practical Applications James Paden, Pragmatico Solutions This small-group workshop is designed for interactive exploration and discussion. Attendees will work together—laptops open—to brainstorm, test, and share AI use cases they can put into practice right away. James will facilitate discussion and guide interactive exercises to help surface the most valuable ideas for your organization.	11:15 - 12:15 pm Breakout
Lunch & Exhibitors	12:15 - 1:00 p.m.
INAPEF Annual Meeting 2026 Board of Directors Election & Association Update	1:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Break & Exhibitors	1:30 - 1:45 p.m.
Building a Lasting Legacy: Integrating Alumni Relations into Your Education Foundation Presented in Partnership with Alumni Nations Emily Kaiser, CFRM, Executive Director, Washington Township Schools Foundation Explore how to effectively incorporate alumni relations into a public education foundation's strategic framework. Drawing on the Washington Township Schools Foundation's decade-long experience since merging with the North Central High School Alumni Association in 2015, this breakout will provide actionable insights for strengthening your school community across generations. The first part of the session will delve into the strategic planning and implementation phases of building a robust alumni program. The second will focus on real-world experiences and best practices gleaned from their journey of growing alumni engagement, culminating in an interactive Q&A.	1:45 - 2:45 p.m. Breakout
I CANva: Becoming a graphic designer Stefanie Leiter, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Humanities & Associate Professor of Communication, Anderson University With Internet access and a willingness to learn, you can create visual assets to not only strengthen your brand but also cohesively align your message. Create visually cohesive templates. Pair fonts and color palettes for your visual assets. Gain instant access to millions of ideas. Learn basic principles of branding. This design course is intended for people with no background in design, as well as those who may be designers but would like to learn a new and simple tool that is accessible on the web for free. Bring a laptop and learn together how to create what you need to succeed.	1:45 - 2:45 p.m. Breakout
Break & Exhibitors	2:45 - 3:00 p.m.
Gold Mines	3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
Exhibitor Prizes and Farewell	4:15 - 4:30 p.m.

THANK YOU SPONSORS

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