AENC/NC Center for Nonprofits Virtual CEO Roundtable
(Association CEOs/Executive Directors Only)
DATE: June 26, 2026
SCHEDULE: 9:00am – 10:00am
LOCATION: Virtual Teams Link provided with registration.
EDUCATON SPONSOR: Pinehurst Resort
CAE CEUs: 1 credit hour, pending approval.
TOPIC: From Flare-Ups to Fireproofing: Helping Boards Navigate Conflict and Build Resilience
Conflict in the boardroom is not new, but many nonprofit and association CEOs are sensing a shift in the intensity, tone, and personal nature of difficult conversations. When tension flares, boards can quickly lose trust, drift from mission, and weaken their ability to govern effectively.
This interactive CEO roundtable will explore how executives can help boards respond when conflict heats up and how they can strengthen governance practices before problems ignite. Participants will discuss real-world board dynamics, early warning signs, and practical strategies to lower the temperature, restore alignment, and build a more resilient board culture.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize the sparks that signal board tension may be escalating.
- Distinguish productive disagreement from conflict that weakens trust, alignment, and governance effectiveness.
- Explore practical ways CEOs and board leaders can lower the temperature and refocus the board on mission.
- Identify “fireproofing” practices that strengthen board culture, expectations, communication, and accountability before conflict arises.
PRESENTER: 
Jim Thompson, CAE, IOM, Tying It Together Consulting
HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!
