What does it truly mean to be an inclusive leader?

Is it about welcoming diverse perspectives, fostering collaboration, or creating spaces where everyone feels valued? The answer is all of the above—and more. This interactive roundtable discussion invites emerging and experienced leaders to explore the meaning and impact of inclusive leadership development in their own leadership journeys.

Rather than focusing on prescriptive solutions, this session will encourage open dialogue, shared experiences, and thought-provoking questions that challenge us to reflect on how we lead. Together, we will examine how inclusivity shapes leadership, how to foster meaningful engagement, and what it takes to create environments where all voices are valued.

NOTE: This is a FREE Community Event. All are welcome to attend; registration is required for lunch.                                    

Discussion Topics may include

• • What does it mean to actively welcome diverse perspectives?
  • How can collaboration create more inclusive decision-making?
  • What challenges do leaders face in implementing inclusivity, and how can we navigate them?

About Our Facilitator

Bobby D. Steele, Ed.D. is the Director of the Center for Student Connections and Opportunity at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Bobby earned a bachelor’s in business and marketing from BGSU, a master’s degree in student affairs administration from Michigan State University (MSU), and a doctorate in higher education from Ball State University (BSU) with a research focus on cultural capital and non-deficit approaches in supporting Black first-generation college students. Bobby has worked in various functional areas within higher education including residence life and identity-based resource centers. Prior to his current role, Bobby was an assistant clinical professor of higher education at BSU.

Practicing Positivity

Positivity is a mindset, just as much or maybe even more than an emotional experience. It’s a skill that can be developed. And because our emotions and attitudes are contagious, it’s important that everyone take time to practice and develop these skills.

Practicing positivity is more than feeling good and being nice. It means being able to see what is working, to celebrate success, to offer up encouragement, and to do all of this in the face of an honest assessment of the challenges individuals and organizations are facing.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the difference between positive feelings and a mindset of positivity
2. Explore ways to expand your vocabulary around positive mindsets
3. Break down the negativity bias and the impact self-protection plays in limiting positive emotions and experiences
4. Build a practical plan for authentic positivity that impacts your work, relationships, and stress management

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $80 non-member. $60 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Adam Bouse founded Optimistic Coaching to help people overcome challenges, navigate emotions, and live with greater intentionality. He’s an International Coaching Federation-certified coach with more than 15 years of leadership experience and over 1000 hours of coaching experience. With training in emotional intelligence and brain-based coaching, Adam empowers clients to achieve their goals while fostering greater resilience and satisfaction. Optimistic Coaching specializes in coaching and training for emotional intelligence, empathy, difficult conversations, mindfulness, resilience, and, of course, optimism.

Boundaries are not about pushing people away; they are about honoring yourself. 

Do boundaries feel harsh or foreign to you? Do you struggle to set them, unsure where to begin? Perhaps the word boundary stirs discomfort, either within yourself or in your relationships. But what if boundaries didn’t have to feel rigid or isolating? What if they could feel deeply authentic to you?  Through life’s experiences—beliefs, teachings, and external pressures—we often lose sight of our own needs. Yet, we hold the power to decide who we allow into our lives, who we keep close, and who we release with love. Join me on a journey from uncertainty to clarity, from fear to empowerment. This session blends mindful movement to shift stagnant energy, personal reflection to uncover limiting patterns, and practical tools to establish and maintain boundaries that align with your truth.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the purpose and impact of authentic boundaries.
2. Identify where you need boundaries in your life.
3. Learn tools and techniques to set and sustain healthy boundaries.
4. Cultivate self-trust and confidence in holding your boundaries.

About Our Facilitator

Nichole Linebaugh is an Empowerment Coach, 500-hour yoga teacher, and founder of Nurturing Rose Yoga and The Yoga Bin. After over a decade in corporate safety, health, and HR, she left to fully step into her purpose—guiding individuals to reduce stress, reclaim their power, and live in alignment with their true selves. With a deep passion for holistic well-being, Nichole combines mindfulness, movement, and personal empowerment to help clients set healthy boundaries, navigate life’s transitions, and break through limiting beliefs. Through yoga, breathwork, coaching, and leadership development, she provides tools to support mental, emotional, and physical well-being. At The Yoga Bin, a unique space dedicated to healing and community, Nichole offers workshops, retreats, and coaching sessions that help individuals reconnect with themselves and create lives filled with softness, grace, and purpose. She lives in Union City, IN, where she enjoys spending time with family, being in nature, and continuing her own journey of self-growth. ✨ “You are worthy of a life that feels truly aligned.” ✨

In-person Lunch & Learn

Many leaders report that communication among their team members is strained by unspoken disagreements. This session will explore a dignity and empathy-based approach to help our teams leverage their different perspectives as a way to support and enrich our workplaces and communities. Participants will learn ways to disagree with dignity and break the “cycle of contempt” that prevents teams from coming together productively.

Learning Objectives

1. Gain greater familiarity with the “Dignity Index” as a tool for collaboration.
2. Be able to identify ways to bring greater dignity to the discourse of their organization and community.
3. Practice the application of the dignity and empathy model with real world scenarios.
4. Reflect on the “cycles of contempt” that negatively impact their workplace and community collaborations.

About Our Facilitator

Melinda Messineo, PhD is a professor of Sociology and the Distinguished Faculty Fellow for Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement at Ball State University. She is a nationally recognized award-winning teacher and workshop facilitator. Her research explores representations of individuals in the media and the impact that all media forms have on our understanding of people different from ourselves.

In-Person 3 Hour Session

Learning Objectives

Participants will leave with: 

1. 1. A reset button for their daily mindset—to shift from grind to gain without sacrificing performance.
   2. A personal playbook for refueling that doesn’t require a two-week vacation or quitting your job.
   3. A fresh filter for success that balances achievement with meaning, so you can lead with purpose and results.

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $250 non-member. $200 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Erika Bayh stands at the helm of “The Extraordinary In You,” an organization that provides vibrant partnerships and facilitated experiences designed to ignite and unleash the extraordinary in individuals, teams, and projects. She is a master facilitator, inspirational coach, growth trainer, curriculum designer, and strategic partner with over thirty years of expertise in igniting the personal and professional growth in individuals and organizations. Erika recently left her decades-long stead with the NYC-based Leadership Program, where she was responsible for overseeing the programmatic growth of one of the city’s largest afterschool programs, designed ongoing professional development trainings for staff of the NYC DOE as well as educators around the country, and spearheaded the creation of leadership curricula honored by CASEL, OJJDP, SAMHSA, and more.

Erika is also an adjunct professor, currently instructing students at Ball State University in Indiana on an undergraduate course she created, “An Introduction to Youth Work,” designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the diverse realm of youth work. She is the author of the interactive personal growth journal, “On Wings & Whimsy: Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary,” as well as the deck of cards, “52 Ways to Connect,” designed for leaders to strengthen their team time.

In-person Lunch & Learn

Today, we are living in a world where disagreement reigns and people are divided. A chasm is widening between us and them, where everyone picks a side and tries to win at the expense of others. Why is this happening? Too many leaders are taking the low road with others. They do what serves themselves best. They take from others without giving anything back. This workshop will guide you how to avoid the low and middle roads and take the high road in your leadership.

1. Recognize and affirm the value of all people
2. Learn how to develop humble appreciation for yourself
3. Discover how to strengthen your emotional leadership capacity

About Our Facilitator

Casey Ash is a leadership development trainer with 12 years of experience leading team and personal development workshops. She is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team member and Certified Working Genius Facilitator who uses workshops to help people and teams discover their gifts and reach their potential. She also holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Indiana University. Personal development has been life-changing for her, and she is passionate about sharing this with others.

Read a book. Lead with inspiration.

SLA in partnership with Muncie Public Library is offering a unique quarterly gathering, highlighting important take-aways from inspirational leadership books. At each event, facilitators will share key leadership development lessons from leadership-focused books. This is not a book club, rather a guided discussion around the key takeaways from each book.

Prior reading of the book is not required but we encourage participants to share about what they learned and check-out one of the books from Muncie Public Library. All participants attending will be entered in a raffle to win a digital copy of one of the books discussed.

All sessions are FREE and open to the public thanks to our sponsor, eKeeper. Registration is required.

LEARN MORE »

Led by: Michele Owen

The professional world is full of written and unwritten rules to success.

The professional world is full of written and unwritten rules to success. In this workshop, we will cover the basic skills for thriving in the workforce, as well as the not-so-obvious practices for managing your workload, finding work-life balance, and bringing value to your team.

• Understand and practice the basic expectations for professionalism
• Understand your personal goals for promotion, leadership, and ideal workload
• Uncover how to negotiate and ask for what you want

Eastern Indiana Works provides these sessions, in partnership with Shafer Leadership Academy, as a free service to our clients.

Workshops are designed to enhance your marketability and improve your skill-set. 
Please register within 24 hours of workshop time. LUNCH will be served at this session. 

Led by: Tisha Gierhart

Your thoughts and concerns are valuable.

We will discuss how can you effectively share your perspective, be acknowledged, and receive beneficial feedback from others in the workplace. Together we will learn about the power of active listening.

Eastern Indiana Works provides these sessions, in partnership with Shafer Leadership Academy, as a free service to our clients.

Workshops are designed to enhance your marketability and improve your skill-set. 
Please register within 24 hours of workshop time. LUNCH will be served at this session. 

Executive Director and Board President learning session to strengthen relationships, understand roles and responsibilities, and map out their year.

Together the Executive Director and Board President serve as the key leaders in a nonprofit organization corporation. As such, it is critical that they work in tandem to best serve their students, staff, and families.

The is a unique opportunity for nonprofit leadership to intentionally discuss, and delineate roles and responsibilities. Participants will leave the Summit with a clear plan of shared leadership for core functions along with a strategy for communicating that plan to the rest of the board.

Participants will:

• Discuss staff personnel
• Plan for the supervision of and annual review of the Executive Director / CEO
• Outline responsibilities for program development
• Discuss finance and budget
• Map out board meeting responsibilities
• Determine responsibilities for board building
• Examine the Executive Director and Board President relationship
• Determine an accountability and communication plan for the board

Cost: $50

Facilitators

Mitch Isaacs
Executive Director for Shafer Leadership Academy

Mitch Isaacs was named Shafer Leadership Academy’s Executive Director in May 2015. In this role, he works closely with the organization’s board of directors to fulfill the mission of the organization. He is responsible for creating vision, connecting with stakeholders, administering program offerings and leading the organization in meaningful ways.

Mitch has over 20 years of leadership development experience. He graduated from Ball State University in 2002 with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Counseling Psychology. Mitch completed his master’s degree in student Affairs and Higher Education at Indiana State University. Mitch returned to Ball State in 2005 and spent the next 10 years as a working professional in Higher Education, including five years as the Director of the Excellence in Leadership program, and Coordinator of the Leadership Studies Minor.

Mitch is an active member of the Muncie, Indiana community with broad nonprofit experience.  He  has served as the president of the board of directors Country Village / Creekwood Neighborhood Association, Muncie Action Plan, and Indiana Leadership Association. He has also served on the boards for Motivate Our Minds, Muncie Rotary and the Muncie Civic Center Authority. Mitch is passionate about youth development, with previous roles as Project Leadership Mentor, a Big Brother with Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Delaware County, and a member of the Burris Laboratory School Advisory Council.

Mitch has provided nonprofit consulting to organizations in Delaware County, Indiana, and beyond!

Jenna Ashby
Relationship and Resource Director for Nonprofit Support Network

Jena Ashby is Nonprofit Support Network’s Relationship and Resource Director. She has extensive nonprofit work and volunteer experience, and a wealth of experience convening diverse groups to build authentic, collaborative relationships.  She is passionate about the Muncie/Delaware County community and connecting people and organizations in meaningful, mutually beneficial ways.

 Jena is a lifelong Muncie resident who earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Ball State University in 2001 and continues to serve on the Department’s Advisory Council. She has also served on the staff of the following nonprofits: A Better Way, Habitat for Humanity, 8twelve Coalition, and Scholar House. Her Board involvement has included Muncie YMCA, Second Harvest Food Bank, Teamwork for Quality Living, and Step Ahead Preschool.

Jena and her husband have two young adult sons and enjoy outdoor activities, including cycling, hiking, and kayaking. They are active in leadership roles within their church.  She brings her skills in organizational management, public speaking, program development, connection/relationship building, and strategic planning to the many roles she is actively engaged in.

Session Description:
In today’s competitive labor market, cultivating a strong and sustainable talent pipeline is essential for nonprofit success. This session, led by professionals from local and state workforce agencies, explores how service learning can be leveraged to address both immediate organizational needs and long-term workforce development goals. Participants will learn how to partner with educational institutions, workforce development boards, and community programs to create meaningful service learning opportunities that not only enhance organizational capacity but also introduce potential future employees to the nonprofit sector. This session will offer real-world examples, practical tools, and insights from workforce professionals who understand how service learning can drive recruitment, retention, and mission alignment.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Define service learning and distinguish it from other volunteer and internship models.
2. Identify key benefits of service learning for nonprofits, students, and community stakeholders.
3. Understand how service learning can be integrated into a broader workforce development strategy.
4. Explore partnership opportunities with educational institutions and workforce agencies.
5. Develop strategies to turn service learners into future staff or long-term volunteers.

Cost: $25

Facilitator:

Ashley Williams is the Vice President of Talent Development with the Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce in Muncie, Indiana. She completed her undergraduate degree from Ball State University and earned a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration on non-profit leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Prior to joining the Chamber team, Ashley served on the senior leadership team at the Youth Opportunity Center, providing oversight of residential treatment programs. She most recently worked at Eastern Indiana Works, a regional workforce development board, strengthening her understanding of the current and future needs of the local workforce. Ashley has found her current role with the Chamber allows her to blend her passion for empowering young people with her love of aiding in the development of our future workforce.  With more than 20 years of leadership experience, Ashley is a skilled collaborator who takes pride in her ability to build strong partnerships that drive meaningful connections throughout the community.

Outside of work, Ashley values spending time with her family and volunteering for her church ministry. She is an advisory board member for TeenWorks and serves on the Board of Directors for Hillcroft Services.

Cassandra Gillenwater is the Director of Grants at Serve Indiana. In this role she oversees and manages the grant application, review, and funding process for AmeriCorps State and National Funding.

Prior to joining Serve Indiana, Cassandra worked and served in a variety of roles supporting community and youth development programs while working for Youth for Understanding USA and serving two terms as an AmeriCorps member with Public Allies Indianapolis.

Cassandra earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University.

Managing a nonprofit’s mission means managing its money — but nonprofit accounting isn’t just business accounting with different vocabulary. It requires a unique understanding of fund restrictions, program allocations, compliance, and how to tell your financial story to donors, boards, and funders alike.

This 90-minute session will demystify the fundamentals of nonprofit accounting, helping you better understand the structure of nonprofit financial statements, how to track restricted vs. unrestricted funds, and what financial metrics really matter. Whether you’re new to financial oversight or seeking a better grasp of the numbers you report each month, this session will equip you with tools and insights to manage your mission with greater confidence and clarity.

Led by Dr. Ben Angelo, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Ball State University, this interactive session will blend clear explanation, hands-on examples, and practical tools designed for executive directors, board members, and emerging nonprofit leaders alike.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

1. Interpret key nonprofit financial statements (Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Activities, etc.) and understand what they reveal about organizational health.
2. Differentiate between restricted and unrestricted funds, and understand the importance of fund accounting in day-to-day operations and reporting.
3. Apply core budgeting and tracking practices that align with nonprofit compliance, grant requirements, and board expectations.
4. Identify the key financial indicators (e.g., liquidity, revenue mix, overhead ratio) that matter most to funders and boards.
5. Ask better financial questions — as a leader, board member, or partner — to strengthen fiscal transparency and strategy.

Cost: $25

Facilitator:

Ben Angelo, assistant professor of accounting, earned his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Purdue University. Ben has a unique and diverse professional background. Ben has worked as an auditor specializing in non-profits, he has worked in the treasury department at Purdue University, he has worked as a managerial accountant in the Office of the Provost at Purdue University, and he has performed tax and consulting work in his own practice.

Ben teaches government and non-profit accounting. Ben has previously taught managerial accounting at Purdue University, where he repeatedly won the “Distinguished Teaching” award. Ben incorporates his professional experience into the classroom to provide relevant and practical examples to students.

Ben’s research interests include academic and educational research. Ben is interested in how companies use voluntary disclosures to shape the market’s perception of firm performance. Ben is also interested in writing academic cases that engage students and provide the analytical skills they will need in order to be successful.