2025 Speaker Information

July 20 – 24, 2025
Unicoi State Park
Helen, GA

Renee Smith

“Leading with Love in a Time of Change: Healing Ourselves, Our Teams, and Our Workplaces”

What if leadership could feel more human—more grounded in connection, compassion, and courage?

In this hopeful and energizing interactive keynote, Renée Smith invites us to embrace a powerful truth: Love belongs at work—and especially in leadership. Love, the energy that uplifts and connects, is not a soft sentiment—it’s a powerful force, a strategic advantage, and joyful. It’s what helps us build trust, foster resilience, and create cultures where people and organizations can truly thrive.

As nonprofit and community leaders, we carry immense responsibility to our teams, our missions, and the communities we serve. And after years of showing up through crisis, change, and uncertainty, many of us are still leading on empty. This conversation is an invitation to reconnect with what sustains us, not just as professionals, but as people.

Drawing from her original research and years of work with public and social sector leaders, Renée shares a practical, science-backed framework for Loving Leadership—a relational, courageous, and deeply human approach that meets this moment. Through stories, insights, and gentle challenge, she’ll help us name what’s real, honor our inner wisdom, and step into leadership that heals and serves.

Learning Outcomes 

Participants will:

1. Understand the neuroscience of fear and love—and how these forces shape the way we lead and experience work.
2. Learn the core practices of Loving Leadership to build trust, resilience, and belonging in your organization.
3. Explore how to shift from fear-based habits like control, perfectionism, and disconnection to love-based approaches rooted in care, accountability, and inclusion.
4. Reflect on what post-crisis leadership requires to sustain yourself and your team with authenticity and hope.
5. Gain a simple, practical tool to lead with love in the face of challenge, without sacrificing clarity or effectiveness.

Dr. Dawn Emerick

“The Case for Trauma-Informed Leadership: Advancing Post-Traumatic Growth in the Workplace”

The workplace is not immune to trauma. Studies show that 70% of adults experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, and workplace stress has been directly linked to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and burnout. We also spend approximately 80,000 hours Key message(s) * across the course of our lives working. Our brains are wired for connection, yet poor leadership, toxic work environments, high-pressure demands, and unresolved trauma within the workforce impair decision-making, relationships, and overall well-being.

In this powerful keynote, Dr. Dawn Emerick, a pioneer in the movement and a leader in trauma-informed systems and organizational change, shares why trauma-informed leadership is not optional—it’s essential. With a mission to reach 1 million trauma-informed leaders, Dawn offers critical insights into:

• The Neuroscience of Trauma and Leadership – How trauma rewires the brain and affects leadership decision-making.
• The Power of Self-Care and Healing – Why leaders must model resilience and prioritize their own wellbeing to support others.
• Building a Trauma-Informed Workplace Culture – Practical steps to create psychologically safe spaces that foster post-traumatic growth instead of burnout.

Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, this keynote equips leaders with the “Do No Harm” framework, guiding them toward a more ethical, compassionate, and high-performing workplace. Join Dawn in transforming leadership, shifting workplace cultures, and unlocking the full potential of teams by integrating trauma-informed practices at every level.

Your leadership matters. It’s time to lead with knowledge, care, and impact.

Maame Afon Yelbert-Sai

“Leading with Heart – Healing, Joy, and Transformative Leadership”

The world is changing rapidly, and so must we. Leadership today demands more than strategy—it calls for wisdom, compassion, and connection. We must move beyond transactional relationships and embrace transformation, rewire our mindsets, and return to the wisdom of Sankofa—learning from our past to shape a better future.

But to lead and heal others, we must first heal ourselves. Healing the healers is not self-indulgence; it is an essential necessity. Our well-being fuels our well-doing. When we cultivate joy, set healthy boundaries, and lead with empathy, we create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and inspired.

Unprocessed trauma is passed down, but transformation is a choice. We must break cycles, nurture healing, and lead with intention. Relationships matter, and every season of our lives calls for us to show up fully— rooted in care, courage, and authenticity.

Let us step forward as leaders who not only change the world but also sustain ourselves in the process. When we lead with heart, we don’t just inspire change—we ignite a movement of healing, connection, and joy.

The time to evolve is now. Let’s rise together.

Steve Turner

We will introduce the group to the amazing sound of the hand pan as well as the other instruments and how we use them in a with many varied populations and settings.

 We will lead the group in a deeply relaxing sound bath experience – with gongs, chimes and other ethereal sounds and a guided visualization. 

From there we will ease into the celebration of community and spirit through the drum circle. Everyone gets to play – if you don’t drum, you have to dance! 

For us, the instruments are just the vehicles for creating connection community and we want to share with the BRI family.

BRI Skill Labs

BRI Skill Labs are led by a skilled pool of Ridgers, providing short, easily digestible sessions provide learners with tangible skills, tips, and steps we can put into immediate action. Many thanks to our presenters who graciously donated their time and talent to bring us these learning opportunities!

Monday Skill Labs

Carrie Theall

“Leadership Transition – Is it Worth the Leap?”

At some point in our lives as non-profit leaders, we consider making a change – whether it’s to a new organization similar to the one we’re already in or to a position in a completely different field.  Sometimes we’re forced to make a career change due to relocation or a feisty board of directors.  And sometimes we just want to make more money.  We will explore ways to make the leap from one leadership position to another with discussion around timeliness, contract negotiations, aligning with a new team, best ways to introduce change, and how to deal with starting all over.

Carrie Theall is the CEO for the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in library and information studies, both from the University of North Carolina Greensboro.  She has also completed a certificate in non-profit management from Duke University.  Carrie has been through several leadership transition events in her career and wants to share her experiences to help navigate these often difficult waters.

Beth Ellen Holimon

“Caring at the Core: Embedding Values into Board Culture”

What if your board’s structure, policies, and interactions reflected the heart of your mission? This skill lab is for executive directors ready to lead with intention and center care in board culture. We’ll explore how to design values-aligned policies, set expectations rooted in empathy, and create a governance structure that invites belonging, accountability, and shared purpose. Walk away with practical tools to help your board embody your organization’s values—not just support them.

Beth Ellen leads with the belief that mission-driven organizations will achieve their aspirations when boards, fundraising, and operations are transparent, respectful, empathetic, and courageous.
She is the lead consultant with The Hive Collective which uses participative methods in all facilitation engagements. The Hive Collective practitioners ensure that every voice is heard and that consensus is the norm.
It is a joy and honor to provide leadership coaching, board governance training and guidance, strategic planning, and strategic advising to nonprofit organizations all over the country.

For over six years, Beth Ellen led Together Women Rise, a powerful community of women and allies dedicated to achieving global gender equality. She has served as the executive director of an emergency shelter for foster children, the American Cancer Society, Reach Out and Read, Norwegian Outdoor Education Center, Utah Community Associations Institute. She was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar in Mexico to learn and teach domestic violence intervention in Mexican shelters. Beth Ellen is a Certified Fundraising Executive and BoardSource Governance Consultant.

Corinne L. Faza

“5-Factor Wellness for Healing the Healer”

5-Factor wellness is a data-driven framework for improving and practicing a lifestyle that can optimize your health and well-being. As employers, leaders of organizations and of organizational cultures, it is our responsibility to create an environment where health and wellness are valued and supported. Your personal health and wellness, or lack thereof, can have a profound impact on your work and that of the organization you lead.

In this workshop we will explore each of the 5 factors in detail, discuss the science and recommendations behind each factor, and provide practical tools you can begin to incorporate today to improve your health and wellness!
Healing healers help others heal better.

Corinne L. Faza, MPH, CHES has served as the Executive Director of the Sari Asher Center for Integrative Cancer Care since March 2009. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in health education and behavioral science from Emory University. Corinne is a certified Health Education Specialist since 1996 and is passionate about helping others improve their quality of life through creating healthy lifestyle habits. Corinne has been a Ridger since 2001 and hasn’t missed a July gathering yet!

Tuesday Skill Labs

Margaret Barrett

“Let’s Talk About Burnout: Supporting ourselves and others”

Join this session to explore ways to identify burnout, prevent it when possible, and address it when it happens. Up to 14 participants will receive a complimentary copy of Emily Ballesteros’ insightful book The Cure for Burnout: How to Find Balance and Reclaim Your Life, donated by the author. We’ll talk about recognizing burnout in ourselves and pay special attention to ways we can support staff, volunteers, and others in our roles as leaders. Participants will develop concrete strategies to use when they head home from the conference.

Margaret Barrett has served as the Associate Director of the Carolina Center for Public Service at UNC-Chapel Hill for nearly eight years. Before that, she worked in the nonprofit sector for 18 years at the local and international level. In her previous lives as a law student, family law attorney, rape crisis center director, international development grant manager, and suicide crisis line volunteer, Margaret has experienced and witnessed burnout in many forms and is excited to facilitate this discussion.

John Elbare, Christina Delzingaro, Grace-Anne Alfiero

“Becoming Comfortable with Negotiation and Advocacy”

Master the art of skillful active listening to find the win-win in negotiations and advocacy with Christina Delzingaro, John Elbare and Grace-Anne Alfiero.

John Elbare, MBA: John is currently the volunteer Chair of the Central Florida SCORE Chapter. He previously owned a fundraising and nonprofit management consulting firm. He also worked as a Certified Financial Planner and in a variety of positions in the nonprofit sector.

Christina Delzingaro, MBA: Christina is the CEO at Community Access Network and Free Clinic of Central Virginia with over 30 years of success in fund development, organizational capacity-building and establishing alliances. Values-driven with a commitment to creating an environment that is transparent and exceptionally supportive to donors, staff, patients and the bottom line, Christina is an expert communicator and served as a former president for BRI.

Grace-Anne Alfiero, MFA: Grace is the President and CEO of Arts In Action
Consulting Firm and supports several USA-based and international NGOs
with grant writing, strategic planning, communications support, and revenue-building projects.

Sangita Rottenberg and Susan Watson

“The Art of Self-Care through Mindfulness and Journaling”

Danielle and Susan offer a unique skill lab that combines guided meditation, breathwork, and journaling to foster clarity and introspection. Now is the ideal time to reevaluate and reimagine what ignites your passion. You can align more closely with your true purpose by creating space for what inspires you.

Danielle Sangita Rottenberg, M.Ed., has over 15 years of experience in private practice, specializing in bodywork, energy work, and health coaching. She is also a 500-hour certified yoga teacher with 22 years of experience. Danielle incorporates holistic practices into all her modalities and is passionate about helping people become the best versions of themselves—physically, mentally, and spiritually. She resides in Swannanoa, North Carolina, and has been involved in the nonprofit sector since her early 20s through Co-founding Creative Clay and grant writing with Arts In Action.

Susan Watson is Executive Director of Women’s Resource Center in Alamance County, empowering women to design sustainable lives filled with purpose and meaning. Trained as a Life Design Catalyst Facilitator, Practitioner and Coach, she started Delegating 4 Success, LLC, a coaching practice for individuals and entrepreneurs. Susan holds a BA in Women’s Gender Studies from the University of NC at Greensboro.