Keynote Speakers
Founder
4 Da Hood
CEO
Sotelo Synergies
Workshop Speakers
Maureen G. Mulvaney
Speaker, Trainer, Founder MGM & Associates
Meg Taylor
CEO & Co-Founder, Capably
Lauren Tomlinson-Handwerk
Mobile Distribution Manager, St. Mary’s Food Bank
Jonathan Nez and Phefelia Nez
Former Navajo Nation President & Owner of Nez Consulting and Former Navajo Nation First Lady
Lisa Lopez
Community Garden Coordinator & Centzonmilpan and Xinachtil Mobile Seed Library, Tonatierra
Felina Rodriguez
Project Coordinator, Tonatierra
Mozette Humphreys
Founder, Residential GRuB
Sasha Lewis
CEO, Moves Management Consulting
Ashley St. Thomas
Director of Public Policy, Arizona Food Bank Network
Summer Grandy
Director of Community Impact, Flagstaff Family Food Center
Zenya Ledermann
Program Coordinator, Flagstaff Family Food Center
Conference Agenda
Tuesday March 25th
8:00am – 9:00am
Breakfast and registration
Fenlon Main Room
9:00am – 9:45am
Official Welcome, Opening Remarks and Land Acknowledgement
April Bradham, President & CEO of the Arizona Food Bank Network and Cher Thomas, Indigenous Artist from the Gila River Indian Community
Fenlon Main Room
9:45am – 10:45am
KEYNOTE: The Growth Mindset Advantage: Navigating Change with Confidence
Diane Sotelo, Speaker & CEO of Sotelo Synergies
Fenlon Main Room
Embrace the power of a growth mindset to navigate change with confidence. In this keynote, Diane Sotelo explores how adaptability, resilience, and a positive outlook can transform challenges into opportunities. Discover practical strategies to lead with clarity, foster innovation, and unlock new possibilities for personal and organizational growth.
10:45am – 11:00am
Networking Break
Fenlon Main Room
11:00am -11:50am
Breakout Sessions I
See below for room assignments.
Workshop 1: Donor Database: Let’s Get Ready to Fundraise
Presented by Sasha Lewis
Matthew Room
Maximize the potential of your donor database to build a data-driven fundraising strategy. This session will guide participants in using gift records to shape next year’s fundraising plan while fostering collaboration between leadership, finance, and development teams. Slides.
Workshop 2: From Edible Landscaping to a Full-fledged Farm
Presented by Mozette Humphreys
Mark Room
Transform your gardening dreams into a thriving farm! This workshop will help participants move from brainstorming to actionable plans. Topics include:
- How to successfully farm in desert environments
- Scaling operations based on personal and community goals
- Choosing the right type of garden or farm for your needs.
Workshop 3: Strong Teams, Big Impact
Presented by Meg Taylor
Luke Room
Learn how to amplify your organization’s impact by leveraging team strengths, streamlining processes, and developing a growth-focused strategy. This workshop covers:
- Simple, cost-effective ways to invest in your team
- Maximizing efficiency through process improvement
- Resource mapping to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities
12:00pm – 12:30pm
LUNCH
12:30pm – 1:30pm
LUNCH KEYNOTE: Why ‘Agreeing to Disagree’ Just Isn’t Enough: How to Create Containers for Courageous Conversations
Frank Velásquez Jr., Speaker & CEO, 4 Da Hood
Fenlon Main Room
“Agreeing to disagree” often leaves conversations unresolved. In this interactive keynote, Frank Velásquez Jr. introduces a more meaningful framework for navigating difficult discussions. Through restorative circle practices, participants will learn to foster spaces where authentic dialogue can thrive.
1:30pm – 1:45pm
Networking Break
1:45pm – 2:35pm
Breakout Sessions II
See below for room assignments.
Workshop 1: Food is Medicine
Presented by Jonathan Nez and Phefelia Nez
Matthew Room
This session explores the impact of the pandemic on tribal communities, the role of food sovereignty in health, and challenges like food deserts. Speakers will highlight traditional foods, partnerships, and policy advocacy to improve Indigenous food systems and well-being, concluding with a call to action for sustainable, community-driven solutions.
Workshop 2: Leveraging Client Feedback in Anti-Hunger Efforts
Presented by Summer Grandy and Zenya Ledermann
Mark Room
Explore insights from the 2024 Northern AZ Food Equity Report and learn how small and rural organizations can integrate community voices into their anti-hunger initiatives. Topics include:
- Engaging communities in program design and strategic planning
- Understanding the complexities of food insecurity in clients’ lives
- The role of grassroots efforts in shaping food equity solutions
Workshop 3: Leadership Recipes for Change
Presented by Maureen Mulvaney
Luke Room
Inspirational speaker Maureen G. Mulvaney (MGM) shares her “recipes” for creating a positive, productive, and profitable organization. Learn how to embrace change, boost team engagement, and cultivate an energized, collaborative workplace.
2:35pm – 2:45pm
Networking Break
2:45pm – 3:35pm
Breakout Sessions III
See below for room assignments.
Workshop 1: Delivering to Neighbors Accessing the Program
Presented by Lauren Tomlinson- Handwerk
Matthew Room
Learn about the St. Mary’s Food Bank Home Delivery Program and how it supports neighbors in need. This session covers:
- How the program works and how to refer individuals
- Steps to establish home delivery in your community
- Practical strategies for increasing accessibility to food assistance
Workshop 2: Cultivating Food Sovereignty: Youth Engagement in Local Food Systems
Presented by Lisa Lopez and Felina Rodriguez
Mark Room
Discover how the Miltecayotl Project is fostering food sovereignty and youth engagement through farm worker food distribution. This workshop will provide:
- Actionable strategies for involving youth in local food systems
- Ways to support Indigenous-led initiatives and traditional food programs
- Tools for integrating innovative food security solutions, such as seed libraries
Workshop 3: Anti-Hunger Advocacy in Times of Change: Offense & Defense
Presented by Ashley St.Thomas
Luke Room
Ashley will discuss during this workshop:
- Federal and state policies impacting food-insecure Arizonans, food banks, and nutrition programs
- Key advocacy resources to support anti-hunger efforts
- Actionable ways YOU can advocate for your community!
3:35pm- 3:45pm – Closing Remarks in Workshop Rooms – Conference Ends
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