Alumni Leadership Exchange (ALEx)

Upcoming ALEx Presentations: 

How to Get Results with a Small Organization  | May 13, 2026, 1-2pm (EST), Virtual | RSVP
 

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This session will focus on the unique challenges and opportunities associated with leading a small nonprofit organization, with annual operating budgets under $2M. Alyson will discuss the important of building a diverse portfolio of skills and knowledge in core areas common to the nonprofit sector, such as governance, fundraising, advocacy, communications, financial management, human resources, and membership/volunteer relations.

Presenter: Alyson Reed, MPP '91, Executive Director of DACOR Bacon House Foundation

Previous ALEx Presentations: 

Wellness as a Leadership Strategy

 

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Malena Brookshire, MPA

Chief Financial Officer, Calvert County

Wellness as a Leadership Strategy

Malena Brookshire brings a unique dual perspective to the Alumni Leadership Exchange. She is a C-suite executive who bridges the gap between high-stakes financial management and holistic well-being.

With over 20 years of experience in federal financial management and systems innovation, she currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Calvert County. Prior to this, she served as CFO for Americorps, and has held leadership experiences at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Securities and Exchange Commission. A proud alumna, she holds an MPA with a concentration on public finance and budget, as well as certifications as a Project Management Professional and Certified Government Financial Manager.

What sets her leadership style apart is her parallel expertise as a registered yoga teacher and Pilates practitioner. She has built a reputation for leading with empathy and precision, using wellness as an executive skill that helps leaders navigate complex environments and build high-performing teams without sacrificing their own well-being.  

Leading Change: How to be a Change Agent across Different Career Fields

 

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Bob Tansey, GWU: BA, MPA

Global Advisor

Leading Change: How to be a Change Agent across Different Career Fields

Be inspired by this global leader’s diverse career experiences in energy, diplomacy, and nature conservation. Bob Tansey will share his lifelong strategies for lasting impact globally and locally.

Leading from Within: Integrating Stakeholder Lived Experiences for Authentic Collaboration

 

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Danielle Gilmore, PhD, MPP, CHES

Director of Learning & Research, BoardSource

Leading from Within: Integrating Stakeholder Lived Experiences for Authentic Collaboration

Learn how centering lived experience and shifting from one-time input to sustained engagement leads to deeper, more authentic collaboration. This talk shares practical strategies to build internal capacity for long-term, trust-based partnerships.

 

Leading Change: Three Ways to Create Social Change

 

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 Omar Woodard, (MPA '07)

Executive Director, HRS Management; Founder, Woodard Impact; Philanthropy & Impact Investing Professional, 26North

Leading Change: Three Ways to Create Social Change

This presentation will provided an overview of ways public, private, and charitable sector leaders and organizations achieve social change through modifications to policy, practice, or perception.

From Surviving to Thriving: Recognizing, Addressing, and Preventing Burnout in Yourself and Your Team

 

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Carlos Villacis, MA-ENRP '16

Vice President, Climate and Mobility, Antenna Group

From Surviving to Thriving: Recognizing, Addressing, and Preventing Burnout in Yourself and Your Team

This presentation by Carlos Villacis, MA-ENRP '16, explored practical strategies for recognizing, addressing, and preventing burnout among leaders and their teams. Attendees learned to identify early warning signs of burnout, implement proactive measures to reduce stress and foster a culture of resilience and well-being within their organizations. By focusing on sustainable work practices and self-care, leaders can enhance productivity, maintain high morale, and avoid the costly impacts of burnout.

Resilient Leadership

 

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Molly Weisse-Bernstein, MPA '14

Senior Consultant, LMI

Resilient Leadership

This presentation by Molly Weisse-Bernstein, MPA '14, explored the ever-evolving challenges of today's world. As the cornerstone of navigating today's dynamic and often turbulent landscape, it is not just about weathering storms but thriving through transforming challenges into opportunities and leading with unwavering determination. By embodying adaptability, maintaining a positive outlook, and fostering a supportive team environment, resilient leaders inspire growth and innovation, guiding their teams through adversity and emerging stronger together.

Customer-Centered Leadership in the Public Sector 

 

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Shana Epstein, MPA '95

Director of Public Works, City of Beverly Hills

Customer-Centered Leadership in the Public Sector 

Learn how defining your customers leads to a deeper commitment and understanding of  public service, while at the same time realizing how you can do it better. This talk will include pragmatic advice and discussion on how to integrate this into your work.

Presenter:  Shana Epstein; Director of Public Works, City of Beverly Hills