Review & Highlights

Nonprofit Executive Leadership Forum

April 15, 2025

Purdue University

An Afternoon of Shared Vision: Aligning Nonprofit Goals with Campus Resources for Community Impact

More than 20 nonprofit organizations from across the region gathered at Purdue University on April 15 for the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Forum, hosted by the Office of Engagement. The event served as a launchpad for deeper partnerships between the university and the local nonprofit community—aimed at expanding and strengthening the region’s collective impact.

Designed to encourage connection, inspire new thinking, and open the door to future collaboration, the Forum welcomed both long-standing community partners and those newly exploring Purdue’s engagement opportunities.

We want to make sure that whenever faculty and staff engage with community partners, it is done in a meaningful and reciprocal way.

– Roberto Gallardo

40+

Changemakers in Attendance

20+

Nonprofit Organizations Represented

5

Purdue Collaborators Highlighted

Forum Highlights and Recap

Throughout the afternoon, participants heard from Purdue faculty and staff who showcased no-cost resources available to nonprofit organizations. These offerings include:

Access to Purdue work-study students and interns
Professional development workshops
Faculty and staff collaboration opportunities

These resources are designed to help nonprofits build organizational capacity, evaluate program effectiveness, and innovate in service delivery.

“After the luncheon, a local symphony orchestra, a festival planning team, a family shelter, a scouting organization, and a cancer support organization quickly reached out to connect,” said Shawn Jung, assistant professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management. “I’m excited about the potential for collaboration and truly appreciate the chance to engage with such a diverse and vibrant community.”

The Forum aligns with a broader mission to empower nonprofit leaders to better serve their communities by fostering reciprocal relationships with Purdue faculty, staff, and students. By encouraging idea sharing and network-building, the event supports long-term impact both on and off campus.

The event underscored a shared belief that lasting change is possible when campus and community come together. With strengthened ties and new partnerships forming, the future of nonprofit collaboration in our region looks bright.

It was great to be invited to the Purdue campus to learn better ways for us to partner.  In my 30+ years of working for a nonprofit, this is the first time I was able to learn of several different possibly partnerships, and I came away with a great partnership for next semester. A win all around.

– Marie Morse, Homestead Resources

Meet the Presenters

Event materials and contact information for presenters are available here.

Annette Benson

cilmar@purdue.edu

As a Senior Public Relations Consultant at the Center for Intercultural Learning, Mentorship, Assessment & Research (CILMAR), Annette brought a thoughtful perspective on the importance of inclusive, culturally aware community engagement. She introduced tools and training available through CILMAR to help nonprofits navigate cross-cultural collaboration, shared how her team supports meaningful partnership development and program evaluation, and encouraged organizations to explore ways to incorporate intercultural learning into their work.

Haley Cutler

hlindemo@purdue.edu

As a Senior Program Manager for EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service), Haley shared the exciting potential of connecting Purdue engineering students with real-world community challenges. She explained how nonprofits can submit project ideas and collaborate with student design teams, highlighted long-term partnerships that have resulted in sustainable, creative solutions, and showcased examples of past projects where EPICS students made a tangible difference.

Nicole McCabe

rice99@purdue.edu

As a Career Services Consultant for the Federal Work Study Program at the Center for Career Opportunities, Nicole highlighted valuable resources and meaningful ways nonprofits can engage with students through the program. She explained how eligible nonprofits can host Purdue work study students at little to no cost, walked through the straightforward approval process for becoming a community service employer, and shared success stories of students gaining experience while giving back to the community.

Shawn Jung

syjung@purdue.edu

As an Assistant Professor of Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management, Shawn offered helpful insights on building student partnerships that support nonprofit goals. He discussed class projects that assist nonprofits with event planning and operations, highlighted how student involvement can bring fresh energy and ideas to community events, and offered ways to co-create learning experiences that benefit both students and organizations.

Susan Woods

woods131@purdue.edu

As a Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Consulting, Susan demonstrated how Purdue students can serve as real-world consultants to help nonprofits grow. She introduced the capstone course where students partner with organizations to tackle strategic challenges, shared past examples of students helping nonprofits improve marketing, operations, and sustainability, and invited nonprofits to tap into this resource for big ideas and fresh perspectives.

Looking Ahead

Building on the strong momentum of this year’s event, the Office of Engagement is already exploring opportunities to expand and enhance the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Forum in the future. Plans are underway to make the Forum a recurring gathering—providing nonprofit leaders and Purdue collaborators with an ongoing opportunity to exchange ideas, form new partnerships, and align on regional priorities.

By institutionalizing this event and investing in its growth, Purdue University aims to create an enduring space where innovation, mutual learning, and community-driven solutions thrive. “This is just the beginning,” said Lisa Duncan, nonprofit engagement director. “We’re committed to building lasting partnerships that grow stronger with each year. The connections made here can lead to meaningful change in our communities.”

The connections made here can lead to meaningful change in our communities.

– Lisa Duncan