Mission AI Possible

Strategy, Risks, and Real World Applications

The 2026 Nonprofit Leadership Conference, Mission AI Possible: Strategy, Risks, and Real-World Applications, explored how nonprofits are using artificial intelligence to advance their missions, improve efficiency, and increase impact while navigating its ethical considerations and risks. Keynote speaker Darian Rodriguez Heyman, bestselling author and nonprofit strategist, joined AI experts, nonprofit leaders, and board members to share real-world applications across fundraising, marketing, operations, and program delivery. Attendees also took part in facilitated peer discussions on what’s working, what isn’t, and the strategies they can apply as they adopt AI.

Our Keynote Speaker

Darian Rodriguez Heyman Founder & CEO, Helping People Help: Nonprofit Consulting & Philanthropic Advising

AI-Powered Impact: Your Roadmap to the Future

Darian Rodriguez Heyman is a bestselling author, nonprofit strategist, and philanthropic advisor with 20+ years of experience. He is the founder and CEO of Helping People Help and the founder of AI4NP.org, launched the Craigslist Foundation’s Nonprofit Boot Camp, and co-founded 2XGlobal. His latest book is AI for Nonprofits (Wiley, 2025). In his keynote, he addressed what’s holding nonprofits back from AI, from job displacement to loss of human connection, and offered practical solutions: keep humans in the loop, lead with values, and take a “crawl, walk, run” approach. He then shared prompt engineering tips and ways AI can strengthen fundraising and advocacy, and encouraged leaders to bring AI “out of the shadows” by leading with impact rather than technology and creating an AI acceptable use policy.

Leaders Embracing AI Panel

Moderator Gerardo Kerik, Principal, AI Strategy & Business Transformation WSI Digital Boost
Carol Hill, Director of Marketing and Communications Wellroot Family Services
Kendra LaFleur, Director Forvis Mazars
Noel Barnes, CFO Atlanta Botanical Garden