MILWAUKEE – October 29, 2026 -- Wipfli has named resilience researcher Courtney Clark as keynote speaker for the 2027 Stronger to Serve Conference, set for July 12-15, 2027, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California. It will be the event's first year in Anaheim.
Keynote targets nonprofit leaders facing funding and workforce pressure
Kathleen DuBois, partner and leader of Wipfli's nonprofit, government and education practice, said nonprofit leaders are navigating funding pressures, workforce challenges and rapidly changing expectations. She said Clark's message centers on knowing when to evolve rather than simply persevering.
Clark said her research found leaders have been "over-indexing on the 'grit' side of resilience," which has made many people less adaptable to change. She will present a framework for strategic adaptability.
Attendees get tools for responding to disruption
Sessions will cover practical tools for responding to disruption, making strategic adjustments without treating change as failure, and building a shared language for adaptability across organizations. The keynote follows the 2026 address by Cam Awesome, which focused on the conversations attendees have with themselves.
Clark brings nonprofit operating experience to the stage
Before her speaking and research career, Clark worked with cancer-focused nonprofits and later founded Austin Involved, a nonprofit dedicated to volunteerism and community engagement. Her work has been featured by USA Today, Forbes, Psychology Today, CNN, CBS, ABC and the Chicago Tribune. She holds the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation.
Anaheim edition adds expanded tracks and preconference learning
Stronger to Serve has convened nonprofit executives, financial leaders and program professionals since 1999. The 2027 program will include expanded educational tracks, enhanced preconference learning and networking experiences for nonprofit, government and education leaders.