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89% of nonprofit executives say trust is harder to earn than it was three years ago, according to new research from Momentive and Wakefield Research. Yet trust-building is leaders’ #1 priority for the next 12 months.
The pressure is real: over the past two years, 36% of nonprofits faced cash flow challenges, 35% had a data security breach, and 33% lost a major donor.
With trust now ranking above donor acquisition, AI integration, and technology upgrades as a top organizational priority, nonprofits that get this right have a real competitive advantage.
Moderator
Chris Capistran has been working with associations and certification organizations since he started his career with the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in 1994. Chris joined Cobalt in 1998 and served in a wide range of roles over his 27 years including serving as the lead solution architect for Cobalt’s membership and certification products, now Momentive Cobalt AMS and Momentive Certification Management. As Cobalt’s president, Chris led Cobalt’s sales, marketing, and product management operations until Cobalt’s acquisition by Momentive in 2025. Chris is active in both the industries we serve and the Microsoft partner community. Chris has previously served on the Microsoft Partner Advisory Council and is currently serving on the board of directors for the Certification Network Group (CNG).
Chris has a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of San Francisco.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife (Courtney), daughters (Lauren and Emily) and his dog (Hazel). Chris and his family live in Old Town Alexandria, VA and his best days are when he can take the top off his Bronco for a ride along the Potomac into DC.
Moderator
Sean Soth is the Founder of Professionals for Association Revenue (PAR), a fast-growing community of association leaders committed to rethinking how organizations approach business development and non-dues revenue. Through standout initiatives like the RevUP Summit and Association Business Week, along with a robust suite of member resources, PAR is helping redefine what’s possible for revenue strategy across the association landscape. A sought-after speaker, Sean brings energy and real-world insight to the stage, sharing practical ideas on audience growth, strategic partnerships, and modern sales leadership.
Sean also serves as CEO of Hi-Fidelity Group, Inc., a high-performance sales and marketing firm focused on driving non-dues revenue for associations and organizations. Under his leadership, Hi-Fidelity Group delivers bold, results-driven strategies that generate tens of millions of dollars annually, supporting clients from global brands to ambitious start-ups looking to scale.
Based near Baltimore, Maryland, Sean enjoys life with his family, their Goldador, Ginny, and any opportunity to pair a great playlist with good company.
Moderator
As a Senior Product Marketing Manager, Chelsey is passionate about understanding the evolving challenges and needs of modern nonprofit and association organizations. With a strong foundation in market research, industry analysis, and strategic positioning, Chelsey stays attuned to emerging trends that help organizations grow and adapt. Her diverse background in nonprofit leadership, marketing, and event management allows her to connect insights to practical applications—fueling her commitment to advancing the missions that strengthen our communities.
Your membership pipeline looks different than it did three years ago. So does your donor base, your staff’s relationship with technology, and the revenue model you’ve relied on for decades. You already know something fundamental is changing. The question is what to do about it.
The organizations moving forward have realized technology has already far surpassed where anyone predicted, and that industry leaders must adapt to change without getting left behind. These leaders are having honest conversations with their organizations about the gap between where they are and where they need to be—and closing it with intention.
This four-part series draws on original research from three separate studies of association leaders, nonprofit executives, and association members. Each session tackles similar pressure points across different themes: generational change, AI adoption, revenue sustainability, and donor trust. Together, they give you a grounded picture of what’s shifting and a practical path forward.
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