2026 Central Valley United Way Leadership Summit – United Way of Central Eastern California

Wednesday, May 27th - AGENDA

Time

Activity

8:30 am – 9:00 am

Arrival, Coffee, Networking

9:00 am – 9:15 am

Welcome & Summit Framing:

Purpose, Key themes from staff survey, Expectations

9:15 am – 10:15 am

Staff Panel: What We Wish We Knew

Topics include:

Early career challenges
Managing workload and competing priorities
Managing up and navigating leadership
What drives growth and advancement
Practical tools and habits

10:25 am – 11:25 am

Learning Sessions – Round 1

Collaboration and Partnership Building – How to network and connect with potential partners.
Time Management and Productivity – Helping people get sharper at managing a workload that is not going to get smaller.
Strategic Thinking and Prioritization – How to filter priorities and make actionable decisions.
General Leadership Development – Identifying the moments that actually define whether someone is effective as a leader.
Managing and Leading Others – How to delegate in a way that actually builds someone’s capacity, how to give feedback that lands, and how to stay connected to your team without hovering.

11:25 am – 11:40 am

Break

11:40 am – 12:40 pm

Learning Sessions – Round 2

Collaboration and Partnership Building – How to network and connect with potential partners.
Time Management and Productivity – Helping people get sharper at managing a workload that is not going to get smaller.
Strategic Thinking and Prioritization – How to filter priorities and make actionable decisions.
General Leadership Development – Identifying the moments that actually define whether someone is effective as a leader.
Managing and Leading Others – How to delegate in a way that actually builds someone’s capacity, how to give feedback that lands, and how to stay connected to your team without hovering.

12:40 pm – 1:10 pm

Lunch

1:10 pm – 1:50 pm

Plenary Session:

Burnout, Workload, and Sustainability

1:55 pm – 2:55 pm

Role-Alike / Function Sessions:

CalAIM
VITA
Operations
Marketing
Program Impact

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Closing Session:

Promising Practices
Awards Ceremony

Summit Outcomes

By the end of the day, you will:

Leave with real relationships across the Central Valley United Way network
Gain new skills and strategies you can apply to your work right away
Spark momentum that carries beyond today and into our collective future

Learning Session Topics (All Options)

Collaboration and Partnership Building

This session focuses on how to build and sustain effective partnerships that actually move work forward. Participants will explore how to identify the right partners, clarify roles, and structure collaboration to drive action rather than just conversation.

Strategic Thinking and Prioritization

Participants will learn how to shift from reactive, day-to-day work to more intentional and strategic decision-making. This session will provide practical tools to help identify priorities, align work with organizational goals, and focus on what matters most.

Managing Workload and Preventing Burnout

This session addresses the reality of high workloads and limited capacity. Participants will explore practical ways to manage demands, set boundaries, and sustain energy while continuing to deliver strong results.

Time Management and Productivity

Focused on helping participants improve how they manage their time and structure their workday. Emphasis will be placed on tools and approaches that can be implemented immediately.

General Leadership Development

This session is designed for emerging and current leaders looking to strengthen their effectiveness. Participants will focus on the skills that matter most in real leadership moments, including making decisions, communicating with clarity, setting expectations, and holding people accountable without creating tension or confusion.

Managing and Leading Others

This session focuses on the day-to-day realities of supervising and supporting staff. Participants will explore practical approaches to delegation, feedback, and teamwork.