National Philanthropy Day 2025 Speaker Line-Up
Keynote:
"Authenticity in a World of Artificiality"
Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP
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Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP, is a recognized leader in fundraising innovation and nonprofit strategy. A sought-after international keynote speaker, author, and advisor, he helps organizations navigate change and drive impact. He serves on the executive committee of the global board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and has been honored with the 2022 Governor’s Volunteer Award for his leadership with Volunteer Iowa and was named a Kentucky Colonel, the top civilian honor in the state. A LinkedIn Top Voice and member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council and International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, his insights appear in CEO Weekly, Yahoo Finance, and every top industry publication.
His AI-driven company, engage, was acquired by Kindsight, where he is now Vice President. Certified in behavioral science from Harvard and AI ethics from the London School of Economics, Cherian bridges strategy, ethics, and technology. He teaches at The Fund Raising School at Indiana University and is authoring a forthcoming Wiley book on neuroscience and fundraising.
Breakout Sessions
This year, we are excited to present two breakout sessions from the following speakers:
Mission, Message, Meaning: From Message to Meaningful Connection
Michelle Dejno - Executive Vice President at O'Connor Connective LLC
What is your story to tell, and are you ready to be the chief storyteller?
This session will help organizations answer these questions and build an understanding of how
to stay true to their mission and goals while shifting the story you tell to more effectively
showcase the organization in a way that will resonate with a variety of audiences. In today’s
uncertain (and chaotic) donor environment, focusing on the importance of defining and telling
your story to differentiate your nonprofit from others in the eyes of funders, individual donors,
and volunteers, is more important than ever.
Trust, Transparency & Tricky Situations: Ethical Fundraising in the Real World
Rikki Harry - Founder and CEO, LEAP Nonprofit Consulting
What does it really mean to build trust with donors? And how do we do that without compromising
boundaries or values? In this fast-paced session, we’ll explore common ethical dilemmas that arise in
donor relationships, with special attention to major donor interactions, personal solicitations, and the
blurred lines that can appear at events or in social settings. Topics include honoring donor intent,
practicing ethical storytelling, and navigating gray areas where influence and integrity collide. Whether
someone is brand new to fundraising or a seasoned pro, they'll leave with tools and frameworks to
navigate sticky situations, maintain professional boundaries, and engage donors in ways that are both
authentic and ethical.
Prompt Impact: Hands-On AI for Fundraisers Who Get Things Done
Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP - Vice President, Hindsight
*This program will be offered in both sessions
AI isn’t the future of fundraising—it’s already reshaping how we write, research, and relate to donors.
But most fundraisers don’t need another trend talk. They need tools they can use right now—and results
they can walk out with.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll skip the jargon and dive straight into practical, ethical ways AI can
accelerate your work without compromising your values. You’ll learn where to start, how to write better
prompts, audit your tasks for AI opportunities, and co-create donor communications in real time.