Thursday, April 16, 2026
8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
ASU Lodestar Center's 2026 Spring Forum
Human-centered nonprofit leadership in the age of AI
ASU Downtown Phoenix
The Global Forum at Thunderbird School of Global Management
$129
At this event, nonprofit leaders will get equipped to harness AI for social impact while upholding ethical standards. We’ll look beyond the hype and explore practical, high-impact uses for AI—from fundraising to operations—alongside clear guidance on transparency, responsible governance and safeguards to protect community trust. Together, let's explore the what, how and why of artificial intelligence and its intersection with the nonprofit sector.
Registration is now closed.
This event is made possible in part by the ASU Lodestar Center's Impact Circle of community champions and our sponsors. Support this and future programming by joining the Impact Circle or sponsoring the forum.
Forum highlights
Keynote speaker Russ Kliman
Redefining human potential in an AI world
Donors, foundations and nonprofits are not only beginning to adopt AI to streamline operations, but also reimagining how they measure impact, engage communities and amplify human dignity in their missions.
This session will examine how the rise of generative and agentic AI is transforming the workforce and society, not just by automating tasks or roles, but by elevating human potential for purpose and service. Ultimately, this is not a story of replacement but redefinition. AI is not a threat to human work—it’s a catalyst to rediscover what only humans can do. This session equips attendees with the mindset, tools, and strategies to help their people, organizations and missions meet this moment of transformation with confidence and purpose.
Keynote speaker Russ Kliman is the head of innovation and technology strategy at the AIM Institute for Learning & Research. A transformational executive with a keen eye on emerging technologies and a futuristic mindset, he blends strategic acumen, pragmatic execution and creative problem-solving to tackle complex organizational challenges.
Morning sessions
Special remarks
Ethical AI in humanitarian action
Kate Forbes, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
AI is already transforming how we anticipate and respond to crises. But humanitarian principles must remain our ethical compass.
Panel conversation with sector leaders
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Hear from nonprofit and public leaders about how they are leveraging AI to accelerate mission achievement and scale programmatic impact while navigating critical challenges like data ethics, security and the essential need for human-centered oversight.
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Moderated by Todd Hornback, CEO of Cohere and chair of the ASU Lodestar Center's Impact Circle.
Move beyond theory
AI Discovery Labs
Throughout the afternoon, explore alongside your peers in key thematic groups. In these facilitated sessions, you'll learn from content experts about the use of AI within their organizations. Bring your questions, share your successes and challenges with AI, and discover opportunities together.
Don't miss the forum: Human-centered nonprofit leadership in the age of AI
Explore alongside nonprofit and philanthropic peers on April 16, 2026, in Phoenix.
| Session | Time | Speakers |
| Gathering | 8 to 8:45 a.m. | |
| Opening | 8:45 to 9 a.m. |
|
| Keynote | 9 to 10 a.m. | Russ Kliman, Head of Innovation and Technology strategy at the AIM Institute for Learning & Research |
| AI and Principled Innovation | 10 to 10:45 a.m. | Jacqueline Smith, ASU's Vice President of Principled Innovation and Impact |
| Special Remarks: Ethical AI in Humanitarian Action | 10:45 to 11 a.m. | Kate Forbes, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
| Adopting AI Tools | 11 to 11:30 a.m. | Amy Sample Ward, CEO of NTEN |
| Panel Discussion | 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Moderated by Todd Hornback Panelists:
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| Lunch on your own | 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. | * During the lunch break, continue the conversation with Amy Sample Ward and fellow attendees in the Global Forum, starting at 12:45 p.m. |
| AI Discovery Labs | 1:45 to 3:30 p.m. | Breakout groups:
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Thank you to our sponsors and partners
Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our forum? Review the sponsorship kit.
Gold sponsors
Silver sponsors
Bronze sponsors
Community sponsors
Spicker Coaching and Consulting
Content partners
Promotional partner
Exhibitors
Join us for a day of learning
Explore AI alongside nonprofit and philanthropic peers on April 16, 2026, in Phoenix. With a full day of content featuring national and local experts, offering both big-picture thinking and hands-on learning, you won't want to miss it.
Registration is now closed.
