Civic Space Park and the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus

Nonprofit Management Institute

Upcoming courses

NMI 144: Becoming a Champion of Change (June 2025)

Session details

Zoom Session: June 11th, 2025 10:00 A.M - 12:00 P.M

In the event you can not attend the Zoom Session there is an alternative assignment offered. 

What does it take to be a champion of change and how can we best set up our champion for success?

Becoming a champion of change—achieving buy-in and managing complex change—is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing, competency-building process. It requires the involvement of not only champions but also change management professionals, senior leaders, managers, and employees. It requires teamwork, building coalitions, and partnerships. It requires effective communication. The big difference between companies that successfully implement key initiatives and those that don’t, lies in their ability to effectively manage change.

In this course, you'll explore the topic of organizational change what it takes to be a champion for change, including the characteristics, responsibilities, and drivers of effective champions. 

Learning Objectives:

Understand:

  • What it means to be a change champion.
  • The importance of change in your organization.
  • Why people resist or support change.

Know:

  • How to determine the need for change in your organization.
  • How to support change management efforts within your nonprofit organization.
  • How to recognize why change efforts fail.

Implement:

  • An organizational change using Kotter's 8-step method.

This course will consist of article reading, discussion questions, authentic assessments, and self-tests to enhance learning and build upon prior knowledge.

NMI courses are taught using the Canvas learning management system and include a variety of multimedia tools and resources. To ensure you can successfully access the multimedia tools in your courses, we recommend you use a standard PC or Mac desktop or laptop. Mobile devices are not recommended. Courses are best accessed using a high-speed Internet connection and a modern web browser such as Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Chrome or Safari.

Early Bird special: $109 (ends two weeks before course start date, retail $139). 

Program description

Program dates

to

Delivery method

Online

Time commitment

15 hours (5 days per course)

Cost

$139

In this course, participants evaluate the topic of change to advance their capacity to overcome obstacles and effectively champion and implement moments of change within their organization. Study and discuss the underlying motivations for change and the role it has in organizational structure and function. Participants will examine established models and methodologies designed to implement change management strategies within their organization.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Operations and Program Impact Certificate

Optimizing Human Resource Strategies in Nonprofits Certificate


Knowledge Specialist

Kate Thoene
Knowledge Specialist, Nonprofit Management Institute

Kate Thoene has dedicated her career to the nonprofit sector in the Valley. Over the past 25 years, she has held a variety of leadership roles that have expanded capacity and strengthened community impact for several organizations.

She is currently the Chief Executive Officer at New Life Center, one of Arizona’s largest domestic violence shelters. Previously, she served as Executive Director at Waste Not, Chief Social Enterprise Officer at UMOM, and Director of Community Kitchen Programs at St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, where she worked for ten years.

Kate  teaches Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and New Business Models and Becoming a Champion of Change. She has extensive board experience and currently serves on the Board of Directors for AZ Impact for Good.

Outside of work, Kate enjoys thrifting, fostering animals for the Arizona Humane Society, and spending time with her family. One of her favorite pastimes is visiting her son, Adam, in Tucson, where he is studying business at the University of Arizona.

More NMI offerings

Program Date Course delivery Qualifies for certificate(s)
Optimizing Human Resource Strategies in Nonprofits Certificate (Next Start Date: 12/8/25) Online Optimizing Human Resource Strategies in Nonprofits Certificate
Nonprofit Management Certificate (Next Start Date: 1/5/2026) Online Nonprofit Management Certificate
Nonprofit Marketing & Strategic Communications Certificate (Next Start Date: 1/5/26) Online Nonprofit Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate
Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate (Next Start Date: 1/5/26) Online Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate
NMI 230: Tell Your Story Boot Camp (January 2026) to Online Nonprofit Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate