Geaux AI Presented by Tech Gumbo (September 08, 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

2026 Louisiana Nonprofit Impact Conference, North Louisiana (Shreveport) (September 10, 2026)

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

EVENT AGENDA:

MEET THE SPEAKERS:

Emily Davis is the President of Emily Davis Consulting where she serves as a facilitator, advisor, and speaker. She has served as a nonprofit consultant for 20 years working with small to midsize businesses, nonprofits, philanthropists, and women leaders. Emily is the author of Fundraising and the Next Generation, 21/64 certified philanthropic advisor, and BoardSource Senior Governance Consultant. She has her Masters in Nonprofit Management from Regis University and a certificate in Corporate Board Governance from Wharton School of Business. She is certified in Technology of Participation facilitation, Essential Facilitation, and Technology of Participation strategic planning.

Her early career started in women’s health, ending violence against women, and equity activism. Emily has served as a founder, board member, executive director, grant maker, staff, and volunteer across a wide variety of organizations locally, nationally, and internationally.

Dr. Carpenter is a highly networked nonprofit professor, researcher, consultant, and trainer passionate about nonprofit capacity building and talent development. She has served as a nonprofit professor and academic program director for over ten years and a nonprofit leader for over 20 years. She serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research at LSU Shreveport. INAR’s mission is to conduct research and disseminate knowledge about nonprofit organizations. It has three programmatic areas: academics, professional development, and research.

She has published numerous academic journal articles and books. She previously served as co-editor and chief of the Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership was on the board of the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council the national accrediting body for nonprofit academic degree programs from 2017-2023. In 2022, the Nonprofit Times selected Dr. Carpenter as a Top 50 Power and Influence Nonprofit Leader.

Dr. Carpenter is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, active in the Downtown Shreveport Rotary Club, and serves on the advisory committee for the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. She was recently named to the Volunteer Louisiana Commission by the Governor, the state service commission that has a mission to "Strength Louisiana communities through volunteerism and national service." Her husband is a Navy Veteran and Captain at Spirit Airlines, and they have a 13-year-old daughter.

She earned her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with an emphasis on Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership from the University of San Diego and a Master of Management in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University in Chicago, Illinois.

Cat Slack is a strategic closer, keynote speaker, and international consultant who uses storytelling to drive mission-based results. She has raised nearly a billion dollars for nonprofits worldwide. Her own experience with homelessness brings a deeply personal and heartfelt perspective. Cat’s work has been featured by The Atlantic, Metallica’s blog, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Hundred Magazine, countless ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX affiliates, and more.

John Edwards spent more than 20 years as a U.S. Coast Guard Public Information Officer, helping steer federal, state, and local agencies through more than 100 real-world crises, including Deepwater Horizon, the ATHOS I oil spill, and the Coast Guard’s COVID-19 response.

He has briefed Cabinet secretaries, appeared live on CNN, Good Morning America, and The Weather Channel, and trained thousands of responders and public servants.

Today, as founder of SignalPoint Strategies, he helps mission-driven nonprofits and public sector teams navigate crises with the same clarity and confidence he brought to federal emergencies, especially when every minute counts.

Barristers for Boards: New Orleans (September 16, 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Looking for New Board Members? Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with talented young professionals eager to serve!

Join the Young Lawyers Division of the Louisiana State Bar Association for a dynamic Nonprofit “Meet & Greet” coffee and conversation.

Through the Barristers for Boards program, young lawyers are matched with nonprofit boards and committees, helping them stay engaged and give back to their communities. All participating attorneys complete Board Training provided by the Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits—ensuring they’re ready to make an impact from day one. Reserve your spot today!

2026 Annual Nonprofit Conference: LEAD, GROW, INSPIRE! - Bayou Region (Schriever) (October 08, 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Bayou Community Foundation invites you to attend its annual one-day learning and networking conference on Thursday, October 8 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Fletcher Technical Community College!

This year’s theme, “LEAD, GROW, INSPIRE!”, will bring together nonprofit professionals, Board members, volunteers and community leaders for a day of learning, collaboration and inspiration.

Full Agenda Coming Soon!