An Unforgettable Moment
She grabbed my hand and gently squeezed it.
She was striking, poised, and dressed in a beautiful pantsuit.
As tears quietly streamed down her cheeks, she whispered:
“I knew I’d be emotional. I thought it was over. I felt like I’d lost everything—funding, the business, the dream. I thought it was all over… until today.”
She paused, then smiled through the tears.
“I’ve been inspired.”
“What did it?” I asked.
“This conference,” she said. “It lifted me. It reminded me I’m not alone. I didn’t know about all of these resources. I didn’t know this kind of community existed.”
At that moment, I made a mental note.
I told myself, We’ve got to do better about telling our own story.
We need everyone to know about this great community and its resources.
The spirit of community came alive at MANOAC25, with over 500 people in attendance.
If you were there, you know.
If you missed it, here’s a glimpse of what unfolded October 8–9:
Nonprofits, funders, staff, board members, government and business partners, seasoned and emerging leaders came together for workshops and plenaries that didn’t just inform, they ignited something within us.
We explored audacious strategies for sustainability and innovation.
We found the courage to name hard truths.
We took time to celebrate the quiet wins that often go unseen.
These conversations went beyond theory. They became opportunities for tangible action.
Facing the Future Together wasn’t just the theme of MANOAC25; it was the heartbeat of every connection.
Across sectors, industries, generations, and lived experiences, we supported one another and shared a vision for what’s possible when we lead with collaboration and care.
From hallway conversations to lunchtime revelations, something sacred unfolded.
People remembered their why:
Why they started.
Why they stayed.
Why they still believe.
At MANOAC25, we didn’t just gather, we recommitted.
So, although MANOAC25 has passed, let us carry forward the recommitment we made —
to our missions,
to our community,
to the possibility of repair, renewal, and resilience in our organizations,
and, most importantly, to ourselves.
