Nonprofit Execs Meet to Share Challenges and Solutions

Local leaders discuss generational differences, flexible work, and building stronger performance cultures.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:56pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of a group of people in a meeting, with soft, blurred shapes and warm, glowing colors creating a contemplative, introspective atmosphere.Nonprofit leaders in Santa Barbara find inspiration and community in sharing their organizational challenges and successes.Santa Barbara Today

Dozens of nonprofit executive directors in Santa Barbara, California gathered to share common struggles they face, including navigating generational differences among staff, coaching supervisors to lead diverse teams, and integrating younger members onto boards. The event, hosted by Leading From Within and the Nonprofit Resource Network, provided a forum for leaders to explore practical solutions around communication, capacity, flexibility, accountability, and supervision.

Why it matters

Santa Barbara is home to over 2,000 nonprofits, making the leadership development and collaboration of these organizations critical to the community. Events like this help strengthen the local nonprofit sector by fostering knowledge-sharing and relationship-building.

The details

The three dozen executive directors discussed challenges such as motivating and retaining staff across generations, building leadership at all levels, knowing when to embrace disruption, and balancing strategic priorities with immediate needs. Leading From Within and the Nonprofit Resource Network have played key roles in training and supporting nonprofit leaders in the region for many years.

  • The event took place on April 9, 2026.

The players

Katya Armistead

Co-executive director of Leading From Within (LFW), a nonprofit leadership development organization.

Ken Saxon

Founder of Leading From Within, which has launched several leadership programs for nonprofit executives.

Nonprofit Resource Network of Santa Barbara County

A digital hub that supports communication, information sharing, and capacity building for the local nonprofit sector.

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What they’re saying

“This is a time for sharing our challenges and successes so we can learn from each other.”

— Katya Armistead, Co-executive director, Leading From Within

“Today is an opportunity to learn practical tools to manage generational differences, flexible work environments and build stronger performance cultures.”

— Katya Armistead, Co-executive director, Leading From Within

“Since its founding, LFW itself has evolved through several different internal leadership models. As a leadership organization, we aspire to be thoughtful and innovative on the leadership front.”

— Ken Saxon, Founder, Leading From Within

What’s next

Leading From Within and the Nonprofit Resource Network plan to continue hosting regular convenings for nonprofit leaders in Santa Barbara to share best practices and collaborate on solutions to common challenges.

The takeaway

By providing a forum for nonprofit executives to connect, share insights, and learn from each other, organizations like Leading From Within and the Nonprofit Resource Network are playing a vital role in strengthening the local nonprofit sector and its impact on the Santa Barbara community.