More than 260 nonprofit leaders, board members and community stakeholders gathered at Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies March 27 for the 24th annual Best Boards Conference, hosted by the school’s Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. This year’s theme, Future Ready: Leading in a Changing World, focused on governance strategies and leadership in an era of rapid change.
Ann B. Stern, president and CEO of Houston Endowment, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the need for leaders to navigate uncertainty with clarity and discipline. She shared six primary reflections, including the importance of acting decisively, fostering strong organizational culture and prioritizing mission-driven decision-making.
“The Best Boards Conference has become a key event for Houston-area nonprofit stakeholders,” said Kristen Schlatre, assistant dean of Rice Continuing Studies. “It is both humbling and an honor to equip these leaders with the knowledge and skills that drive them forward in their organizations’ missions, which are vital to making our communities thrive.”
In addition to the keynote, the conference featured eight expert-led breakout sessions and a plenary session led by Ruth N. López Turley, director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research. Turley highlighted the role of data in strengthening communities, advocating for research as a public good to enhance nonprofit impact.
Participants representing over 100 organizations attended the one-day event with most serving the greater Houston community and others from Atlanta, Austin, Dallas and Galveston. Participating organizations spanned sectors such as education, the arts, health care, human services, environmental causes and faith-based initiatives.
The conference was made possible through partnerships with the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Greater Houston Chapter and United Way Greater Houston.
For more information, visit cpnl.rice.edu.