Take Ownership of YOUR Network: Purposeful Relationship-Building

About This Seminar

A strong professional network is essential to navigating uncertain times. With many operational, programmatic, and fundraising demands to attend, many professionals may find it difficult to create a strategy to connect with colleagues and strategically grow their network.

This 3-hour virtual seminar will help participants take ownership of their careers by identifying what types of connections best support their goals, exploring how to nurture reciprocal and inclusive relationships, and practicing strategies to engage intentionally across sectors. Through guided reflection, peer exchange, and interactive exercises, participants will learn how to map their existing networks, identify gaps, and create an actionable plan for strategic relationship-building that aligns with their organization’s mission and values.

This learning space provides time to reflect on your current connections, demystify networking practices, learn from peers, and leave with tools to help you network with clarity and confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Concrete strategies for identifying and engaging relationships that advance your mission and careers
• Opportunities to explore frameworks that clarifying your networking strategy to achieve important goals
• Tools to map your network and identify gaps in access, inclusion, or collaboration
• Peer-informed approaches for building authentic, equitable, and mission-driven connections

Who Should Attend

This session is ideal for nonprofit professionals how may feel uncomfortable with their current networking practices or are looking to upskill in their connection-building practices.

While open to all experience levels, it will be particularly valuable for:

Executive directors and senior leaders aiming to cultivate strategic relationships with nonprofit peers, philanthropy, and cross sector colleagues

Program and development staff seeking to build or deepen organizational partnerships

Professionals seeking to expand their relationship-building skills to create more intentional, equitable connections across their work

Registration Fee:

• Early Bird: $99 (ends 11/6)
• General Admission: $125
• Read CNM's Refund Policy

Scholarships:

If you are a CNM Scholarship Recipient, please send an email to pnavarro@cnmsocal.org to receive your discount code.

Facilitator Bios:

Sooah Kwak (she/her) Co-Founder – We Choose Us Coaching

With experience across higher education, nonprofits, and policy organizations, Sooah brings expertise in strategic visioning, program development, community engagement, and DEI initiatives. She holds a Master’s in International and Comparative Education from New York University and is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. In her work, Sooah is passionate about creating spaces for learning, connection, and self-reflection that help individuals and teams discover meaningful ways to grow. Through We Choose Us Coaching, she supports clients in reimagining their relationship with work, redefining success on their own terms, and exploring everyday ways to practice possibility and purpose.

Terry Nesmith (she/her) Co-Founder and Licensed Therapist – We Choose Us Coaching

Drawing on over a decade in organizational development at Viacom Media Networks, Terry helps women of color build fulfilling lives and careers grounded in self-awareness and empowerment. She holds an MSW from NYU’s Silver School of Social Work, certifications in DEI and Change Management from Cornell University, and a coaching certification from iPEC. Terry blends her background in mental health, coaching, and corporate culture to help clients navigate burnout, life transitions, and personal growth with compassion and clarity. Her work centers on guiding individuals to reconnect with their values, reclaim their confidence, and move toward lasting transformation both personally and professionally.