Boundaries Build Brilliance: The Power of No

Audience: Practitioner: Been around - looking to spark new ideas

Thursday, July 30, 2026

11:35 AM - 12:35 PM EDT

Location: Chesapeake C

Jade L. Nguyen Swanson

Director, Business Development
The Engage Group
Joanne Wilson

Vice President, Advancement Operations
Humane World for Animals
Bryan Casler

Vice President, Digital & AI Strategy
4Site Studios

Nonprofit professionals are driven by passion, purpose, and impact, but too often that drive leads to saying “yes” to every request, project, or opportunity. The result is scope creep, burnout, and diminished effectiveness. This session reframes the power of “no” as a strategic leadership skill—one that helps you advocate for yourself, protect your energy, and stay focused on what matters most. Rather than shutting down opportunities, saying no becomes a way to say yes to higher priorities, healthier boundaries, and more sustainable results.

Together, we’ll explore how to recognize scope creep and tactfully redirect requests, use “no” to create space for deeper, more meaningful work, and build confidence in advocating for your role, your time, and your team. You’ll also learn how to support professional growth by delegating tasks effectively, while treating your energy as a finite resource—investing it where it will have the greatest impact.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to identify early signs of boundary creep and scope expansion in their work, and reframe “no” as a strategic tool for protecting priorities and advancing mission-critical goals.
Attendees will practice and apply practical language and frameworks for saying “no” constructively—redirecting requests, setting clear expectations, and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues and leadership.
Participants will understand how protecting their time and energy not only reduces burnout, but also strengthens their leadership capacity, team effectiveness, and long-term organizational impact.