Book Shawn
Radical Adaptability for Nonprofit Leaders
Helping CEOs and CFOs Stay Anticipatory, Resilient, and Mission-Aligned in Uncertain Times
Why This Matters Right Now
Nonprofit leaders are navigating:
Funding freezes and sudden program disruptions
Policy and regulatory shifts outside their control
Workforce burnout and retention challenges
Rapid technological change
Increased pressure from boards, donors, and communities
For many CEOs and CFOs, change no longer feels strategic.
It feels constant — and personal.
This keynote is designed to help leaders regain clarity, agency, and confidence, complementing technical, regulatory, and financial sessions by addressing the human side of leadership under uncertainty.
The Core Insight
Anticipation Isn't Just About What's Next.
It's About What Must End.
Most conversations about adaptability focus on what leaders must add:
new skills, new systems, new strategies.
Radical Adaptability introduces a missing dimension:
The ability to anticipate what must be let go of
before change forces the decision for you.
For nonprofit leaders, this means:
  • Ending outdated assumptions
  • Letting go of unsustainable programs or structures
  • Releasing "the way we've always done it" — while staying true to mission and values
This is where anticipation becomes practical, not theoretical.
The Framework: The 5 C's of Radical Adaptability
A simple, memorable framework leaders can use immediately:
Each C includes practical tools, questions, and examples leaders can apply the very next day.
What Leaders Leave With
This is inspiration with traction.
Leaders walk away with:
Tools to reduce stress and think clearly under pressure
Language to communicate difficult decisions with integrity
A new way to frame endings as stewardship — not failure
Practical questions to guide anticipatory decision-making
Renewed connection to why their work matters
Proven With Mission-Driven Organizations
Shawn Ellis regularly speaks to leaders in organizations where:
  • Purpose and service come first
  • Resources are constrained
  • Decisions carry real human consequences
Relevant audiences include:
Venice Family Clinic
nonprofit healthcare leaders serving underserved communities amid funding and policy uncertainty
Dismas Charities
nonprofit leaders working at the intersection of justice, reentry, and human dignity
Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union (Alaska)
a nonprofit, member-owned financial institution navigating new leadership and organizational transition
HCSC (Health Care Service Corporation)
a nonprofit, 5-state Blue Cross Blue Shield organization (addressed 800+ leaders during a system-wide leadership event – hybrid format)
Ohio Society of Association Professionals (OSAP)
Keynote speaker at the Joint Industry Event (Columbus, OH) and featured guest on the OSAP podcast: Choose Your Ending: Resilience Strategies for Leaders
This work resonates across nonprofits, including credit unions, associations, education organizations, healthcare systems, and more.
Evidence of Value (Not Just Inspiration)
At HCSC's EMG Leadership Mashup, participant feedback showed strong, measurable impact:
4.64
out of 5
"The session was thought-provoking, encouraging, and beneficial for my development."
4.75
out of 5
"The speaker was enthusiastic, had solid delivery skills, and shared tangible takeaways."
Leaders cited the 5 C's framework, practical tools, and the focus on intentional endings as especially valuable.

Post-session feedback showed leaders committing to real action, including:
  • Delegating decisions — not just tasks
  • Ending habits, programs, or assumptions that no longer serve the mission
  • Using simple tools to stay calm and focused under pressure
  • Having braver, clearer conversations with their teams
  • Sharing the framework with managers and staff
Many leaders explicitly noted they planned to cascade these tools to their teams, extending impact beyond the session itself.
What Leaders Say
"Many of our team members felt like Shawn was speaking directly to their hearts. The message was thought-provoking, practical, and delivered with humor, sincerity, and humility. He clearly did his homework and understood our organization. Shawn is an excellent presenter — and an even better human being."
— Senior Vice President, Dismas Charities
About Shawn Ellis
Shawn Ellis helps leaders and teams navigate change by understanding one core truth:
Before organizations can adapt forward, something often needs to end.
An entrepreneur and small business owner who rebuilt after bankruptcy, Shawn blends lived experience, leadership psychology, neuroscience, and deep respect for mission-driven work.
Audiences describe his sessions as grounding, practical, and exactly what leaders need right now.
Watch Shawn in Action
Ready to Proceed?
Shawn is currently available for a virtual keynote with live Q&A on April 29, 2026
Presentation will be customized to the audience
Host prep session and tech check are included
Contact us to finalize details and proceed with agreement