Welcome to The Gathering Table, a new pilot experience designed as a curated space for nonprofit leaders, legacy builders, and social impact visionaries to reflect, connect and explore what it means to lead with head and heart.
This session – “The Heart Work of Leadership: A Conversation on Legacy and the Future We’re Building” – is a soft launch with a few trusted voices and thoughtful minds.
Together, we’ll shape what The Gathering Table can become. Please note: we will record this session for internal reference only.
Below is a guide to our evening. Times are approximate – we’ll follow the energy of the conversation – and the tone is informal and inclusive. I invite you to get comfortable (feel free to have a meal or cup of tea handy!), engage at your own pace, and share as you feel inspired.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
7:30–7:40 PM – Welcome & Setting the Table
Our host, Monique Brizz-Walker, will welcome everyone as we “gather around” our virtual table. We’ll start with quick introductions (name, role, and where you’re joining from) to get to know each other and set an open, friendly tone.
Monique will share the purpose of The Gathering Table and the intentions for this dialogue.
- This isn’t just an event – it’s the beginning of a practice rooted in reflection, storytelling, community, and care.
- We’ll also review a few gentle guidelines (like respecting confidentiality and that internal-only recording) to ensure everyone feels safe and heard.
7:40–7:50 PM – Opening Reflection
We’ll pause for an opening reflection prompt to center ourselves. Prompt: “When you hear the phrase ‘heart work of leadership,’ what comes to mind?” Take a quiet moment to think about this.
- You might reflect on a recent leadership experience that engaged your heart, a value that guides you, or simply how you feel as we begin.
- Jot down a few thoughts if you’d like.
- After a minute or two, we’ll invite those who are comfortable to share a word or insight that surfaced.
This check-in reminds us that leading from the heart is personal and collective “work.” Everyone is encouraged to share at their comfort level – listening is participation, too.
7:50–8:10 PM – Exploring the Invisible Work of Leadership
Guiding Question: What invisible labor do we carry as leaders? In this segment, we’ll explore the unseen or unacknowledged efforts that come with leadership.
Monique will kick off the conversation by framing this question:
- What kinds of emotional, mental, or behind-the-scenes work do we quietly carry in our roles?
- We invite you to share stories or examples of the “invisible labor” you’ve experienced – perhaps mentoring others after hours, bearing the weight of tough decisions, or self-reflective work that often goes overlooked.
Our first session is a chance to acknowledge those hidden loads in a supportive space. We’ll discuss how recognizing this invisible work can validate our experiences and connect us as leaders. (Why it matters: Sometimes, just naming these burdens can lighten them and build camaraderie.)
8:10–8:35 PM – Legacy and Leadership
Guiding Question: How does our leadership shape legacy – intentionally or otherwise? Here, we turn to the idea of legacy. We’ll reflect on how the actions and values we practice today might influence the legacies we leave tomorrow.
Monique will frame this topic by asking us to consider what “legacy” means in our context:
- Is it the impact on our organizations?
- The people we mentor?
- The change we spark in our communities?
You’re encouraged to think about a story or influence you hope to leave (or perhaps one inherited from mentors before you). We’ll share thoughts on how even small, everyday leadership choices can have lasting ripple effects.
This conversation isn’t about having all the answers but about becoming more intentional with the legacy we’re crafting (and recognizing that sometimes we create a legacy without realizing it). Through storytelling and insights, we’ll inspire each other to lead with the legacy we desire in mind.
8:35–8:50 PM – Envisioning the Future Together
Guiding Question: What does it mean to re‑vision the future when so much feels uncertain? As we near the end of our dialogue, we’ll look ahead.
Leading with your heart also means holding hope and vision, even amid uncertainty. In this segment, we’ll collectively imagine the future we’re building in our work and communities.
Monique will pose this forward-looking question and invite us to dream out loud:
- How do we re-envision the future of our organizations or missions when the road ahead isn’t clear?
- What do we want that future to look like for the next generation of leaders and those we serve?
This is a space to share aspirations, big or small, and to discuss strategies for navigating uncertainty with resilience and creativity.
We’ll listen to each other’s visions – you might speak about changes you’d love to see in your sector, new ways of leading, or personal growth you aim for. By voicing these hopes, we shape a collective vision and remind ourselves that even uncertain times can be opportunities to reimagine and innovate.
8:50–9:00 PM – Closing Reflections & Next Steps
We’ll spend our final minutes harvesting insights and saying our thank-yous. Each participant will be invited to share one closing reflection: this could be a takeaway from the conversation, an appreciation for something that resonated, or an intention you’re carrying forward after tonight.
Monique will then offer some closing thoughts, highlighting any common themes we heard and celebrating the courage and honesty everyone brought to the table.
Before we sign off, we’ll touch on the next steps. Monique will share what’s coming up. You’ll also hear about ways to stay connected so our reflections tonight continue beyond tonight.