HOUSTON — (March 11, 2025) — The Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies is set to host the 24th annual Best Boards Conference, bringing together nonprofit leaders, board members and community stakeholders to explore governance strategies and impactful leadership.
Ann B. Stern, president and CEO of Houston Endowment, will provide the event’s keynote session.
Who: Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Rice’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies; Ann B. Stern, president and CEO of Houston Endowment
What: 24th annual Best Boards Conference
When: Tuesday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Where: Rice University’s Anderson-Clarke Center, 6100 Main St. Houston, TX 77005
This year’s conference theme, Future Ready: Leading in a Changing World, is designed to inspire and equip nonprofit leaders to embrace bold, ambitious change in anticipation of an unpredictable future. Participants will gain tools to build a strong foundation of exceptional governance, gather essential insights to inform their organizational strategies and learn how to manage risk while pursuing opportunity.
Stern will highlight the importance of philanthropy that stays in step with the evolving needs of the community and is driven by innovation and collaboration. Under her leadership, the Houston Endowment has invested more than $100 million annually to strengthen public education, increase civic engagement, support Greater Houston’s arts and culture sector, enhance greenspace and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.
“We know that we alone cannot solve the issues we are addressing,” Stern said. “Local nonprofits are driving real change in our communities, and the stronger the relationships are between their leadership and boards, the more impactful they can be in executing their missions.”
Conference sessions will cover a range of critical topics, including governance best practices, values-based leadership, succession planning and the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in nonprofit management.
“Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in addressing today’s most pressing challenges, from social equity to environmental sustainability,” said Kristen Schlatre, assistant dean for professional and corporate programs at the Glasscock School. “The Best Boards Conference serves as a platform to equip leaders with the knowledge, tools and strategies they need to navigate an ever-evolving landscape and create meaningful impact.”
For more information and to register for Best Boards 2025, visit https://continue.rice.edu/best-boards.