Wisdom-Centered Strategic Leadership
Additional Information
This event is part of the Learning Hub program Wisdom Weavers. The Santa Fe Community Foundation proudly offers the Learning Hub as an educational space for nonprofit board, executive directors, staff members, and donors. Each year, the Hub offers dozens of events, workshops, and learning circles that promote leadership, skill building, and peer-supported growth.
Meet the people leading the conversation
Elena Higgins
Elena Higgins
Elena Higgins has cultivated a dynamic career touring with her wife, Tash Terry (Diné), as part of the award-winning musical duo Indigie Femme. Together, they have garnered numerous international and national accolades for their powerful performances. Beyond her musical achievements, Elena is the co-founder and executive director ofIndigenousWays, a nonprofit organization devoted to fostering balance and unity through music, arts, outreach, and events. IndigenousWays serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, supporting Native American, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, andDeaf and Hard of Hearing communities with accessible programs and festivals.Through this work, the organization amplifies underrepresented voices, strengthens cultural resilience, and promotes holistic healing on a global scale.
Elena's dedication to community and cultural preservation is deeply rooted in her heritage. Born inAotearoa (New Zealand), she was raised in a Pākehā (white) foster family, while maintaining close ties with her Samoan matrilineal aiga (family) and Māoriwhānau (family). These connections have instilled in her a profound commitment to honoring cultural traditions and building meaningful community connections.
Meet the people leading the conversation
Elena Higgins
Elena Higgins
Elena Higgins has cultivated a dynamic career touring with her wife, Tash Terry (Diné), as part of the award-winning musical duo Indigie Femme. Together, they have garnered numerous international and national accolades for their powerful performances. Beyond her musical achievements, Elena is the co-founder and executive director ofIndigenousWays, a nonprofit organization devoted to fostering balance and unity through music, arts, outreach, and events. IndigenousWays serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, supporting Native American, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, andDeaf and Hard of Hearing communities with accessible programs and festivals.Through this work, the organization amplifies underrepresented voices, strengthens cultural resilience, and promotes holistic healing on a global scale.
Elena's dedication to community and cultural preservation is deeply rooted in her heritage. Born inAotearoa (New Zealand), she was raised in a Pākehā (white) foster family, while maintaining close ties with her Samoan matrilineal aiga (family) and Māoriwhānau (family). These connections have instilled in her a profound commitment to honoring cultural traditions and building meaningful community connections.
Meet the people leading the conversation
HR Essentials: Employment Law Essentials for Nonprofits
With Linda Strauss
Running a small nonprofit means wearing the HR hat whether you trained for it or not, and the cost of getting employment law wrong can do real harm to a mission-driven organization. This session covers the federal and New Mexico rules every nonprofit employer needs to have on their radar: complying with the Healthy Workplaces Act and paid sick leave requirements, correctly classifying your people as employees, volunteers, contractors, or interns, knowing the difference between salaried (exempt) and hourly (non-exempt) workers, and understanding when you're legally required to accommodate an employee's medical condition or religious beliefs. You'll leave knowing what you must do, what you can do, and what to watch for.
Executive Director Well-Being, Burnout & Sustainable Leadership
With Marsie Silvestro & Sarah Silva
Burnout among nonprofit executive directors is real and too often experienced in isolation. This session offers a supportive space for peer connection and shared learning around well-being, boundaries, and sustainable leadership.
Tips for Successful Strategic Planning
With Antionette Tellez-Humble
Designed with small organizations in mind, this session focuses on realistic approaches to strategic planning that can be adapted to organizations with limited staff, time, or resources. Participants will leave with practical tools and guiding questions they can use to start strategic planning conversations within their organization.
