MnCMN Change Summit - Leading Change When Nobody is Looking
Thursday, September 17, 2026 (4:30 PM - 6:30 PM) (CDT)
Description
Some of the most important change work happens before there is a formal mandate, a detailed roadmap, or broad support. It happens when the need is emerging, the data is incomplete, resources are stretched, and leaders have to build credibility one conversation, one decision, and one early win at a time.
Join MnCMN on Thursday, September 17, 2026, for an in-person panel discussion about the less visible side of change leadership.
Facilitated by Renae Wollin, MnCMN member and programming committee volunteer, this panel will feature perspectives from government, nonprofit, community-based, and creative facilitation settings:
- Julie Zaruba Fountaine, Change Manager and Director of Planning, State of Minnesota
- Laurie Phillips, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Museum Sage
- Nikole Shovein, Director of Volunteer Engagement and Special Projects, Neighborhood House
Panelists will share real stories about leading through uncertainty, influencing without formal authority, working with limited resources, and helping people move forward when conditions are far from perfect.
Attendees will leave with practical ideas for building momentum before buy-in exists, creating progress amid constraints, and sustaining change when the path forward is still taking shape.
Location Sponsor:
| MnCMN is grateful to Neighborhood House for generously serving as our location sponsor for this in-person Change Summit and welcoming our community into their St. Paul space. Neighborhood House helps people gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in diverse communities. Their work supporting individuals and families through transition, crisis, and opportunity makes them a meaningful host for this conversation on leading change when conditions are far from perfect. |
Speakers: | Julie Zaruba Fountaine, MBA, MS, is a Well-being Specialist and Change Management Coordinator with the State of Minnesota. As the Founder of Empower Possible, she is dedicated to helping individuals and teams navigate change with confidence and purpose. Julie brings a wealth of expertise to her work, holding advanced degrees in Change and Leadership as well as Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science. In her roles as a consultant, speaker, and facilitator, she partners with workplaces and communities to foster meaningful and sustainable transformation. Additionally, she shares her knowledge as an adjunct instructor at the University of Mary. Outside of her professional endeavors, Julie prioritizes well-being through outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and paddling. |
 | Laurie Phillips is Co-founder and Executive Director of Museum Sage®, where she helps people navigate uncertainty and find new ways forward through conversations with art. For more than 25 years, she has worked as a coach, leadership trainer, and facilitator, guiding individuals and teams through periods of change. Her programs have been offered at museums nationwide and for organizations including Medtronic, Target Corporation, and the American Alliance of Museums. Laurie believes that when people pause long enough to see a challenge from a different angle, they find possibilities that weren't visible before. She is also a contributing author to the AAM-published book An Empathy-Building Toolkit for Museums (2026). |
 | Nikole Shovein is the Director of Volunteer Engagement & Special Projects at Neighborhood House, where she leads volunteer strategy, cross-department initiatives, and community partnerships that strengthen organizational impact. Drawing on a background in hospitality and nonprofit leadership, she is passionate about creating welcoming, people-centered experiences that foster belonging and inspire meaningful community engagement. Nikole believes volunteers are essential partners in building stronger communities. Her work focuses on developing sustainable volunteer programs, leading community-centered special projects—including Neighborhood House's Rapid Response initiative—and designing systems that reduce barriers to engagement while increasing impact for neighbors and volunteers alike. |
179 Robie Street East
Saint Paul, MN 55107 United States
Note: There is an attached parking ramp at the Neighborhood House Wellstone Center that features 165 spaces.
Note: We have shifted to a 4:30 - 6:30 PM timing for our Change Summits after many years of 4:00 PM starts. This timing was piloted earlier this year, and the member feedback confirmed that it works better for most attendees.
| 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Networking + Needs & Leads |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Summit Event |
| 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. | Additional Networking & Discussion |
Change Summit
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