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We’re so excited to announce details for our first Nonprofit Meetup of the year! Join us and our speakers for a nonprofit meetup on Future-Focused Leadership. This session will challenge nonprofit executive leaders to think beyond traditional management models and prepare their organizations for the next phase of nonprofit work. The session will explore emerging leadership trends, including generational shifts in staff and volunteers, succession planning, and the need for adaptive and collaborative leadership in a changing environment. Through strategic discussion and peer learning, leaders will gain practical insights on building leadership pipelines, strengthening organizational resilience, and positioning their nonprofits to remain effective, relevant, and sustainable in the years ahead. Check out our speakers below!

Join us Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Hancock Whitney.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Admission: Free or $15 Lunch Ticket | 1301 Camellia Blvd Suite 100 & 201, Lafayette, LA 70508

About Dr. Mechelle Roberthon:

Dr. Mechelle Roberthon is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), a Certified Master Trainer, a Modern Classroom Certified Trainer (MCCT), a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), and certified to administer and interpret Hogan Assessments. She is the CEO of MKR Development, an organizational development firm whose mission is to help organizations develop workplaces that work, at every level. Dr. Roberthon received a Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University. She holds a Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Training and Performance Improvement, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Ragin Cajuns)! Additionally, she is an adjunct instructor in the Leadership & Human Resource Development program at LSU.

In Lafayette, Louisiana, Dr. Roberthon actively contributes to her community. She serves on the board and executive committee of the local chamber of commerce, One Acadiana. Dr. Roberthon is also a board member for AMI Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people to discover their true potential. In 2022, she completed her community’s flagship leadership program, Leadership Lafayette (Class 35). In that same year, the Girl Scouts of Louisiana Pines to the Gulf Council honored her as a Woman of Distinction, and in 2020, she was named a 20 under 40 recipient by The 705, a young professionals association. More recently she was selected as a National Advisor to Chapters for the 2026-2028 cohort from the Association of Talent Development, and she was recently named a 2025 honoree of the Most Inclusive HR Influencer List™. Additionally, Dr. Rob was featured in the 9th annual Steel Magnolias spread in Acadiana Profile Magazine, and a cover story in CIO Views Magazine, where she was named one of the Top 10 Most Influential Black Corporate Women to Watch in 2024.

About Ruben Henderson:

Ruben Henderson currently serves as the Associate Director in Enrollment Management at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing and Legal Studies) and his Master of Business Administration from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is currently in his third and final year in the doctoral degree program in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Administration at UL Lafayette and looking forward to being a doctor in the future! Ruben is dedicated to making an impact within higher education and the community.

In addition to serving on several major university committees and conducting various professional and leadership presentations, he serves as a former advisor to the Black Male Leadership Association and is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. For the fifth year, Ruben has served as an adjunct faculty member at UL Lafayette teaching several freshman seminar courses including Black Male Leadership and the Service and Leadership Living Learning Community. His current involvement in the community includes serving on the following boards: Miles Perret Cancer Services, the Hilliard Art Museum, and the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of South Louisiana, and United Way of Acadiana. Ruben is a graduate of Leadership Lafayette Class XXIX (29) and a graduate of the University of Louisiana System Management and Leadership Institute (cohort six).

He has served in leadership and president roles for the following organizations: Black Faculty and Staff Association at UL Lafayette, Christiana Smith African American Alumni Chapter, and the Louisiana Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators. Some of his achievements include the Carreathers-Scott Innovative Advisor Award at the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference, Tribute to Excellence Award with the National Association of University Women, Southwest Champion of Service Award with Volunteer Louisiana, Sunbelt Conference Faculty of the Year Award, Outstanding Graduate and Professional Student Award with the Louisiana Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators, Dean Mary Olive McPhaul Award with the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, the James Callier Servant Leader Award with the University of Louisiana System, the Future Leaders Award with the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and Louisiana Black Caucus Foundation, the Humanitarian Award from the Carencro High School football team, and the Distinguished Alumnus Leadership Award with the Leadership Institute of Acadiana. Ruben is a former Grand Marshal and was crowned King Toussaint L’Ouverture, LXIII (63) for the Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival. This was the first formally organized African American Mardi Gras krewe in the city. Mr. Henderson works tirelessly to create a supportive university and community climate for students through visibility, communication, engagement, and educational efforts.