This workshop explores the strategic integration of lived experience into leadership roles. Participants will learn how to incorporate individuals with lived experience into decision-making processes, driving organizational effectiveness.
| Series | Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Series |
|---|---|
| Next Session | Jan. 30, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Related Programs |
Leverage Lived Experience
Individuals with firsthand lived experience offer a perspective that is not only unique but also essential. Their insights are grounded in real-world encounters, providing a depth of understanding that can significantly enhance organizational effectiveness. This training aims to emphasize the importance of incorporating individuals with lived experience into key organizational roles, driving decision-making, program enhancement, and system improvements.
This workshop is designed to help organizations recognize and harness the value of lived experience in shaping policy, practice, and organizational culture. The training will focus on establishing meaningful engagement for individuals with lived experience, ensuring that their voices are heard and have a direct impact on decision-making processes at all levels.
Program Objectives:
- Understand the impact of leaders ' lived experiences on organizational success and service delivery.
- Learn how to create and integrate lived experience leadership opportunities.
- Apply effective strategies for recruiting, retaining, and supporting lived experience leaders.
- Recognize the importance of fair compensation for lived experience leaders.
Please note: This course is supplemental and is intended to increase knowledge on more specific topics. Completion of this course does not go towards the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate completion.
Instructors
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Jessica O’Neel comes with 20+ years of direct practice, program development, system level leadership and instructional experience within the field of social work. She has worked within the nonprofit sector, county government and taught within multiple UW Social Work Programs throughout the state of Wisconsin. Jessica has a master’s degree in social work with a focus on mental health from the University of Wisconsin Madison.
Using both her professional and lived experience she has a strong passion for personal, professional and system continual growth. As a person in addiction recovery and a trauma survivor her goal is to share light, hope and inspiration with the intent to grow individual and community resilience and empowerment, and improve the social welfare system.
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Elizabeth Gustavson-Nikolai is passionate about advocacy and brings a wealth of lived experience to her work. Having personally faced addiction and debilitating mental health issues, she is now a healthy and happy individual in long-term recovery. Elizabeth began her advocacy journey with the Western Region Recovery and Wellness Consortium, a nine-county coalition, where she served as an advocate. Over time, her advocacy grew, particularly through sharing her personal experiences in institutional settings and how Complex PTSD has impacted her life. Elizabeth has been involved in various consortiums, committees, and subcommittees, and she is currently a board member for Safe Landings. She was also honored with the 67th Assembly District First Responder of the Year award in 2023.