In today’s rapidly changing world, nonprofit leaders face complex challenges that span across organizational and systemic boundaries. Systems thinking offers a powerful framework for making sense of this complexity and identifying meaningful paths forward.

This interactive session introduces participants to the Habits and tools of systems thinking, which support strategic leadership, foster organizational alignment, and build capacity for cross-sector collaboration. Through hands-on systems simulations and guided exploration of the Iceberg Model, participants will gain practical insights into how systems behave—and where they can apply leverage to create lasting change.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

– Describe how systems thinking is unique and how it benefits leadership and organizational development (in uncertain times).

– Develop an understanding of the Habits of a Systems Thinking and how the Habits can support their work and organization.

– Apply the Iceberg Model to a current challenge to find leverage for change.

David Mandel is a seasoned educator and leader with a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership from the University of Arizona and extensive experience in systems

thinking. David brings expertise in the areas of implementation and evaluation of programs, learning theory for children and adults, change management, and organizational leadership. Dr. Mandel is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations incorporate systems thinking to achieve their goals, leveraging passion and innovative approaches with a practical and results-oriented mindset.