Author: Corey Fick

I. The Context: Trends and What to Watch for in 2025

• Workplaces/Culture
• Governance/Boards
• Leadership/Senior Executives
• Funding/Grantmaking

II. The Basics: Board Responsibilities & Compliance 101

• Governing Authorities (state, federal, corporate documents, governance policies, general compliance)
• Fiduciary Duties – The Talk
• Fiduciary Duties – The Walk

III. Best Practices: How to Move from Complying to Thriving

• Meetings (hygiene, guidance, training)
• Roles (lanes, governance v management, types of boards)
• Communication & Documentation

As legal counsel, consultant, and coach, Alyssa Rayman-Read focuses on helping clients align their mission and values with all aspects of their operations, culture, and strategy. Alyssa specializes in workplace matters, governance, and organizational leadership, strategizing with clients to preempt and resolve challenges holistically and compassionately.

Please join attorneys Kathleen Berney and Sarah Ruter from Hirsch Roberts and Weinstein as they provide an update on important and timely legal topics relevant to our roles in finance.  Topics to be addressed include a review of 2024 Massachusetts and federal court decisions that impact wage and hour compliance for companies, details regarding the Department of Labor’s  dramatic changes to the salary basis test for exempt employees, an overview of pay transparency laws across the United States and a preview of the Massachusetts pay transparency law coming into effect in 2025, a brief explanation of an important United States Supreme Court decision (Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo) that upended forty years of precedent in  the administrative law area and its potential impact on the workplace, followed by a test of your knowledge, and questions. 

Presentation

Recent Labor Updates Guide

Liz O’Connor, founder and Principal of Strategy Matters, presented on the role of Finance and the Finance Department in preparing an agency’s strategic plan.

Materials

This presentation will serve as an overview of federal grants financial and compliance management. We’ll delve into the essential components of compliance, including the Uniform Guidance, the Single Audit process, and the intricacies of allowable costs. We’ll also explore the nuances of direct and indirect administrative costs, the significance of prior approval, sub recipient determination and monitoring processes, procurement, and other crucial aspects to ensure successful grant management.

With 15 years of experience in federal grants management, Melanie brings a deep understanding of the entire grant lifecycle. Her experience spans renowned hospitals such as Boston Children’s, Boston Medical Center, and Dana Farber, institutes of higher education such as Harvard School of Public Health, consulting firms, and nonprofits, where she has honed her skills in grant writing, program implementation, and post-award management. She currently works as the Grants Operations Manager at Mass Audubon, where she has developed systems and processes to streamline post-award grant management, ensuring compliance and maximizing impact. This diverse background equips her with unique insights into the complexities of federal grants management.

Presentation Materials

Meghan Steinberg of SteinbergHR will cover the best approaches to ongoing performance management, which includes items beyond the traditional annual evaluation. She will also discuss systems and tools that nonprofits might wish to consider, and how to match your approach to the right tools.

Meghan Steinberg is the Founder & CEO of SteinbergHR, a boutique, woman-owned Human Resources Consulting firm based in South Shore Massachusetts. They engage with diverse businesses within the Commonwealth and beyond. Meghan is a designated Professional in Human Resources (PHR), a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-PC), a member of the South Shore Employment Advisory Board,  member of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce New England HR association, South Shore Synergy, and first founding business ally and member of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.

Presentation Materials