Details
January 22, 2026
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Governance Webinar Series
Session 3: Ready By Choice, Not By Chance: Strategic Affiliation Planning
Webinar Series
Session 3:
January 22, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST | 1 NAB Credit
Ready By Choice, Not By Chance: Strategic Affiliation Planning
Aaron Rulnick, Managing Principal, Head of Investment, HJ Sims
Tom Bowden, Senior Vice President, HJ Sims
Kevin Schwab, President & CEO, Givens Communities
Cherie Grisso, Vice President Financial Operations, Givens Communities
Affiliation discussions can feel complex, and even uncomfortable, but they’re an essential part of strong, forward-looking governance. Whether or not affiliation is on your organization’s current agenda, thinking about it now allows your board and leadership team to approach the future with clarity rather than urgency.
In this session, you’ll explore how to frame affiliation as a proactive, strategic conversation that strengthens your organization’s long-term position. Together, we’ll look at how boards and leadership teams can evaluate readiness, identify the questions worth asking early, align decisions with mission and values, and understand the legal considerations related to affiliation. You bring the deep understanding of your organization, and we’ll bring tools and perspective to help you lead the conversation with confidence and purpose.
Following this session, you and your board will be able to:
- Frame affiliation as a proactive and strategic conversation that supports your organization’s mission and long-term goals.
- Assess your organization's current level of readiness for potential affiliation opportunities or challenges.
- Identify key questions and indicators to guide thoughtful discussions before decisions become time-sensitive.
- Clarify the board’s and leadership team’s respective roles in exploring, evaluating, and preparing for affiliation.
- Apply strategies to ensure affiliation conversations are grounded in mission alignment, transparency, and informed decision-making.