CNM is excited to have Darian Rodriguez Heyman as the keynote speaker at the 2012 Bridge to Excellence along with Vanderbilt University professor David Owens as the lunch speaker!

“I look forward to the opportunity to educate, inspire, and connect the nonprofit leaders of Tennessee on May 15,” said Rodriguez. ”The current trends in philanthropy, social media, fundraising, and next generation leadership present unparalleled opportunities for innovative social entrepreneurs, and I hope you’ll join me for an interactive discussion about how to connect these opportunities to concrete plans of action.”

Rodriguez is the former executive director of Craigslist Foundation and recently launched a nationwide Social Media for Nonprofits conference series and his Advancing Social Impact blog on Skoll Foundation’s Social Edge.

David Owens recently published “Creative People Must Be Stopped! Six Ways We Stop Innovation (Without Even Trying).” The framework he lays out in his book will be the topic of his lunch presentation.

“Even when it is a good idea, the world behaves as if creative people must be stopped,” said Owens. “Learn what you can do to give innovation in your non-profit a better chance at success.”

There will be an opportunity to have books signed by Darian Rodriguez Heyman and David Owens at the conference but all books must be purchased ahead of time and will not be for sale at Bridge to Excellence.

To purchase Heyman’s book, visit www.wiley.com and enter promo code CNM12 for a 40% discount. Click here to purchase Owens’s book.