Author: Brian Abernathy

As General Manager, Brian leads Convergent's team of experienced professionals in both developing and delivering services that maximize funding for nonprofits delivering outcomes that are changing their communities.

Economic Development Insights: A 2024 Mid-Year Roundup and a Look at What’s Next

image of pages of charts and graphics on a table with reading glasses and a pen

We’ve compiled a recap of the topics we’ve explored in our blog thus far in 2024, offering insights and strategies for economic development professionals navigating an ever-changing landscape. Convergent Nonprofit Solutions dove deep into the heart of issues shaping the economic development landscape, exploring how infrastructure acts as the unsung hero of thriving cities, how […]

Aligning Technology & Human Capabilities for Nonprofits

A robotic device handing a cup to a bearded man wearing reading glasses, who is holding a notebook. The interaction takes place in a modern indoor setting, emphasizing the collaboration between technology and human effort. The man, focused and engaged, represents the human aspect, while the robotic arm symbolizes technological advancement.

Technology has received negative attention of late, particularly with the rise of AI in organizational operations and the ensuing fear of “robots taking over our jobs.” However, it doesn’t have to be all about machines taking over and replacing human workers. In a recent Harvard Business Review article aptly entitled “AI Won’t Replace Humans — […]

Impact of Public Health Crises on Economic Development

Illustration of a coronavirus particle. The spherical virus is depicted with a blue core and covered in spike proteins, shown in red and white, protruding from its surface. This image represents the microscopic appearance of the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The background is a gradient of dark to light blue. The image is used in an article titled "Impact of Public Health Crises on Economic Development," highlighting the significant influence of health emergencies on global economies.

Economic developers are often tasked with addressing limiting circumstances within their communities that extend well beyond economic factors. Public health crises, ranging from global pandemics to more personal yet equally weighty issues like mental health crises, create scenarios with severe implications for their organizations and communities. The unexpected upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic underscored […]

Navigating Change: Effective Strategies for Economic Development Organizations

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Perhaps somewhat ironically, change is often the only constant in business. We live in a VUCA world – Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous. This phenomenon touches everything today, leading to head-spinning and rapid change on both a global and local scale. Economic Development Organizations (EDO) face a unique set of challenges to address. What does […]

Best Practices in Change Management for Nonprofit Organizations

A road sign with a red circle and black text

Change is an inevitable reality for nonprofit organizations, requiring continuous adaptation to meet the evolving needs of their donors, stakeholders, and communities. Whether it’s a shift in funding, restructuring staff, new technologies, or a crisis demanding swift action, effective change management is crucial for nonprofits to thrive through challenging moments that stress employees, clients, fundraising […]