From Transparency to Trust: Engaging Staff in Finances
Event Details
This event is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN).
In uncertain financial times, transparency alone isn’t enough—staff need to be active participants in financial problem-solving. At Hope Community, we’ve evolved from sharing quarterly budget updates to engaging over half our staff in a biweekly finance committee. Through collaborative budgeting, shared decision frameworks, and open discussion of trade-offs, we’ve built a culture of trust and adaptability that strengthens our organization’s resilience.
Participants will:
- Learn approaches to engage staff meaningfully in financial conversations.
- Explore facilitation strategies for balancing transparency, inclusion, and accountability.
- Leave with adaptable structures and practices to strengthen trust and creativity in their own organizations.
For More Information:
Cost + Registration
- MANP members save $20!
- MANP members $50 / Nonmembers $70
- Enter code NCN when registering to receive the member discount. Please note that a separate user account is required on MCN's website to register.
- This virtual event will take place on the Zoom platform. Your access link will be emailed to you the day before the event after 12 p.m.
- This session will be recorded. The recording will be made available to registrants after the live event.
- Captioning is provided automatically through Zoom. For information on requesting CART, ASL, or another accommodation, please visit MCN's Registration Policies page.
- To learn more about events, registration, and payment, visit MCN's Event & Registration FAQ page.
About the Presenters
Rachel Martinez joined Hope as the Manager of Human Resources & Organizational Culture in 2022, which transitioned to a Director position in 2023. In this role, Rachel is responsible for the development and management of all human resources functions in support of a healthy workplace culture, and in alignment with Hope’s strategic initiatives and values. Rachel earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender/sexuality studies from the University of Minnesota, and went on to develop professional experience in business management, operations, accounting, and team leadership in various settings. Upon transitioning to the nonprofit sector, Rachel focused her energy on human resources, and developing organizational practices that engage staff and promote equity and accountability at every level. In the context of relational integrity and transparency, Rachel has developed and championed administrative systems that provide clarity and inspire trust. She is interested in centering emotional intelligence as the vehicle for transformative leadership, and analyzing how organizations handle power and responsibility. Rachel provides consulting support to nonprofits needing support with their HR development and equity strategy, and volunteers occasionally as a facilitative mediator. Rachel’s current personal interests include weightlifting and singing in a choir.
J.T. Evans joined Hope in the fall of 2017 as the Best Buy Teen Tech Center Coordinator, to help launch and run this new program. Since then J.T. has expanded his role to become the Youth Leadership and Learning Manager where he helps support and develop Hope’s youth programs together with the YLL staff, as well as continuing to coordinate the Tech Center. J.T. has been working with youth professionally for close to 15 years. Prior to working at Hope, he helped develop and facilitate a program in North Minneapolis called “Beats and Rhymes.” J.T. has always used music production and creativity as a tool to connect with youth and build strong trusting relationships. He specializes in music and audio and has a degree in Audio Production and Engineering. Outside of his work at Hope, he is an audio engineer and producer who works with local musicians in Minneapolis. He also is a well-established DJ who works with many of the schools in the Minneapolis area to DJ school dances. He also does weddings and other events. For fun, J.T.’s number one passion is being active while playing competitive recreational sports. He enjoys traveling to compete in tournaments around the nation as well as consistently playing in local leagues. His favorite sport to compete in is flag football.