Day 2

Disruptors are facing a real dilemma. For years, association leaders were the ones pushing boundaries, facilitating and guiding change as oracles. But today, disruption is coming from the outside… and it’s not knocking politely. AI & ML creating opportunities that democratize knowledge but weaponize trust, shifting member demands that feel endless, political turbulence across all government levels with polarization to match, and post-pandemic fatigue still in recovery. The result? You’re expected to do more with less, lead through exhaustion, and still deliver relevance.

That’s where curiosity becomes a strategic advantage.

In this keynote, Fenton will introduce the Curiosity Compass ™, a tool he developed to help organizations lead from a place of regeneration instead of reactivity. It’s built for leaders navigating shrinking budgets, changing engagement models, and staff burnout. And it offers four practical mindsets that unlock innovation and adaptability, even when the ground keeps shifting.

Drawing from his experience as a governance expert, venture-backed founder and serial entrepreneur, and sought after innovation advisor across public and private sectors, Fenton will show how association leaders can use curiosity to:

> Rethink member value when expectations evolve
> Reframe constraints as creative catalysts
> Reignite their teams through strategic exploration
> Reclaim their role as change agents in uncertain times


Fenton’s not here to romanticize disruption. He’s here to make leaders feel equipped again — not overwhelmed. The Curiosity Compass isn’t just a framework. It’s a way to recalibrate leadership for the moment we’re in, and the moments we’re anticipating.


You’re already in the shift. This is how you lead it.

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