2026 Summit Keynote
Meena DasMeena Das is a data and AI equity consultant supporting nonprofits and philanthropic organizations across the U.S. and Canada to strengthen their data culture and adopt AI responsibly. As Founder & CEO of Namaste Data, she works with teams on inclusive survey design, data values, community-centric evaluation, and practical AI readiness—helping organizations move from intention to implementation without losing trust or human dignity. Meena also leads the AI Equity Project, a multi-year research initiative documenting how the sector is experiencing AI and what leaders need to respond with care, clarity, and courage. Through keynotes, workshops, and advisory, she brings a grounded, human approach to the future of technology in social impact.
The Human Work of AI ReadinessAI is no longer a distant conversation for advancement teams; it is already showing up in fundraising, prospect development, operations, reporting, research, donor engagement, and everyday decision-making. But as AI moves faster into our work, the most urgent question is not simply: “How do we adopt it?” but: “How do we keep our agency while using it?” For advancement services professionals already navigating fragmented systems, siloed teams, messy data, uneven technology decisions, and constant transition, AI does not enter a blank slate; it enters the conditions that already exist. In this keynote, Meena Das will invite participants to move beyond tool-first conversations and imagine what an AI-enabled organization can look like when we do the real human work of readiness, governance, shared responsibility, and care. |