Designed for nonprofit leaders and staff, this half-day summit explores practical ways to use AI more effectively. Hear from industry professionals through a keynote, featured sessions and a closing fireside chat covering tools for market research, knowledge management and software development.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
BCC Koussevitzky Arts Center, Room K111
$75 (early-bird pricing: $50 through Nov. 1)
Randy Kinnas serves as the Chief Executive Officer of UCP of Western Massachusetts and BFAIR, leading two respected organizations dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities and strengthening communities throughout the region.
With more than 21 years of experience as a nonprofit CEO and over three decades in human services leadership, Randy has built a reputation for strategic vision, collaboration, and organizational growth. Prior to his current role, he served as COO of the Alliance of MA YMCA's, CEO of both the Northern Berkshire YMCA and the Pittsfield Family YMCA. His leadership culminated in the successful merger of the two organizations in 2016, creating the Berkshire Family YMCA.
Randy holds a Master's Degree in Human Service Administration from Springfield College and further enhanced his leadership expertise through Harvard University's Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program.
Throughout his career, Randy has remained committed to building inclusive organizations, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities that improve quality of life for individuals and families. His leadership philosophy is reflected in his favorite quote: "Be Better, Not Bitter."
Outside of work, Randy is a passionate New England sports fan who enjoys camping with his family and spending time with a good book. He lives in Lee, Massachusetts, with his wife, Lisa, and their four children: Alexis, Tia, Cameron, and Kai.
Mark Avnet has spent more than three decades at the intersection of advertising, technology, creativity, and learning. He's built digital and innovation groups at several advertising agencies, and most recently led professional development and AI integration initiatives at the Interactive Advertising Bureau.
Along the way, Mark has taught at Marist College, NYU, Syracuse University, and VCU's Brandcenter graduate program. Locally, he served as a senior business advisor at the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, working with entrepreneurs to turn ideas into viable businesses.
Today, his work focuses on helping organizations and their people use AI effectively, thoughtfully, and responsibly. He is a member of the Institute for Advertising Ethics/IEEE working group on AI for Human-Powered Advertising, where he is helping develop standards for the industry.
Closer to home, Mark recently joined the Berkshire Innovation Center's AI Leadership Group and serves on the boards of the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative and Berkshires Jazz, which makes sense for someone who has spent much of his life playing bass and working in music and media.
He's also a certified clinical hypnotherapist and once raised giant sea slugs for a living, but that's probably better saved for the Q&A.
Samantha Anderson is the Executive Director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires with a distinguished background in mission-driven leadership, nonprofit management, philanthropy and organizational strategy. She brings a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector, a strong commitment to community, and a clear vision for leading organizations into their next chapter. Her career spans local and international work, designing programs that respond to community needs, diversify revenue, and elevate organizational visibility — from Berkshire County nonprofits to global philanthropy initiatives.
She previously led Essential~Wholeness LLC and held leadership roles at Heading for Change, the Jewish Funders Network and Jewish Women INVEST, Arabella Advisors, the Skoll World Forum, and the Yale School of Management–Goldman Sachs Foundation Partnership on Nonprofit Ventures.
Samantha is co-author of Beyond Resilience to Rootsilience and co-editor of Generating and Sustaining Nonprofit Earned Income. She holds degrees from Tufts University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Stacey leverages her strategic drive, creative processes, and intuitive leadership skills to promote collaboration across sectors. As a strategy, education, and research consultant, she supports nonprofits through data gathering, analysis, synthesis, and application of findings that connect proficient project management with goal realization. Always a lifelong learner, Stacey is currently developing a platform using Claude Code to help nonprofit organizations live their missions and achieve their goals with ease and efficiency.
As an experienced educator, she seeks to highlight others' talents and promote their personal and professional growth. In her roles in higher education, Stacey has applied andragogical best practices to her collegiate course instruction, design, writing, and delivery. Her research centers on leadership and professional practices concerning collective efficacy, perceived insider status, job satisfaction, partnership trust, adult education, and lifelong learning. Her artistic practice as a non-objective abstract painter centers on creating shared meaning through memory recall mediated through the art object. She has curated several exhibitions along nature trails and in gallery settings.
At Gold Flamingo AI Solutions, Adam helps businesses turn AI complexity into competitive advantage. With 15+ years of digital expertise and team leadership, plus 3+ years specializing in AI integration, he brings a strong foundation in communication, marketing, and software development.
Adam also leads the AI initiative at BCC, where he has developed five AI workshops and teaches a 10-week AI for Business course for 2026. His work reflects a commitment to making AI practical, accessible, and valuable for business professionals.
Gold Flamingo AI focuses on custom AI software solutions that solve specific business problems and deliver lasting ROI. Clients have saved 2 – 3 hours weekly on workflows and cut research time by up to 90%, turning weeks of work into hours.
workforce@berkshirecc.edu
413-236-2115
BCC is committed to providing universal access to our events. Contact workforce@berkshirecc.edu to request disability accommodations.
