2026 Conference Keynote

Kate Vitasek

Distinguished Fellow and Faculty, Graduate & Executive Education
University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business

Kate Vitasek is an international authority recognized for her award-winning research and creation of the Vested® business model for highly collaborative, win-win relationships. A Faculty member at the University of Tennessee, she received the 2025 Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award and was named by World Trade Magazine among the “Fabulous 50+1” most influential people impacting global commerce.

Author of nine books—including Vested: How P&G, McDonald’s, and Microsoft Are Redefining Winning in Business Relationships, Getting to We, and Contracting in the New Economy— Vitasek is known for her research-driven yet practical insights that inspire transformation and innovation through strategic partnerships.

Her pioneering work has been featured on CNN International, Bloomberg, NPR, and Fox Business News, and in more than 400 publications, including Harvard Business Review, Chief Executive Magazine, The Economist, Fast Company, InformationWeek, CIO Magazine, and World Financial Review.

The Power of T: How Trust and Transparency Drive Transformational Impact 

Donor relations professionals know that philanthropy has never really been about transactions; it's about relationships. Yet in a world shaped by digital disruption and the need to demonstrate measurable impact, it is easy to fall into a trap of getting stuck on a transactional treadmill: focused on this gift, this campaign, this event, or acknowledgment letter.  

What if the secret to resilience and reinvention wasn't a new process, platform, or tool, but a mindset shift in how we build trust?  

Award-winning researcher, Thinkers50 honoree, and University of Tennessee faculty member Kate Vitasek has cracked the code on what makes relationships truly transformational. In this opening keynote, Kate introduces The Power of T, a proven three-pillar framework that shows how Trust and Transparency are not just feel-good values but the strategic foundation for driving transformational donor impact. The Power of T offers a practical, adaptable approach for meeting every donor where they are while positioning your organization for a future built on enduring trust. 

The keynote will be followed by a highly interactive Barrier Busting workshop where attendees identify obstacles that limit trust and transparency in their organizations. Through structured discussion and live problem-solving, attendees will convert insight into practical next steps.  

Attendees walk away with: 

  • Valuable insights that will empower their organization to thrive in today’s fast-changing landscape  
  • A proven three-pillar formula for building trust and transparency in your most important relationships 
  • Inspiring examples from organizations getting real results by choosing to lead with transparency and trust 
  • Tangible tips and tools to foster a culture of trust and boost impact