Next Live Training
“Beyond the Pizza Party”
A Panel Discussion on how to Maintain Staff Morale
May 8, 2025
1:00 PM CT
11 AM PT / 12 PM MT / 2 PM ET
60 minutes
Join us for a panel discussion with a library director and two nonprofit executive directors on what leaders can do to maintain staff morale during challenging times.
Topics covered:
- How to communicate during crises without causing panic, from navigating politics, layoffs, funding cuts, etc.
- Why recognition and connection matter more than pizza for staff morale (and how to do that)
- The importance of being authentic and transparent as a leader (and what that looks like)
About the Guests:
Brittany Larson has experience working in leadership roles for both academic and public libraries. Brittany currently works as the Muskego Public Library Director in southeastern Wisconsin, supervising a staff of 20 team members, managing a 40,000 sq foot building, and an operating budget of $1.5 million dollars.
Rick Guzman is the Executive Director of The Neighbor Project, a housing and community development organization. In 2020, The Neighbor Project co-launched Illinois’ first-ever “Financial Empowerment Center” with the City of Aurora—and in 2024 was one of just 20 organizations in Illinois to receive a $2 million innovation-award as part of Mackenzie Scott’s foundation’s first-ever open call for applications. Guzman has worked on housing & community development issues in the Illinois Governor’s Office and as Deputy Chief of Staff to two previous Mayors of Aurora.
Lynda Schuler has devoted her 30-year career to leading the formation of solution-focused programming intended to mitigate and end homelessness for those in the suburban Cook County, Illinois. Serving as CEO of Housing Forward, Lynda’s leadership has enabled the agency’s growth from a $450,000 a-year emergency shelter provider to a $22M agency offering services that prevent, respond to, and stabilize through supportive housing, over 2,500 men, women and families who are experiencing a housing crisis each year.

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Library staff in the following states can attend for free under your state's license:
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TAUGHT BY RYAN DOWD
Author of the ALA book, The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness.
Former Executive Director of a large homeless shelter outside of Chicago.
Global trainer to businesses, libraries, nonprofits, governments, and other organizations on how to compassionately manage problematic behavior from troubled individuals.