Sustaining the Mission by Supporting the People: Leadership in Times of Burnout and Change

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Refreshments served from 8:30 AM-9:00 AM)
Location: America’s Second Harvest,1380 Chatham Parkway, Savannah, GA 31405
Facilitator: Gwendolyn A. Martin, Dr. Gwen’s Counselor Cafe LLC.

Audience:

• Executive Directors / CEOs
• Senior Leadership (COO, Program Directors, Department Heads)
• People Managers (those supervising staff or teams)
• HR / Talent / Organizational Development leads
• Emerging Leaders or Team Leads
• Board Members

Registration:
Pre-registration required due to space limitations.
United Way Learning Circle Workshop Registration Form

Description
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing environment, leaders are challenged to sustain both their people and their mission. Sustaining the Mission by Supporting the People: Leadership in Times of Burnout and Change equips leaders with the tools to recognize, prevent, and respond to burnout while maintaining operational effectiveness. This session explores the human side of leadership, helping participants build resilience, foster trust, and lead with empathy during times of uncertainty and transition. Through practical strategies and real-world insights, leaders will learn to intentionally develop a culture of care that prioritizes people, promotes psychological safety, and drives sustainable performance.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify early signs of burnout in themselves and their teams and assess the impact on mission effectiveness.
• Apply practical strategies to sustain resilience, engagement, and well-being during periods of change.
• Demonstrate leadership behaviors that balance people care with mission demands in high-stress environments

Facilitator Bio

Gwendolyn Martin, widely known as Dr. Gwen, “The Helper’s Helper,” is a respected speaker, author, licensed professional counselor, and mental health consultant dedicated to strengthening individuals and organizations. With more than 30 years of clinical and educational experience, she brings deep expertise in leadership development, human-centered strategy, and workplace wellbeing. Dr. Gwen is the founder of Counselor’s Cafe LLC, where she provides training, tools, and practical solutions to help government agencies, schools, and nonprofit organizations mitigate burnout, reduce stress, enhance team engagement, and cultivate sustainable cultures of care. She is also the owner of Coastal Crossroads Counseling Solutions LLC, a private practice based in Savannah, Georgia. Known for her engaging and insightful approach, Dr. Gwen equips leaders with actionable strategies that promote resilience, empathy, and long-term organizational success.