For Immediate Release
Didlake Foundation Executive Director and Nonprofit Leader Kelsey DeWispelaere Featured as Panelist for Global Leadership Event “Leading with Compassion: Strong Enough to Care”
Manassas, VA – September 21, 2026 – The Didlake Foundation is proud to announce that Executive Director Kelsey DeWispelaere, CFRE, ACNP, has been invited to serve as a featured panelist for Leading with Compassion: Strong Enough to Care, an international leadership dialogue hosted by inSymmetry International. The live online event will take place Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 17:00–18:00 CET.
The event is part of inSymmetry International’s Collective Wisdom Series, which convenes global experts to explore the leadership practices needed in today’s complex and rapidly evolving workplace. This session focuses on compassion as a form of strength, a disciplined leadership stance that supports clarity, accountability, and human connection.
A Recognized Voice in Nonprofit Leadership and Community Impact
With more decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and community engagement, Kelsey DeWispelaere brings a grounded, values-driven perspective to the conversation. As Executive Director of the Didlake Foundation, she leads strategic initiatives that expand opportunity, inclusion, and meaningful engagement for people with disabilities across the region.
Her leadership is shaped by a career dedicated to mission-driven organizations, including her service on multiple nonprofit boards, and her commitment to elevating women’s leadership through the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Council, where she serves as Co‑Chair.
“Kelsey’s work exemplifies compassionate leadership in action,” said Michelle Haley, Didlake Foundation Board Chair. “She understands that compassion is not a soft skill, it’s a strategic imperative that strengthens organizations, deepens trust, and drives sustainable impact.”
Kelsey’s Perspective on Compassionate Leadership
“Compassion is a discipline,” DeWispelaere said. “It’s how we stay anchored in purpose when decisions are difficult or stakes are high. In nonprofit work, and especially in disability inclusion, compassion guides how we show up, how we listen, and how we lead with integrity.”
DeWispelaere will join fellow panelists Meenu Datta and Matthew Caron, with Mitra Gholam moderating the discussion.
Event Focus
Participants will explore:
- How compassion strengthens decision-making and organizational trust
- The balance between empathy, boundaries, and accountability
- Real-world leadership moments where compassion changed outcomes
- Practical tools for leading with clarity and humanity under pressure
The event is designed for executives, nonprofit leaders, HR professionals, and anyone committed to building workplaces where people and performance thrive together.
About Kelsey DeWispelaere, CFRE, ACNP
Kelsey DeWispelaere is the Executive Director of the Didlake Foundation, a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), and an Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional (ACNP). She has held leadership roles across the nonprofit sector and has served on nonprofit boards supporting arts, culture, and animal welfare. She is known for her strategic clarity, community-centered leadership, and commitment to advancing disability inclusion.
About the Didlake Foundation
The Didlake Foundation supports programs and partnerships that create opportunities for people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in their communities. Through advocacy, philanthropy, and community engagement, the Foundation advances inclusion and expands access to meaningful opportunities.
About inSymmetry International
inSymmetry International is a global leadership development organization dedicated to cultivating grounded, courageous, and human-centered leaders. Its Collective Wisdom Series brings together facilitators and leaders worldwide to explore the questions that matter most in today’s workplace.
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact: info@didlakefoundation.org
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