Engage with one another, develop knowledge and skills, share expertise, and contribute to our community.

CBODN | CALENDAR

Upcoming events

    • 29 Oct 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    CBODN Mastermind Session

    We all face challenges in our work. Whether you are a leader in an organization, an independent consultant, or acting in any other role, it can often be useful to get an outside perspective when faced with a pressing challenge.

    At CBODN, we know that our members each possess a unique and diverse set of personal and professional experiences. In the Mastermind Series, we invite you to join our members and tap into the collective wisdom, curiosity, and experiences that our community offers. By attending, you will trade ideas and learnings across a variety of organizational disciplines and career situations.

    • For highly seasoned consultants and professionals, consider this a rich opportunity to pass on your hard-earned wisdom to other professionals who may be walking a similar path.
    • For new consultants and professionals, consider this as a safe avenue to develop your consulting muscles by bringing thoughtful curiosity and a fresh perspectives.
    • For anyone with a challenge or obstacle in their work (that might be all of us!), consider this a valuable resource to become “un-stuck” in your thinking or to find a new perspective or direction forward.


    The Mastermind series takes place every other month in lieu of a speaker-led presentation. During Mastermind events, we will use a modification of the Wise Crowds Liberating Structure to form small groups and alternate presenting your challenge as a consulting problem for the other members in the group to ask questions and offer suggestions.

    For anyone interested in attending, you are fully welcome! Even if you do not have a pressing challenge you are ready to discuss, we encourage you to participate in supporting other members and contributing to the valuable discussions and learning.


    • 06 Nov 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Understanding the Consultant’s Role Working with Organizational Anxiety

    During times of difficulty in organizations or when organizations face adversity, individual and organizational anxiety often increase. While organizations may focus on supporting individual resilience or health and wellness, organizational anxiety must be surfaced and addressed so the people and systems can be effective during hardship.

    What is the consultant’s role? What contribution can the consultant make? What are the guidelines? Pitfalls? Attend this session to explore this timely topic.

    Presenter: Valerie Graff

    Valerie Graff has nearly 40 years of experience in leadership positions and consulting with senior-level executives in nonprofit organizations and government agencies. She works with organizations in the areas of strategic planning, team building, and board development, as well as facilitating meetings to improve communication, collaboration, partnerships, and planning. Valerie has supported leaders and managers in navigating the complexity they face in leading their organizations effectively. She conducts trainings and workshops on these topics, as well as others. As a former organization leader, Valerie has experienced firsthand the challenges of leading while facing adversity.

    She has co-researched and co-authored articles on leadership published for audiences in the fields of human resource management and organization development, and led workshops on the topic. Valerie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Case Western Reserve University and she holds certifications in conflict resolution, meeting facilitation, organizational and systems development, and health and wellness coaching.



    • 11 Nov 2025
    • 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Becoming the Practice: Integrating Knowing and Doing

    As coaches and OD practitioners, we spend our days helping others turn insight into action. Yet even we can fall into the knowing–doing gap, that subtle space where what we know about growth doesn’t always show up in how we lead, listen, or facilitate.

    In this experiential session, we’ll explore why this gap exists, what it reveals about our own development, and how we can practice closing it. Through guided reflection, small-group dialogue, and a few surprising moments of self-discovery, you’ll uncover the quiet patterns that keep your wisdom in your head instead of your practice.

    Rather than adding more theory, this session invites deliberate, small, real-world experiments that help us embody our craft more authentically and bring our knowing a little closer to our doing.

     


    • 12 Nov 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    PARTNERSHIP SERIES

    The Overlooked Power Skill:

    Why Relationship-Building Is Essential for Leadership and Growth


    **This program is organized by our partners in the Triangle ODN Chapter! Join our partners, alongside Minnesota, Oregon, and Pacific Northwest OD Networks for an opportunity for learning and cross-regional connections.

    In today’s shifting landscape—whether your organization is growing fast, facing uncertainty, or navigating constant change—leaders are being asked to do more with less clarity and more pressure. They’re trained to adapt, respond, and deliver.

    But what often gets overlooked is the one skill that makes all of that possible: relationship-building.

    When stress rises, connection drops. Leaders isolate. Silos form. And decisions are made in a vacuum. This session reframes relationship-building not as a “nice-to-have,” but as a crucial leadership skill—essential for collaboration, influence, innovation, and trust.

    We’ll explore the neuroscience of the social brain, the impact of pressure on connection, and why organizations—from founders to first-time managers—need to prioritize relationships as a strategic advantage.

    In this engaging session, we’ll also open the floor for shared insights and conversation around how L&D professionals are addressing this overlooked skill—and where opportunities may still be hiding.

    About the Presenter: Noa Ronen, MCC MBA

    Noa is the Co-Founder and CEO of Coaching Connection, bringing over 20 years of experience in Change Management, Leadership and Talent Development, HR, and Executive Coaching across the U.S. and Israel. Her personal relocation journey sparked a passion for bridging differences and staying curious—especially in times of uncertainty and change.

    Noa works with leaders and teams worldwide to challenge assumptions, strengthen collaboration, and lead with vision and values. Her core question: What can you see beyond yourself to influence the change you care about?

    • 15 Nov 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Barnes and Noble (Tyson's Corner Center); 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA 22101; Level 1
    Register

    YOU'RE INVITED! Join fellow CBODN members for a relaxed, informal gathering at Barnes & Noble in Tysons Corner!

    Sip your favorite beverage and connect with practitioners from across the OD field. This is a no-pressure social catch-up—perfect for networking, idea-swapping, and enjoying authentic conversations with peers who truly “get” the work.

    Whether you're a seasoned consultant, internal practitioner, researcher, or a student exploring the field, all OD and OD-adjacent professionals are welcome.

    The event is open to all CBODN members and guests interested in OD practice, organizational development, change management, and related domains. If you’re new, consider this a warm and welcoming entry point to the community!

    Hosts: Kristy Simmons and David Kading

    • 19 Nov 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    CBODN Mastermind Session

    We all face challenges in our work. Whether you are a leader in an organization, an independent consultant, or acting in any other role, it can often be useful to get an outside perspective when faced with a pressing challenge.

    At CBODN, we know that our members each possess a unique and diverse set of personal and professional experiences. In the Mastermind Series, we invite you to join our members and tap into the collective wisdom, curiosity, and experiences that our community offers. By attending, you will trade ideas and learnings across a variety of organizational disciplines and career situations.

    • For highly seasoned consultants and professionals, consider this a rich opportunity to pass on your hard-earned wisdom to other professionals who may be walking a similar path.
    • For new consultants and professionals, consider this as a safe avenue to develop your consulting muscles by bringing thoughtful curiosity and a fresh perspectives.
    • For anyone with a challenge or obstacle in their work (that might be all of us!), consider this a valuable resource to become “un-stuck” in your thinking or to find a new perspective or direction forward.


    The Mastermind series takes place every other month in lieu of a speaker-led presentation. During Mastermind events, we will use a modification of the Wise Crowds Liberating Structure to form small groups and alternate presenting your challenge as a consulting problem for the other members in the group to ask questions and offer suggestions.

    For anyone interested in attending, you are fully welcome! Even if you do not have a pressing challenge you are ready to discuss, we encourage you to participate in supporting other members and contributing to the valuable discussions and learning.


    • 04 Dec 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Battling Burnout? Start with Awareness

    Attendees will learn how to use real-time data to guide clients towards greater awareness of factors that may be causing burnout for themselves and the organization they serve.

    The session will provide a high level overview about burnout research and recommendations to mitigate the impact of burnout, plus some anecdotes about how a client organization responded to the research and recommendations.

    Presenter: Jill Nissan

    Jill has been an internal OD consultant in the public sector for over 20 years. She graduated from the John Hopkins University Carey Business school with a M.S. in Organization Development and Strategic Human Resources. She has co-created and implemented multiple strategic human capital efforts in the areas of performance management, workforce planning, and employee engagement.



Who We Are

Chesapeake Bay Organization Development Network (CBODN) is the premier DC Metro area network for organization development (OD) practitioners. Founded in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, our name pays homage to those elders who made vital contributions to the field of OD.

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  • 1325 G Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005
  • (202) 630-6663
  • admin@cbodn.org
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