Rethinking Advocacy
Don Schweitzer offers keynotes, workshops, and trainings focused on what makes advocacy effective — and what causes it to break down. His work helps leaders and organizations pursue justice with integrity, discipline, and measurable impact, without relying on dehumanization or moral grandstanding as a strategy.
“Personable, interesting, and intelligent.
Don is fantastic at what he does.”
Faculty, OR
Beyond Outrage.
Lead with Integrity.
Drive Real Change.
In an era of deep polarization, many advocacy efforts fall into the trap of moral grandstanding or toxic internal dynamics that ultimately undermine their mission. Dr. Don Schweitzer offers a strategic framework that helps leaders and organizations to move past the noise with clarity and discipline.
​His sessions focus on the mechanics of effective advocacy—examining why movements break down and how they can be rebuilt with discipline, measurable impact, and a commitment to common humanity.
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Speaking & Training FAQs
1. How does Dr. Don’s approach to advocacy differ from traditional leadership training?
Most leadership consultants focus on managerial tactics; Don focuses on diagnostic integrity. Drawing on his background as a social work researcher and trauma expert, he helps organizations identify where ideological capture or dehumanizing rhetoric may have begun to replace their original mission. He moves teams beyond performative outrage and into a disciplined, evidence-based strategy that produces measurable social impact.
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2. Our team is experiencing significant burnout and internal conflict. Can these sessions help?
Absolutely. Don’s work is deeply rooted in trauma-informed practice. He understands that institutional dysfunction often mirrors unregulated stress responses and defensive dynamics within its people. Sessions like "Why Toxic Advocacy Fails" are specifically designed to recognize the early warning signs of advocacy breakdown, reduce internal hostility, and provide tools for emotional regulation under high-pressure social conditions.
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3. Who is the ideal audience for Dr. Don’s keynotes and workshops?
While Don’s frameworks are universal, they are most effective for nonprofit leaders, academic departments, and policy-driven organizations. His expertise is a perfect fit for teams that feel "stuck" between their values and their results, or for organizations navigating the complexities of polarized public environments.
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4. Are these sessions "one-size-fits-all," or can they be tailored to our specific mission?
Every engagement is a strategic partnership. Don utilizes evidence-based assessments and his background in program evaluation to understand your organization’s unique culture, history, and current obstacles. Whether it’s a high-energy keynote for a national conference or an intensive, multi-day leadership retreat, the content is refined to address your specific leverage points for change.
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5. What are the tangible "outcomes" our organization can expect?
Don’s goal is to help you reclaim your effectiveness. Participants walk away with:
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A framework for leading without dehumanizing opponents or colleagues.
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The ability to replace symbolic, "moral grandstanding" wins with measurable systemic progress.
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Practical tools to build internal trust and reduce the "friction" that leads to advocate burnout.
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6. Can Don provide consulting or follow-up support after the event?
Yes. Through his collaboration with Stigma Marketing & Development (a strategic partner in organizational development and evaluation), Don offers ongoing consulting and organizational assessments. This ensures that the momentum generated during a speaking engagement is translated into permanent structural changes and long-term mission alignment.
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7. Is this work politically neutral?
Don’s work is not partisan, but it is principled. He does not advocate for specific political positions or parties. Instead, his sessions focus on how advocacy is practiced—examining whether strategies build trust, reduce harm, and produce measurable outcomes. This makes the work relevant across ideological lines, while remaining grounded in ethics, evidence, and common humanity.
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8. What formats are available (keynote, workshop, retreat)?
Sessions can be delivered as keynotes, interactive workshops, facilitated dialogues, or multi-session trainings. Formats are adapted to audience size, time constraints, and organizational goals, ranging from 60-minute talks to multi-day leadership intensives.
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