The International Consultation on ERM for Nonprofits

ERM, Enterprise Risk Management, is a strategic methodology to manage risks, prevent losses, make informed decisions and achieve an organisation’s strategic objectives. ERM in non-profits differs significantly from ERM in secular corporate settings. Nonprofits focus on matters of social development, growth and ethical practices, while corporates focus on profit and shareholder value. 

CIM, in partnership with Global Trust Partners (GTP), organised the International Consultation on Enterprise Risk Management for nonprofits. The four-day virtual event, from  6th to  9th  May 2025, was a free seminar open to people from all walks of life. It equipped the delegates and participants to integrate an ERM framework in the administration and governance of their nonprofits. With approximately 135 participants from around 47 countries, the event provided a theoretical base for researchers to explore the subject further.

The first day of the consultation began with a short opening ceremony followed by paper presentations, and on the subsequent days, the consultation included panel-based academic paper presentations with a moderator and three presenters for each session. Each panellist presented for 20 minutes. After the presentations, there was a discussion on the papers presented for another 20 minutes. Dr. Mercia Justin from CIM and Dr. Trevor Lui from GTP were the event coordinators. 

Day 1: Reputational Risk Management: Stewardship of Character, Crisis Management and Communication, Data Protection and Privacy Risks 

The objective was to evaluate reputational risks to ensure that both internal behaviour and external threats, all the while honouring God and safeguarding the institution. Dr. Aby Alexandar moderated the session, where CA Manju George discussed the Stewardship of Character, creating a framework for reputation management that highlights accountability and responsiveness. Mrs. Barbara Shantz focused on the Risks of Mission Funding, analysing lessons learned from the past while planning for the future. Lastly, Dr. Chi-Chung Keung addressed Crisis Management and Communication, outlining strategies aimed at preserving God’s and the institution’s dignity.

Day 2: Financial Risk Management: Stewardship of Christian Accountability, Fiscal Oversight and Infrastructure Risks

The purpose of this discussion was to assess financial risks and responses, exploring how success can challenge stewards to maintain humility and transparency and stay dependent on God. The moderator was Mr. Matthew Gadsden, and Mrs. CA Gina Detera spoke on  Stewardship of Christian Accountability—Fostering individual faithfulness, humility and responsibility to position the institution for fruitful outcomes. This was followed by Fiscal Oversight—Developing fiscal governance practices that promote transparency and reliance on divine guidance and provision by Dr. Renita Thomson and Stewardship of Staffing and Succession Planning—Maintaining focus on the purpose and having processes to locate people to advance it in perpetuity by Mr. Stan Reiff, Sr CPA, CGMA.  

Day 3: Operational Risk Management: Stewardship of Staffing and Succession Planning, Continuity of Operations and Security Risks

Mrs. Vicky Ong was the moderator for the session, aiming to assess and address operational risks and responses related to people and processes to foster resilience, readiness for change, protection of assets and sustainability. The discussion on Infrastructure Risks—Establishing fiscal routines that ensure stewardship follows peer accountability standards and institutional goals was handled by Mr. Kenneth Tan, CPA, CFE, CGMA, followed by Dr. Anand Samuel on Continuity of Operations: Discerning direction to maintain faithfulness, resilience agility and readiness to respond to disruption and  Dr. Mercia Justin on Security Risks: Identifying potential security risks and establishing protocols to safeguard both assets and personnel. 

Day 4: Institutional Risk Management: Stewardship of Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Governmental Intervention, Data Protection and Privacy Risks 

The last day’s discussion assessed the institutional risks and responses through policy development, diligent administration and proactive oversight with Ms. Rebecca Nilanjana as the moderator. 

The first panellist was  Dr. Gary G. Hoag from GTP, who discussed the Stewardship of the Mission and Risk, highlighting policy development and protocol establishment with standards to foster a culture of integrity before God and man. The second speaker of the day was Dr. Tehmina Arora, discussing Regulatory Compliance and Governmental Intervention—navigating the legal and regulatory compliance requirements, restrictions and risks. Finally, Dr. Trevor Lui discussed  Data Protection and Privacy Risks, to understand and address the risks to maintain trust and integrity with stakeholders. 

The event received a lot of positive feedback, with many encouraging that the workshop should be held regularly. Christina D. George, one of the attendees, reflects on her experience: “Being able to attend the International Consultation on Enterprise Risk Management was truly a blessing to me personally. I am a dentist at a hospital, and since I recently took over as the unit in-charge, it was essential for me to gain crucial knowledge about risk management. Each session was succinct yet rich with new insights that left a strong impression on me. Our esteemed resource instructors shared their extensive and diverse backgrounds.” Thanking the organisers at CIM and GTP, she concludes that she has much to learn and implement in her workplace.