CSU’s Got Talent! – Special Two-Part Webinar Series
Promoted into Incompetence: Why Good Workers Become Poor Leaders—and How Organizations Can Change That
Part 1: Thursday, April 30, 2026
10:00–11:00 AM PDT (Virtual)
Part 2: Thursday, May 7, 2026
10:00–11:00 AM PDT (Virtual)
Presenter:
Dr. David E. Fraser
Hosted by CSU’s Got Talent!, this special two-part webinar series is organized by Systemwide Learning & Development, Talent Development for the California State University system. Drawing on research and real-world experience across government, higher education, and the nonprofit sector, Dr. Fraser examines why technically skilled employees often struggle after being promoted into leadership roles—and what organizations can do differently.
While designed for CSU employees, the sessions are also open to CSU students interested in leadership development.
Session One explores the structural and cultural drivers of promotion-based incompetence.
Session Two focuses on practical, evidence-based solutions, including leadership readiness, mentoring pipelines, and promotion reform. The series is based on Dr. Fraser’s recently published book, Promoted into Incompetence.
Registration
This webinar series is hosted by CSU’s Got Talent! and primarily intended for California State University faculty and staff.
CSU students are also welcome to attend and are encouraged to participate, particularly those interested in leadership development and organizational strategy.
Participants are strongly encouraged to register for both sessions. The sessions are virtual and presented on the Zoom platform.
Registration link (please register for both dates):
https://events.zoom.us/e/view/tJ0UJQv7QyG2hBDINudLQg/purchase
Accessibility:
Zoom closed captions and transcripts will be available.
For accommodation requests, contact ldstudio@calstate.edu.
Grant Writing Seminar (Fairfield, California)
How to Write a Winning Grant Proposal
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (In-Person)
Location:
Solano County Event Center
601 Texas Street, Conference Room A
Fairfield, CA 94533
Presenter:
Dr. David E. Fraser
Sponsored by First 5 Solano, this free, full-day seminar is designed for nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and community-based groups seeking to strengthen their capacity to secure grant funding. Organizations currently receiving funding from First 5 Solano are especially encouraged to attend.
Led by Dr. David E. Fraser—faculty member at Cal State East Bay, Chief of Staff in Contra Costa County, and author of Grantcraft—the session provides practical, step-by-step guidance across the full grant development process, including feasibility assessment, program design, proposal writing, budgeting, evaluation, and ethical grant management.
Whether you are new to grant writing or looking to refine your approach, this seminar offers actionable tools and real-world strategies to help organizations compete more effectively for funding.
Registration
Advance registration is required. Space is limited.
This seminar is offered at no cost to participants.
Participants who attend the full day will receive a certificate of attendance certifying attendees have completed eight hours of training.
Note: Certified Project Management Professionals (PMP) may be eligible to receive Professional Development Units (PDUs) for attending this seminar. Participants are responsible for confirming eligibility and reporting PDUs in accordance with PMI requirements.
Register via Eventbrite using the link below to reserve your seat.
Grant Writing Seminar (Martinez, California)
How to Write a Winning Grant Proposal
Presented March 11, 2026 at the historic MRC Clubhouse in Martinez, California, this full-day seminar brought together a sold-out audience of professionals from nonprofit organizations, public agencies, healthcare institutions, and faith-based organizations.
Hosted by Contra Costa County District 5 Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston and sponsored by Martinez Refining Company, the session guided participants through the complete grant development process—from feasibility analysis and funder research to proposal design, program evaluation, budgeting, and ethical grant management.
Participants who attended the full day received a Certificate of Attendance from the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, and Certified Project Management Professionals (PMP) may be eligible to receive Professional Development Units (PDUs) for participating.
Dr. David E. Fraser leading the “How to Write a Winning Grant Proposal” seminar at the MRC Clubhouse in Martinez, California.
Photo: Louie Gomez
This session was delivered live and was not recorded.
Webinar: APA 7 Simplified — A Practical Guide to Academic Formatting that Actually Matters
Presenter: Dr. David E. Fraser
This live Spring 2026 webinar provided graduate students, faculty, and academic professionals with a focused, application-driven walkthrough of APA 7th edition formatting.
Now in its eleventh year, the updated 2026 session emphasized practical decision rules and structural clarity, including:
• Heading architecture and document organization
• Citation precision and reference formatting
• Common formatting errors that affect grading and readability
• Strategies for reducing friction in academic writing
Hosted February 27, 2026 (Virtual)
Hosted by the Department of Public Affairs & Administration at California State University, East Bay, the session brought together participants from across disciplines for a structured, high-impact review of academic formatting standards.
This session was delivered live and was not recorded.
Podcast Interview: Reimagining Healthcare with Diana Cantu-Reyna, RN
On September 13, 2025, Dr. David E. Fraser was featured in a live podcast-style conversation and audience Q&A with Diana Cantu-Reyna, RN, a holistic nurse coach and trauma-informed systems educator.
This session explored the cultural, structural, and financial challenges facing professionals working in public health, healthcare administration, and nonprofit leadership — with a special focus on sustainable funding, values-based care, and burnout among mission-driven professionals.
The conversation was recorded live and has since been published as a featured episode on the Reimagining Healthcare podcast.