Leading Locally 2023 - Plenary Sessions

Plenary Sessions

These are the times that all attendees are invited to come together during Leading Locally to discuss some of the largest issues facing our communities, and how we can love, build, and strengthen our places. 

Tuesday, June 13 | 8:30-10:00 a.m.

Join us for our conference kick-off and breakfast plenary as we answer the question: What does crisis response illuminate about the best of humanity and philanthropy? In the face of compounding crises, funders in Colorado are catalyzing local solutions. Learn from funders who are strengthening their places by supporting recovery in the wake of natural disasters, facilitating healing in the aftermath of community violence, investing in affordable housing, and welcoming migrants who have been displaced by war and trauma. Together they will share their love for their places, their ideas for building resilience, and the innovations that can lead the way.

View plenary recording.

Welcome & Introductions: Kathleen Enright, President and CEO, Council on Foundations; Joanne Kelley, CEO, Philanthropy Colorado; Javier Alberto Soto, President & CEO, The Denver Foundation

Speakers: Tatiana Hernandez, CEO, Community Foundation Boulder County; Kyle H. Hybl, President and Chief Executive Officer, El Pomar Foundation; Santhosh Ramdoss, President & CEO, Gary Community Ventures

Facilitator: Lindy Eichenbaum Lent, President & CEO, Rose Community Foundation

Kathleen Enright

Kathleen Enright
President and CEO
Council on Foundations

Joanne Kelley

Joanne Kelley
CEO
Philanthropy Colorado

Javier Alberto Soto

Javier Alberto Soto
President & CEO
The Denver Foundation

Tatiana Hernandez

Tatiana Hernandez
CEO
Community Foundation Boulder County

Kyle H. Hybl

Kyle H. Hybl
President and Chief Executive Officer
El Pomar Foundation

Santhosh Ramdoss

Santhosh Ramdoss
President & CEO
Gary Community Ventures

Lindy Eichenbaum Lent

Lindy Eichenbaum Lent
President & CEO
Rose Community Foundation

Wednesday, June 14 | 8:30-10:00 a.m.

Our second day opens with a plenary and breakfast session to answer the question: How do we build places where everyone thrives? We may not have all the answers, but by tapping into our collective wisdom and imagination, we can transform the structures and systems that no longer serve us into vibrant and inclusive communities. Join us for an inspiring session that weaves together stories of communities dreaming together and building on the lessons of the past to create a shared future where we all belong.

View plenary recording.

Welcome & IntroductionsJay Williams, President, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Facilitator: Lea Thau, President, Story Central, Inc.

Speakers: Tim Fox, Vice President, Indigenous Relations and Equity Strategy, Calgary Foundation; Tina Griego, Journalist & Coach, Colorado News Collaborative (COLab); Shelly Maharry, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Johnson County, Iowa; Uma Viswanathan, Executive Director, New Pluralists

Jay Williams

Jay Williams
President
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Lea Thau

Lea Thau
President
Story Central, Inc.

Tim Fox

Tim Fox
Vice President, Indigenous Relations and Equity Strategy
Calgary Foundation

Tina Griego

Tina Griego
Journalist & Coach
Colorado News Collaborative (COLab)

Shelly Maharry

Shelly Maharry
President and CEO
Community Foundation of Johnson County, Iowa

Uma Viswanathan

Uma Viswanathan
Executive Director
New Pluralists

Wednesday, June 14 | 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Our closing plenary is focused on love. Our communities bring our lives joy and meaning. But growing isolation and polarization can fray our connection to our communities – and to each other. In this plenary session, we ask: “How can we embody love for our neighbors and our communities?” Our speakers will explore how philanthropy can support people and communities to build civic engagement, to connect across differences, and to be of service to each other and the places that bind them.

View plenary recording.

Welcome & Introductions: Walker Sanders, President, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro

Speaker: Michael D. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, AmeriCorps

Facilitator: Chanda Smith Baker, Chief Impact Officer and Senior Vice President, Minneapolis Foundation

Walker Sanders

Walker Sanders
President
Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro

Michael D. Smith

Michael D. Smith
Chief Executive Officer
AmeriCorps

Chanda Smith Baker

Chanda Smith Baker
Chief Impact Officer and Senior Vice President
Minneapolis Foundation

Questions?

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