Plenary Sessions

Opening Plenary — Harnessing the Momentum, Finding Opportunities, Building Stronger Futures

Thursday, September 6 - 9:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

We all wish we could predict the future. For many foundation leaders, this superpower would help them plan for and navigate global financial issues that force them to make hard choices about how to invest resources. While they don’t have a crystal ball, our panel of foundation leaders will share their strategies from the past year and how they plan to respond in the year ahead. The session will address current and emerging investment themes, insights on global equity and fixed income markets, and potential areas of growth that can help position organizations for future success. 

Speakers: Stephanie Link, Managing Director & Equity Portfolio Manager, Nuveen; Juan Martinez, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, John S. & James L. Knight Foundation; Mary Jane Rynd, President and CEO, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust 

Moderator: Kenneth Jones, Jr., Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Stephanie Link

Juan Martinez

Mary Jane Rynd

Ken Jones


Closing Plenary — Serving the Public Good: Exploring Relationships between Public Policy and the Charitable Sector

Friday, September 7 - 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m.

Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. 

The complexity of today’s political, economic, and social challenges require new thinking about how to mobilize capital effectively to improve communities around the country. As the landscape in charitable giving shifts and the scrutiny of endowed philanthropy increases, organizations within the sector need to be able to create innovative solutions to ever-changing situations. Experts from top economic thinktanks and foundation leaders will discuss the future of philanthropy, highlighting key policy implications and anticipated outcomes of changes in charitable giving.  

Speakers: Jared Bernstein, Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy  Priorities; Bruce McNamer, President and CEO, Greater Washington Community Foundation (moderator); Shanaysha M. Sauls, President & CEO, Baltimore Community Foundation; C. Eugene Steuerle, Institute Fellow and Richard B. Fisher Chair, Urban Institute

Jared Bernstein

Bruce McNamer

Shanaysha M. Sauls

Eugene Steuerle

Questions?

Connect with Council Staff