2019 Fall Forum

2019 Fall Forum

Making our Mark: Igniting the Future of Community Foundations

Our 2019 Fall Forum took place on October 22-24 in Pittsburgh, PA and was hosted at the Pittsburgh Foundation.

Keynote Speakers

Our Fall Forum features thought-provoking keynote speakers who are well-versed in issues that affect the community foundation field.

In 2019, our keynote speakers were:

  • DeRay McKesson, Co-Founder of Campaign Zero
  • Grant Oliphant, President of The Heinz Endowments
  • Wasi Mohamed, Fellow, Future Cities and former Director of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh and Rabbi Ron Symons, Senior Director of Jewish Life at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh
  • Nicole Taylor, President & CEO, Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Once again, a powerful CFLeads peer learning experience! My time there was so worthwhile and it was great to see so many valued colleagues.
Clotilde Perez-Bode DedeckerPresident & CEO, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Peer Speakers

In 2019, we also spent time with community foundation leaders unpacking the five competencies for community leadership and some of the critical issues facing our communities.

Our Five Competencies speakers were:

  • Isaiah Oliver from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint on engaging residents
  • Paul Grogan from The Boston Foundation on using data
  • Steven Rowe from the Maine Community Foundation on working across sectors
  • Kelly Ryan from the Incourage Community Foundation on marshaling resources
  • Fred Blackwell from The San Francisco Foundation on influencing public policy

Our Issues speakers were:

  • Nelson Colon from the Puerto Rico Community Foundation on rebuilding after natural disasters
  • Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo on building an inclusive economy
  • Ellen Gilligan from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation on addressing social determinants of health
  • Walker Sanders from The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro on building community through public parks and the arts
  • Nancy Van Milligen from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque on workplace equity
  • Stuart Comstock-Gay from the Delaware Community Foundation on welcoming new Americans