CEO & Board Leadership Summit

The Search for Common Ground

May 11-12, 2026 | Philadelphia
$300 per attendee

In a time of increasing complexity, division, and rapid change, leadership matters more than ever.

The PACFA CEO & Board Leadership Summit brings together community foundation executives and board leaders from across Pennsylvania to explore shared values, navigate areas of tension, and uncover opportunities for deeper collaboration.

Grounded in open dialogue and practical insight, this two-day gathering is designed to help leaders find common ground across geography, perspectives, and organizational priorities—strengthening both individual institutions and the broader philanthropic sector.

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Why Attend?

Engage in meaningful dialogue with peers across Pennsylvania

Explore leadership, governance, and collaboration across differences

Gain insight from experts on civic engagement and community resilience

Build connections and walk away with practical, actionable takeaways

Summit Agenda

Day 1 — Monday, May 11

Center City Philadelphia (Location TBD)

4:30 – 5:30 PM | Welcome & Networking

Reconnect with peers over light refreshments and informal conversation.

Welcome from Pedro Ramos, President & CEO, Philadelphia Foundation
Opportunity to build relationships and reconnect

5:30 – 5:45 PM | Opening Remarks

Welcome from Phil Koch, PACFA Board Chair
Overview of summit theme and objectives

5:45 – 6:45 PM | Keynote Address

Lauren Cristella, President & CEO, Committee of Seventy

Community resiliency
Civic trust, election integrity, and the rule of law
Framing the broader context for the gathering

6:45 – 7:30 PM | Reception
Continue the conversation with networking and informal discussion.

Day 2 — Tuesday, May 12

Philadelphia Foundation | 1835 Market St., Suite 2410, Philadelphia, PA 19103

8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast & Opening Session
Shannon Green, President & CEO, Philanthropy for Civic Engagement

Strengthening democracy and civic participation
Collaboration across differences
Bold experiments in philanthropy

9:15 – 10:15 AM | Dialogue & Discussion Sessions

For Board Members (Facilitated):

Organizational priorities and emerging issues
Leadership boundaries: policy vs. administration
Governance cadence: what works across organizations
Group report-out

For CEOs (Facilitated):

Organizational priorities and emerging issues
Board/trustee engagement strategies
Governance cadence across foundations
Group report-out

10:15 – 10:30 AM | Break

10:30 – 11:15 AM | Mega Trends in Pennsylvania
Speaker: Demographer or Futurist (TBD)
Explore the demographic, economic, and social trends shaping the future of Pennsylvania communities.

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Fireside Chat & Q&A
Speaker: Representative from the PA Attorney General’s Office or U.S. Court of Appeals (TBD)

Legal, regulatory, and policy landscape
Shared challenges and opportunities
Audience Q&A

12:15 – 12:45 PM | Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Key insights and themes
Action items and opportunities for continued collaboration
Closing remarks

Boxed lunch provided

Who should attend?

Community Foundation CEOs / Executive Directors

Board Chairs and Trustees

Senior Leadership