Overview • Sessions • Speakers • Accommodations • Register • Sponsors • WOC Awards 2026
Connect, Learn, and Be Inspired
The Symposium will consist of one “track,” featuring the following in-depth sessions that will each appear on the main stage of the Symposium.
The Symposium offers something for everyone—featuring sessions in:
Fundraising
Philanthropy
Leadership and Organizational Intelligence
Participatory Grantmaking
Executive Search
The Great Debate: A Dialogue on Nonprofit Innovation and Artificial Intelligence
Schedule
7:45 AM – 8:30 AM
Registration, Breakfast, Networking & Exhibits
LOCATION ⯈ Volvo Hall
7:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Visual Storytelling Artist
SPEAKER
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Opening Remarks
LOCATION ⯈ Auditorium
Woke Up This Mornin’
PERFORMANCE FEATURING THE BROADWAY TRIO VOCAL ENSEMBLE
PERFORMERS
8:50 AM – 9:45 AM
The Great Debate: A Dialogue on Nonprofit Innovation and Artificial Intelligence
LOCATION ⯈ Auditorium
Everyone is talking about it, but does everyone truly understand the power of AI to impact the nonprofit sector? As we continue to evolve and incorporate innovative concepts into the “good work” sector, what are some of the ethical implications we face both now and will face in the future? So many questions and these experts have answers. This is not a typical panel format, but designed as a healthy debate on various topics around AI. We’ll invite the audience to submit questions to ensure that we’re delving into real topics that are needed for real situations and challenges the sector is facing today.
SPEAKERS
9:50 AM – 10:45 AM
Powerful Fundraising Strategies to Meet Your Goals and Diversify Income Streams
LOCATION ⯈ Auditorium
Navigating today’s fundraising landscape can present unique challenges, resulting in the need to possess skills to pivot amidst donor shifts and overall, to diversify income streams so that your organization can achieve stability and growth. Join experts from several different “streams” of income for the nonprofit sector: institutional giving, major gifts and individual giving, legacy giving, special events and corporate to get their perspectives on what is working in fundraising today.
SPEAKERS
Teatime Breakout Sessions
Get the “Tea” on Hot Topics in Fundraising and Philanthropy!
Take part in these small-group “Teatime” sessions, complete with tea, scones, deep knowledge and community.
9:50 AM – 10:45 AM
Teatime Session 01: Exponential Impact of Giving Circles
LOCATION ⯈ Volvo Hall
Have you ever wondered about the exponential impact of giving circles and why this way of giving has been forecasted to become one of the most successful in the near future? There’s no one in the sector who understands collective giving better than Tyeshia “Ty” Wilson. WOC is also thrilled to announce that Ty will bring her deep knowledge to the relaunch of the WOC Global Giving Collective giving circle later this year. Learn more about GGC and giving circles in general.
SPEAKER
11:00 AM – 11:55 AM
In Search of Success
LOCATION ⯈ Auditorium
Are you ready for your next opportunity? Are you looking for talent right now? From firm mergers to changing trends and accountability in the nonprofit sector, executive search is seeing some major shifts. Learn more about what’s happening now, how you can engage executive search expertise to accomplish your career goals or build your dream team, and some of the implications of recent events that may impact equity in the sector. This session will also announce WOC’s new Executive Search Initiative, as we work to keep our finger on the pulse of what’s happening right now and hear from the WOC community about its experiences.
SPEAKER
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Keynote Conversation Panel
LOCATION ⯈ Volvo Hall
This year’s Keynote Conversation will feature a powerhouse line-up of women who are leading the way in making a positive impact, creating opportunities and changing the lives of women. Join the founder of Amplify Her Foundation, in addition to the co-chairs of the Amplify Her Leadership Network, as we discuss topics related to: how women of color and allies can join forces in amplifying the power of philanthropy, redefining female leadership, perspectives on grantmaking, mentorship vs. sponsorship and more. You don’t want to miss this conversation.
SPEAKERS
1:20 PM – 2:15 PM
Teatime Session 02: Transitioning from the Nonprofit Sector to Philanthropy Advising
LOCATION ⯈ Volvo Hall
Get the “Tea” on Transitioning from the Nonprofit Sector to Philanthropy Advising and on Personal Finance in order to be more generous and set your own philanthropic priorities. There’s no one better to tackle this subject with the expertise and empathy that Crystal has. She came from the corporate philanthropy sector and is now trailblazing with her work in Philanthropy Advising and personal finance.
SPEAKER
1:20 PM – 2:15 PM
The New Donor Reality: What’s Driving Giving in 2026
LOCATION ⯈ Auditorium
This session, featuring some of the most brilliant minds in fundraising and philanthropy, will examine:
Shifts in major donor behavior following the 2024 election cycle and economic uncertainty.
The rise and limitations of donor-advised funds (DAFs) as a primary giving vehicle.
Generational differences: Examining how Gen X is managing portfolios compared to the values-driven giving of Millennials.
Analyzing donor response patterns versus traditional industry habits.
SPEAKERS
2:20 PM – 3:15 PM
There She Goes: Invaluable Leadership Lessons from Extraordinary Women
LOCATION ⯈ Auditorium
Sometimes, a leader is so powerful in their professional role, that they become synonymous with the organization they serve. It becomes difficult to imagine the organization without that person at the helm. But with our lives and careers, change is inevitable. Join us for the culminating session of the 2026 Symposium, featuring wisdom and inspiration from some of the most formidable women leaders in fundraising and philanthropy. Each of them has recently evolved or will soon evolve from important professional roles. Yet, it is amazing to see what they are already doing now or what is next for them as they impart to us a deep knowledge of the sector, its history and its future.
SPEAKERS
3:15 PM – 3:25 PM
Closing Remarks
LOCATION ⯈ Auditorium
Join Us
Ready to connect and learn with the WOC Community? Grab your Symposium spot now.
By registering for this Women of Color in Fundraising and Development (WOC)® event, I give consent for my photograph to be taken and possibly used on the organization’s intranet, internet, newsletters, board reports, and other organizational materials as needed. I understand that I am not eligible for compensation for use of my photo and I may not be informed in advance of the specific use of those images.