2025 Sorkin Summit
On Course Summit
A Nonprofit Leadership Conference
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Chicago | Washington, DC | Minneapolis-St. Paul | Philadelphia | Virtual
Compass Pro Bono’s annual On Course Summit is a one-day, interactive conference designed for nonprofit Executive Directors and Board Members. Each year, the Summit convenes hundreds of social impact leaders for a day of structured peer learning and powerful networking.
Participants attend in-person in Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC with a Zoom option as well. Sites are connected virtually with panelists and speakers in each location.
Chicago
181 W Madison St.
Minneapolis-St. Paul
550 Vandalia St.
Philadelphia
2005 S Market St.
Washington, DC
555 13th St. NW
Virtual
Zoom
April 2026 Nonprofit Leadership Summit Agenda
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET | Networking & Coffee
Get settled in for a day full of informative sessions.
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. ET | Leading Through a Changing Landscape: The Resilient Board and ED Partnership
ED-board relationships are important in the best of times, but particularly in times of stress and uncertainty – when funding feels uncertain, demand rises, or staffing gets tight. This session gives Executive Directors and board leaders guidance for decision-making, communication, and trust, so you can move faster, reduce drama, and support the mission when the stakes are high.
Chicago Panelists
Caroline Manley
Director, Nonprofit Resilience Hub, Forefront
Reesheda Berry
Executive Director, Kindred Civic Arts Forum
Corey Williams
Board Chair, Kindred Civic Arts Forum
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Jake Blumberg
Principal and Founder, JB Strategies
Xavier Vazquez
Executive Director, Centro Tyrone Guzman
Philadelphia
Joyce Chester
Executive Director, Friends Association
Bill McGrath
Board Chair, Friends Association
Virgil Sheppard
CEO, Hope Partnership for Education
Mary Lou Zwaan
Board Chair, Hope Partnership for Education
Washington, DC
Matt Gayer
Executive Director, Spur Local
Darius Graham
Managing Director of Community Investment, Community Foundation
Yolanda Johnson
Executive Director, CASA Prince George’s County
John Greene
Board Chair, Casa Prince George’s County
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET | Strategic Risk Management
In an era of constant uncertainty, effective risk management is critical for mission sustainability and long-term impact. This session moves beyond basic compliance to explore scenario planning, strategic collaborations & mergers, and data privacy, providing board members and Executive Directors with actionable frameworks to safeguard their organizations.
Panelists
Amy Cook
Director, Economic Justice Program, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Jon Lien
Chief Risk Officer, Bridgewater Bank
Lindsay Kijewski
Partner, SeaChange
Sara Gibson
Co-Founder/CEO, 20 Degrees
Moderator
Allison Henry
Director of the Golub Capital Board Fellows Program, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET | Lunch, Activities, and Networking
Lunch break and activity.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET | How Board Members & Nonprofit Leaders Can Leverage AI to Supercharge Their Missions
AI is transforming the social sector – but it can feel impossible to keep up with the pace of change. In this hands-on session, we’ll explore how nonprofits can leverage AI to supercharge their missions (instead of creating new headaches) and how boards can use AI tactically in their own work, with practical demos, examples, and activities.
Panelists
Steven Borowski
VP Organizational Change Management, Northern Trust | Board Member, Compass Pro Bono Chicago
Barbara Duffield
Executive Director, SchoolHouse Connection
Alethea Hannemann
Co-Founder and CEO, board.dev
Laura Plunkett
Vice President, Startup Engagement & Head of LIFT Labs, Comcast | Board Member, Starfinder Foundation
Facilitator
Remy Reya
Director of AI and Thought Leadership, Compass Pro Bono
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET | Importance of an Active and Engaged Board in Seeking Funding
Developing a strong board is important for nonprofits in maintaining and seeking all sources of funding, including foundation grants, corporate sponsorship and individual giving. Healthy boards have sound governance, strategic oversight and active participation in fundraising. Panelists will share insights on what board members can do to strengthen their organization and support the Executive Director.
Panelist
Amy Mummery
City Director, Laureus Sport for Good Chicago
Josh Johnson
Program Officer, Minneapolis Foundation
Karen FitzGerald
Chief of Staff, Meyer Foundation
Valerie Kind-Rubin
Managing Trustee, Patricia Kind Family Foundation
Moderator
Rob Bull
President & CEO, Compass Group, Compass Pro Bono National Board Member
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET | Networking & Refreshments
Close out the day. Connect, refresh, and discuss shared learnings
Thank you to our sponsors
Summit Legacy
Previously named the Sorkin Summit, Compass Pro Bono’s annual nonprofit leadership conference was created in honor of the late Jerry Sorkin. Jerry was an executive at CEB with a passion for nonprofit work and board service. He developed board training curriculum and mentored leaders to be strong, effective board members. The On Course Summit carries on Jerry’s passion for board service and extends his mentorship to a future generation of leaders. We are proud to honor his legacy since 2017.
Watch the video of last year’s 2025 Nonprofit Leadership Summit and see how this experience has supported nonprofit leaders like you.
While we’ll connect in person within our local communities, we’re also coming together across all four cities and virtually—harnessing our collective wisdom and energy in service of our communities.
Interested in sponsoring the event?
Learn more or contact Wendy Gualtieri, Managing Director.
Feedback from previous Nonprofit Leadership Summits
