The promise that purpose-driven business ventures offer our region is undeniable – Flywheel’s 10-year, 80% success rate proves businesses can thrive while driving impact in the Midwest. At a time when funding is scarce and entrenched social challenges persist, the need for bold, coordinated action to unlock the potential of social enterprise across our region has never been greater.
Flywheel Impact Catalyst Midwest will bring together ~300 funders, founders, investors, and community leaders at Memorial Hall in Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine to move beyond conversation and into action. Attendees will experience a dynamic day of keynotes, panels, and workshops—blending national insight with Midwest momentum to accelerate our impact economy.
Join us as we imagine—and build—a Midwest where capital and enterprise drive lasting change.
Registration Information
$135 EARLY BIRD PRICING — Available through May 1
$185 After May 1
Admission includes access to all programming and sessions.
Coffee, Light Breakfast, Lunch and Happy Hour are included.
Content Overview
Attendees will hear from social impact leaders and have the ability to participate in workshops and networking opportunities throughout the day, culminating in a happy hour celebration.
Keynote Addresses
National thought leaders will elevate our region’s understanding of emerging social impact trends and the transformative opportunity ahead for the Midwest.
CEO, Lightpost Capital, and Co-Founder and CEO, Impact Experience (San Francisco)
A nationally recognized impact investing leader, best-selling author and Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur, Jenna will challenge attendees to think bigger about the role capital can play in driving systems change. Drawing on her book Enlightened Bottom Line, she’ll share how aligning investment with community priorities can unlock lasting, purpose-driven impact.
Founder & CEO, Human Nature and Director, The Wealth + Work Futures Lab (Philadelphia)
A leading national workforce strategist, Michael will offer practical examples of how communities can move beyond constraints and embrace the intersections of capital, design, and collaboration to cultivate human potential and create lasting impact.
Founder, Social Impact Architects and Adjunct Professor, University of Texas (Austin)
The original visionary and architect of Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, Suzanne returns to our region to highlight how the social impact space has evolved over the last decade. She’ll dive into what it takes to turn bold ideas into measurable, purpose-driven impact and offer valuable insights into how to create lasting systems-level change.
Breakout Sessions
Interactive workshops and expert panels throughout the day offer attendees practical insights, diverse perspectives, and actionable learning.
-
Sponsored by The Cincinnati Regional Chamber
This panel will bring the conversation home—connecting national perspectives to the real opportunities and challenges shaping our region. Our regions’s civic and business leaders will share how they are aligning public, private, and philanthropic efforts to address critical gaps, strengthen the regional economy, and drive inclusive growth, offering a view of what’s working and where collaboration can accelerate lasting impact across the Midwest.
Featuring: Moira Weir, CEO, United Way Greater Cincinnati | Robert Killins, Jr., Vice President of Community Investments, Greater Cincinnati Foundation | Brendon Cull, CEO Cincinnati Regional Chamber
-
This practical workshop equips purpose-driven entrepreneurs with the tools and insights needed to successfully engage funders and secure investment. Learn what investors prioritize when evaluating opportunities, how to navigate the due diligence process with confidence, and best practices for tracking and communicating both financial performance and social impact. Ideal for founders looking to strengthen their fundraising strategy and build lasting investor relationships.
Featuring: Jennifer Abel, VC414 | Sheri Chaney Jones, Founder and CEO, Sure Impact | Sue Bevan Baggott, Investor, QCA Ventures and Founder, Power Within Consulting
-
This workshop is designed for individuals looking to begin their journey in impact investing. Led by a cross-sector group of experienced practitioners, the session will demystify the landscape, explore different entry points for deploying capital, and offer practical guidance on aligning your financial goals with meaningful social and environmental impact. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the tools, strategies, and next steps to start investing with purpose.
Featuring: Sabari Raja Raja, Managing Partner, JFF Ventures | Mark Conrad, Private Funds Attorney, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP | Sue Bevan Baggott, Investor, QCA Ventures and Founder of Power Within Consulting
-
Sponsored by Social Venture Partners
A highly participatory facilitated half-day working session connecting insights into action, activating regional partners to shape a shared vision and identify practical next steps for building a thriving Midwest social impact ecosystem.
Facilitated by Catherine Salzman, Founder of Heartwood Strategies, and the G4G Founding Partners: Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, SEA Change, Conscious Capitalism, Social Enterprise Alliance, Social Venture Partners, Social Impact Architects
-
In this breakout session, experts will dive into innovative strategies in place-based impact investing—exploring how capital can be deployed to generate both financial returns and meaningful community benefit. Experts will share how they are structuring deals that integrate traditional real estate investment with revenue-generating social enterprises, unlocking new models for sustainable, locally rooted impact and long-term economic vitality.
Featuring: Gary Painter, Director, University of Cincinnati Center for Real Estate | Pamela Ruossos, Executive Director, Weaving Impact | Emily Kendall, Executive Director, Empower Me Living | Joshua Pine, Director, Cincinnati City Innovation Team (Bloomberg Philanthropies)
-
Sponsored by E.W. Scripps
A panel discussion exploring how corporations are leveraging purpose-driven innovation to strengthen brand identity, while creating meaningful value for the communities they serve. Leaders will share real-world strategies for aligning business goals with social impact to drive long-term trust, loyalty, and growth.
-
Sponsored by Tablesense Kids
For both investors and social entrepreneurs alike, this session will discuss opportunities to generate a double bottom-line centered on improving youth outcomes. Covering private sector, philanthropic and government-funded solutions, including “blended capital” models, this diverse panel will demonstrate what is already working, and where there are opportunities for additional field-building.
Featuring: Kaitlin Watts, Director of Innovative Finance, Institute for Child Success | Dr. Kelly Kelleher, Vice President, Nationwide Children’s | Katie Nzekwu, Founder & CEO, Found Village
-
Sponsored by University of Cincinnati 1819 Innovation Hub
Meet The Trailblazers Reshaping our Region (Founders to be announced)
Questions? Contact us at admin@flywheelcincinnati.org
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Presenting Level Sponsors:
Partner Level Sponsors:
Coffee Sponsor: Laterza Coffee
Breakfast Sponsor: Miami University Center for Social Entrepreneurship
Breakout Session Sponsors: University of Cincinnati 1819 Innovation Hub, The Cincinnati Regional Chamber, Social Venture Partners, E.W. Scripps
Happy Hour Sponsor: Game Day Communications
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
All proceeds support the event and Flywheel programs that have been empowering our region’s social entrepreneurs since 2011.
Flywheel Programming is made possible by generous support from:
Why Attend
We’re in a moment of rapid change—and traditional systems alone can’t solve today’s challenges. A new model is emerging, where social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and purpose-driven leaders align capital and vision to build scalable solutions. This conference is for anyone who believes:
Strong ecosystems are built through connection, coordination, and shared vision.
The Midwest is a place to invest and grow a leading social impact economy.
Social enterprise and impact investing are evolving—and the moment to act is now. Join us to connect, learn, and help shape what’s next.
Is our region prepared for a generation redefining social change through capital, enterprise, and accountability?