WHERE IMPACT MEETS MOMENTUM

We’re in a moment of rapid change—and traditional systems alone can’t solve today’s social challenges. Now is the time for bold, coordinated action to unlock the full potential of a region where social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and purpose-driven leaders align capital and vision to build scalable solutions.

Flywheel Impact Catalyst Midwest will bring together ~200 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.

Registration Information

Admission includes access to all programming and sessions. Coffee, Light Breakfast, Lunch and Happy Hour Celebration are included.

SOLD OUT!

Content Overview

Choose from a full day of engaging content and networking opportunities, including a celebratory Happy Hour. Click below to view the full day’s agenda:

CLICK FOR SCHEDULE + SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

The promise of purpose-driven ventures in the Midwest is clear—Flywheel’s 10-year, 80% success rate proves it. 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.

Is our region prepared for a generation redefining social change through capital, enterprise, and accountability? Join us as we imagine—and build—a Midwest where capital and enterprise drive lasting change.

Keynote Presenters

National thought leaders will elevate our region’s understanding of emerging social impact trends and the transformative opportunity ahead for the Midwest.

Jenna Nicholas

*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.

Michael O’Bryan

*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.

Suzanne Smith

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 social entrepreneurship landscape has evolved over the last decade and discuss our region’s opportunity to build a robust impact economy.

Breakout Sessions

Interactive workshops and expert panels throughout the day offer attendees practical insights, diverse perspectives, and actionable learning.

speaker bios

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: Jackie Reau, CEO, Game Day Communications, Moira Weir, CEO, United Way Greater Cincinnati | Robert Killins, Jr., Vice President of Community Investments, Greater Cincinnati Foundation | John Yung, Program Manager, The Haile Foundation | Brendon Cull, CEO, Cincinnati Regional Chamber
This 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, Founding General Partner, VC414 | Sheri Chaney Jones, Founder and CEO, Sure Impact | Sue Bevan Baggott, Investor, QCA Ventures and Founder, Power Within Consulting | Wolf Starr, Managing Partner, Ohio Impact Fund + CEO, The Venture Atlas | Jonathan Preedom, PhD. Asst. Professor of Entrepreneurship at Louisiana State University
Sponsored by Social Venture Partners Cincinnati
A highly participatory facilitated 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 — Donna Zaring, Executive Director, Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub and Melisse May, Flywheel Board Member + Founder, Lead from Insights LLC
- SEA Change — AZ Zayn, Director of Programming at SEA Change
- Conscious Capitalism Cincinnati — Dustin Shell, Director, Conscious Capitalism Cincinnati Chapter + COO, Aileron
- Greater Cincinnati Regional Social Enterprise Alliance — David Gaines, Social Enterprise Alliance Board Member + Founder, Laterza Coffee
- Social Venture Partners Cincinnati — Jason Aluko-Williams, VP Engagement & Strategy, SVP International
- Miami University — Michael Conger, Director, Miami University Center for Social Entrepreneurship
Sponsored by BBB Cincinnati
Watch some of the region’s most exciting purpose-driven startups deliver their elevator-ready pitches in real time!
Facilitated by Jonathan Preedom, PhD, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Louisiana State University
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, Managing Partner, JFF Ventures | Mark Conrad, Private Funds Attorney, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP | Sue Bevan Baggott, Investor, QCA Ventures + Founder, Power Within Consulting | Mark Davis, CEO Table Sense
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.
Featuring: Sherwood MacVeigh, VP at Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries | Rhiannon Hoeweler, CEO, MadTree Brewing | Byron Stallworth, Founder & CEO, Inclusion Building Systems | Pam Green, President & CEO of Easterseals Redwood | Steve Hightower, Founder & CEO, Hightowers Petroleum| Dan Meyer, CEO, Nehemiah Manufacturing
Sponsored by Table Sense
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 | Katie Nzekwu, Founder & CEO, Found Village | Dr. Carley Riley. MD, MPP, MHS, Executive Director of Population Flourishing & Regional Systems, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center | Mark Davis, CEO, Table Sense
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 Roussos, Executive Director, Weaving Impact | Emily Kendall, Executive Director, Empower Me Living | Kristen Baker, Executive Director, LISC Greater Cincinnati | Joshua Pine, Director, Cincinnati City Innovation Team (Bloomberg Philanthropies)
Sponsored by University of Cincinnati 1819 Innovation Hub
Meet The Trailblazers Reshaping our Region with their purpose-driven startups.
Featuring: Eileen Budo, CEO, Last Mile Food Rescue | Gabrielle Blocher, CEO, Sunflower Fuels | Sheri Chaney Jones, Founder & CEO Sure Impact | Marvin Abrinica, Director, University of Cincinnati Venture Lab + CEO, Wunderfund | Brian Jackson, CEO of Esoteric Brewing Company