WHERE IMPACT MEETS MOMENTUM
Kicking Off in Cincinnati, OH | June 23, 2026
The promise of purpose-driven ventures in the Midwest is clear—Flywheel’s 10-year, 80% success rate proves it. As social challenges persist in a limited funding environment, now is the time for bold, coordinated action to unlock the full potential of social enterprise in our region.
Flywheel Impact Catalyst Midwest brings together funders, founders, investors, and community leaders form across the country to move beyond conversation and into action, 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.
EVENT SCHEDULE & SESSION INFORMATION
Presenting Sponsors:
Partner Sponsors:
Advocate Sponsors:
7:30 AM | Registration, Breakfast + Networking
Sponsored by Miami University Center for Social Entrepreneurship
Coffee generously donated by Laterza Coffee
MORNING SESSION BLOCK
Keynote Presentations
9:00 AM— 9:50 AM | Jenna Nicholas — CEO, Lightpost Capital, Co-Founder + CEO, Impact Experience (San Francisco) MAINSTAGE
In this keynote, Jenna Nicholas—a nationally recognized impact investing leader, bridge-builder, and Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur—will challenge and inspire attendees to think bigger about the role of capital in driving systems change. Drawing on insights from her recently published book, Enlightened Bottom Line, she will illuminate how aligning investment with community priorities can unlock lasting transformation, offering a powerful vision for how purpose-driven capital can shape a more promising future for all.
10:00 AM — 10:50 AM | Michael O’Bryan — Founder & CEO, humanature + Director, The Wealth + Work Futures Lab (Philadelphia) MAINSTAGE
Demonstrated through his experiences as a nationally-recognized workforce strategist, Michael will highlight how communities can move beyond constraints and embrace the intersections of capital, design, and collaboration to produce meaningful outcomes. Attendees will be invited to hold a clear vision for the future while navigating ambiguity in the present to build the kind of inclusive economic growth and wellbeing our region will depend on.
Panel Discussion
11:00 AM — 11:50 PM | From Vision to Action: Advancing Regional Priorities in the Midwest | MAINSTAGE
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 | John Yung, Program Manager, The Haile Foundation | Moderated by: Jackie Reau, CEO, Game Day Communications
Workshop
11:00 AM — 11:50 AM | Funder Engagement 101: What Investors Look For | BALLROOM 1
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, Founding General Partner, VC414 | Sheri Chaney Jones, Founder & CEO, Sure Impact | Sue Bevan Baggott, Investor, QCA Ventures + Founder, Power Within Consulting | Wolf Starr, Managing Partner, Ohio Impact Fund + CEO, The Venture Atlas | Moderated by: Jonathan Preedom, PhD, Asst. Professor of Entrepreneurship at Louisiana State University
MID-DAY BLOCK
Lunch and Networking
12:00 PM — 1:30 PM | BALLROOM 2
Sponsored by Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub Board of Directors and Philanthropreneurs®
Workshop
12:15 PM — 1:15 PM | Gather 4 Good (Part 1): Building a Regional Social Impact Ecosystem | BALLROOM 1
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, SEA Change
Conscious Capitalism Cincinnati — Dustin Shell, Director of Conscious Capitalism Cincinnati + COO, Aileron
Greater Cincinnati Regional Social Enterprise Alliance — David Gaines, Social Enterprise Alliance Board Member + Founder of Laterza Coffee
Social Venture Partners — Jason Aluko-Williams, VP Engagement & Strategy, SVP International
Miami University — Michael Conger, Director, Miami University Center for Social Entrepreneurship
Elevator Pitch Showcase
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM | MAINSTAGE
Sponsored by BBB Cincinnati
Watch some of the region’s most exciting purpose-driven startups deliver their elevator-ready pitches in real time!
Featuring: Andrew Bliss, Marissa Dumas, Sameer Vagal, Shaylah Mehnert, Dwylett Chambers-Montgomery, Valda Freeman-Karmo, Sophia DiSalvo, Eric Foster
Facilitated by: Jonathan Preedom, PhD, Asst. Professor of Entrepreneurship at Louisiana State University
Fireside Chat
1:30 PM — 2:20 PM | Suzanne Smith — Founder & CEO, Social Impact Architects + Professor, University of Texas (Austin)
Sponsored by Aileron
In this engaging fireside chat, Flywheel’s Executive Director, Donna Zaring, sits down with Suzanne Smith, a nationally respected social entrepreneur and nonprofit strategist, to explore what it takes to turn bold ideas into measurable, purpose-driven impact. Drawing on Suzanne’s extensive experience accelerating social change, the conversation will highlight key lessons from her career and the evolution of the social impact landscape over the past decade.
Together, they will dive into practical strategies for building and sustaining strong networks of organizations, funders, and community leaders—unlocking the kind of collaboration needed to drive collective impact at scale.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into how to foster alignment, amplify impact, and create lasting systems-level change.
Workshop
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM | Intro to Impact Investing | BALLROOM 2
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.
Sabari Raja, Managing Partner, JFF Ventures | Mark Conrad, Private Funds Attorney, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP | Sue Bevan Baggott, Investor, QCA Ventures + Founder of Power Within Consulting | Mark Davis, CEO Table Sense
AFTERNOON SESSION BLOCK
Panel Discussion
2:30 PM — 3:20 PM | Seeding the Future: Investing in Our Region’s Youth | BALLROOM 2
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 | Moderated by: David Garrett, Table Sense
Panel Discussion
2:30 PM — 3:30 PM | Purpose and Profit: How Corporations Are Driving a Double Bottom Line | MAINSTAGE
Sponsored by E.W. Scripps
A two-part 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.
Facilitated by: Rhiannon Hoeweler, CEO, MadTree Brewing | Sherwood MacVeigh, VP, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries | Pam Green, President & CEO, Easterseals Redwood | Steve Hightower, Founder & CEO, Hightowers Petroleum | Dan Meyer, CEO, Nehemiah Manufacturing | Moderated by: Byron Stallworth, Founder & CEO, Inclusion Building Solutions |
Workshop
2:30 PM— 3:30 PM | Gather 4 Good (continued): Building a Regional Social Impact Ecosystem | BALLROOM 1
A continuation of the 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 Gather 4 Good Founding Partners. (See speaker list from 12:15 session description.) Sponsored by Social Venture Partners Cincinnati
Workshop
3:45 PM—4:45 PM | Capital and Community: Investing in Place for Lasting Impact | BALLROOM 1
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: 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) | Moderated by: Gary Painter, Director, University of Cincinnati Center for Real Estate |
Panel Discussion
3:45 PM — 4:45 PM | Social Enterprises in Action | MAINSTAGE
Sponsored by University of Cincinnati 1819 Innovation Hub
Meet The Trailblazers Reshaping our Region through their purpose-driven startups.
Featuring: Eileen Budo, Co-Founder & CEO, Last Mile Food Rescue | Gabrielle Blocher, CEO, Sunflower Fuels | Sheri Chaney Jones, Founder & CEO Sure Impact | Brian Jackson, CEO Esoteric Brewing Company | Moderated by: Marvin Abrinica, Director, University of Cincinnati Venture Lab + CEO, Wunderfund
4:45 PM — 5:00 PM | Closing Remarks | Mainstage
5:00PM — 6:30 PM | Networking & HAPPY HOUR
Sponsored by:
In-Kind Sponsors:
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Questions? Contact us at admin@flywheelcincinnati.org.
Flywheel programming is made possible by generous support from: