WHERE IMPACT MEETS MOMENTUM
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
Impact Catalyst was created to break down silos, build new relationships, and explore how purpose-driven businesses and impact investing can work together to create stronger communities. Join us as we imagine—and build—a region where capital and enterprise drive lasting change.
2026 EVENT INFORMATION
Impact Catalyst Midwest
June 23, 2026 | Memorial Hall | Cincinnati, OH
Hosted by Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, Impact Catalyst Midwest brought 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. Read the event recap on our blog.
Presenting Sponsors:
Partner Sponsors:
Advocate Sponsors:
Registration, Breakfast + Networking
Sponsored by Miami University Center for Social Entrepreneurship
Coffee generously donated by Laterza Coffee
MORNING SESSION BLOCK
Keynote Presentations
Jenna Nicholas — CEO, Lightpost Capital, Co-Founder + CEO, Impact Experience (San Francisco)
In this keynote, Jenna Nicholas—a nationally recognized impact investing leader, bridge-builder, and Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur— challenged and inspired 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 illuminated 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.
Michael O’Bryan — Founder & CEO, humanature + Director, The Wealth + Work Futures Lab (Philadelphia)
Demonstrated through his experiences as a nationally-recognized workforce strategist, Michael highlighted how communities can move beyond constraints and embrace the intersections of capital, design, and collaboration to produce meaningful outcomes. Attendees were 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
From Vision to Action: Advancing Regional Priorities in the Midwest | MAINSTAGE
Sponsored by The Cincinnati Regional Chamber
This panel brought the conversation home—connecting national perspectives to the real opportunities and challenges shaping our region. Our regions’s civic and business leaders shared 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
Funder Engagement 101: What Investors Look For
This practical workshop equips purpose-driven entrepreneurs with the tools and insights needed to successfully engage funders and secure investment. Attendees learned 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
Sponsored by Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub Board of Directors and Philanthropreneurs®
Workshop
Gather 4 Good: Building a Regional Social Impact Ecosystem
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
Sponsored by BBB Cincinnati
Some of the region’s most exciting purpose-driven startups delivered their elevator-ready pitches live with real time coaching from pitch expert Jonathan Preedom, PhD.
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
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, sat 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 highlighted key lessons from her career and the evolution of the social impact landscape over the past decade.
Together they explored 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 gained valuable insights into how to foster alignment, amplify impact, and create lasting systems-level change.
Workshop
Intro to Impact Investing
This workshop was for those looking to begin their journey in impact investing. Led by a cross-sector group of experienced practitioners, the session demystified the landscape, explored different entry points for deploying capital, and offered practical guidance on aligning financial goals with meaningful social and environmental impact. Attendees left 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
Seeding the Future: Investing in Our Region’s Youth
Sponsored by Table Sense
For both investors and social entrepreneurs alike, this session discussed 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 demonstrated 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
Purpose and Profit: How Corporations Are Driving a Double Bottom Line
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 shared 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
Capital and Community: Investing in Place for Lasting Impact
In this breakout session, experts dove into innovative strategies in place-based impact investing—exploring how capital can be deployed to generate both financial returns and meaningful community benefit. Experts shared 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 | Moderated by: Gary Painter, Director, University of Cincinnati Center for Real Estate |
Panel Discussion
Social Enterprises in Action | MAINSTAGE
Sponsored by University of Cincinnati 1819 Innovation Hub
Attendees heard real stories and lessons learned from 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
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: