David L. Lawrence Convention Center
October 15
12:30 – 7 p.m.
From a highly anticipated keynote by renowned social entrepreneur Kimbal Musk to a festive rooftop party, this year’s GPNP convergence is equal parts think tank, networking opp and professional development. And it’s not to be missed.
With a creative twist on the conventional conference format, the day will kick off with a special performance by Pittsburgh-based dance company Attack Theatre and will wrap up at a lively rooftop reception.
Join in on Thursday, October 15th, when some 1,500 nonprofit professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and others will convene at the David L. Lawrence Convention for one of the Greater Pittsburgh’s Nonprofit Partnership’s most important annual events.
In big thinking about big issues, the GPNP Summit will address questions such as: How can we connect corporations, nonprofits and educators? Does Pittsburgh have what it takes to lead the country in social entrepreneurship? How did our region emerge as a national leader in innovative teaching and learning?
A highlight of the 2015 Summit is the keynote address by Kimbal Musk who is sure to rally the crowd when he takes the mic at 4:30 p.m. to discuss his innovative work improving food culture in cities across the U.S.
Co-founder of The Kitchen, a family of restaurants that sources directly from local farmers, stimulates farm economies (to the tune of millions annually) and creates jobs, Musk also serves on the boards of Tesla Motors, SpaceX, The Anschutz Health and Wellness Center and Chipotle Mexican Grill. In 2011, Musk co-founded The Kitchen Community, a nonprofit that has brought 200 “Learning Gardens” to schoolyards and community spaces in Chicago, Los Angeles and Colorado, connecting some 120,000 kids to real food, outdoor learning and experiential play.
Read on for some session highlights:
Health in All Policies: Creating a Culture of Health
This community dialogue session will provide an overview of the Allegheny County Health Department’s “Health in All Policies” approach, including the indispensable role of cross-sectoral collaboration, and will examine local partnership opportunities that are committed to a countywide culture of health. Featured speakers are Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the Allegheny County Health Department and Dr. Donald Schwarz with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Moderator is Highmark Foundation President, Yvonne Cook.
All Things Media: Marrying Traditional Print with Cutting Edge Digital to Gain Maximum Impact for Your Organization
Ready to cut the clutter and share your organization’s message with the right target audience? During this hands-on training session, attendees will learn best practices for effectively using earned (free) media and digital (social) media. Join session leader Greg Victor with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Ryan Alexander, a principal at GPS Impact and director of digital media for Governor Wolf, and Erin Casey, executive director of Pennyslvania Voices.
p4: People, Planet, Place and Performance: Metrics for Success in a Dynamic City
An independent public-private partnership created by Mayor Bill Peduto to forge a new model of urban growth and development that is innovative, inclusive and sustainable, p4 is based on a unifying framework that encompasses people, planet, place and performance. Key p4 leaders will discuss the deployment of citywide development principles that define successful growth over the coming decade and how the nonprofit sector can help advance this mission through partnership. Speakers are Ray Gastil, director of city planning; Mark Minnerly, director of real estate at Mosites Company; Aurora Sharrard, vice president of innovation at Green Building Alliance; and Presley Gillespie, president of Neighborhood Allies.
Accelerating Good
It may be called Silicon Alley, but does Pittsburgh have what it takes to lead the country in entrepreneurship that solves major social challenges? From climate change and food deserts to accessibility, this insightful session will explore how Pittsburgh can become a supportive community for entrepreneurs working on these and other challenges. Attendees will help to identify and shape new resources and infrastructure—from funding opportunities to incubator curriculum. Featured speakers are Bob Starzynski, director of business development for Innovation Works; Jean-Luc Parc, founding partner at Ferrum Capital Partners; Nicole Muise-Kielkucki, manager of Social Enterprise Initiatives at Idea Foundry; Ian Rosenberger, founder and CEO of Thread; and Chris Maury, founder and CEO of Conversant Labs.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! Expediting Workforce Development Efforts Through Partnership and Communications
This conversation will show how intersections between corporations, nonprofits and educators help to create our population of talented and skilled residents, attract 21st-century employers and sustain and expand established industries. Topics will cover everything from school curriculum and technology, to the skills gap and workforce development. Session facilitators are Laurie Roy, director of human resources with Alcoa; Linda Topoleski, vice president of the Allegheny Conference; Brian White, superintendent of Chartiers Valley School District; and Carolyn George with the Ohio Department of Education.
Remake this World
Think outside the box and dream big during this session led by local pioneers in education and socially responsible enterprise. Attendees will hear from two educators representing the Remake Learning Network who will share how the Pittsburgh region is working at the forefront of innovative teaching and learning. Also featured will be entrepreneur Emily Kennedy, founder & CEO of Marinus Analytics, and a winner of UpPrize, who will explain how she’s using new methods to address human trafficking.
Co-chairs for the 2015 Summit are Gregg Behr, executive director of The Grable Foundation, and Susan Baker Shipley, president of Huntington Bank’s Western Pennsylvania and Ohio Valley Region.
In a previous story on the GPNP, NEXTpittsburgh reported that nonprofits in Allegheny County employ 75,000 people a year, accounting for eight to nine percent of total employment (more than the manufacturing industry or the construction industry). A coalition of more than 400 nonprofit organizations representing a 10-county region in southwestern Pennsylvania, The Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership provides public policy analysis, education, advocacy and an array of services and opportunities.
View a complete schedule of events and register now.
