Excitement is building for our 2024 conference happening in New Orleans! From June 3-5 we’ll be celebrating our first in-person conference since before the pandemic began, and our first conference as a new nonprofit. As we prepare emerging leaders to address the constant change in the philanthropic sector and the world, we can’t wait to reconnect, revive, and rise with our community.

As we get ready for June, we’d like to introduce you to our wonderful conference planning committee. This group of members is working hard to ensure EPIP 2024 is an experience specially tailored to attendees’ needs.

Rafael Torres - PEAK Grantmaking, Orlando, FL

I love EPIP's mission and its work for philanthropic professionals! I see this as an opportunity to support an organization and fellow peers who have greatly contributed to my growth in this field.

Abby Rolland - harp-weaver LLC (The Presser Foundation), Philadelphia, PA

Supporting learning for emerging philanthropy practitioners is extremely important to me. I want to connect with others and contribute to an engaging conference. The sessions will be outstanding, and the connections formed will be incredibly valuable and sustaining.

Kiona Carrington - Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, Bowie, MD

I attended EPIP's happy hour at ABFE's conference in April 2023. The energy in the room was amazing. As an introvert, it was so easy to interact with peers. I wanted conference planning experience and thought this would be the perfect opportunity.

Sierra Judy - Headwaters Foundation for Justice, Minneapolis, MN

I am looking forward to connecting with peers in the field and meeting online friends in person for the first time! I’m also excited to learn more about the city of New Orleans and the local movement ecosystem rooted there.

Caryn Blair - Foundation for Louisiana, New Orleans, LA

EPIP's values align with my own, and I was happy to assist with planning an event in my hometown. The conference will allow me to connect with other people who are new to philanthropy and interested in changing the practice and the world.

Amara Reese-Hansell - Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Bozeman, MT

As an emerging practitioner in the field of philanthropy, I've found a lot of value in many of EPIP's offerings since stepping into my new role. I've enjoyed diving into the intricacies of conference planning with an organization so deeply committed to advancing equity in the sector.

Francis Cheung - The Colorado Trust, Denver, CO

I was introduced to EPIP through Philanthropology. The organizational values really resonated with me, so I was happy to participate in the planning of a conference to support the larger philanthropic community. The conference will allow me to connect with philanthropy professionals across the nation – and the food in NOLA is a plus.

Tyler Barbarin - Louisiana Abortion Fund, New Orleans, LA

I am excited to get some caucusing space with folks in the city that I call home to learn more about principled struggle within the philanthropy world. I want to listen and learn from folks who have a range of experiences in the field and who hope to make a lasting impact and move us towards liberation.

Sherra Bennett - The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Little Rock, AR

The opportunity to expand my philanthropic network and build my professional experience in convening planning (the superpower of philanthropy) was an opportunity too good to pass up. I also appreciate the great privilege and responsibility to curate a space intentionally crafted for emerging philanthropic practitioners.

Gillian Knight - Healthy Communities Foundation, Chicago, IL

I have always loved the "in between time" of conferences, where you are able to chat and get to know the people you are sitting next to. I have been in the house for so long that I’m excited to stretch my in person social muscles! I also can’t wait to eat all the food that New Orleans has to offer.

Sona Smith - Ms. Foundation for Women, Chicago, IL

I am so looking forward to being in New Orleans, my motherland. This is also my first EPIP conference, and I am excited to attend sessions that are engaging and deepen my analysis. I want to ensure I’m showing up to this work in transformative ways for the grantee partners and communities that I am accountable to.

Anna Jinkerson - Living Cities, Washington, DC and New York, NY

I can’t wait to sample the food in New Orleans - and a proper Sazerac. I'm mostly looking forward to connecting on issues related to racial equity and philanthropy. We need to stay connected during this difficult time and find ways to continue threading the needle.

John Dello Russo - Barr Foundation, Boston, MA

One of my favorite components of being a part of EPIP is connecting with other chapter leaders - both in my region and nationally! I was drawn to participate in development of the chapter leader institute because I'm energized thinking about all the great connections that we’ll be able to make together at this year’s conference.

Tasnia Khan - The JPB Foundation, New York, NY

The conference planning committee is an exciting opportunity to help create spaces for meaningful connections, learning, healing, and joy. I am looking forward to building community and deepening my relationships within the philanthropic sector.

Cozzie King - Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Washington, DC

This organization has supported my learning journey in this sector. What better way to give back than through volunteering. I am most looking forward to all the "peopling" that will take place. I want to hear from others about the challenges emerging practitioners are grappling with, and what we are doing to learn and grow as new leaders in this space.

Additional committee members include:

• Gizelle Clemens
• Maco Faniel
• Leslie Nwosu 
• Wankeeta Jackson
• Pam Amundsen
• Clara Steele
• Geenah Leslie

Take the first step and register for EPIP 2024 today. A limited number of early bird tickets remain, so don’t delay! 

Our planning committee members can’t wait to see you!