OCS Conference Funding Submission
Event Photo:
Keynote address at PEAK2025.
Name: Allie Gordon
Degree Program: MPA IN PUBLIC & NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT & POLICY
Specialization: PNP-International Development Policy and Management
Conference Host Organization/Institution: PEAK
Conference/Competition Name: PEAK2025 New Orleans
Conference Term: Spring Conference Start Date: 2025-03-24 Conference End Date: 2025-03-26
What were your takeaways from this conference/case competition?
It's a changing time in grantmaking! Under the current administration, many grantmaking professionals are contemplating how to change their practices -- either to accommodate the administration or to challenge it. Trust-based philanthropy is still a popular idea, but in practice many grantmakers find it challenging to fully embrace. Collaborative funds and change movements are particularly trendy topics.
How will your participation in this conference/case competition support your professional development?
In the conference, I participated in a career coaching session, which was enormously helpful when planning my long-term development. I also met several people who work in my field in New York, who will be helpful for building community and potential contacts for future career moves.
What are some next steps or action items this conference/case competition inspired?
I contacted several individuals who I wasn't able to find or meet in person, and am scheduling follow-up calls to talk about career growth and community engagement. I am also sharing takeaways with my coworkers and bringing in some new ideas for how we can help fill the gap from the demolition of USAID.
What are some tips or best practices that you would like to share with other Wagner students who attend a conference/case competition?
Take advantage of the career coaching sessions! There are a lot of people at PEAK (~1300) so pace yourself and target particular people that you want to meet. You can message them on the app, everyone is very friendly!
Wagner Areas of Impact: Nonprofits