We’re thrilled to unveil our PEAK2026 Online Keynotes, streaming April 22–23! Anchored in our theme, Rooted in Purpose, Growing Together, these virtual sessions feature philanthropy’s boldest thought-leaders. Join us as we explore how to build a more responsive, innovative, and collaborative sector for the future.
Meeting the Moment: Stewardship, Solidarity, and Social Justice
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. ET
PEAK2026 Online kicks off with an engaging panel discussion between Nick Tilsen (Founder and CEO of NDN Collective), Aria Florant (Co-founder and CEO of Liberation Ventures), and Eusebio Díaz (Interim CEO of PEAK), exploring how philanthropy can meet the heightened challenges of this moment. As our sector faces increasing threats to its independence and the communities it serves, the leaders will dive deep into how grants professionals can move beyond compliance to act as true equity stewards. We will explore practical strategies for supporting social justice movements amidst a shifting political landscape, innovative ways to use data and technology to narrow the power gap between funders and nonprofits, and the essential steps needed to move resources more rapidly and equitably to the front lines. This session is a call to action for grants professionals to operationalize their values and advance the innovations necessary to transform philanthropy for the better.
Designing the Future of Principled Philanthropy
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET
Join us for a high-impact virtual closing keynote at PEAK2026 Online with Saida Agostini-Bostic (President of Funders for LGBTQ Issues), Elizabeth Barajas-Román (President and CEO of Women’s Funding Network), and Sara Richman Sanders (Managing Director of PEAK), to focus on how philanthropic serving organizations (PSO’s) can empower the sector to meet the complex demands of our current moment. In a year defined by increased threats to community safety and sector independence, this moderated panel of PSO leaders will examine how to better support the effectiveness and well-being of grants professionals who are navigating a political environment that is increasingly skeptical of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will dive into the perceived tension between technical “excellence” and equity-centered practice, offering a roadmap for organizations to champion responsive grantmaking that protects and uplifts marginalized nonprofits. This session is designed to offer both a critical analysis of the current pressures and a hopeful vision for the next few years, identifying the specific opportunities for members to leverage their roles to create a more just and impactful future for philanthropy.
