Conference Agenda

Economic Inclusion and Growth: The Way Forward will bring together leaders and bipartisan representatives from state and local municipalities, nonprofits, and the philanthropic and private sectors to discuss the evolution and successes of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), proven approaches for urban and rural economic revitalization, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, and how to further economic growth in underserved communities.

The conference is being held as the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund marks the 25th anniversary of its creation, among other important economic milestones from the Clinton administration, including the development of Rural Empowerment Zones, establishment of the New Market Tax Credit, and more. Together with state and local municipalities, nonprofits, and the philanthropic and private sectors, these Clinton administration priorities were key in unlocking economic opportunity by focusing on efforts to address income inequality and creating an era of broad-based economic growth.

This conference is made possible by the generous support of our partners: Ford Foundation, Gene Ludwig Family Foundation, Quorum, Southern Bancorp, Inc., Inclusiv, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Road Runner, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, National Community Investment Fund, Opportunity Finance Network, Community Development Bankers Association, IFF, Association for Enterprise Opportunity, Financial Health Network, Oweesta, Beek Center, Calvert, Wayne Silby, Sunrise Bank, and Community Development Venture Capital Association.

  • Tuesday, November 19

  • 5:30 PM

    Welcome Reception

  • Wednesday, November 20

  • 8:00 AM

    Networking Breakfast and Registration

    Light, continental breakfast will be provided.

  • 9:15 AM

    Welcoming Remarks

    Stephanie S. Streett, Executive Director, Clinton Foundation

    Frank Scott, Jr., Mayor, City of Little Rock, Arkansas

  • 9:30 AM

    Opening Conversation

    President Bill Clinton, Founder and Board Chair, Clinton Foundation, and 42nd President of the United States

    Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former U.S. Secretary of State

    Darrin Williams, CEO, Southern Bancorp

  • 10:15 AM

    Panel Discussion
    From the Origin: Creation of CDFIs and Their Catalytic Impact

    This conversation and panel will examine the CDFI creation story, noting how the passage of the CDFI Fund legislation created a distinct field in the finance sector that gave a higher priority to unlocking economic opportunity for much-needed areas. The panel will discuss examples of successes in the CDFI field, while focusing on current challenges like income inequality and banking deserts, and how CDFIs can help create even more positive growth moving forward.

    Moderator

    Lisa Mensah, President and CEO, Opportunity Finance Network

    Panelists

    Donna Gambrell, President and CEO, Appalachian Community Capital, and Former Director, U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund

    Jodie Harris, Director, CDFI Fund, U.S. Department of the Treasury

    Cliff Rosenthal, Author, and Former CEO, Inclusiv

    Jennifer Tescher, President and CEO, Financial Health Network

  • 11:15 AM

    Coffee Break

  • 11:30 AM

    Panel Discussion
    Revitalizing America’s Cities

    This panel will highlight the work being done by CDFIs, community foundations, grassroots organizations, mayors, and others to support the revitalization of diverse American cities. Urban areas face a wide range of challenges to ensuring economic opportunity for all citizens, including affordable housing, entrepreneurship, and small business support. The panel will also explore how cities are confronting growing economic inequality, especially the increasing racial wealth gap.

    Moderator

    Secretary Henry Cisneros, Executive Chairman, CityView

    Panelists

    Brian Argrett, President and CEO, City First Bank of D.C.

    Mayor Michael Hancock, Mayor, City of Denver, Colorado

    Joe Neri, CEO, IFF

    Erin Robert, Head of Impact Finance, JPMorgan Chase

  • 12:30 PM

    Lunch Buffet

     

  • 1:00 PM

    Panel Discussion
    Financial Inclusion and Supporting Underserved Communities

    This panel will discuss ways to support rural communities, Native Americans, recent immigrants, and others who often lack access to the banking sector. As part of this conversation, panelists will examine the effectiveness of historical and current efforts to reduce economic inequality, especially in rural communities and other underserved areas.

    Remarks

    Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, President and CEO, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

    Moderator

    Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former U.S. Secretary of State

    Panelists

    Mayor Stephen Benjamin, Mayor, Columbia, South Carolina, and Immediate Past President, U.S. Conference of Mayors

    Secretary Mike Espy, Chairman, Board of Hope Enterprise Corporation

    Stacy Leeds, Vice Chancellor for Economic Development, University of Arkansas

    Luz Urrutia, CEO, Opportunity Fund

  • 2:00 PM

    Panel Discussion
    The Investors’ Perspective: Attracting More Capital to Community Finance

    This panel will feature current investors in the CDFI space and closely related fields. This discussion will examine ways to expand on current efforts, and how banks, foundations, and investors that have long supported the CDFI industry can advance efforts to promote small business growth, entrepreneurship, and impact investing.

    Moderator

    Grace Chionuma, Executive Director, Public Finance Banking, Morgan Stanley

    Panelists

    Annie Donovan, Executive Vice President and COO, Local Initiatives Support Corporation

    Peter Filipovic, Vice President and Treasurer, Starbucks

    Dan Letendre, Managing Director of ESG Capital Deployment, Bank of America

    Cynthia Muller, Director of Mission Investments, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

  • 3:00 PM

    Coffee Break

  • 3:15 PM

    Panel Discussion
    Supporting Entrepreneurial Growth

    This panel will discuss strategies for supporting entrepreneurship in America. Despite significant investment, entrepreneurial activity is nearing a 40 year low and inequality is close to a 100 year high. Recognizing the importance of entrepreneurs in creating inclusive economic growth and opportunity, panelists will explore ways to change these trendlines and provide support for entrepreneurs, especially those who are marginalized and often lack access to traditional financing sources.

    Moderator

    Gene Sperling, Former Director, National Economic Council

    Panelists

    Megan Glover, Co-Founder and CEO, 120WaterAudit

    Fagan Harris, President and CEO, Baltimore Corps

    Anna Mason, Partner, Rise of the Rest Seed Fund

    Mayor Libby Schaaf, Mayor, City of Oakland, California

  • 4:15 PM

    Closing Plenary and Announcements
    How Do We Scale The Field?

    This panel will ask major organizations in the field to underscore their commitments to collective action. Recognizing the progress that has been made, this panel will highlight effective models and approaches and ask what we need to do in 2020 and beyond to achieve further progress in the CDFI, inclusive growth, and small business areas.

    Moderator

    President Bill Clinton, Founder and Board Chair, Clinton Foundation, and 42nd President of the United States

    Panelists

    Gene Ludwig, Founder and CEO, Promontory Financial Group

    Cathie Mahon, President and CEO, Inclusiv

    Matt Peterson, President and CEO, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

    Mayor Levar Stoney, Mayor, City of Richmond, Virginia

  • 5:45 PM

    Networking Reception