8:00 am – 9:00 am: Gather & Ground
Begin with Connection – Registration & Continental Breakfast.

9:00 am – 10:00 am: Opening Panel: Why Ending Poverty Matters
A moderated discussion with community leaders from business, workforce, and healthcare. Panelists will share personal and professional perspectives on why ending poverty must be a shared priority.

Panelists:

• Danielle Harrison (GuilfordWorks)
• Heather Adams (Guilford County Partnership for Children)
• David Williams (Lorac Academy)
• Healthcare leader (to be announced soon)
  Moderator: (to be announced soon)

10:00 am – 10:30 am: Reflections & the Day Ahead
United Way leadership reflects on the purpose of the summit and sets the stage for the day’s discussions.

Speakers:

• Frank McCain, President & CEO — Welcome and reflections; presentation of the Key to the Community Award to Syngenta in recognition of their contributions to UWGG and the Greater Greensboro community.
• Traci McLemore, Chief Community Impact Officer — Walkthrough of the day’s schedule, encouragement to lean into tough conversations, and introduction of tools for engagement.

10:30 am – 10:45 am: Break

10:45 am – 12:00 am: A New Lens on Financial Hardship
Attendees will learn about A.L.I.C.E. (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households and the structural challenges they face. Presenters will share insights from simulation results and examples of effective strategies that help working families move toward stability.

Speakers:

• Health at Work Interns (Simulation Results)
• Kiran Handa Gaudioso, President & CEO, United Way of Northern New Jersey

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch & Table Conversations
Enjoy lunch while engaging in guided table topics. This informal time fosters reflection, inspiration, and networking ahead of the afternoon breakout sessions.

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Breakout Sessions: Responsibility to Act

Room A – Real Change: The Power of Business Partnerships
Learn how businesses are improving employee retention and performance by partnering with nonprofits and community colleges. Hear real-world examples of corporate responsibility that benefit both employees and community outcomes.
Panelists: Michelle Schneider, VP & Chief Philanthropy Officer, Cone Health; Sally Elliott, Community Engagement Liaison, HAECO Americas
Moderator: Melissa Smith, Director of Workforce Development Solutions, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

Room B – Shared Power: With, Not For
This session explores how organizations are shifting power to the people most affected by poverty. Panelists will share approaches for embedding lived experience in program design, decision-making, and policy change—and what it takes to do it authentically.
Panelists: Greg Liggs, Certified Peer Support Specialist, Kellin Foundation; Jamese Ivy, Chief Impact Officer, United Way of Greater Charlotte, (additional panelist to be announced soon)
Moderator: Shaunté Kinch, CEO, Empact Global

Room C – Bold Ideas: Building Financial Bridges
Explore innovative approaches that help families overcome financial barriers and achieve stability, including models like HELD, Tri-Share, and initiatives from Charlotte Goodwill.

Panelist names to be announced.
Moderator: Alice Mahood, Director of Integrated Services, Guilford County

2:30 pm – 2:45 pm: Break

2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Advocacy & Action
A call to action highlighting how advocacy and policy change are critical to advancing solutions to poverty—and how attendees can play a role. Speaker will be announced soon.

3:15 pm – 3:45 pm: Closing Session: From Awareness to Action
As the summit concludes, attendees will be invited to reflect on their biggest insights, make commitments to action, and explore opportunities for ongoing involvement. Interactive polling will capture key takeaways.

Speakers:

• Frank McCain (UWGG)

Highlights:

• UWGG’s Bold Goal
• Community-Aligned Efforts
• Opportunities for Continued Learning