August 1 at 8:00 AM
Sea Change: Participation, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism Today
Mississippi River Hall, RiverCenter North Building
Capacity: 100
Ticket: $50
Join us for a continental buffet breakfast and a special program designed for directors, CEOs, and leaders at any level and career stage. During a 45-minute talk show style conversation with local leaders, we’ll gain a local perspective on a national trend – shifts in participation, philanthropy, and volunteerism. They will share their observations about the sea change underway, how today’s political climate may have an impact, and how they are adapting to find stability despite the crosscurrents. Hear their perspectives and bring your own burning questions to the conversation!
This hour-long event (8:00-9:00 a.m.) will include time to mingle with your peers during breakfast service (~15 min). There will also be time immediately following the fireside chat (~30 min) before the start of the Flash Talks, our morning general session.
Moderator: Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities
Presenters:
- Jen Lewis-Snyder, Executive Director, Quad Cities Cultural Trust
- Betsy Matt Turner, Putnam Museum and Science Center
- Kelly Thompson, Quad Cities Community Foundation
- Ryan Wille, Quad City Botanical
The leadership breakfast is sponsored by Distinguished Fine Art & Collectibles and Hub International.
Guest Speakers:
Jen Lewis-Snyder
Executive Director, Quad Cities Cultural Trust
Jen Lewis-Snyder is a dynamic leader in the arts and culture sector, dedicated to championing the transformative power of cultural organizations in communities. As the Executive Director of the Quad Cities Cultural Trust, she oversees strategic art and cultural investments, driving sustainable growth, regional impact, and innovation in arts philanthropy.
Before joining QCCT, Jen spent over a decade as the Vice President of United Way of the Quad Cities, where she played a pivotal role in creating affinity groups and elevating leadership giving to unprecedented levels. A University of Iowa graduate and certified strategic planner, she brings a sharp strategic mind to the table—along with a firm belief that collaboration (and perhaps a little coffee) can solve almost anything.
Jen is also a published author, a wife, and a mother—roles that keep her equally skilled in negotiation, crisis management, and creative problem-solving. Whether she’s leading a boardroom discussion or wrangling a family schedule, she brings energy, humor, and a results-driven approach.
Betsy Matt Turner
Vice President of Strategic Advancement, Putnam Museum and Science Center
Betsy Matt Turner serves as the Putnam Museum and Science Center’s Vice President of Strategic Advancement where her areas of responsibility include institutional and individual fundraising, planning, government relations, DEAI, and continuous improvement/evaluation. Highlights of her Putnam tenure include securing ~$13 million in federal, state, foundation and corporate grants for a range of projects and infrastructure initiatives; serving as lead staff for the Putnam’s 2020 Community and Audience Engagement Museum Assessment Program; tracking pandemic-era federal legislation to identify opportunities for organizational support; working with the Putnam’s CEO and board on a multi-year advocacy initiative that has secured a long-term contract with the City of Davenport; and leading implementation of a mission-driven donor program that increased the number of $1,000+ annual fund donors by 500%.
Betsy’s prior positions include serving as Vice President of Planning for United Way of the Quad Cities Area and Director of Development for the Connecticut Association for Human Services. She also served as a Presidential Management Fellow in Washington, D.C.
Kelly Thompson
Vice President of Grantmaking and Community Initiatives, Quad Cities Community Foundation
Kelly Thompson oversees the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s grantmaking strategy, nonprofit sector–strengthening initiatives, private foundation grantmaking and administrative services, and collaborations on community issues that no one organization can face alone. Since joining the Community Foundation in 2012, she has led the formation and growth of our Transformation Grant program, disaster response and recovery efforts, and the launch of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
Kelly earned her masters in social work from the University of Iowa and her bachelor’s in sociology from Augustana College. She brought to the Community Foundation nine years of experience in social services, including agency leadership, grants management, and direct service in child welfare and homelessness. Kelly serves as the Vice Chair of Disaster Ready Quad Cities, as a member of the Iowa Council of Foundations Education Committee, and as a member of the Grantmakers for Effective Organizations Capacity Building Champions Advisory Committee. Kelly lives in Rock Island, enjoys the local live music scene, and is active in community theatre.
Ryan Wille
Executive Director, Quad City Botanical Center
Ryan has served as Executive Director at the Quad City Botanical Center for the last 4 years, after spending time in both the education and marketing departments. Originally from Palatine, IL, Ryan studied English at Bradley University and Horticulture at Penn State University. He previously held roles at landscape design firms in Chicago, managing plant health care programs and has most recently spent the last 8 years of his career in nonprofit work.