2026 Foundation Leadership Forum: Schedule

Board Independence and Mission Alignment in a Polarized Era

There have always been debates about the purposes of higher education and the best ways for colleges and universities to advance both student success and the public good. Today, however, institutions are facing challenges to long-standing governance principles that have helped to make U.S. higher education the global gold standard. This session will address challenges to board autonomy and academic freedom and explore the imperative of fiduciary independence and mission alignment for foundations while they maintain operational and strategic alignment with their partner institutions.

Meeting and Exceeding the Moment with Adaptive Leadership

The best of times. The worst of times. Both call for bold action by boards and present opportunities to transform and strengthen governance. Whether responding to institutional crises or managing the momentum of rapid growth, these boards found opportunity in navigating disruption, adapting governance, embracing new roles as strategic partners to their institutions, and elevating their philanthropic leadership. Walk away with lessons you can apply to your own leadership moment, whatever shape it takes.

Bullish, Bearish, or Bewildered: Making “Dollars and Sense” in a Perplexing Investment Environment

In mid-2025, U.S. stocks hit record highs, but some of the nation’s richest institutions are cutting budgets and laying off staff. The headlines are anything but clear, but foundations will likely be facing ramped up pressure to spend and may find donors more cautious than usual. In this session, leading economic and investment experts will offer their perspectives on the year ahead, unpack the forces shaping global markets, and explore the investment questions that should be top of mind for boards and investment committees managing long-term portfolios in volatile times.

“Remain Seated and Buckle Your Seat Belts”: How Foundations Provide Stability and Continuity in Turbulent Times

The year 2025 was turbulent for higher education, with the near elimination of the U.S. Department of Education, sweeping regulatory changes, dramatic cuts in federal funding, the ongoing transformation of collegiate athletics, and a landmark budget reconciliation bill. Looking ahead, it’s a safe bet that most institutions will be dealing with some combination of revenue shortfalls, changing compliance regimes, unanticipated leadership transitions, and conflicting stakeholder interests. This session will bring together a panel of seasoned board leaders for a discussion on how they plan for the unpredictable, mitigate potential risk, and position their foundations to be a source of stability and continuity in support of abiding institutional purposes.