Tim Wentworth traces his career path to a needs-based scholarship at Monroe Community College. After earning a subsequent degree at Cornell University, he held a series of corporate leadership roles in human resources and four CEO roles in which he became known for his turnaround execution, collaborative team building, operational scaling, and metric-focused discipline in an industry experiencing serious disruption.

Monroe Community College President DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna will engage Wentworth in a conversation about leading transformative change, building teams and developing talent, maintaining a customer focus, and creating pathways for success spanning the higher education and private sectors. Wentworth will also speak directly to the power of a community college education in his life and in the lives of many others.

Speakers:
Tim Wentworth, former CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Evernorth Health Services, and Express Scripts
DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, president, Monroe Community College

5:45 – 7:15 PM | Opening Reception

Monday, January 25

7:30 – 8:30 AM | Breakfast

8:40 – 9:40 AM | Plenary Session 2

Pressure, Partnership, and Possibility in Public Higher Education

Public colleges and universities face mounting pressures that are reshaping their financial models, institutional priorities, and long-term sustainability. From enrollment uncertainty and funding constraints to shifting public policy and expectations, higher education leaders are confronting difficult decisions about how to sustain their missions.

What role should foundations and their boards play in helping institutions respond?

Join higher education leaders for a candid conversation about the choices facing public institutions, the importance of strong institution-foundation partnerships, and the opportunities for foundation boards to help shape a more sustainable future. The discussion will offer insights relevant to foundation leaders across higher education as they consider how to support their institutions through change.

9:40 – 10:00 AM | Break

10:00 – 10:50 AM | Concurrent Block 1

10:50 – 11:10 AM | Break

11:10 AM – 12:00 PM | Concurrent Block 2

12:00 – 1:15 PM | Lunch

1:15 – 2:15 PM | Plenary Session 3

Reimagining the Role of Higher Education Foundations

The expectations of higher education foundations are changing. Beyond fundraising and stewardship, foundations are increasingly called upon to serve as strategic partners in advancing institutional priorities and long-term success.

What will it take to meet those expectations?

This session will explore how foundation boards and leadership teams can rethink traditional approaches, strengthen institution-foundation partnerships, and embrace new strategies, technologies, and measures of impact. Through a forward-looking discussion, attendees will consider opportunities to evolve their foundations while preserving the trust, relationships, and mission that make their work essential.

2:15 – 2:35 PM | Break

2:35 – 3:50 PM | Concurrent Block 3

3:50 – 4:10 PM | Break

4:10 – 5:15 PM | Plenary Session 4

Endowment Strategy for a New Market Era

After years of strong market performance, higher education endowments face a changing investment landscape. Persistent inflation concerns, market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty, and the rapid growth of AI-driven industries are raising new questions about risk, returns, and long-term strategy.

How can foundation boards and investment committees protect the purchasing power of their endowments while responding to growing institutional financial needs?

Hear perspectives from three investment strategists, followed by a moderated discussion exploring portfolio strategy, risk management, and the governance decisions that will shape endowment performance. Attendees will gain insights to help their boards evaluate investment approaches and ensure their endowments continue to advance institutional missions.

5:15 – 6:30 PM | Afternoon Reception

Tuesday, January 26

7:45 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast

9:00 – 10:00 AM | Closing Plenary

Flourishing in an AI World

Paul J. LeBlanc is known for transforming a struggling regional institution with fewer than 3,000 students into an online university serving more than 200,000 students. In his new book, Reclaiming Purpose: The University in an AI World, he envisions a future in which higher education again embodies its purpose of human and societal development.

Brad Smith’s career path began as a student at Marshall University, encompassed leadership roles at numerous corporations including 11 transformative years as CEO of Intuit, and brought him back to Huntington, West Virginia, to serve as Marshall’s president.

In this conversation, LeBlanc and Smith will explore the implications of the AI economy for higher education, ways colleges and universities will be forced to adapt and transform, and the imperative of leading with a focus on the fundamental purpose and mission of advancing inclusive opportunity and individual and collective human development.

Speakers:
Paul J. LeBlanc, visiting professor, Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Brad D. Smith, president, Marshall University

10:00 – 10:20 AM | Break

10:20 – 11:10 AM | Concurrent Block 4

11:10 – 11:30 AM | Break

11:30 AM – 12:20 PM | Concurrent Block 5

1:30 – 3:00 PM | Workshops and Master Classes

Register as a group and save.

Register now to reserve your spot in Washington, DC.

Early Bird Rate
Individual Member*

~~$1,830~~

Early Bird Rate
Group**

~~$1,685~~

Regular Rate
Individual Member*

$2,035

Regular Rate
Group**

$1,930

Nonmember Rate

$3,055

*Member exclusive pricing.
**Three or more, members only. All members in the group must be registered at the same time.

Key Dates

Early bird deadline: September 30, 2026
Deadline for cancellation: January 6, 2027
Deadline to receive discounted hotel rate: January 6, 2027 (provided space is available)

Cancellation Policy

This program is available only to registrants who are serving a higher education institution or foundation. Please contact registrar@AGB.org with any questions.

All cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to cancellations@AGB.org and will be processed after the meeting. Requests for refunds must be received by close of business on January 6, 2027, to receive a full refund minus a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued for registrants who cancel after January 6, 2027. If you are unable to attend, a substitute is welcome in your place at no additional charge. AGB is not responsible for cancellations due to airline disruption, inclement weather, COVID-19, or schedule changes.

Group Discounts: If a cancellation causes the group to fall below the required three registrations, the refund will be issued minus the discount benefit received by the original group.

Hotel Information

AGB has secured a room block at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, for Foundation Leadership Forum attendees at a group rate of $279 per night for a single or double, plus taxes and fees. Once registered, attendees will receive a link to book their hotel reservations. Reservations must be made online through this link to receive the group rate.

Reservations by attendees must be received by 5:00 PM ET, January 6, 2027.

With thanks to our 2027 sponsors.

View our 2027 sponsors and see how you can support the Foundation Leadership Forum.

Learn More→

Contact.

Registration

AGB is committed to excellence in member service. Should you have questions about registering for the Foundation Leadership Forum, contact the AGB registrar.

Become a Member and Save

If you currently are not an AGB member but want to take advantage of member pricing, please contact the AGB Membership team.

Sponsorship

To learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Steve Abbott, senior director of partnerships.

2027 Foundation Leadership Forum: Schedule

Sunday, January 24