2025 LEADERSHIP GATHERING
Join colleagues from across the Boys Hope Girls Hope Network to celebrate our work and success, get updates on the strategic plan, and hear the latest on our transition to Hope Ignites!
Gathering Details
DATES
Tuesday, March 25
to Friday, March 28
LOCATION
Baltimore, MD
WHO
Executive directors, board members, program leads, and development/marketing leads are encouraged to attend.
EXPENSES
Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters will cover on-the-ground expenses for three team members and one board member from each affiliate.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point
1215 Wills St.
Baltimore, MD 21231
Keynote Speaker
Adrienne Somerville
Founder & CEO
Somerville Consulting Group
Adrienne Somerville is an international best-selling author, TEDx Speaker and the Deputy Director, Command Operations Group for the Naval Air Systems Command. Her personal story of resilience coupled with her deep professional experience will yield insights into navigating change within organizations and the world, building strong teams, and the power of mentorship. Adrienne has also been a mentor to a Boys Hope Girls Hope collegian.
Schedule
TUESDAY, MARCH 25
3 PM
Check in to hotel for gathering attendees.
Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point | 1215 Willis Street | Baltimore, MD 21231
6 PM – 9 PM | Canopy Baltimore Harbor Point
Leadership Gathering Welcome Reception
Gather for food, cocktails, and entertainment.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
All sessions will take place on the 3rd floor of the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Museum (1417 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 21231) unless otherwise noted.
8 AM – 9 AM | Canopy Baltimore Harbor Point
Breakfast
9 AM – 10 AM | Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Museum, Founders Room
State of the Organization: Hope Ignites the Future
President & CEO Kristin Ostby de Barillas provides the official welcome address and shares the progress on the bold vision for growth and expansion in the new era of Hope Ignites.
10 AM -11:30 AM | Founders Room
The Accelerating Impact Pilot: Preliminary Findings and Qualitative Outcomes
An interactive session with Dr. Ed Bowers, Clemson University, Project Evaluator and leaders from Arizona, Colorado, Guatemala, New York, and St. Louis who piloted this transformative program over the past three years.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM| Bearman Gallery
Lunch
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Founders Room
Concurrent Session: Executive Directors, Board & Development Track
Hope Ignites Transition: Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Jenny Starkey and the Marketing & Communications Team will walk affiliate leaders through the name change toolkit and marketing steps for the transition.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Bearman Gallery
Concurrent Session: Program Track
Brian Hipp and the Mission Effectiveness Team headline PMT trends and initiatives to drive greater alignment and impact
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Bearman Gallery
Concurrent Session: Program Track
Hope in Motion: Interactive working session with the Mission Effectiveness team and youth development experts from Clemson on integrating assessments, service planning, goals and My Road
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Founders Room
Concurrent Session: Executive Directors, Board & Development Track
Fueling Growth: Strategizing to increase revenue, secure funding, and foster impactful partnerships with VP of Advancement Bill Fronczak and Senior Director of Donor Engagement Dana Nichols
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Boys Hope Girls Hope of Baltimore
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Baltimore Site Visit
6:30 PM to 8:30 p.m. | American Visionary Art Museum
Evening Social with Cocktails & Food
Catch up with colleagues from around the Network in a relaxed setting.
THURSDAY, MARCH 27
All sessions will take place on the 3rd floor of the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Museum (1417 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 21231) unless otherwise noted.
8 AM – 9 AM | Canopy Baltimore Harbor Point
Breakfast
9 AM - 10 AM | Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Museum, Founders Room
Keynote Address: Transformational Leadership: Harnessing Change, Collaboration, and Empowerment
Adrienne Somerville is an international best-selling author, TEDx Speaker and the Deputy Director, Command Operations Group for the Naval Air Systems Command. Her personal story of resilience coupled with her deep professional experience will yield insights into navigating change within organizations and the world, building strong teams, and the power of mentorship. Adrienne has also been a mentor to a Boys Hope Girls Hope collegian.
10 AM - 11 AM | Founders Room
BHGH of Baltimore Academy Session
Executive Director, Arlene Hackbarth and Program Director, Demetria Jackson, will highlight background and goals of their affiliate and debrief the previous day's site visit.
11 AM - 12 PM | Founders Room
Planning for Growth - Part 1
This is a series of practical working sessions to conceptualize and develop your affiliate's Spark Growth Fund application, no matter what stage of the planning you might be in It will include inter-affiliate sharing and collaboration.
12 PM – 1 PM | Bearman Gallery
Lunch
1 PM - 2 PM | Founders Room
Planning for Growth - Part 2
This is a series of practical working sessions to conceptualize and develop your affiliate's Spark Growth Fund application, no matter what stage of the planning you might be in, with the help of input from your Network peers and the Headquarters team.
2 PM - 3 PM | Founders Room
Voices of Hope: Alumni Panel
An annual highlight of the gathering, this panel of inspirational alumni, facilitated by a peer, will speak from their experience on topics relevant to our organization’s continued adaptation and thriving as we seek to ignite hope in more and more deserving young people.
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM | Canopy Baltimore Harbor Point Hotel
Small Group Sessions
Opportunity to connect with colleagues in smaller groups
6 PM – 9 PM | Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Museum, Founders Room
7th Annual Excellence Awards
Our annual celebration featuring the presentation of the Vatterott Award to Intel for visionary leadership and support, Partner in Hope to Boston College, Legacy of Hope (Alumni), Hero of Hope (Team Member), and special recognition for affiliate Performance Management Tool honorees.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
8 AM – 9 AM | Canopy Baltimore Harbor Point
Breakfast and Wrap Session
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Walk to Hope Pep Rally | Baltimore Harbor Trail
Stroll the breathtaking beautiful Baltimore Harbor Trail with your colleagues, the Baltimore Orioles mascot and other exciting special guests.
12:00 PM | Canopy Baltimore Harbor Point
Conference End; Departures
sponsored in part by
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE
Working to nurture and guide motivated
young people in need to become well-educated,
career-ready men and women for others
