National Philanthropy Day 2024
The Power of Partnerships in Strengthening Communities
Join the AFP Fairfield County on Thursday, November 14, 2024, to celebrate National Philanthropy Day (NPD). This year’s event will be held at Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, 595 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport 06604.
Our Program:
Our panel discussion features nonprofit and corporate leaders as they explore how strategic partnerships drive organizational growth, enhance access to services, boost staff and student engagement, and inspire philanthropy. Discover how these collaborations play a pivotal role in building stronger, more resilient communities where we live and work.
Following the panel, participate in breakout sessions designed for deeper discussions and networking opportunities.
Our Moderator:
Shawn McKay – Senior Vice President, CCS Fundraising
As the son of a registered nurse and healthcare administrator, Shawn has always felt called to work for and with nonprofits. This calling was further cultivated while attending the College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA) and the charge to be, “men and women for others.” With this desire to serve, Shawn’s career has been exclusively devoted to nonprofits in the educational, environmental, healthcare, arts, and religious sectors.
Shawn began his career working as a Mental Health Worker at Butler Hospital (Providence, RI) and served as the Director of Confirmation Retreats and Youth Ministry at his home parish, Immaculate Conception Church (Cranston, RI). Subsequently, he spent nearly eight years as the Director of Admissions and Communications at Saint Raphael Academy (Pawtucket, RI). As a Senior Vice President with CCS, he leads capital campaigns, major gift efforts, development programs and operations, feasibility and planning studies, and organizational assessments. He partners with clients to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major individual, corporate, and foundation donors; create compelling cases for support and related donor communications; recruit, train, and manage volunteer leadership at the board/c-suite level; and design plans to meet target goals and outcomes among other responsibilities.
Our Panelists:
Joe Torres – Executive Director, Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders
Considered by peers and companions as a motivator, mentor and visionary leader, John Torres is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders (BCYL). Torres has led the transformation of a baseball league into a grassroot youth development organization providing enrichment programs and activities via its Sports, Education and Community platforms. Under his leadership over 13,000 youth have been part of the “Caribe Family” and currently serves over 2,000 youth yearly.
John’s personal mission is to assist and inspire individuals to reach their full potential and become contributing members in their community. His collaborative approach with stakeholders has been instrumental in exposing Caribe families and youth to opportunities and resources. In 2010 President Barack Obama recognized John with the President’s Volunteer Service award.
Robyn Drucker – Principal, Cohen and Wolf
Robyn H. Drucker, a Principal at Cohen and Wolf, represents public, private, and emerging companies, educational institutions, and individuals on complex business and real estate transactions. Active in firm leadership, Robyn is a Co-Chair of the firm’s Business & Corporate and Real Estate Groups, Chair of the firm’s Recruitment & Retention Committee and serves on a number of other firm Committees, including the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. In furtherance of Cohen and Wolf’s commitment to community engagement, Robyn has facilitated relationships and partnerships between the firm and a number of local non-profit organizations, including Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders, Horizons Bridgeport, and Operation Hope. Active in the community, Robyn currently serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and the Advisory Board of the Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University. Recently, Robyn received a 2024 Women Innovator Award presented by Westfair Business Journal and was named to Best Lawyers in America® for the third consecutive year for Real Estate Law. Robyn has been recognized as a “40 Under 40” Award recipient by Fairfield County Business Journal (2017) and as a “New Leader in the Law” by Connecticut Law Tribune (2017). Robyn has been named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers® in the category of Business & Corporate (2017-2021).
Karen Galbo – SVP, Regional Manager, M&T Charitable Foundation
Karen Galbo has over 20 years of experience in the corporate, foundation, and nonprofit sectors with specialized expertise in mission-driven philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.
Karen joined M&T Bank in 2022 through the merger with People’s United Bank. She currently serves as Senior Vice President, Regional Manager, for the M&T Charitable Foundation, covering a regional footprint from Long Island to Maine. In her role, Karen is responsible for leading a team of Regional Program Officers and overseeing the strategic allocation of more than $13.5 million in philanthropic investments. Karen works collaboratively with business and community leaders to align investments to local needs and objectives, and enterprise-wide strategies, including designing and executing key signature partnerships that reinforces M&T’s mission and core values.
Paul Sutera – Senior Vice President of University Advancement, Sacred Heart University
Paul J. Sutera, CFRE is the senior vice president for University Advancement at Sacred Heart University. He joined Sacred Heart in October 2021 and is responsible for planning, initiating, directing, reporting, and evaluating all fundraising activities for the University. In addition, Paul supervises and manages the University advancement office, which encompasses alumni relations.
Paul is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and sales, and he earned a master’s degree in educational leadership. He holds a certificate from Rice University in comprehensive fund development and is a certified fundraising executive.
Sabrina Smeltz – CEO, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club
Sabrina E. Smeltz is the first female CEO of Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC), taking on the role in May 2020 following her position as Chief Operating Officer. Sabrina comes to the Club following an 18-year career in senior leadership with various YMCA’s around New England (Torrington, Waterbury & Manchester, NH). A recipient of the inaugural Non-Profit Leader of the Year awarded by the Bridgeport Regional Business Council in December 2023, she is proud to serve the Greater Bridgeport and Fairfield County communities.
Since coming to Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, Sabrina successfully headed a $25M Capital Campaign to build & open a brand-new state of the art Clubhouse in the North End/Hollow section of Bridgeport, CT. This project is an innovative venture partnering with the City of Bridgeport, Southwest Community Health Center, and Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders. This new Clubhouse opened in October 2023 and will give the community equitable access to safe spaces, health care, and out of school programs that include education, sports & recreation, leadership, and life & career readiness for ages 3-18.
Register Here
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
For more information on sponsoring National Philanthropy Day, contact Margaret Reynolds –
Click here for more details.
Details
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024
7:30 Breakfast and Networking
8:20 AFP National Philanthropy Day Welcome
8:45 Panel Discussion
9:40 Panel Wrap Up and Breakout Locations Announced
Breakout Sessions: 9:45-10:30 and 10:45-11:30 (More details on breakout sessions to come. Stay tuned.)
*CFRE Credits will be available
Location: Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, 595 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport 06604
Event Fee
AFP MEMBERS – $55
Non-Members – $65
No Day of Event Walk Ins