THE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY
IN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION
Agenda
Tuesday, May 6, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Welcome Reception & Workshop Kickoff
Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel ​
Sponsored by Sharing Network Foundation
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Wednesday, May 7, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Meadowlands Chamber Business Hub
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8:30 am - 9:00 am
Opening Remarks
​ Elisse Glennon, Founder & Principal, Elisse Glennon Consulting
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9:00 am - 11:45 am
Session 1: The Power of Building Enduring Relationships in Philanthropy
Peter Rooney, Global Healthcare Practice Lead, MRM
Janet Zanetich, Manager of Philanthropy, Sharing Network Foundation
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This interactive session explores how meaningful relationships and CRM-driven strategies fuel success in building a culture of philanthropy. From engaging individual contributors and corporate partners to leveraging behavioral science, we’ll discuss proven marketing approaches to build trust, inspire action, and drive sustained giving. Attendees will gain insights into crafting compelling calls to action for financial contributions and fostering enduring relationships throughout and beyond the donation and transplant community.
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Lunch & Hot Topic Roundtables
Sponsored by King Financial Network
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Session 2: Fireside Chat with Hackensack Meridian Health Network
Dr. Michael Goldstein, M.D., FACS, Director of the Division of Organ Transplantation, Hackensack University Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health
Rich Knupp, Vice President, Development, North at Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation
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Join us for an engaging and insightful discussion that will delve into the critical role that philanthropy plays in advancing transplant medicine at Hackensack Meridian Health. Discover how their fundraising program engages grateful patients and learn about the collaborative processes that align clinical excellence with development efforts. You will hear personal stories that highlight the profound impact of philanthropy on their work and have the chance to ask your own burning questions.
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
Session 3: Embracing Individual Giving
Theresa Shubeck, Consultant, Elisse Glennon Consulting
Lou Leonardis, Co-Founder, Creative Director at Trillion
Tony Kelly, Partner & Director of Financial Planning, King Financial Network
A.J. Vignola, Partner & CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner
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This session will address individual giving at all levels - annual, recurring, major, and planned -and guide you in growing and sustaining a comprehensive strategy. We will cover both practical steps and aspirational approaches to maximize giving, build donor satisfaction, and engage leadership and board members in the process.
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Session 4: Learning from Leaders: Nonprofit Panel
Denise Andersen, Chief Development Officer, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
Julienne Cherry, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Union County
Barbara Sine, Director of Advancement Services and Planned Giving, Newark Academy
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In this engaging and interactive session, nonprofit leaders in other fields will share their challenges and successes, and lessons they’ve learned along the way. Participants will have an opportunity to hear stories and examples of accomplishments and difficulties, and to engage in Q&A with our panelists.
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Wrap-up
Elisse Glennon
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Thursday, May 8, 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
Meadowlands Chamber Business Hub
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Opening Remarks
Elisse Glennon
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9:00 am - 10:00 am
Session 5: Grant-Making and Grant-Taking in NJ….and Beyond
Doug Schoenberger, Government Affairs Specialist, NJ Center for Nonprofits​
Craig Weinrich, Senior Director, Member Experience, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
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Both the philanthropic and nonprofit communities are facing significant challenges under the onslaught of recent government actions at both the federal and state levels. We will review a brief summary of the current trends facing philanthropists and nonprofits in New Jersey, how these developments are indicative of national trends, and actions both sectors are taking to adapt to this dynamic and difficult period.
10:15 am - 11:45 am
Session 6: Generative AI for Good: Driving Social Impact & Transforming Lives
Frank Casale, CEO & Co-Founder, Tranquilla AI and Co-Founder, Brainswarm AI
Tom Klukowski, Co-Founder, Warranty Champion LLC and Co-Founder, Brainswarm AI
Ben Yurcisin, Chief of Staff, The Generative AI Network and Co-Founder, Brainswarm AI
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As AI reshapes industries, it is also creating new opportunities to drive positive change in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors. In this panel, AI leaders from the business world will discuss how generative and empathic AI are being leveraged to tackle global challenges—such as the mental health crisis—while also unlocking new solutions in philanthropy, healthcare, and beyond.
After a thought-provoking discussion on how AI can empower organizations to amplify their mission and impact, we will lead an interactive strategy session using Brainswarm AI, an AI-Human collaborative innovation platform, to develop solutions to a common challenge in the organ and tissue donation and transplantation philanthropy space.
11:45 am - 12:00 pm
Closing Remarks
Elisse Glennon
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12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Lunch & Networking
Sponsored by Brainswarm AI
Let's continue the conversation over lunch with the teams at Brainswarm AI and Elisse Glennon Consulting!
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2:00 pm
Enjoy the Meadowlands and safe travels home!
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