John S. Winkleman introducing conference moderator and WNBC anchor David Ushery to Jack W. Rainey, TD Bank Senior Vice President.

Sustainability in the Not-for-Profit Sector:
2011 Conference Is Success

Recently, John was instrumental in bringing together TD Bank and Columbia University's Institute for Not-for-Profit Management (INM) to produce a ground-breaking conference. The trifecta of INM Faculty Director and Founder Professor Thomas P. Ference, TD Bank team members and John created the inaugural conference "Sustainability in the Not-for-Profit Sector: 2011" on the Columbia Campus.

Over 160 leaders of tri-state not-for-profits participated in a morning panel led by WNBC's David Ushery with panelists Sol Adler, Executive Director, 92nd Street Y, David Garza, Executive Director and CEO, Henry Street Settlement, Jane B. O'Connell, President, Altman Foundation and Karen A. Phillips, Community Development & Urban Planning Consultant. These experts shared their perspectives on the challenges facing not-for-profit agencies in sustaining their capacity and capability to serve their  respective communities during these difficult times. Questions from the audience touched upon such issues as governance, economic sustainability and diversification of resources, maintaining quality and accountability and adaptation of services to changing needs and clients.

Following the panel, Professor Ference led the audience in developing strategic responses to a case study reflective of the day's discussion. At lunch, TD Bank's economic experts Bob Gorman and Craig Alexander spoke candidly about the impact of the coming year's economy and provided insights on the investment outlook for not-for-profits. Afternoon workshops, led by well-known experts paired with leaders of not-for-profits, focused on governance, diversification of funding, performance accountability, institutional strategy/branding and succession. The day concluded with closing remarks by Adolfo Carrion, Jr., HUD Regional Administrator for NJ & NY, during a well-attended cocktail reception.

(from L to R: David Ushery/WNBC-TV, Sol Adler, Executive Director, 92nd St Y; Gregory B. Braca, TD Bank Regional President, Metro New York; Karen A. Phillips, Community Development & Urban Planning Consultant; David Garza, Executive Director and CEO, Henry Street Settlement; Jane B. O'Connell, President, Altman Foundation; Peter Meyer, Market President, TD Bank; John S. Winkleman, Winkleman Company; Thomas P. Ference, Faculty Director & Founder, INM, Columbia University; and Michael Malefakis, Dean, Executive Education, Columbia University)