Join United Way of Pennsylvania for the Move the Mission: 2025 Annual Conference, April 28-30, 2025, at the Hilton Harrisburg. For those traveling in early, we invite you to join us at a Welcome Reception on Sunday evening. This impactful event brings together UWP staff, local United Way members, and leaders from across the region to explore critical topics like resource development, community impact, leadership, and data-driven strategies.
With a dynamic lineup of speakers, collaborative sessions, and networking opportunities, this promises to inspire and equip attendees to drive meaningful change in their communities. We’re also extending invitations to United Ways in neighboring states, fostering broader connections and shared insights.
Together, we will Move the Mission of United Way!
Registration Details
Mark your calendar! Registration opens December 1, 2024, and closes April 11, 2025. Take advantage of exclusive rates designed to make your experience as accessible as possible:
- Early Bird Registration for UWP Members: $350 (December 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025)
- UWP Member Registration: $450 (March 1 – April 11, 2025)
- Non-Member Registration: $450 (December 1, 2024 – April 11, 2025)
- One-Day Registration: $225
Register early and save! Don’t miss your chance to secure your spot.
“My experience at last year’s United Way of PA Conference was incredibly informative, highly collaborative, and thoroughly enjoyable. The sessions provided valuable insights, and the opportunity to connect with peers across the state was both inspiring and energizing.”
Brian Grimm
President, United Way of York County
Accommodations
This year’s conference will be held at the Hilton Harrisburg, located at One N 2nd St, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Situated in the heart of Downtown Harrisburg, the Hilton is just steps away from the State Capitol Complex, the Whitaker Center for Science and Arts, and shopping at Strawberry Square. Guests can enjoy amenities such as an indoor pool, fitness center, onsite dining, and pet-friendly accommodations.
Conference attendees can book onsite at the special rate of $179 per night (plus a $10/night parking fee). To take advantage of this discounted rate, reservations must be made by Sunday, April 6, 2025. After this date, the standard hotel rate will apply.
Book online or call (717) 233-6000, option 1 and provide the group code 92M.
Sponsorship
Partner with us for the Move the Mission: 2025 UWP Annual Conference and showcase your commitment to driving local and statewide impact. This conference provides a platform for local United Ways to exchange ideas, foster innovation, and strengthen their capacity to create lasting change.
As a sponsor, you’ll gain direct access to Chief Professional Officers and key leaders from United Ways across Pennsylvania—decision-makers driving impactful work in their regions. Sponsoring this conference allows you to connect with a statewide audience, elevate your brand, and support community transformation.
UWP Member Opportunity
We are thrilled to extend a unique opportunity for Member United Ways to engage their local partners in the Move the Mission Conference. To recognize the local United Ways that secure sponsorships, benefits will be awarded based on the sponsorship level.
2025 Conference Schedule
Click to View Session Descriptions – Monday, April 28, 2025
9:45am – 10:45am – Opening Keynote
Break the Bottle: How to Shatter Limiting Beliefs and Unlock Mindset, Identity, and Peak Performance
Michael Allison, The Adversity Academy
In this powerful keynote, Michael Allison delivers a transformational message designed to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals break through the self-imposed barriers that hold them back. Break The Bottle is a call to action for those ready to shatter limiting beliefs, embrace a growth mindset, and unlock their true identity and potential to achieve peak performance in life and business. Drawing from his own experiences of overcoming adversity in the military, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Michael provides actionable frameworks, strategies and insights that inspire audiences to challenge their mental barriers and redefine their personal and professional paths. With a dynamic blend of storytelling, practical advice, and motivational guidance, participants will walk away equipped to achieve peak performance in both personal and professional endeavors.
11:00am – 12:00pm:
Make the Most of Your Donation Tracker (Resource Development Track)
Information to come.
Leading Conflict Resolution and Negotiation: Enhancing Collaboration Through Effective Strategies
Dr. Christy King, Elizabethtown College
In today’s fast-paced work environment, conflict is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be destructive. This interactive one-hour workshop will guide participants through key strategies for effectively leading conflict resolution and negotiating outcomes that foster collaboration and mutual understanding. We’ll explore how understanding your personal conflict style can improve your interactions with others, allowing for more constructive discussions even in challenging situations.
Innovate for ALICE with AI
Edwin Goutier, LaunchPath
This session will provide UW staff with best practices and tools to design new solutions to the needs of the ALICE population. By using inclusive innovation techniques and widely available AI tools, UWs can supercharge their community listening, problem framing, human centered intervention design, piloting, and funding of breakthrough solutions that benefit ALICE. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how innovation best practices can enhance impact, a printed toolkit that guides them through the innovation process, and specific AI tools and techniques that will save time and money while delivering exciting new thinking.
1:25pm – 2:25pm
Effective Grant Writing & Grant Management
Neal Fogle, Penn State Extension
The process of grant writing has multiple components beyond completing a grant application. Items such as project identification, researching potential funders, establishing relationships, and preparing for and following up with grant management all come into play.
In this session, participants will learn important aspects of establishing a need and finding funders, addressing the components and expectations of grant writing, writing a grant proposal, and showcasing and managing your project..
Allyship
Hattie B. McCarter, Mend Solutions, LLC
Information to come.
Data Driving Policy
Phil Falvo, UWP
Information to come.
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Marketing
Information to come.
UW Board Management
Kristen Rotz, UWP
Information to come.
Measuring Community Impact Success
Information to come.
3:45pm – 5:15pm
United For ALICE
Information to come.
Click to View Session Descriptions – Tuesday, April 29, 2025
9:45am – 10:45am – Opening Keynote
Cultural Awareness and Humility
Chad Lassiter, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
Information to come.
11:00am – 12:00pm:
AI 101
Kelly Cockshaw, Chester County United Way
Information to come.
United is the Way: Your Ignited H.E.A.R.T. is the Start – Sponsored by Schuylkill United Way
Katharina Stuerzl, LYBWK Coaching and Consulting
Discover how your personal passions and purpose align with United Way’s mission in this interactive and inspiring session. Through guided self-reflection and engaging activities, you’ll reconnect with what drives you—your values, strengths, and purpose—while gaining tools to communicate and collaborate more effectively. Leave reenergized, with newfound clarity on your role in fostering a resilient, united team and serving your community with confidence and passion.
Working Outside the Box: How to be More than Just a Grant Funder
Erik McGaughey, Meals on Wheels Greater Lehigh Valley
Does your community still only see you as a source funding? Do you want them to see you and your UW as a problem solver? Discover how your United Way can be recognized as a true problem solver and community partner. Explore ways to step beyond traditional grant funding and make a deeper, more meaningful impact in your community, no matter the organization size.
1:25pm – 2:25pm
Issue-Focused Micro-Campaigns: Leveraging Community Impact Success to Acquire and Grow Donors
Marissa Christie, United Way of Bucks County
Financial Security and Liability
Information to come.
Data Driven Decision Making
York College of Pennsylvania
Information to come.
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Resource Development Roundtable
Meet with fellow Resource Development specialists to discuss success revenue diversification, marketing, and workplace campaigns.
Confessions of a CPO – CPO Only Roundtable
Meet with fellow Executive Directors and CEOs to discuss leading a team, community challenges, and collaborative opportunities.
Community Impact Roundtable
Meet with fellow Community Impact specialists to discuss ALICE, transportation, youth opportunities, and 211.
3:45pm – 5:00pm
Preparing for a Community Crisis
Emily Aubele, PA 211
Information to come.
