Propel: An IFF South Suburban Symposium

Event registration is closed. If you are interested in attending, please email events@iff.org.

Calling all mission-driven nonprofit, business, and elected leaders to gather for conversations about helping Southland communities grow, flourish…and propel.

The Propel Symposium is IFF’s inaugural half-day convening of people whose work, ideas, and influence help shape the quality of life for residents and workers in diverse communities. We are pleased to present the symposium in collaboration with the Southland Development Authority, the economic development agency for the South Suburbs that has been an IFF advisor since 2021.

The event will feature remarks from:

• Andrea Sáenz, CEO, The Chicago Community Trust
• Lanetta Haynes Turner, Cook County Board Chief of Staff
• Bo Kemp, CEO, Southland Development Authority
• Victoria “Vickie” Lakes-Battle, Executive Director – Chicago Metro Region, IFF
• Nakea West, Chief Equity and Diversity Officer, IFF
• Joe Neri, CEO, IFF

Followed by three consecutive panels:

• Innovations in Human Services in the Southland moderated by Mollie Dowling (Vice President of Resource Development, IFF) featuring Doug Kenshol (Executive Director, South Suburban PADS), Dr. Nicole Scott (Founder & CEO, American Association of Single Parents & Free~N~Deed Market), and Dr. Sandra Dafiaghor (Director, OAI, Inc.)
• Vacant Places or Vast Opportunity: We Decide moderated by Bo Kemp (CEO, Southland Development Authority) featuring Lyneir Richardson (Co-Founder & CEO, Chicago TREND), Jessica Caffrey (Executive Director, Cook County Land Bank Authority), David Doig (President, Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives), and Dena Bell (Managing Director – Home First, IFF)
• Business Enterprises that Give it All Back moderated by Dana Britto (Founder & Principal, Cultivar Consulting) featuring Bo Kemp (CEO, Southland Development Authority), Nicole Robinson (CEO, YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago), Claire Rice (Executive Director, Arts Alliance Illinois), and Daniel Ash (President, Field Foundation)

Click here to view the full agenda.

As a nonprofit lender and community development financial institution (CDFI), IFF provides community-centered financing, development, and real-estate consulting to help other nonprofits propel the reach of their missions. In particular, IFF is committed to understanding the aspirations of – and committing greater support to – Black and Brown nonprofit leaders. Learn more about our work across the Chicago metro region.