In September 2026, the membership of the Partnership for America’s Children will gather in Columbus, Ohio, for its annual leadership retreat.
At the heart of this retreat is a single movement: from community to solidarity.
Community is what leaders have already found in this network: the recognition of others carrying the same weight and doing the same hard work. Solidarity is what we build from it: engaging one another across lines of difference, sharing power, and fighting shared battles together long after we leave Columbus.
The 2026 convening will not only offer leaders an opportunity to learn in a new place, but also to reflect on Ohio’s history of resistance as home to one of the country’s largest Underground Railroad networks and to examine how to leverage their own relationships, platforms, and political capital to meet today’s policy challenges with community.
As we gather together, our aim is to enhance the relational strength of this network by providing opportunities for communication, connection, and sharing practical strategies for leading well in this moment.
Registration closes July 31.
Partnership for America’s Children will provide lodging for all attendees. We have a room block reserved for the nights of September 30 and October 1. Completing registration reserves your room; you do not need to book your own room. If you require lodging outside of the booked nights, please contact Zoë at [email protected].
We will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner on October 1, and breakfast and lunch on October 2.
In order to offset costs for our members, we will be offering a $250 reimbursement per organization for travel expenses. Please use the reimbursement form linked below to submit your travel expenses after the retreat.
We would appreciate feedback about your experience at the retreat to assist us with planning future meetings. Use the links below to share your comments:
Fireside Chat and Workshop: Solidarity in the Network
Resource Mobilization Plenary: Alternative Funding Strategies
Executive Director Breakout Session
Senior Leaders Breakout Session
Leaders of Color Breakout Session: Solidarity Among Us
As is our tradition, the retreat will include a dedicated track for executive directors and senior leaders; a space so many of you have told us you count on each year to speak freely, reflect with your peers, and step back from the day-to-day. That space remains at the heart of this gathering, and each member organization’s invitation includes the executive director along with a senior leader.
We are also excited to welcome the CORE Collective Fellows to the retreat this year, with a track designed just for them. The agenda is intentionally built to allow for both shared space and segmented space: moments where the full network learns and connects together, and moments where EDs and senior leaders, and the Fellows, each have a room of their own. This reflects our commitment, since our strategy roadmap, to ensuring the Partnership is here for your entire team.
Dress Code
Given the retreat’s emphasis on wellness and reflection, we encourage participants to dress in business casual or comfortable attire that allows ease of movement. Feel free to bring layers for varying room temperatures and shoes suitable for light walking or grounding activities. Our goal is to create a relaxed, focused environment where you can be fully present.
COMING SOON
Raised in Cleveland’s historic Hough neighborhood, Dontavius L. Jarrells saw early how disinvestment, unstable housing, underfunded schools, and limited opportunity held families back. He refused to accept those conditions as permanent. Before entering public office, he spent nearly a decade fighting for the dignity and future of Ohio’s most marginalized communities. Today, he brings that same unwavering commitment to the Statehouse, advancing bold, commonsense legislation to build an Ohio where every family has the chance to thrive.
Since his election to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2020, Rep. Jarrells has emerged as one of the state’s most effective and impactful lawmakers. With a deep commitment to bipartisan progress, he has championed transformative legislation to protect workers, expand economic opportunity, strengthen mental health services, and uphold the promise of liberty and justice for all.
At his core, Rep. Jarrells is a servant-leader. A student of the people. A man who loves without reservation, dreams with clarity, and believes with conviction that when government works with and for the people, it becomes sacred.
This is the Ohio he is building. And it is the Ohio he knows we all deserve.
Obenewa Amponsah is a strategist, coach, and facilitator who helps purpose-driven professionals lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. After more than two decades of leadership across Africa and North America, she founded Alayned Coaching & Consulting to support leaders and organizations navigating complexity, transitions, and the demands of impact-driven work. She previously served as CEO of the Steve Biko Foundation and as Executive Director of Harvard University’s Center for African Studies (Africa Office). A Global Fellow with the Atlantic Institute at Oxford University, Obenewa is also a certified coach, meditation teacher, and member of the International Coaching Federation. She holds degrees from Boston University and the University of the Witwatersrand, where she is pursuing a PhD in African Literature.
Joe Dorman has served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy for ten years. Raised in Rush Springs, Joe served House District 65 as the state representative for 12 years. He was the 2014 Democratic nominee for Oklahoma’s Governor and later served as a town council member, as well as the chairman of the community’s annual watermelon festival.
Joe is board president of Ground Zero Search & Rescue and is a board member of the Oklahoma Academy and the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature Foundation. He is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma, Class XVIII. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City and the American Council of Young Political Leaders. He was selected by the Journal Record as an Achiever under 40 and one of the 50 most influential Oklahoma CEOs in 2022. He was also named the 2024 OSU College of Arts & Sciences Political Science Graduate of Distinction and one of 55 Inspirational Oklahomans over 55 in 2026.
Judy Fitzgerald brings decades of experience and a proven track record of compassionate, strategic leadership to her role as Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children. She began her career at The Carter Center Mental Health Program, working with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, before moving into consulting focused on systems change across several states. She went on to hold leadership and strategy roles in nonprofit and community-based service organizations.
In 2012, Judy joined the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) a $1B state agency with over 4,000 team members as Chief of Staff. In 2016, she was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to serve as Commissioner, a role she held through 2022. Following a year of consulting, she joined Voices for Georgia’s Children, where she leads a skilled and passionate team working to advance policies and systems that improve the well-being of Georgia’s children and families.
Judy is a social worker and the mother of two young adults, Abbie and Jack. She lives in Smyrna, Georgia, with her husband, Tim, who serves on the Smyrna City Council.
Allison Gilbreath is the Senior Director of Policy and Programs at Voices for Virginia’s Children, where she leads the organization’s policy and advocacy strategy, with a focus on early childhood education. She works alongside families, providers, advocates, and policymakers to advance policies that expand access to affordable, high-quality child care and strengthen Virginia’s early childhood system. Previously, Allison led Voices’ child welfare policy work, where she created the organization’s foster care policy network and helped establish the Virginia General Assembly’s first bipartisan foster care caucus. Allison was named to Style Weekly’s 40 Under 40 in 2019. She earned her Bachelor and Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.
Jayaira Grhim-Harvey, known on stage as Artistic Genius, is a spoken-word poet with over 15 years of experience, visual artist, and four-time published author from Youngstown, Ohio. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Black Poets Fest and the founder and host of Say Word Wednesdays, a Columbus-based poetry showcase rooted in raw expression, healing, and community.
An Air Force veteran and graduate of The Ohio State University, Jayaira holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work (MSW) with plans to become a clinical art therapist. Her work bridges poetry, visual art, and advocacy to create spaces for healing, connection, and social change.
Her most recent book, Love After Death, explores grief, resilience, and healing, continuing her decade-long commitment to transforming personal experience into art that uplifts others, sparks meaningful dialogue, and inspires change.
Dede Hill is Vice President of Policy for the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, a 154-year old non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing policy that strengthens New York families and improves the well-being of all New York children. In this role, Dede coordinates the Schuyler Center’s policy team and conducts policy analysis and advocacy in the areas of child care and economic security, oversees child welfare and health policy, and serves as one of many leaders of the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, New York’s statewide campaign for universal child care. Prior to joining the Schuyler Center, Dede was a Professor of Law at Albany Law School, where her teaching and scholarship focused on labor and employment law. She earned a J.D. from University of Wisconsin Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College.
Mark Mecum is Chief Executive Officer of the Ohio Children’s Alliance and President of the Child & Family Health Collaborative of Ohio. Since joining the Alliance nearly two decades ago, Mark has dedicated his career to advancing public policy, strengthening community-based services, and building collaborative solutions that improve outcomes for Ohio’s children and families. Beginning his career with the Alliance in advocacy, he became CEO in 2011 and has led significant organizational growth, expanded statewide partnerships, and helped launch innovative initiatives focused on child welfare, behavioral health, health care integration, and provider collaboration. Mark is recognized for his commitment to bringing together agencies, policymakers, and community leaders to create lasting system improvements for children and families across Ohio.
Marquita Little Numan joined Partnership for America’s Children in August 2023. A passionate and strategic advocate committed to empowering people, removing systemic barriers, and advancing equity, she brings nearly two decades of experience across government, nonprofits, and philanthropy. She comes to the Partnership from the Alliance for Early Success, where she served as Senior Director of Equity and Impact. Prior to that, she served as inaugural President and CEO of the Urban League of Arkansas and as Leadership Officer at the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. Her policy work includes leading Arkansas’s early adoption of Medicaid expansion and spearheading major child health initiatives. She holds a master’s degree from the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas and a bachelor’s from Hendrix College.
Paige Parks is Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. From 2019-2022, Paige served as Rhode Island KIDS COUNT’s Senior Policy Analyst responsible for policy analysis, advocacy, and project management in areas related to education and economic well-being. Prior to joining Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, Paige served as Director of Advancement and Assistant Director for Books Are Wings, Network Director for the Youth 4 Change Alliance/ Youth In Action, Development Director for Fusionworks Dance Company, Teacher/Advisor at The Met Center, and Safe Zone Coordinator at Youth Pride, Inc. Paige is the proud parent of two beautiful children, one of whom is a child with special medical needs. These lived and career experiences greatly inform her passion and advocacy for children, youth, and families. As Executive Director, Paige advocates for the needs of Rhode Island children and families by testifying on budgetary investments and legislation to ensure children in low-income families, Children of Color, Multilingual Learners, immigrants, and children with disabilities receive the resources they need to succeed.
Paige serves on many boards, coalitions, and advisory groups including serving on the Board of Directors for the Partnership for America’s Children and the United Way of Rhode Island. Paige co-chairs the Rhode Island Department of Human Services Rhode Island Works Advisory Committee, co-leader of the Raising RI Coalition, and serves on the Advisory Board for the Rhode Island Afterschool Network. She has served on the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner Advisory Committee, the City of Providence COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Task Force, the boards of Marriage Equality RI, Providence After School Alliance, and Youth In Action. She was on the working group for the Providence Guaranteed Income Initiative and was a member of the Providence review team and co-chaired the Excellence in Learning subcommittee of the Community Design Team, the team charged with helping to develop the Providence Public Schools Turnaround Action Plan. Paige has received many awards and recognitions including the YWCA of Rhode Island Women of Achievement Award and the Providence Business News 40 Under 40 Award. Paige is currently a fellow with the Institute for Nonprofit Practice Black Leadership Institute. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Providence College and a Master of Education from Harvard University.
For the last 15 years, David has worked on community efforts and campaigns across the West, including expanding free school meals to hundreds of public schools, capping thousands of leaking and dangerous oil and gas wells, and training hundreds of youth and adults in the practice of community organizing. He’s proud to lead Our Children Oregon’s advocacy work to affirm the deep, inherent value of every child. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, biking, and spending time with family.
HOTEL INFORMATION COMING SOON
We are excited to work with the Junto as our host hotel.
Hotel Reservation is now closed.
Hotel Reservation closes 11am Eastern on September 30.
Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. Every effort is made to accommodate delegates arriving before the check-in time; however, rooms may not be immediately available. Check-out time is 12:00 p.m. Requests to retain rooms beyond this time should be directed to the Front Desk on the morning of departure. Should it be possible to extend a late check-out, a late check-out charge may be applicable.
Partnership for America’s Children will provide lodging for all attendees. However, incidental room charges are the responsibility of each guest.
The Junto provides valet parking for all vehicles. Self-parking is not available. There is a parking charge of $50 for each vehicle parked overnight. Daily valet rates of $10 when dining in the restaurant and $20 when attending an event. Parking prices are subject to change.
The following amenities will be available:
We are pleased to return to the Annie E. Casey Foundation for this retreat.
From Hotel Indigo (approx. 350 ft): Exit Hotel Indigo’s lobby and turn left. Walk along West Franklin Street and cross Charles Street. The entrance to the Annie E. Casey Foundation building is on the left, just past the corner.
You will need to check in to the Annie E. Casey Foundation building at the reception desk. To your left, take the stairs or elevator up to the second floor.
Wi-Fi Network: AECF – Guest
Password: jimcasey
Check out the Junto’s Neighborhood Guide and Experience Columbus for visitor’s guides to the city.
Nearby walking trails include Dorian Green and the Scioto Mile.
Nearby eateries include:
We are not requiring participants to wear a mask, but we encourage you to observe any safety measures of your choosing. If you are not feeling well or are showing COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home. If you become symptomatic while at the conference, please take a COVID-19 test and stay in your hotel room if the test comes back positive.
Partnership for America’s Children supports a national network of child advocacy organizations focused on state and local policy change. The Partnership network advances public policies that enhance the health, education, financial security, and well-being of our nation’s children and their families. Together, our 45+ member organizations work at the local, state, and national levels to ensure that every child, from every race, ethnicity, ability, and zip code, has the opportunity to thrive.
For more information, visit our full website or contact Zoë Kilbourne, Operations Associate, at [email protected].
