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Session Resource 1

Weaving the Civic Fabric: The Role of Community Development in a Fractured Democracy (luncheon session)

Monday, October 6, 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Location: Presidential Ballroom

    Speaker(s)

  • Diane Yentel

    <strong>President & CEO</strong>
    National Council of Nonprofits

  • Steve Glaude

    <strong>President and CEO</strong>
    The Coalition DC

  • Cy Richardson

    <strong>Senior Vice President, Economics & Housing Programs</strong>
    National Urban League

  • Pakou Hang

    <strong>Vice President, Program</strong>
    Northwest Area Foundation

  • Frank Woodruff

    <strong>Executive Director</strong>
    Community Opportunity Alliance

Community development organizations do more than build housing or manage grants. They create space for dialogue, bring people together, and foster belonging. In many places, they are among the last trusted organizations rooted in community.

At a time when civic life feels fragmented, community developers help hold the fabric of democracy together. They offer connection, care, and a path forward. But the pressures are real. Nonprofits are facing tighter regulations, reduced funding, and increasing public distrust. Many community-based groups are stretched thin—grappling with burnout, political isolation, and growing demands.

This plenary session is a call to recognize and strengthen the civic role of our field. It challenges us to see community development not just as service delivery, but as essential to rebuilding social trust and resilience. Together, we’ll explore how to stay grounded, connected, and ready to lead in this pivotal moment.