Detroit set the stage. Our community brought the momentum. EMPOWERED 2025 was nothing short of unforgettable.
"We came home with new tools, fresh ideas, and deeper connections with peers who share our commitment to making a difference. A huge thank you to the akoyaGO team for hosting such an engaging and insightful event. We’re excited to put what we’ve learned into action for Ripley County!"
A Growing Community, A Growing Conference
The growth of EMPOWERED mirrors the growth of our community of community foundations, private foundations, and corporate philanthropies nationwide.
- Organizations represented at EMPOWERED 2025 hold $14.0B in assets under management.
- Collectively, these organizations contributed $1.1B in total giving.
- 59% of attendees were first-timers – a powerful reflection of how our community continues to expand.
- With over 250 foundation professionals in the room, EMPOWERED attendance has grown more than 185% in just three years.
- This growth reflects the momentum of our philanthropic community, with akoyaGO nearly doubling its client base over the past three years and having an average annual growth rate of 30%.
As akoyaGO President Mark Montoya shared,
“With more clients joining the akoyaGO community, and participating in the EMPOWERED User Conference, we are seeing a community that is eager to collaborate, share knowledge, and excited about what is possible using our platform to innovate and advance philanthropic impact.”
Detroit: A Backdrop of Resilience and Community
For the first time, EMPOWERED left our home state of Minnesota and headed to Detroit, Michigan, home to a vibrant akoyaGO client base and a city that embodies resilience, philanthropy, and community.
Hosted at the historic Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, EMPOWERED 2025 opened with a welcome from our own President, Mark Montoya, sharing insights on the vital role technology plays in philanthropy both in Michigan and across the national and international landscape represented by EMPOWERED attendees.
Kyle Caldwell, President & CEO of the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF), followed with a Detroit Welcome, highlighting the impactful work of Michigan foundations across the city and beyond, underscoring the importance of collaboration and local investment.
On Wednesday evening, we took attendees to the Outdoor Adventure Center, a hands-on, interactive space owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. With the Detroit Riverfront as a backdrop, a symbol of Detroit’s revitalization, attendees heard directly from the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy about the power of partnerships, community investment, and fundraising in shaping the city’s future.
Keynotes That Inspired Change
Every year, EMPOWERED brings our users onto the stage to share their own stories, insights, and expertise. 2025 featured some of the most impactful conversations yet:
Place, Purpose, and Philanthropy: Urban and Rural Voices in Conversation
Moderated by Eric Aquino, Philanthropic Consultant, akoyaGO
Featuring:
- Keith Fulcher, President, Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi
- Nick Pjevach, Donor Database Manager, Madison Community Foundation
- Kimberly Glick, Information Systems Manager, Community Foundation of Elkhart County
- Michelle Goodthunder, Program Manager, Grants & Partnerships, Vitalyst Health Foundation
Together, our panelists explored how urban and rural foundations share common goals while navigating unique challenges and how technology bridges those divides.
Responsible AI for Grantmakers: Insights, Roadmaps, and Real-World Use
Featuring:
- Chantal Forster, AI Strategy Advisor, Warren West Advisory
- Ann Puckett, Director of IT, Grand Rapids Community Foundation
This forward-looking session explored the real applications of AI in grantmaking, from training and governance to emerging roadmaps, ensuring philanthropy embraces AI responsibly.
And in a moment that no technology could replicate, Chantal’s furry friend, Kory, made a surprise appearance on stage, reminding us that even in conversations about AI, the human (and canine!) touch matters most.
Ready for Transformation: A Story of Change, Agility, and Impact
Moderated by Meredith Johnson, Account Executive, akoyaGO
Featuring:
- Marissa Filippo, Grants Manager, Steans Family Foundation
- Chindaly Chounlamountry, Philanthropic Consultant, Stream Life Consulting
Steans Family Foundation, alongside Stream Life Consulting, shared how a system implementation evolved into a true organizational transformation by aligning people, platforms, and principles for long-term impact.
Breakout sessions featured peer-led expertise from foundations and partners across the country, with presenters including Jason Wade (Bisher Wade), Judy Ramos and Zach Mars (Idaho Community Foundation), Barb Ryer (Connecticut Community Foundation), Marissa Bernard (Mountain America Credit Union), Christopher Bernal (Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust), Rita Goldberg (Hemenway & Barnes), and AnyKarina Balza (Health Foundation of South Florida).
Partnership at the Core
At akoyaGO, we believe in partnership. It’s not just about providing software but building community, and EMPOWERED is a prime example of where those partnerships come to life.
GOsupport Express made its debut, offering attendees the chance to connect 1-on-1 with our team for quick support and product guidance.
In every session, conversation, and networking moment, we learned from our users just as much as they learned from us. Many of the enhancements across the akoyaGO suite are born directly from product suggestions shared by our community.
To wrap up the conference, we hosted a Product Roadmap session, where those very ideas came to life. Led by Meghan Davignon, Director of Product, and Marni DuVal, Senior Product Analyst, they highlighted recent and upcoming enhancements across the akoyaGO suite, giving our community a first look at what’s ahead.
"It was a great few days of connecting with our akoyaGO partners and other foundation professionals, while learning new ways to leverage akoyaGO to better serve our mission and community. We’re excited to use fresh ideas and tools to keep making a difference!"
Why EMPOWERED Matters
Every year, EMPOWERED is more than just a conference…It’s a gathering place for foundations to connect, share ideas, and reimagine what’s possible. It’s where technology meets purpose and community drives innovation.
And EMPOWERED 2025? It was the biggest, boldest, and most inspiring yet.
