Harwood Summit

December 12-14, 2024
Richmond, Virginia

Three days. 50 civic leaders. One shared purpose: to join together to wrestle with the challenges we face, to think deeply about who we are and how we’re called to step forward, and to renew our commitment to building a new trajectory of hope in our communities.
"I’ve been blown away by the experience of being around thought leaders from across the nation. This space allowed us to dialogue about the essence of being a leader in America today. And how we bring back civic discourse and authenticity to create real and lasting change."

— Kenny Montijo, Former Executive Director of United Way Lebanon County, PA

 A Space for renewed Possibility and Hope

We started the Harwood Summit more than 15 years ago because leaders said they needed a safe space where they could wrestle with tough challenges without the need to perform. It’s unique—there are no speeches or presentations. It’s a carefully crafted, rolling conversation over three days that enables attendees to think deeply about current topics and authentically engage with a highly diverse group of people.

A cross-section of leaders

We invite 50 leaders to come together and work through issues that sit at the intersection of their professional and personal lives—issues that are critical but often left unaddressed. This is a group you won’t normally see together at other professional conferences: local and national leaders, including CEOs of major nonprofits, college and university administrators, faith leaders, foundation executives, private consultants, heads of community-based organizations, journalists, and business professionals. Many Summit attendees form lasting personal and professional relationships

People tell us that the Summit helps them to stay grounded. It’s the place they come every year to rejuvenate. It helps them get “unstuck” in their work and it’s the boost they often need to engage on their professional challenges with more vigor.

A Meaningful Location

Each year, the Harwood Summit takes place at a unique and meaningful location. In the past, we have convened at President Lincoln’s Summer Cottage in Washington, DC, in the very room where he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. We have hosted the two most recent Summits at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA, which served as a great setting to discuss the ideals and principles our nation was founded on. This year, the Harwood Summit will be held at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond, VA on December 12-14.

“What keeps me coming back to the Summit is that every time I’ve gone, I have this huge personal aha moment that relates personally or professionally or both. I get key insights to questions that I’m asking myself about my life and my purpose…I always walk away feeling recharged.”
— Sharon Orlopp, President, Orlopp Enterprise
“I love being with the Harwood group with people who aspire to change the world…it feels lively, it feels noble, it feels aspirational, it feels like a climb toward something sweet and good and possible.”
— Danny Zemel, Rabbi, Temple Micah

A Look Back at the 2023 Harwood Summit

“The Summit is about hearts and minds. You have to bring your whole self and show up for it. This is the kind of event where I don’t take phone calls. I’m not on my email. I’m just here having this very human experience. I come back because ultimately that’s what gives me energy and allows me to be more effective when I go back home.”
Jen Algire, President & CEO of The Greater Clark Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

  • During our time together, we place a premium on informal and personal conversation, which we generate together through:

    Small Group Discussions: Participants join two of these sessions based on topics related to the theme. The conversations are real - they are self-generated by the participants and are not formally facilitated.

    Common Sessions: These sessions, facilitated by Rich, include everyone, and often emerge from the small group discussions.

    Personal Reflections: At each meal, a different group of pre-selected Summit participants will offer one to two minutes of personal reflections. These run the gamut from serious to funny, deeply moving to satirical—but in all cases, they add to the depth and spirit of the event.

    Click here to see the 2023 agenda.

  • All we ask is that people engage in the conversations. There’s nothing to prepare in advance.

  • Yes, but please contact us to let us know if you plan to do this.

  • The Summit is $895, plus travel expenses.

  • We have reserved a discounted hotel room block at the Omni Richmond. Transportation will be provided to the Summit venue. Reserve your hotel room using this link by November 19: https://bookings.omnihotels.com/event/richmond/2024-harwood-institute-summit