MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 2, 2026 – The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) will host its 2026 Leadership Symposium and Grants Showcase on Wednesday, April 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the University of Memphis University Center Ballroom.
This dynamic, half-day event will bring together some of Memphis’ most influential women leaders and 36 nonprofit grantee partners for powerful conversations centered on Vision. Collaboration. and Impact. — Stronger Investments for Stronger Communities. The event underscores WFGM’s commitment to encouraging philanthropy, advancing women’s leadership, and investing in programs that expand economic and social mobility for women and families.
As part of its ongoing impact, WFGM is granting $1.9 million this fiscal year to support 36 nonprofit organizations working across the community including investments in advocacy and research. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with these partners during the Grants Showcase and learn more about the innovative programs advancing outcomes for women and families throughout Memphis.
“The Leadership Symposium and Grants Showcase is an opportunity to highlight the organizations and leaders shaping a stronger Memphis,” said Shante K. Avant, President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis. “We see WFGM as connective tissue—bringing partners together to align vision, strengthen collaboration, and drive intentional investment that creates stronger communities across our city.”
The morning will begin with registration, a continental breakfast, and the Grants Showcase from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Additional showcase engagement times will take place between symposium sessions, allowing guests to connect with nonprofit organizations and explore the breadth of work happening across the community.
Individual tickets are available for $50. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website: Leadership Symposium and Grants Showcase.
Session One, Vision: Shaping Memphis’ Next Chapter, starts at 10 a.m. and explores how bold leaders are shaping the future of Memphis through strategy, foresight, and purpose-driven leadership. This discussion highlights how vision strengthens communities, sparks investment, and expands pathways to greater opportunity
Panelists – Vision: Shaping Memphis’ Next Chapter
- Roshun Austin, President/CEO, The Works, Inc.
- Carissa Hussong, Executive Director, The Metal Museum
- Lisa Lisson, President of Air Operations, FedEx
Moderator
- Rachel Knox, Senior Program Officer for Arts and Culture, Hyde Family Foundation
Session Two, Collaboration: The Power of Partnership, starts at 11:15 a.m. and offers the opportunity to discover how partnerships move communities forward. This conversation highlights how women leaders collaborate across sectors to align resources, strengthen neighborhoods, and ensure investments reach the people who need them most.
Panelists – Collaboration: The Power of Partnership
- Sondra Howell, SVP of Workforce Development, Greater Memphis Chamber
- Sarah Lockridge-Steckel, Co-Founder and CEO, The Collective Blueprint
- Tate Wilson, CEO, Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
Moderator
- Anna McQuiston, Executive Director, MidSouth Development District
Session Three, Impact: Turning Vision into Results, starts at noon, with a focus on measuring what matters. This conversation explores how leaders measure progress, steward investments, and ensure resources create meaningful outcomes for communities across Memphis.
Panelists – Impact: Turning Vision into Results
- Penelope Huston, Chief Communications Officer, The City of Memphis
- Sylvia Martinez, CEO, Girls Inc. of Memphis
- Cynthia Bradford, System Community Involvement Manager, Baptist Memorial Health Care
Moderator
- Kandace Stewart, Vice President, Business Operations & Head of External Affairs, Memphis Grizzlies, WFGM Board of Directors.
2025/2026 Women’s Foundation For a Greater Memphis Grantee Partners
Case Management and Wraparound Services
- Hope House Day Care
- MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association)
- Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc.
- Room in the Inn-Memphis
- Salvation Army of Memphis and the Mid-South
- Urban Strategies, Inc.
Job Skills, Employment and Entrepreneurship
- Advance Memphis
- Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis
- DeNeuville Learning Center
- Dress for Success Memphis
- HopeWorks, Inc.
- Southwest Tennessee Community College Foundation
- WCA of Greater Memphis
Early Childhood Development
- ALLMemphis
- Early Success Coalition
- Families Matter
- Porter-Leath
Youth Development and Employment
- A Step Ahead Foundation
- Booker T. Washington Middle and High School
- Emmanuel Center, Inc.
- Girl Scouts Heart of the South
- Girls Inc. of Memphis
- JIFF (Juvenile Intervention & Faith-based Follow-up)
- Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South
- Kids in Technology
- Memphis Black Arts Alliance
- Memphis Inner City Rugby
- Mustard Seed Inc.
- New Ballet Ensemble and School
- STREETS Ministries
- University of Memphis Research Foundation-Herff-GEE
- Vance Avenue Youth Development Center
Financial Education and Asset Building
- Community Legal Center
- Knowledge Quest
- RISE Memphis
- South City a Community of Opportunity Revitalization Empowerment (SCORE CDC)
About The Women’s Foundation For A Greater Memphis
For over three decades, the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) has played a major role as a backbone organization, aligning people and resources and coordinating community-based services through the two-generation approach to reduce poverty. WFGM is an organization of women helping women break the cycle of poverty through philanthropy, leadership and collaboration.
Philanthropy. Since its inception, WFGM has awarded $39 million to more than 668 programs involving more than 185 local non-profits, including investments in advocacy and research.
For more information, visit: https://wfgm.org/