2026 Shape of the Region Conference Promotional Partner Toolkit 

Thank you for joining as a partnering organization for the 2026 Shape of the Region Conference to be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.  Below is a toolkit to support your promotion of the event to your broad networks through your website, social media channels, and e-mail platforms.

Tips for using this toolkit: 

• Website and Newsletter posts
  • When you copy and paste the content, make sure the formatting is correct in your email platform. 
• Email
  • When you copy and paste the content, make sure the formatting is correct in your email platform. 
• Social Media 
  • Please tag the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia in your posts. Our handles are: @CommunityFoundationforNOVA on Facebook, @communityfoundationfornova on Instagram, and @Community Foundation for Northern Virginia on LinkedIn. 
  • The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia does not use X, but we welcome organizations to share posts there if they see fit. 
  • Copy and paste the text to use on your organization’s social platforms.
  • You can create a custom branded promotional partner social media graphic using this Canva template. 
  • Replace the text in the [brackets] to tag the Community Foundation. 
  • Feel free to post on the platform of your choice. 
  • You can also help share our posts on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram! 
• Images and PDFs 
  • Right click the image and choose "Save image as" to download the images.
  • Choose the image that works best for how you're using it.
  • Download the flyer for digital or in-house print distribution. 

For Website and Newsletters: 

2026 Shape of the Region Conference: Innovation and Leadership for Northern Virginia

KEYNOTE: Paul Misener, Founder and Principal at Misener Innovation, Native Northern Virginian and former 23-year Amazon Global Vice President

HOST & MODERATOR: Drew Wilder, NBC4 Northern Virginia Reporter

Tuesday, March 24, 2026
7:30 am: Breakfast & Registration
8:30 am – 11:30 am: Conference program
Valo Park – 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102

$99 Registration Fee (Breakfast Provided)

DESCRIPTION

What does a thriving Northern Virginia look like—and how do we get there?

Join us for the 2026 Shape of the Region Conference, where business leaders, innovators, and changemakers come together to explore bold ideas and practical solutions that will define our region’s future.

This year’s conference centers on the interconnected systems that define community well-being—from health, housing, and transportation to education, arts, and economic opportunity—and how collaboration across sectors can strengthen resilience and drive shared progress.

Participants will hear from thought leaders who are reimagining ways to adapt, innovate, and grow in times of change, and how collective action can help Northern Virginia thrive.

LIGHTNING TALKS: Cross-sector perspectives on the systems and forces shaping Northern Virginia’s Future

• TRANSPORTATION: Elizabeth Kersey, Vice President of Government and Corporate Affairs, Transurban
• HEALTHCARE: Dr. Garima Sharma, Director of Preventive Cardiology and Women’s Cardiovascular Health, INOVA
• HOUSING: Dr. Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist, Bright MLS
• EDUCATION: Andrew Hanson, Senior Director, Employer Alignment, Strada Education Foundation
• ARTS: Ethan Heard, Associate Artistic Director, Signature Theatre 

Sample Email: 

SUBJECT: Join Us at the 2026 Shape of the Region Conference – March 24

Dear XXX,

We’re proud to support and attend the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s2026 Shape of the Region Conference, a signature regional gathering focused on innovation, leadership, and the systems that shape our community’s future.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026
📍 Valo Park, McLean, VA
⏰ 8:30–11:30 am (Breakfast & registration begin at 7:30 am)

This year’s conference brings together leaders from business, nonprofit, arts, education, healthcare, housing, and transportation to explore how cross‑sector collaboration can strengthen Northern Virginia’s resilience and long‑term vitality.

The program features a keynote by Paul Misener, Founder of Misener Innovation and former Amazon Global Vice President, moderated and facilitated by Drew Wilder, NBC4 Northern Virgnia Reporter, along with rapid‑fire lightning talks from trusted regional experts.

🎟 Tickets are $99 and available now. Breakfast included.
👉 Learn more and register here

We hope you’ll join us for this important Community Foundation conversation shaping Northern Virginia’s future.

Warm regards,

[Insert your name here]

Sample Social Posts:

Facebook:

What does a thriving Northern Virginia look like—and how do we get there?
Join us and the [@CommunityFoundationforNOVA] Community Foundation for Northern Virginia for the 2026 Shape of the Region Conference, a regional gathering of leaders exploring innovation, collaboration, and community well‑being.

📅 March 24, 2026
📍 McLean, VA
🎟 $99 tickets | Breakfast included

Featuring a keynote by Paul Misener, Founder of Misener Innovation and former Amazon Global Vice President.

👉 Learn more and register: http://www.cfnova.org/shape-region

#ShapeTheRegion #CFNOVA #NorthernVirginia #RegionalLeadership #CommunityImpact

LinkedIn:

We’re proud to support and attend the @Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s 2026 Shape of the Region Conference, a signature event bringing cross‑sector leaders together to shape the future of Northern Virginia.

📅 March 24, 2026 | 📍 McLean, VA

The program features a keynote by Paul Misener, Founder of Misener Innovation and former Amazon Global Vice President, moderated and facilitated by Drew Wilder, NBC4 Northern Virginia Reporter.

🎟 Tickets are $99 and available now.
👉 Learn more and register: http://www.cfnova.org/shape-region

#ShapeOfTheRegion #CFNOVA #RegionalLeadership #NoVABusiness #CrossSector

Instagram:

Shaping the future of Northern Virginia—together.

Join us and the [@communityfoundationfornova] Community Foundation for Northern Virginia for the 2026 Shape of the Region Conference, a morning of insight, leadership, and cross‑sector collaboration.

📅 March 24, 2026
📍 McLean, VA
🎟 $99 tickets | Breakfast included
🎤 Keynote: Paul Misener, Founder of Misener Innovation and former Amazon Global VP
🔗 Link in bio to learn more & register

#ShapeTheRegion #CFNOVA #NorthernVirginia #NoVA #CommunityLeadership #RegionalImpact #Innovation

Twitter/X:

Join us at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s 2026 Shape of the Region Conference on March 24 in McLean.
🎤 Paul Misener | 🎟 $99 tickets
👉 Register: http://www.cfnova.org/shape-region

Image Library:

Banner


Social Media Images: 

	Custom Partner Graphic - Template

PDFs: 

Questions?

Fairfax, VA (March 26, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) convened hundreds of leaders, community members, and changemakers for its annual Shape of the Region conference, an essential gathering focused on the pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s future. This year’s event focused on youth well-being, addressing issues like bullying, school safety, substance abuse, and mental health access.

Mary-Carson Stiff, Executive Director of Wetlands Watch, presented “The Escalating Climate Change Impacts Throughout Virginia: How the Philanthropic Sector is Responding, and What You Can Do To Help” on the afternoon of August 21. Participants gathered over Zoom to learn about the growing climate concerns Virginians face in the years ahead.

On June 1 and 2, Creighton Farms launched its annual Creighton Gives program with musical performances, games, and treats from local BBQ and ice cream vendors. This sunny, two-day event was the perfect backdrop for Creighton Farms friends and families to learn about the member-driven philanthropic initiative, which aims to strengthen the Northern Virginia community.

Aging in Northern Virginia

1. 1. How do we make it easier to be a caregiver?
   2. How do we increase the supply and affordability of senior housing?
   3. How do we help individuals afford to age in place?

To set the stage, here is a video recommended by NAMI Northern Virginia.

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, we presented the 2021 Shape of the Region Conference in partnership with 12 regional organizations to inspire our community about ways our region is coming together to institute real change. More than 300 people registered to attend the virtual event.

This year’s conference, Co-Creating a New Northern Virginia: An Emerging Vision of a More Inclusive, Sustainable, and Equitable Region examined strategies for advancing a more inclusive economy in our region while facing some of the biggest challenges of our day – entrenched poverty, structural racism, and environmental sustainability.

Online Conference shared One Region Report and ideas to promote a more welcoming community in Northern Virginia