Bridging Borders, Building Impact: Reflecting on the 2026 WACA Council Leadership Meeting
From June 8–10, the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky had the distinct honor of hosting the World Affairs Councils of America’s (WACA) 2026 Council Leadership Meeting. Two years in the making, this landmark event brought together 68 attendees representing 28 councils, making it WACA’s biggest and most well-attended leadership conference to date.
Here is a look back at an unforgettable few days of collaboration, professional development, and community pride.
A Warm, Global Welcome at TQL Stadium
Jeff Berding and Kyle Inskeep discussing FC Cincinnati’s impact.
The conference kicked off with an energy-filled opening reception at TQL Stadium. The evening featured a captivating discussion between Jeff Berding (President & Co-CEO of FC Cincinnati) and Kyle Inskeep (Local 12), who explored the profound global impact our region has had on the world of soccer.
Because the event was also open to the local community, it provided a warm, authentic welcome to our out-of-state chapters. More than anything, the night served as a powerful reminder that global affairs isn’t just shaped by those who work in the field—it is shaped by everyone.
Day 2: Innovation and Development at Sparkhaus
On June 9th, attendees gathered at Sparkhaus in Covington for a dynamic Development Day. This year’s agenda focused heavily on fundraising, capacity building, and storytelling—specifically, how councils can effectively share their narrative with a wider audience.
The day was packed with actionable insights, thanks to workshops led by local visionaries:
- Aligning Vision with Funding: Bryan McCleary (Local Chapter Board Member) hosted a session on how to instantly connect with funders by aligning a council’s vision with what donors care about most.
- Designing Magnetic Events: Melissa McDonald (Local Chapter Vice President) led an interactive workshop on expanding program reach by designing events that people actively want to attend.
- The Power of Mentorship: Prerna Gandhi (Local Chapter Young Professional Board Member) shared her inspiring personal journey, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and opening doors for the next generation of global leaders.
- Mastering Perception: Angel Beets (CEO of Gilman Partners) led her popular workshop, The 10 Rules of Interpersonal Communication, exploring how the way we communicate directly impacts how we are perceived.
- Leveraging AI for Nonprofit Efficiency: Josh Amstutz (Educator at Winton Woods) and one of his students guided a hands-on, participatory session focused on using AI to streamline workflows and expand nonprofit capacity. Attendees learned how to build custom AI bots to support daily needs like program planning, grant research, and donor communications.
Russell Goodman, Board Member of The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, participating in ice breaker.
Showcasing the Vibrancy of the Cincy & NKY Region
Beyond the workshops, one of the greatest highlights of the conference was the opportunity to forge deeper connections with fellow council leaders while showcasing the rich culture of the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region.
From a lively networking event and interactive art piece at West Sixth Covington Haus, to a National Board retreat at the historic Taft Museum of Art, and a deeply moving cultural excursion to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the region’s spirit was on full display. What truly made the conference a resounding success was the clear, undeniable affection the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky has for its local community.
Looking Forward
Charlotte Reed, Founder of Art Equals (left), guiding an interactive art project as West Sixth Covington Haus.
Council leaders left the weekend feeling more interconnected, inspired, and motivated than ever before. By openly sharing our ideas, obstacles, similarities, and differences, we all return to our respective cities more informed and better equipped to expand our impact through global education programs, professional exchanges, and public diplomacy initiatives.
Gratitude to Our Sponsors
Success never happens in a vacuum; it is the result of dedicated efforts by people who share a common goal. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the following sponsors whose generosity made the 2026 Council Leadership Meeting possible:
Corporate & Organizational Sponsors
- Art Equals
- BallStars
- Blue North
- Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Covington Business Council
- FC Cincinnati
- Gilman Partners
- Insperity
- MeetNKY
- New Riff Distilling
- TQL Stadium
- Taft Museum of Art
- Three Corners Capital
- West Sixth Covington Haus
- World Affairs Councils of America
Individual Benefactors
- Charles Azuka
- Kathleen and Joseph Brossart
- Nicole Gresham Perry
- Drs. Catharina and Robert Toltzis
Find photos from the conference on our Facebook!
