Three Conversations Defining What’s Next for CSR:
PLENARY 1: STRATEGY
Rethinking CSR Strategy in a Time of Pressure and Possibility
CSR leaders are navigating a new level of pressure, including shifting business priorities, tighter resources, evolving expectations, and increased demand to demonstrate measurable value.
This opening plenary grounds the conference in today’s reality by exploring how leading organizations are reassessing, refining, and realigning their social impact strategies to remain effective and future-ready.
Hear how companies are making difficult decisions to pivot or sunset programs, strengthen alignment with enterprise goals, and build cross-functional partnerships that drive both business and community outcomes.
You’ll leave with a clearer perspective on how to position CSR as a strategic function that delivers value, not just impact.
PLENARY 2: SKILL
Evolving Your CSR Skillset for What’s Next
The role of the CSR practitioner is evolving, and quickly.
Today’s leaders are expected to navigate complexity with confidence, from data fluency and AI adoption to cross-functional influence and strategic communication.
This plenary explores the capabilities CSR professionals need now – and what they’ll need next – to remain credible, effective, and equipped for tomorrow’s challenges.
Panelists will share how they are developing these skills within their teams and themselves, and what it takes to lead in a function that is becoming more visible, more scrutinized, and more essential to business success.
You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of the skills that drive impact—and how to build them.
PLENARY 3: COMMUNITY
Collaboration Beyond Corporate Walls: The Power of Collective Impact
No organization can address today’s challenges alone.
This closing plenary explores how cross-sector collaboration – across corporate, nonprofit, and public partners – is reshaping what’s possible for social impact.
Drawing on real-world examples of coalitions, place-based initiatives, and long-term partnerships, this conversation will highlight the role of trust, shared accountability, and community voice in driving meaningful, lasting change.
You’ll hear how organizations are moving beyond transactional partnerships toward deeper, more strategic collaboration—and what it takes to make these efforts work.
Day 1
| 08:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Executive Network (includes breakfast and lunch) |
| 09:00 AM – 07:00 PM | Registration Open |
| 12:00 PM – 05:00 PM | Activity Zone |
| 01:00 PM – 05:00 PM | Boston Learning Journey |
| 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM | Breakout Block 1 |
| 02:15 PM – 03:15 PM | Breakout Block 2 |
| 03:30 PM – 04:30 PM | Breakout Block 3 |
| 05:30 PM – 07:00 PM | Welcome Reception (Onsite) |
Day 2
| 07:00 AM – 09:00 AM | Community Convenings |
| 07:30 AM – 09:00 AM | Continental Breakfast Activity Zone Open |
| 09:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Opening General Session & Keynote |
| 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM | Activity Zone Coffee Break |
| 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM | Breakout Block 1 |
| 11:45 AM – 01:00 PM | Lunch |
| 01:00 PM – 01:50 PM | Peer Group Meetings |
| 01:00 PM – 05:00 PM | Boston Learning Journey |
| 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM | Breakout Block 2 |
| 03:00 PM – 03:30 PM | Activity Zone Coffee Break |
| 03:30 PM – 04:30 PM | Plenary Session |
| 06:00 PM | Evening Reception (Offsite) |
Day 3
| 07:30 AM – 09:00 AM | Continental Breakfast |
| 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Plenary Session |
| 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Activity Zone / Coffee Break |
| 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Breakout Block 1 |
| 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 12:00 PM – 01:15 PM | Closing Plenary Session |
Times and session blocks are subject to change
Session Types
Plenary sessions will focus on one of ACCP’s content priority areas in a panel discussion featuring multiple viewpoints and approaches. Curated conversations will feature CSR practitioners from different industries, sizes of organizations, or stakeholder groups and will allow the opportunity for Q&A.
Breakout Sessions are designed to combine practical insight with active participation, offering attendees the opportunity to both learn from real-world experience and engage directly with ideas and tools they can apply in their work. Aligned with ACCP’s content priority areas, these sessions feature a blend of presentation and interactive discussion, drawing on case studies, program examples, and current CSR trends to explore how strategies are developed, implemented, and refined in practice.
Facilitators will share honest perspectives on challenges, lessons learned, and effective approaches, while creating space for attendees to engage through guided discussion, small group dialogue, reflection, and problem-solving activities. Breakout Sessions are intended to move beyond theory, helping participants think through how insights apply to their own organizations and roles.
Attendees will leave these sessions with practical ideas, new perspectives, and actionable takeaways they can use to strengthen their strategies, programs, and professional practice.
Learning Journeys offer conference attendees an opportunity to step outside the traditional conference setting and engage directly with the local community. In Boston, this immersive experience will introduce participants to nonprofit, community-based, and public-private partnerships that are working to address critical challenges and expand opportunity across the region.
Through site visits and facilitated conversations, attendees will hear directly from community leaders and practitioners about the strategies, collaborations, and realities shaping their work. Participants will gain firsthand insight into how organizations partner with the private sector, navigate complex community needs, and develop innovative approaches to drive meaningful impact.
The Learning Journey is designed to deepen understanding, spark new ideas, and connect conference themes to real-world practice. Attendees will return with fresh perspectives on community partnership, a stronger appreciation for place-based impact, and new insights they can bring back to their own corporate social impact strategies.
Limited spots available, advanced registration required. Details on how to register will be provided at a later date.
A dynamic and engaging space at Conference where connection meets action. Powered by our diverse network of mission-aligned service providers, the Activity Zone is your go-to hub for discovering innovative tools, resources, and partnerships that can elevate your corporate social impact work.
Each exhibitor will offer a hands-on, interactive activity designed to spark conversation, inspire new ideas, and bring their services to life. Whether you’re looking to solve a challenge, explore new strategies, or simply have some fun while networking, the Activity Zone is where it all happens.
Peer Group Meetings offer conference attendees an opportunity to connect with others in the field through informal, peer-driven conversation organized around shared areas of work, experience, and interest. During this dedicated networking session, participants can gather with peers across a range of categories such as region, industry, function, career level, and more. These conversations are designed to make it easier to build relationships, exchange perspectives, and find community within the broader conference experience. Whether attendees are looking to meet others facing similar challenges, explore common interests, or expand their network in a more focused setting, Peer Group Meetings create space for meaningful connection and shared learning.