By definition, the Global Impact Ventures biennial All Staff Conference brings Global Impact Ventures staff together for a multi-day event in Washington, DC. It features several days of sessions and training, celebratory evening events, and team-building activities culminating in fun team/ department presentations on the final morning. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the work other teams do, connect with colleagues, and participate in professional development. But it is so much more than that.
The All Staff Conference is a week filled with so many opportunities to learn, share, and experience with others. Being a fully remote team member, this is such a special time for me because I get to see my colleagues in person! The thought and planning that goes into this conference is incredible, and the level of care and detail that goes into the execution is truly unmatched. This year’s theme — Stronger Now: Shaping Our Future Together — was so fun to explore with everyone through reflections of the past, discussions with current leaders in philanthropy, and visions of what our work at GIV holds for the future.
The two sessions that I enjoyed the most were “Building Connections & Belonging Across GIV: Advancing Mission Through Context, Awareness, and Intentional Action” and “Getting Aligned for Shared Success” with a partner and trainer from The Management Center.
The first workshop explored how unconscious assumptions can influence our interactions in the workplace. It was incredibly insightful and grounded in scenarios that reflect common workplace dynamics. Beyond increasing awareness, the session focused on strengthening connection and belonging, emphasizing that intentional action starts with understanding how our perspectives and experiences shape the way we work together. Someone at my table mentioned that they had never been part of a workplace that acknowledged implicit biases, let alone hosted an entire workshop that provided thought exercises to help recognize and overcome them with leadership and peers. I am so grateful to work at an organization with such an incredible workplace culture, and this is just one of the many ways it is reflected.
The second session that I keep thinking about was “Getting Aligned for Shared Success.” We had an incredible partner and trainer from The Management Center lead us through reflections, discussions, and hands-on practice with real examples to explore how clear communication and shared understanding can reduce frustration and support more equitable ways of working. Misaligned expectations, unspoken assumptions, and unclear requirements can quickly derail even the most promising work. The ability to work effectively and collaboratively, and across multiple teams, is critical to delivering strong outcomes. This session came with so many laughs, anecdotes, and thoughtful discussions with colleagues from other teams. It was a valuable opportunity to reflect on how people have different preferences for management styles, communication, and collaboration — and how we can intentionally work through those differences to succeed together.
I am excited to see how the lessons learned and connections made during All Staff will influence and shape my work moving forward.
Here are some thoughts from my colleagues about their 2026 All Staff Conference experience:
This was my first time attending All Staff, and I really appreciated the opportunity to connect with my team and fellow Global Impact colleagues in person. I learned so much about the breadth of our work and the direction we’re heading, and I left the conference with new insights and tools to help me grow in my role and better support my team.
Each day left me feeling energized and inspired, proud of the impact we’re making and grateful to be surrounded by such thoughtful, knowledgeable, and uplifting people.
— Ava Flurry
I truly enjoyed attending the All Staff Conference this year. It was wonderful spending time with colleagues I already knew while also meeting many new people across the organization. I appreciated learning more about the different teams, the important work they do, and how our organization continues to grow and evolve.
The conference was filled with great food, great company, and lots of laughter. I especially enjoyed the personal development sessions and appreciated all the snacks that kept everyone energized throughout the event. One of the highlights for me was helping assemble the CARE packages during our All Staff Service Project. It was meaningful to come together and give back as a team.
I left the conference feeling energized, inspired, and reconnected to our mission. Another favorite part was seeing everyone’s creativity shine during the team skits — they were entertaining, thoughtful, and a great reflection of our culture and teamwork.
— Gabriela Egan
The 2026 All-Staff conference was an enriching, inspiring, and emotional week. I connected with colleagues both new and old and learned about the variety of work we support through different activities: ranging from hands-on collaboration to song and dance. Alongside one another we sharpened and developed skills at the individual, team and company level. My biggest takeaway is that I’m in awe of my coworkers’ creativity and their contributions to the greater good. I’m grateful to be part of this team — we are stronger together!
— Charlotte Caldwell
There’s something a bit magical as excitement builds toward our biannual all staff conference that gathers folks across Global Impact Ventures. We know how special this time together can be, and it doesn’t disappoint!
I so enjoy spending time together with teams across GIV at All Staff. It’s fun to see colleagues and teammates you know well alongside forging new relationships with newer team members. Some of my highlights this year included: walking to dinner with teammates willing to brave the light rain and enjoying the subsequent rainbow, blue sky visioning what the future could look like and what would need to be true for that to be possible, practicing ways to make our cultural attributes part of our everyday culture, and some deep belly laughs while teams did their non-presentations. The non-presentations shine light on hidden talent I never knew folks had—including singing, dancing, and acting. Looking forward to find a way to keep this momentum and culture building alive in the years between now and our next all staff.
— Christa Lane Hooper
