Speaker Highlights: Meeting the Moment at PowerUP! Texas

PowerUP! Texas, the 2026 Philanos National Conference, brings us together in Austin to celebrate — with courage, creativity, and conviction. Our keynote and plenary speakers embody that spirit, translating values into action and inspiring us to lead with purpose.

Keynote: Diane Yentel

Diane Yentel, President and CEO, National Council of Nonprofits, is a nationally renowned nonprofit leader with over 30 years of experience. Prior to joining NCN, she led the National Low Income Housing Coalition as President and CEO for nine years, guiding the organization through exponential growth and financial stability while championing bold, visionary campaigns to historic success. Her earlier roles include senior leadership positions at Enterprise Community Partners, HUD, Oxfam America, and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, as well as Peace Corps service in Zambia.

Monday Breakfast Plenary: “Meeting the Moment—Resilience to Resistance”

Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation and former U.S. Secretary of HUD, joins Sara Lomelin, Founding CEO of Philanthropy Together, to explore how giving circles sustain communities and challenge inequities—transforming resilience into purposeful resistance.

Featured Voices Powering Collective Impact

We’ll also hear from Mike Nellis, President & CEO of the Austin Community Foundation; Michelle Gayles, Chief Impact Officer of the Arizona Community Foundation; Lynne Twist, Founder of The Soul of Money Institute; and Kasandra Vitacca Mitchell, the author of “The Happiness Formula”, entrepreneur, and ordained chaplain whose work bridges leadership, happiness, and service. 

Join us in Austin February 8-10, 2026 and we’ll power up together with these leaders to inspire us.  PowerUP! Texas—where ideas meet action to power lasting change. 

Early bird registration rate ends November 15. Register today.