SDA CEO Bo Kemp to Speak at 2026 Nonprofit Leadership Conference
Bo Kemp – CEO of the Southland Development Authority (SDA), host of The First Million is Always the Hardest podcast, and founder of ACHIEVE Summit – will speak at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce’s Elevate Impact: 2026 Nonprofit Leadership Conference on March 4.
The sold-out Chicago event will bring together nonprofit and foundation leaders to address how organizations can move with more certainty during these uncertain economic times. Between workforce strain and rising complexity due to unpredictable developments like the rise of AI, Kemp will have a lot of value to offer nonprofits looking to escape ‘survival mode’.
The theme aligns with the SDA’s recent feature in the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR).
Referencing the article, Kemp stated: “In my recent Viewpoint published in the SSIR, I lay out a difficult truth: more than 20% of nonprofits may close their doors by 2027 unless they adopt a new set of operating strategies that match today’s reality.”
He continued: “This isn’t about politics or panic. It’s about structural changes in how federal, state, and even municipal dollars are being deployed, changes that will take years, not months, to unwind. Many organizations simply aren’t built to withstand this level of financial uncertainty.”
That article, linked here, examined how the SDA, Kemp’s organization, is adapting its model to meet current conditions.
The panel as a whole will also provide practical strategies nonprofits can use. As mentioned on the Chicagoland Chamber website: “This conference is designed for nonprofit and foundation leaders who want to not only navigate today’s challenges, but also shape a more resilient and sustainable future for their missions.”
For more information on the event, click here.
About the Southland Development Authority
The Southland Development Authority, a not-for-profit economic development organization, is committed to driving equitable and sustainable economic growth in the south suburbs of Chicago. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and impactful direct investments, the SDA is building a vibrant, inclusive economy that drives wealth growth for individuals, businesses and municipalities. Combined with the benefits of the South Suburban Land Bank and the Monarch Fund, the SDA serves as a model for regional development.
