The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the Living Cities Collaborative are hosting an afternoon forum in Boston focused on exploring new strategies, partnerships, and opportunities for advancing economic opportunity and economic mobility, particularly in struggling areas of the U.S.

Several presidents of Federal Reserve Banks will join presidents of major philanthropic foundations to share informed perspectives on barriers to inclusive economic progress, discuss emerging responses and innovative investments, and highlight opportunities for the Federal Reserve Banks and philanthropies to collaborate and innovate – together and with other partners including the private sector, state and local governments, and community development practitioners. Following introductory remarks by Loretta Mester, President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, the conference participants will explore:

• What are the barriers to economic mobility? Featuring:
• Tawanna A. Black, CEO, The Center for Economic Inclusion
• Charles Evans, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
• Patrick Harker, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
• Neel Kashkari, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
• Jill Nishi, Chief of Staff, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

• What are the emerging responses to these challenges, and subsequent investments? Featuring:
• Shané Harris, Vice President of Corporate Giving, Executive Director & Secretary, Prudential Foundation
• Robert Kaplan, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
• Joe Scantlebury, VP of Programs, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
• Jay Williams, President, The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

• What on-the-ground efforts seem to be working today? Featuring:
• Shirley Franklin, Executive Chairman, Purpose Built Communities
• Rip Rapson, President & CEO, Kresge Foundation
• Eric Rosengren, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
• MJ Ryan, Director, Workforce Development, Partners HealthCare
• Rodney Sampson, Chairman & CEO, The Opportunity Hub

In addition to the lively panel discussions, the event will feature an opportunity to meet and converse with the speakers and fellow participants during a reception following the forum’s proceedings.