Our All-America City Award Finalists are the main attraction, but we’re thrilled about this year’s lineup of keynote speakers joining us in Denver, CO from June 27-29. Speakers, including leaders from the philanthropy, government, and the nonprofit sectors, will join us to speak about civic leadership, the current funding landscape, grassroots action, and democratic and environmental resilience. Register today to hear from the below speakers and learn from our finalists.
Keynote Speakers
Bill Ritter, Jr. , Director, Center for the New Energy Economy, Colorado State University
Former Governor Bill Ritter was elected Colorado’s 41st governor in 2006. During his four-year term, Ritter established Colorado as a national and international leader in clean energy by building a New Energy Economy. After leaving the Governor’s Office, Ritter founded the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University, which works with state and federal policy makers to create clean energy policy throughout the country. Governor Ritter has authored a book that was recently published entitled, Powering Forward – What Everyone Should Know About America’s Energy Revolution.
Frederick J. Riley Executive Director at Weave: The Social Fabric Project at The Aspen Institute
Frederick is passionate about the development of communities and people. He is the Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute. He spent nearly 2 decades working to ensure a positive life trajectory for youth with a focus on urban, underserved communities and poverty. He has served as Chief Advancement Officer for the Cincinnati YMCA, National Director of Urban Development for YMCA of the USA and has held similar positions with YMCA of Southwest Illinois, Metro Atlanta YMCA, and, nationally, with the National Conference of Black Mayors.
Mary Thomas, President and CEO of CFLeads
Mary L. Thomas is President & CEO of CFLeads, a national network of community foundations advancing community leadership. With over 25 years in the nonprofit sector, she previously served as COO of The Spartanburg County Foundation and Executive Director of its Robert Hett Chapman III Center for Philanthropy. A recognized civic leader and advocate for community change, she has received numerous honors, including the Order of the Palmetto. Mary is a minister, mentor, and motivational speaker known for her deep commitment to grassroots leadership and transformational community impact.
Michael Smith, Former CEO of AmeriCorps
From 2021 to 2025, Michael D. Smith served as CEO of AmeriCorps, where he emphasized equity, impact, and national unity through service, overseeing 200,000 members and volunteers across 40,000 locations.
Previously, he led the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and Youth Opportunity Programs at the Obama Foundation, and served in the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for MBK.
Earlier, Michael directed the Social Innovation Fund, managing over $700 million in public-private investments and launching key initiatives, including Pay for Success grants.
He also served as SVP at the Case Foundation, held roles at the Beaumont Foundation, PowerUP, and Boys & Girls Clubs, worked for Congressman Richard Neal, and holds a B.A. in Communications from Marymount University.
Derek Kilmer, Senior Vice President for U.S. Program and Policy at The Rockefeller Foundation and former U.S. Representative
Derek Kilmer is the Senior Vice President of U.S. Program and Policy for The Rockefeller Foundation, leading efforts to engage domestic and global leaders, civil society actors, businesses, and institutions to advance issues core to the foundation’s mission.
Kilmer served six terms as a U.S. Representative, passing landmark economic development legislation to help economically distressed communities. Kilmer also served as Chairman of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress which passed over 200 recommendations to make Congress work better.
Prior to Congress, Kilmer worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Co. and for a nonprofit focused on economic development. Kilmer earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a doctorate from Oxford.
Join us in Denver, CO from June 27-29 for the prestigious 2025 All-America City Award Event and Competition. You’ll hear from these speakers and twenty finalist communities that will showcase their impactful initiatives under the theme “Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement.”
