Inside OFN’s Inaugural Practitioner Summits and What’s Ahead in 2026

Sarah Weintraub, Senior Associate, Peer Learning, OFN

October 6, 2025 – 

Why Practitioner Summits, Why Now?

Read time: 3 minutes

CDFI practitioners tell OFN time and again that networking and peer learning are among the most valuable forms of our programming. Building on the popularity of our conference networking sessions and our virtual Peer Learning Communities, in 2025, OFN launched Practitioner Summits, one-day convenings focused on particular job functions.

Our goal is to provide a dedicated, CDFI-focused gathering for practitioners to connect face-to-face, share experiences, and collaborate on solutions with peers in similar or related roles. By fostering community and equipping attendees with actionable insights, the Summits strengthen individual expertise and advance the collective impact of CDFIs. 

Designed for Community, Built for Action

Each Summit centers on three priorities: community, peer learning, and action. Sessions encourage open exchange, highlight practitioner-driven insights, and provide practical strategies that participants can use immediately. Attendees also walk away with stronger professional networks they can draw on long after the Summit ends.

Inside the 2025 Summits

This year, OFN piloted two Practitioner Summits — one focused on Marketing & Communications and the other on People & Talent. 

• Marketing & Communications Summit (March, Washington, D.C.): Nearly 90 professionals gathered for a sold-out event featuring panels on safeguarding the CDFI brand, workshops on tailoring messaging, lightning talks on the future of storytelling with technology and data, and a peer-led “Solution Salon.” Networking breaks and a closing reception reinforced connections. 
• People & Talent Summit (September, Washington, D.C.): Dozens of practitioners convened to explore strategies for building strong, people-first workplaces. Highlights included panels on organizational culture, workshops on retention, lightning talks on recruiting and multi-generational teams, and a preview of OFN’s 2025 CDFI Loan Fund Compensation Survey with Quatt Associates. The day closed with small-group problem-solving and a rooftop reception. 

Overall, the Summits created a spirit of collaboration and problem-solving. Participants left energized, with new ideas, strategies, and networks to support their work.

What’s Next: 2026 and Beyond

The enthusiastic response to the inaugural Summits shows the strong demand for role-specific learning communities in the CDFI field. With one Summit sold out and the other drawing participants from across the country, it’s clear that CDFI professionals want and need these spaces. 

OFN will expand the Practitioner Summit series in 2026, alongside our Peer Learning Communities and networking opportunities at in-person events. Together, these offerings ensure practitioners have the time and space to connect, learn, and thrive — strengthening both individual careers and the broader CDFI movement.

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Tags: CDFI Leadership, Community Development, OFN, OFN Membership