2024 Leadership Transition
Frequently Asked Questions 

With Joanne Sonenshine, Founder, stepping down from the CEO role, she will be handing over the Connective Impact CEO role to Topher Wilkins, currently CEO of Opportunity Collaboration (OC).

Connective Impact's membership community will continue to be led by Shelly Helgeson and the team will be stewarded by Topher, together with Jessica Loman as COO. Jessica is also currently COO of OC.

With a commitment to supporting its own members in creating intentional, collaborative solutions to poverty and injustice in the world, it’s a perfect home for Connective Impact members equally intent on using relationships and values-led action to drive their fundraising efforts. The two organizations have a combined community of approximately 4,000 leaders working around the globe.

This transition will help drive continued resources, intelligence and connection-building for Connective Impact members in their efforts to bring more resources into their impact-focused initiatives.

Connective Impact will remain its own initiative, and its format, pricing, and benefits will remain the same.

Opportunity Collaboration (OC) will continue to operate its flagship in-person gathering and monthly virtual calls. 

OC and Connective Impact will continue to operate as two distinct organizations both led by Topher Wilkins (CEO) and Jessica Loman (COO).

Connective Impact Founder and CEO, Joanne Sonenshine, has stepped down from her role as of October 2024. She will stay on as an advisor to Topher Wilkins, now CEO of Connective Impact, until March 1, 2025.

COO, Carrie Ferrence, will be stepping down from her role as of October 2024 as well. She will stay on for 1-2 months to help with the leadership transition. Jessica Loman, COO for OC will take on the COO role at Connective Impact.

Shelly Helgeson Chief Strategy Officer, Lara Berry Membership Director, Jinene Thompson Membership Manager, and Laleh Hassibi, Marketing Lead will remain in their positions to continue to support our members, whose interests are first and foremost for our organization.

1. More Membership and Convening Expertise: With OC now leading the charge of Connective Impact, Topher and Jess bring their extensive membership and convening experience, as well as emphasis on building a holistic community, to our members.
2. More Diversity in Membership: With more than 3,500 current and former OC delegates, the opportunity to expand connection building and partnership beyond Connective Impact’s own network is a benefit to our existing members.
3. More Intentional Leadership: Topher brings the energy, vision and enthusiasm needed to take Connective Impact to its next level. His ideas and excitement for what’s possible between Connective Impact and OC will bring so much value to our members.
4. An opportunity for members to help shape the future of this transition.
5. Addressing the inherent broken power dynamics/ injustices around philanthropy system that prevent real change from happening.

We will be holding an Ask Me Anything Q&A on October 30th at 11 AM ET for our Connective Impact members. In the meantime we are collecting all questions and answering them as quickly as we can. Feel free to email Joanne ([email protected]) if you have any questions that are not answered here.