ICS Featured at Flywheel Impact Catalyst Midwest 2026

Our Director of Innovative Finance, Kaitlin Watts, joined Katie Nzekwu, Founder & CEO of Found Village, and Dr. Carley Riley, Executive Director of Population Flourishing & Regional Systems at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, for a discussion moderated by David Garrett of Tablesense Kids.

The Institute for Child Success was proud to take part in Flywheel Catalyst Midwest 2026, joining leaders from across the impact investing ecosystem for the panel discussion, “Seeding the Future: Investing in Our Region’s Youth.” We are especially grateful to Tablesense Kids, whose sponsorship made this important conversation possible.

Our Director of Innovative Finance, Kaitlin Watts, joined Katie Nzekwu, Founder & CEO of Found Village, and Dr. Carley Riley, Executive Director of Population Flourishing & Regional Systems at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, for a discussion moderated by David Garrett of Tablesense Kids. Together, the panel explored how investors, philanthropists, healthcare leaders, and social entrepreneurs can work together to achieve a true double bottom line by driving both financial returns and better outcomes for children and families.

During the conversation, Kaitlin shared how the Institute for Child Success is advancing innovative finance strategies that help communities invest more effectively in children. Drawing on our work in Spartanburg and beyond, she highlighted the importance of operational excellence in scaling youth focused solutions, the challenges communities continue to face, and the opportunities to leverage technology and cross sector partnerships to improve outcomes.

The discussion reinforced a core belief at the Institute for Child Success: when we align public, private, and philanthropic capital around evidence-based solutions, we can build stronger systems that give every child the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you to Tablesense Kids for sponsoring this conversation and to Flywheel Impact Catalyst Midwest for convening leaders committed to shaping a brighter future for our region’s children.

Learn more about the Institute for Child Success’s leadership in innovative financing solutions to support communities, families, and children.