BLOCS School Community Summit

Location: Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
Dates: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Overview

As part of this year’s gala celebrations, we’re excited to invite you to the BLOCS School Community Summit, taking place on May 7th from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.

This gathering is designed for you and your team to network with your peers in role-based sessions tailored to your work. You’ll also have the opportunity to sign up for hands on workshops covering topics like Salesforce, tuition strategy, and financial aid awarding with BLOCS experts.

Summit Schedule

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Arrival, coffee, and networking

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Presidents & Board Chairs: Federal Tax Credit Strategy with Jim Donahue (FSTC Program Coordinator, BLOCS)
Development Teams / EITC Chairs: EITC Program Update & Best Practices with Rob Delany (CEO, BLOCS)
Administrative Teams: Optimizing Tuition and Market Practices with Kathleen Harvey (Director of Revenue Optimization, BLOCS)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Presidents & Board Chairs: RACP & Capital Projects Strategy with Joe Malinowski (Partner, Becker & Frondorf)
Development Teams / EITC Chairs: Federal Tax Credit Implementation with Jim Donahue (FSTC Program Coordinator, BLOCS)
Administrative Teams: EDS Qualifications & Best Practices with Kathleen Harvey (Director of Revenue Optimization, BLOCS)

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch and networking

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Keynote Address - Keynote Speaker, Brian Tierney

2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Program wrap-up

About Our Keynote Speaker

Brian Tierney is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, communications strategist, former publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, and longtime BLOCS advocate and supporter, Brian has built award winning agencies, advised major national brands, and led through moments of significant transformation. His work consistently centers on a powerful idea: that strong leadership and clear storytelling are essential to building trust, navigating change, and driving meaningful impact.

Brian Tierney will deliver a closing keynote on identifying and capitalizing on opportunity, challenging school leaders to recognize and act with clarity and confidence. He will share reflections on leadership, innovation, and the power of storytelling, offering takeaways for those working to grow their schools, strengthen their communities, and advance their missions in an increasingly complex landscape.

While this will be a dynamic close to a day of learning and collaborating for our BLOCS School Summit attendees, all members of the BLOCS community are welcome to attend.