Women of Impact: How a New York Summit Connects Leadership with Decades of Community Aid

NEW YORK, NY – May 18, 2026 – On June 3rd, the Fashion Institute of Technology will become a nexus for leadership, compassion, and change as Delivering Good hosts its annual Women of Impact Summit. The event promises to bring together influential women from diverse sectors for a day of bold conversations and collaborative action, all while underscoring the profound mission of the nonprofit at its heart.

Presented by KnitWell Group—the retail powerhouse behind brands like Ann Taylor, LOFT, and Chico’s—the summit aims to be more than just another leadership conference. It is designed as a platform where purpose and profession intersect, connecting established and emerging leaders to the tangible work of restoring dignity for families in crisis. The day will feature eight dynamic panel discussions, an intergenerational dialogue on legacy, and, for the first time, an awards ceremony celebrating women who are driving extraordinary change.

A Legacy of Giving Meets Modern Leadership

For over four decades, Delivering Good has operated on a simple yet powerful premise: providing new, essential goods to people affected by poverty and disaster can restore hope and self-esteem. The organization has built a formidable logistics and distribution network, channeling nearly $3 billion in donated merchandise since 1985. By partnering with over 800 local social service agencies, it ensures that everything from new clothing and home goods to toys and books reaches those who need them most.

This history is rooted in the 2017 merger of two like-minded charities: Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), founded in 1985, and Fashion Delivers, established in 2005 in response to Hurricane Katrina. The union created a single, more powerful entity dedicated to helping children, adults, and families rebuild their lives with dignity. The organization’s effectiveness is reflected in its high ratings from charity evaluators; it holds a perfect score for Impact & Measurement from Charity Navigator, a testament to its transparent and results-driven approach. In 2024 alone, Delivering Good distributed merchandise valued at over $133 million, a clear indicator of its scale and ongoing relevance.

The Women of Impact Summit is a modern evolution of this mission. While the organization’s core work involves the physical distribution of goods, the summit focuses on distributing another valuable resource: knowledge, inspiration, and connection. It leverages the influence of leaders in retail, finance, and media to amplify its message and build a community dedicated to creating positive social change.

Bridging Generations and Industries

A central theme of the 2026 summit is the power of shared experience across generations and professional divides. The event will kick off with an “Intergenerational Conversation: Mothers and Daughters,” a unique panel exploring how ambition, legacy, and leadership are passed down and redefined. This session sets the tone for a day focused on mentorship and building a pipeline of purpose-driven female leaders.

The summit's agenda is a comprehensive exploration of modern leadership challenges and opportunities. Panels will cover topics ranging from building a values-driven career and leveraging personal branding for social good to transforming industries with bold ideas. The discussions are designed to provide actionable insights for attendees, whether they are C-suite executives or just starting their professional journeys.

A highlight of the day will be the CEO Panel, featuring a live audience Q&A with female leaders from innovative companies such as Supergoop!, Eurazeo Brands, Lafayette 148 New York, and Guild Brands. This session offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from women who have navigated the complexities of their respective industries to reach the top, offering firsthand accounts of their challenges and successes.

Corporate Compassion in Action

The summit's extensive list of sponsors speaks volumes about the growing synergy between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and women's empowerment. With KnitWell Group as the presenting sponsor, the event highlights a powerful alliance between the nonprofit sector and the retail industry. Executives from KnitWell will take the stage for a signature conversation, “The Women Behind the Brand: Where Purpose Meets the Customer,” exploring how major brands are integrating social impact into their core business strategies.

This partnership is not merely financial. For apparel and retail giants like KnitWell, Nordstrom, Centric Brands, and Burlington Stores, supporting Delivering Good is a natural extension of their business. These companies are in a unique position to address material poverty by donating excess inventory, turning a potential business loss into a profound social gain. By sponsoring the summit, they also invest in the leadership and ideas that will shape a more equitable and sustainable future for their industry and beyond.

The involvement of firms from finance, media, and technology—including Mastercard, Bloomberg LP, and Global X—demonstrates the broad appeal of Delivering Good's mission. These partnerships reflect a sophisticated understanding of modern philanthropy, where corporate support extends beyond financial donations to include strategic alignment, employee engagement, and shared-value initiatives.

Celebrating Changemakers and Shaping the Future

This year, the summit will introduce a new and significant element: a series of honors recognizing women making extraordinary contributions. The inaugural Women of the Year Award will be presented to Andrea Weiss, Founder and CEO of The O Alliance and, significantly, the Board Chair of Delivering Good. Weiss’s selection highlights her dual role as a successful business leader and a dedicated champion of the organization's mission, having guided it through a period of strategic growth and transformation.

By formally celebrating individual achievement, Delivering Good is reinforcing the message that impact comes in many forms. The awards serve not only to honor the recipients but also to inspire the entire community by showcasing concrete examples of what dedicated, values-driven leadership can accomplish.

Matt Fasciano, President and CEO of Delivering Good, encapsulated the event's spirit. “Delivering Good’s annual Women of Impact Summit brings together leaders across industries to share perspective, build connections, and inspire,” he stated. “This summit reflects that same spirit by creating a space for insight, opportunity, and meaningful conversations about finding your path to impact, with women as leaders across every sector—driving progress, shaping ideas, and moving their industries forward.”

As attendees gather in June, the conversations will undoubtedly be rich and the networking opportunities invaluable. Yet, the true measure of the summit's success will be in the actions it inspires, connecting the influence of the boardroom to the urgent needs of communities and empowering a new generation of leaders to deliver good in every sense of the word.