Turning Insight into Action

Join community leaders, partners, and change-makers for Prosper Waco’s biennial Summit—where data, collaboration, and action come together to improve health, education, and economic mobility in McLennan County.

About

Sponsor

Volunteer

Agenda

Logistics

BASE at EEC

8:00 AM

Doors Open & Welcome Coffee

Logistics

Main Hall

8:30 AM

Opening Remarks

Keynote

Main Hall

8:40 AM

2026 Waco Snapshot Report

Panel

Main Hall

9:45 AM

Big Decisions, Local Impact: Policy from Austin to Washington

Mini-Keynote

Main Hall

10:30 AM

Prosper Talks: Bold Ideas. Real Solutions

Mini-Keynote

Main Hall

10:55 AM

Prosper Talks | The Other Hours: A New Approach to Student Success

Mini-Keynote

Main Hall

11:17 AM

Prosper Talks: Bold Ideas. Real Solutions

Mini-Keynote

Main Hall

11:40 AM

Prosper Talks: Bold Ideas. Real Solutions

Logistics

Main Hall

12:00 PM

Lunch Buffet Opens

Panel

Main Hall

12:45 PM

Building a Sustainable Healthcare Safety Net: A Regional Economic Imperative

Logistics

Main Hall

1:35 PM

Transition Break

Data Walk

Hall B

1:45 PM

Waco by the Numbers: A Community Data Walk

Breakout Session

Breakout Room A

1:45 PM

From Crisis to Stability: Rethinking Waco's Homelessness Response

Breakout Session

Breakout Room B

1:45 PM

Success at Every Step: Connecting People Needing Jobs to Jobs Needing People

Breakout Session

Breakout Room C

1:45 PM

Beyond Crisis: Meaningfully Diverting Individuals from ER & Jail to Real Care

Breakout Session

Breakout Room D

1:45 PM

Our Children, Our Schools, Our Community: A Conversation with Area Superintendents

Logistics

Main Hall

2:45 PM

Transition Break - Snacks Available

Breakout Session

Breakout Room A

3:00 PM

From Crisis to Stability: Rethinking Waco's Homelessness Response (Repeat)

Breakout Session

Breakout Room B

3:00 PM

Success at Every Step: Connecting People Needing Jobs to Jobs Needing People (Repeat)

Breakout Session

Breakout Room C

3:00 PM

Beyond Crisis: Meaningfully Diverting Individuals from ER & Jail to Real Care (Repeat)

Breakout Session

Breakout Room D

3:00 PM

Our Children, Our Schools, Our Community: A Conversation with Area Superintendents (Repeat)

Keynote

Main Hall

4:00 PM

The Action Marketplace: Turning Today's Insights into Community Action

Social Hour

Main Hall

4:30 PM

Summit Sips

Dr. Chris Allen

Midway ISD

Chief Deputy Jake Burson

McLennan County

The Honorable Pat Curry

Texas Representative (District 56)

Ahmier Gibson

Director of Health Initiatives

James Jesse

EOAC

The Honorable Angelia Orr

Texas Representative (District 13)

Dr. Jeremy Rhodes

Prosper Waco

Beth Wooten

TSTC in Waco

Jessica Attas

Prosper Waco

DeAngela Bynum

Waco Police Department

Lisa Ellis

STRAC

Dr. Frank Graves

McLennan Community College

Amy Jimenez

Waco ISD

Christy Ortiz

HOT Behavioral Health Network & HOTHC Board Chair

The Honorable Pete Session

US Representative (TX-17)

Councilwoman Andrea Barefield

Prosper Waco Board Chair

Dr. Teddy Clevenger

Lorena ISD

Deidra Emerson

City of Waco

Dr. Jackson Griggs

Waco Family Medicine

Chet Long

Prosper Waco

Kathleen Post

City of Waco & HOTHC Board Vice Chair

Stacey Steger

HOT Behavioral Health Network

Randy Bowman

At Last! Inc.

Dr. Lennex Cowan

Prosper Waco

Judge Scott Felton

McLennan County

Emily Humphrey

Waco Family Medicine

Rachel Martinez

Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce

Mike Ramsey

City of San Antonio

Chief Sheryl Victorian

Waco Police Department

Logistics

BASE at EEC

8:00 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast

Check in, pick up your name badge, and grab breakfast. Take a few minutes to connect with fellow community leaders before the day begins.

Logistics

Main Hall

8:30 a.m.

Opening Remarks

Councilwoman Andrea Barefield, Prosper Waco Board Chair

Kick off the Summit and set the tone for a day built around the theme "Turning Insight into Action". You will hear what to expect and how to make the most of our time together.

Presentation

Main Hall

8:35 a.m.

2026 Waco Snapshot Report

Dr. Jeremy Rhodes, Prosper Waco

Join us for the release of the much anticipated 2026 Waco Snapshot Report. Prosper Waco's Senior Director of Data and Research shares the latest findings on how Waco and McLennan County are doing across health, education, workforce, and housing.

Panel

Main Hall

9:40 a.m.

Big Decisions, Local Impact: Policy from Austin to Washington

Hear from local and state policymakers as they discuss how decisions are made at the state and national level shape life in our community.

Moderator: Chet Long, Prosper Waco

Panelists:

The Honorable Pete Sessions, US Representative (TX-17)

The Honorable Pat Curry, Texas Representative (TX-XX)

The Honorable Angelia Orr, Texas Representative (TX-XX)

Mini-Keynote

Main Hall

10:30 a.m.-
12:00 p.m.

Prosper Talks: Bold Ideas. Real Solutions.

Fast-paced talks featuring leaders from across the country who are putting bold ideas into action. In 15–20 minutes, each speaker will share an innovative approach their community has taken on a complex challenge—what they tried, what they learned, and what might be possible here.

Brought to you by Central National Bank

10:30 a.m.

Prosper Talks | The Other Hours: A New Approach to Student Success

Randy Bowman, At Last! Inc.

10:45 a.m.

Prosper Talks | Ready to Work!

Mike Ramsey, San Antonio Ready to Work!

11:00 a.m.

Prosper Talks | Waco Family Medicine

Dr. Jackson Griggs, Waco Family Medicine

11:15 a.m.

Prosper Talks | STRAC

Lisa Ellis, STRAC

Mini-Keynote

Main Hall

12:00 p.m.

Lunch

Enjoy a buffet lunch and keep the conversation going with new and familiar faces at your table.

Moderator: Jessica Attas, Prosper Waco

Panelists:

Dr. Jackson Griggs, Waco Family Medicine

Judge Scott Felton, McLennan County

Lunch Plenary

Main Hall

12:45 p.m.

Building a Sustainable Healthcare Safety Net: A Regional Economic Imperative

Regional leaders explore why a strong healthcare safety net matters for Waco's economy as well as its health. Hear an update on the PACES work and how it connects to a healthier, more resilient community.

Interactive Exhibit

Hall B

1:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Waco by the Numbers: A Community Data Walk

Facilitator: Dr. Jeremy Rhodes, Prosper Waco

Walk through the data behind the Snapshot Report at your own pace. Explore what the numbers say about our community and talk with the Prosper Waco research team.

Breakout Sessions

1:15 p.m. or
2:15 p.m.

Breakout Rooms A-D

Breakout Sessions: Turning Insight into Action

Go deeper on the issues that matter most to your work. Each concurrent breakout pairs a 45-minute panel of local leaders with 15 minutes of Table Talks, where you can ask questions, share what you are seeing in your own work, and help shape next steps. Every session is offered twice, so you can attend two of the four: homelessness response, workforce, behavioral health, and K-12 education.

Breakout Room A

From Crisis to Stability: Rethinking our Homelessness Response

Moderator: Kathleen Post, City of Waco

Panelists:

Deidra Emerson, City of Waco

DeAngela Bynum, Waco Police Department

Christy Ortiz, HOT Behavioral Health Network & HOTHC Board Chair

Amy Jimenez, Waco ISD

Key Question: What strategies are needed to improve the homelessness response system and prevent homelessness?

What strategies will improve our homelessness response system and prevent homelessness before it starts? Local leaders share what is working, where the gaps are, and what comes next. Table Talks follow to get your questions and ideas into the room.

Breakout Room C

Beyond Crisis: Meaningfully Diverting People From ER & Jails to Real Care

Moderator: Ahmier Gibson, Prosper Waco

Panelists:

Emily Humphrey, Waco Family Medicine

Deputy Chief Jake Burson, McLennan County Sheriff's Department

Chief Sheryl Victorian, Waco Police Department

Stacey Steger, HOT Behavioral Health Network

Key Question: How do we continue to divert those in behavioral health crisis or with behavioral health needs from Emergency Room care and jails?

Breakout Room B

Success at Every Step: Connecting People Needing Jobs to Jobs Needing People

Moderator: TBD

Panelists:

Beth Wooten, TSTC in Waco

Dr. Frank Graves, McLennan Community College

Rachel Martinez, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce

James Jesse, EOAC

Key Question: How do we connect underemployed residents, employers, and schools to the workforce development ecosystem?

How do we connect underemployed residents, employers, and schools to the workforce ecosystem? Education, business, and workforce partners discuss practical ways to close the gap. Table Talks follow.

Breakout Room D

Our Children, Our Schools, Our Community: A Conversation with Area Superintendents

Facilitator: Dr. Chris Allen, Midway ISD

Table Leaders:

Dr. Teddy Clevenger, Lorena ISD

Key Question: How do we make teaching a more attractive profession?

Area superintendents join a candid, table-based conversation on the challenges facing local schools, including how to make teaching a more attractive career. Bring your questions and ideas.

How do we keep people in behavioral health crisis out of emergency rooms and jails and connect them to the right care? Health and public safety leaders share approaches that are making a difference. Table Talks follow.

Keynote

Main Hall

4:00 p.m.

The Action Marketplace: Turning Today's Insights into Community Action

Jessica Attas, Prosper Waco CEO

Bring the day together and decide what happens next. Identify the commitments, partnerships, and next steps you will take back to your organization.

Reception

Main Hall

4:00 p.m.

Summit Sips

Unwind with a cocktail, wine, or beer, plus light bites. Keep building relationships with the people you met today.

Turning Insight into Action

Agenda

Logistics

Doors Open & Welcome Coffee

Logistics

Opening Remarks

Keynote

2026 Waco Snapshot Report

Panel

Big Decisions, Local Impact: Policy from Austin to Washington

Mini-Keynote

Prosper Talks: Bold Ideas. Real Solutions

Mini-Keynote

Prosper Talks | The Other Hours: A New Approach to Student Success

Mini-Keynote

Prosper Talks: Bold Ideas. Real Solutions

Mini-Keynote

Prosper Talks: Bold Ideas. Real Solutions

Logistics

Lunch Buffet Opens

Panel

Building a Sustainable Healthcare Safety Net: A Regional Economic Imperative

Logistics

Transition Break

Data Walk

Waco by the Numbers: A Community Data Walk

Breakout Session

From Crisis to Stability: Rethinking Waco's Homelessness Response

Breakout Session

Success at Every Step: Connecting People Needing Jobs to Jobs Needing People

Breakout Session

Beyond Crisis: Meaningfully Diverting Individuals from ER & Jail to Real Care

Breakout Session

Our Children, Our Schools, Our Community: A Conversation with Area Superintendents

Logistics

Transition Break - Snacks Available

Breakout Session

From Crisis to Stability: Rethinking Waco's Homelessness Response (Repeat)

Breakout Session

Success at Every Step: Connecting People Needing Jobs to Jobs Needing People (Repeat)

Breakout Session

Beyond Crisis: Meaningfully Diverting Individuals from ER & Jail to Real Care (Repeat)

Breakout Session

Our Children, Our Schools, Our Community: A Conversation with Area Superintendents (Repeat)

Keynote

The Action Marketplace: Turning Today's Insights into Community Action

Social Hour

Summit Sips

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