State of the Market Webinar: Turn Today’s Market Insights Into Tomorrow’s Charitable Impact
Brooklyn Org & Pathstone
Zoom
12:00 PM–1:00 PM EDT
State of the Market Webinar
September 15, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Turn today’s market insights into tomorrow’s charitable impact.
Market conditions shape more than portfolios — they shape the timing and impact of charitable giving, too. Join us to hear how donor-advised funds can help donors make the most of a changing market, what to consider as year-end planning approaches, and how to bring philanthropy into the broader financial conversations you’re already having.
Join Brooklyn Org and Pathstone, our investment advisor, for a candid look at where markets stand today, and where they may be headed next. We’ll explore what today’s investment landscape means for charitable giving, whether you’re funding an existing donor advised fund, considering opening one, or guiding clients through their own philanthropic strategy.
We’ll also hear from IMPACCT Brooklyn, one of BKO’s nonprofit partners, on how these market and economic trends are playing out for Brooklynites and the nonprofits that serve them.
Our Speakers
Jamal Clayton Robinson – Executive Director, IMPACCT Brooklyn
Jamal Clayton Robinson is a visionary leader and the Executive Director of IMPACCT Brooklyn, a community development corporation founded in 1964. With over 15 years of progressive management and leadership experience, Jamal oversees IMPACCT Brooklyn’s $6 million budget, fostering collaboration with the board and staff, expanding revenue streams, driving advocacy and public policy efforts, ensuring fiscal integrity, and strengthening the organization’s capacity to maximize its effectiveness.
Jamal’s expertise is grounded in a strong background in real estate finance, development, and community development practices. Before joining IMPACCT Brooklyn, he served as a Community Development Real Estate Banker at JP Morgan Chase & Co., where he played a key role in facilitating $317 million in affordable housing construction and permanent loans across the Central U.S.
Jamal is a former U.S. Army Officer with eight years of active-duty service. His military assignments included serving as Director of Operations at the United States Military Academy, Director of Public Relations, and Deputy Director of Operations at Future Technology Command.
Jamal holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from NYU Shack Institute of Real Estate Development, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from NYU Wagner, and a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Webster University. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy. Jamal is a proud native of Cleveland, Ohio, but has called New York City home for the past 10 years.
Michael McGowan – Chief Investment Strategist, Pathstone
Michael McGowan is a Managing Director, the Chief Investment Strategist, and a shareholder at Pathstone. With over 20 years of investment management experience, Michael leads investment strategy, providing market and economic analysis, asset allocation guidance, and multi-asset portfolio management.
Michael joined Pathstone from Crestone Capital, where he was Managing Director of Investment Research and Strategy. He led overall investment strategy, strategic and tactical asset allocation, investment manager sourcing and due diligence, and multi-asset portfolio management. He was also a co-portfolio manager on several equity, hedge fund, and fixed income strategies where he focused on sourcing, diligence, and monitoring investment strategies globally. Prior to Crestone, Michael was Vice President within BlackRock’s Investments and Portfolio Solutions group in New York City. With a focus on alternative investments, he was responsible for developing the alternative investments platform across product management, investment strategy, and portfolio construction. Prior to BlackRock, he was a Trader at James Capital Alliance (dba James Investment Research), working directly with senior portfolio managers on equity and fixed income trading, research, asset allocation, and portfolio management.
Michael received his Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance, from the University of Dayton. He received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Wright State University, where he graduated summa cum laude and was the recipient of the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award. He is a CFA® charterholder and a member of both the CFA® Institute and the CFA® Society Colorado.
Nicole Epps – Chief Operating & Financial Officer & Head of Donor Services, Brooklyn Org
Nicole G. Epps joined Brooklyn Org in November 2023. She has over a decade of progressive leadership experience in strategy, management, and meaningful engagement with philanthropic and program partners working within under-resourced communities. Prior to joining Brooklyn Org, Nicole was the Chief of Staff at the Osborne Association, a human services agency that works with recently and formerly incarcerated participants as they work to re-enter their communities.
Nicole was the former Executive Director of the World Childhood Foundation USA (Childhood USA), after 5 years as the Managing Director. As Executive Director, she created the Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Whole Community Child Protection Project, and the Care Coin community outreach for youth protection throughout the United States. She created the first Youth Advisory Council who distributed participatory grants in their community. She also co-led the creation and supplemental updates of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Out of the Shadows Index – Global and United States an innovative benchmarking index response to child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Nicole has been appointed to the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and is a member of RAINN’s National Leadership Council. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and earned an MBA from the University of Georgia, Terry School of Business. Nicole earned her MSW with a Promoting Child & Adolescent Well-Being certificate from Rutgers University School of Social Work. A Brooklyn native and product of Brooklyn schools, Nicole is honored to serve her community at Brooklyn Org.
