Caring Across Generations is proud to host CareFest 2025 in New York City this November.We are bringing together a dynamic community of care champions and innovators, culture makers, journalists, and leaders to share stories, ideas, and dreams for the future of care in America.Unhindered by today’s news or conventional wisdom, we will explore the care solutions our families and communities yearn for. We will grapple with the trends shaping our reality– from artificial intelligence to the attention economy – and place care at the heart of a more hopeful future.

Our 2025 SCHEDULE

CareFest 2025 will take place over two days, designed to inspire solutions and cultivate creativity.

Carefest 2023 recap

Sponsors

Frequently asked questions

Is there a cost to attend?
There is no cost for individual admission to the event. We are hosting this event with support from philanthropic and corporate sponsors. If you are interested in supporting the event, or Caring Across Generations, please contact [email protected].Are accommodations provided?
All guests are responsible for their own travel and accommodations, but to support this we have set up a room block at hotels within walking distance to The Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice. Once we have confirmed your registration for CareFest, we will provide hotel information directly.Is the event accessible?
The Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice has taken steps to ensure that their building exceeds accessibility standards. The building is wheelchair-accessible, as are all event spaces. The registration form will include space to receive accommodation or service requests. If you would like to speak to an event planner directly, please email [email protected] and we will be in touch!What is your approach to health and safety for guests attending in person?
We encourage all guests and event staff to take Covid tests before travelling for the event. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the event.

Contact us for more info

RSVP FOR CAREFEST

Registration for CareFest is now closed.

RSVP FOR CAREFEST

Registration for CareFest is now closed.

THE FUTURE FORUM

Day 1 – The Genius of Care
November 18, 2025

8:30am – Registration9:30am – Plenary Sessions

Becoming a Caregiver with Ai-jen Poo, Chris Durrance, Brandee Evans, and Maria TownThe experience of caregiving changes us. What are the defining moments on that journey? What do you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of your journey?Caregiving Across Generations with Jose Antonio Vargas, Kathleen Chalfant, Patrece Lucas, and Kristin Rowe FinkbeinerWe encounter care at every stage of life, and we can’t predict when we will need or be called to care. How can intergenerational caregiving help change our culture to both better support young people and embrace aging?The Workforce Who Cares with Sarita Gupta, Doug Moore, and care workersWe rely upon millions of professionals to help care for our families. What is the work of care in America today?Networking Break

12:15pm – Lunch1:15pm – Lunch Room Conversations

Valuing Care Work with Cristela Alonzo, Elvina Scott, and care workersWe know care work is essential, but our economic model does not value it accordingly. How do we make sure family caregivers and parents are supported and care jobs valued for this next era?From Isolated to Shared with Dawn Huckelbridge, Jocelyn Frye, Dessa Cosma, and Rohini KosogluEven as we have created new communities around caregiving, our solutions are often individual. How do we change the conversation in our communities from self-blame to shared responsibility?

2:30pm – Plenary Sessions

Can care bring us together? with Chris Hayes, LaTosha Brown, and George GoehlWe all have a care story. And care solutions are widely popular across partisan lines. Could care offer us a way to turn towards one another in this time of extreme polarization?United by Care with Lorella Praeli, Nazanin Ash, Katie Smith Sloan, and Jenn StoweEvery day, families rely upon immigrants for essential child care, and aging and disability care. How do we ensure the workforce and the families who count on them are a part of the story of this moment?Men and Care with Richard Lui, David Fortune, Carlos Olivas, and Steve SchwabWhat does it look like to support the increasing numbers of men who are becoming caregivers and fathers in America today. How can they help change our culture of care?On Hope with Alicia Menendez, Krista Tippet, Tarana Burke, and Jane FondaOur care systems and the families who rely on them are under growing pressure. How do we cultivate and sustain hope through the seasons to tap into our agency and make change?

5:00pm – Program Closes

THE FUTURE FORUM

Day 2 – The Vision and the Journey
November 19, 2025

8:30am – Registration9:30am – Plenary Sessions

Charting a New Course for Care Policy with Heather McGhee, Jen Klein, Diana Rodriguez Franco, and April VerrettAcross the country and around the world, leaders are clear that we need solutions to the caregiving challenge. What can we learn from the models that have been built in states and around the world? What can we learn from the last few rounds of federal policy campaigns? How do we protect what we have, while creating what we need for the next era?Care Economics with Sali Christeson, Anna Steffeney, and Reshma SaujaniA significant achievement of recent years is the establishment of care as an economic priority, not just a family or individual concern. How do we continue to build on our progress? What are the true costs and benefits we should be thinking about moving forward?Storytelling to Shape the Future with Ai-jen Poo, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Emma Heming WillisCaregivers are sharing their stories and changing the cultural conversation about care in real time. How do we best leverage the unique power of our care stories to catalyze change in policy and beyond?

12:15pm – Lunch1:15pm – Lunch Room Conversations

By the Numbers with Nicole Jorwic, Rita Choula, Mia Ives-Rublee, and Jason ResendezWhen it comes to care, what data do we have and what story does it tell about care in America? How do the numbers help us advocate for meaningful change?Finding our Agency with Nayantara Sen and Steve WayMany of us encounter caregiving in a moment of crisis or loss. And yet we figure out a way to show up. What can we learn from caregivers and people who rely on care about what it means to harness our agency in times when we feel a loss of control?

2:30pm – Plenary Sessions

The New Village with Cristela Alonzo, Imani Barbarin, Chris Punsalan, and Jacquelyn RevereSocial media has created new ways for parents and caregivers to break out of isolation and find community. How are caregivers leveraging the power of new media to change the way we support and value care?Care Intelligence with Jennifer Stybel, Patrice Martin, Deep Ganguli, and Martin Russell JohnsonArtificial intelligence is undeniably shaping our future. Could the AI revolution be an opportunity to value that which is uniquely human: care? Beyond debating care robots, how should AI shape the future of care and care work? And what are the real risks we must consider?Investing in Care with Heather Gerken, Ai-jen Poo, Peter Kaldes, and Courtney LeimkuhlerFrom venture funds to philanthropy, the return on investment has attracted more capital to care - what have we learned in the process? What are the opportunities and risks as interest in caregiving and the care economy grows?

5:00pm – Program Closes

CARE STORYTELLING SHOWCASE

November 20, 2025

8:00am – Registration9:00am – Plenary Sessions

Truth, Ideas and Imagination: A Fireside Chat with Bridgit Antoinette Evans (Pop Culture Collaborative), and HIKARI (Rental Family)An intimate conversation reflecting on the role of art in driving social change, not just in terms of raising awareness but also through its power to fuel imaginationMore Care On Screen Pitch Showcase hosted by Franklin Leonard (The Black List), with commentary by Bryce Norbitz (Tribeca Studios) and producer Lily BurnsEstablished & emerging storytellers will present new and available care-inclusive projects across genres + care pillars. Featuring Jen Bosworth-Ramirez, Michael Mitnick, Andrew Pilkington, Stefanos Tai + Jonathan Hsu, and Katie RichCreating With Care with Cristela Alonzo (Upper Classy), DJ Nash (A Million Little Things), and Liz Sargent (Take Me Home), moderated by Dade Hayes (Deadline Hollywood)Creatives behind breakthrough projects will unpack how stories exploring aging, disability and care themes have resonated with audiences and opened new creative pathways.

1:00pm – Program Closes & Networking Lunch