Circles USA Leadership Conference Hitting the Mountains in Ogden, Utah this Fall

Circles USA
Sep 15
5 min read

September 15, 2025 OGDEN, Utah – Circles USA and the Ogden Weber Community Action Partnership (OWCAP) are thrilled to announce the Circles USA Leadership Conference coming October 20-23, 2025 in beautiful Ogden, Utah at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center. This bi-annual conference gives attendees an opportunity to look at real-world strategies, attend hands-on workshops, hear from inspiring keynotes, improve leadership skills and walk away with ideas to create community-driven solutions to end poverty.

"The Circles USA Leadership Conference brings together chapters, partners, and innovators to share best practices, inspiration, and new learning every other year. We strengthen our relationships, uplevel our local practices, offer each other potent resources, and build momentum in the anti-poverty arena. Our conference is open to chapter staff, Circle Leaders, Allies, other volunteers, community champions, funders, partners, and friends of Circles. We even offer a one-day inquiry track for folks looking at partnering with Circles in the future. Conference programming is aimed at multiple roles and levels of experience, supporting all who attend to connect, learn, and return home inspired for next steps in their community. Join us in October in Ogden for a powerful week of Moving Beyond...together,” said Kamatara Johnson, Circles USA Executive Director.

The community of Ogden and OWCAP are honored to be a host to the conference. Chris Ipsen, OWCAP Executive Director, said, “Welcome to the Circles USA Conference in beautiful Ogden, Utah! We are excited to have you join us for this inspiring event, where compassion and community unite to create lasting, positive change. Circles of Weber County is honored to be the primary partner and chapter supporting this impactful gathering. We look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions, exchanging innovative ideas, and cultivating lasting relationships as we are moving beyond to break the cycle of poverty and create pathways to success. Thank you for your presence, and let’s work together to ensure this conference is both memorable and transformative!”

Conference Offerings

Circles USA’s Conference At-A-Glance offers a view of the conference schedule and what to expect, including some optional events that add greatly to the conference experience.

Highlights from the conference schedule include:

Circle Leader Keynotes: Circle Leaders, those who are working to leave poverty behind, are at the heart of our work. We’ll be kicking off the first full conference day with inspiring mini-keynote addresses from those with lived experience of poverty. Circle Leader Keynotes from Circles USA's 2023 Leadership Conference can be viewed here.
Tuesday’s Inquiry Track, a special day of programming for anyone interested in learning about Circles.
Breakout sessions and hands-on workshops equipping attendees with systemic change tools, community-driven solutions, national connections, fresh ideas for impact, and much more.
Cliff Effect Day, sponsored by OgdenCAN and Weber State University, which will include three breakout sessions and a panel discussion surrounding the Cliff Effect, one of the major barriers that keeps working Americans in poverty.
Optional add-on experiences including weekly meetings at local Circles chapters and a film screening of Join or Die, a powerful documentary on isolation, social capital, and democracy, followed by a rich group discussion.

Additionally, Circles USA is committed to the mental health and wellbeing of their staff, volunteers, and participants who are on the front lines of poverty and trauma. They want conference attendees to be emotionally and physically supported just as much as they are inspired. Roxy, an Integration Coach at My Mind & Body Collective, will be offering a breakout session to support conference goers to process some of the deeper emotions and more difficult topics through movement. The Collective is also welcoming any Circles conference attendee to join them just down the street for any of their public wellness sessions that week or to schedule a personal coaching session.

A strong line-up of local speakers will be in attendance:

Mayor Nadolski took office on January 2, 2024, bringing with him a breadth and depth of experience, including two terms on the Ogden City Council and a decorated 23-year career with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) where he managed operations in Northern Utah.

During his time with the DWR, Nadolski dedicated his professional life to natural resources, wildlife, habitat protection and restoration, public administration, policy, finance, and leadership. Nadolski was a key figure in the inception of the Ogden River Restoration Project.

Nadolski is a passionate advocate for youth sports and has been instrumental in many local initiatives including the development of Ogden’s “Untamed” Competitive Sports Club, the renovation of Marshall White Center, and the improvements of 4th Street Ball Park.

Nadolski met his wife Jaynee at WSU where she was a two sport athlete and he played football. They have two teenage daughters, Hazel and Millie. Nadolski also holds a Master of Science Degree from Utah State.

Jesse Bush is the OWCAP Board Chair and the Chief Operations Officer for Midtown Community Health Center. Jesse received his B.S. and Masters degree in Public Health (MPH) from Brigham Young University and joined the Midtown team in 2021. He worked in public health, formerly working at local health departments for the past 9 years. He focused on implementing primary prevention policies/programs (chronic disease prevention, injury prevention, tobacco cessation and prevention, as well as healthy lifestyles for teens) with state and local stakeholders.

He is interested in promoting inclusion in community settings and increasing access to equitable and affordable healthcare.

Bush volunteered as a Circles Ally for 3 years and has been on the OWCAP board since 2021. He became a board secretary in 2022 and became board chair in 2024.

Angelika Brewer is an award-winning writer, organizer and the Poet Laureate of Ogden City, Utah. She was named a Poet Laureate Fellow by the Academy of American Poets in 2024. She is a Creative Writing and Storytelling Skills teacher through the Ogden Contemporary Arts: Artist Factory program and the host and founder of several recurring community events in Ogden City. Angelika's work focuses on accessibility and inclusivity in the arts and intends to make space for creativity to thrive.

Angelika will be sharing her powerful poetry at the conference, as well as offering a breakout session that connects conference goers with their inherent creativity.

About Ogden

Ogden has much to offer beyond the conference. Nestled at the foot of the stunning Wasatch Mountains, Ogden, UT is a vibrant city known for its rich history, outdoor adventure, and dynamic downtown. Once a key stop on the transcontinental railroad, Ogden now blends historic charm with modern amenities, offering unique shops, art galleries, and diverse dining experiences.

Just minutes from world-class skiing, hiking, and mountain biking, it’s a perfect destination for both adventure seekers and those looking to explore a lively urban scene.

With its welcoming atmosphere and breathtaking scenery, Ogden provides an unforgettable backdrop for the Circles USA 2025 Conference. More information on the conference and registration details can be found at circlesusa.org/conference.

CONTACT:

Gena Atcher, Circles USA

gena@circlesusa.org

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About Circles USA and OWCAP

Circles USA national nonprofit that partners with local organizations across the nation, engaging community volunteers to come alongside individuals until they overcome poverty permanently. Our mission is building community to end poverty through intentional friendships, personal transformation, and systemic change led by the people closest to the challenge.

The Ogden Weber Community Action Partnership (OWCAP) elevates individuals, families, and communities of Weber County by improving self-sufficiency through services and collaboration. OWCAP is the lead agency sponsoring Circles Weber County, one of six Circles chapters in the state of Utah.