2024 Fellow Focus: Dr. Kortney Ziegler + WellMoney

“As an entrepreneur, I am driven by the desire to innovate and the autonomy to implement solutions that align with my vision of a more inclusive and supportive world. Each venture I undertake is a step towards breaking down barriers and empowering communities, particularly those who are often marginalized.”

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Philanthropy Without Applications

“Doing away with applications will create a major disruption in the way foundations typically learn about new organizations, but it won’t stop them from learning altogether. In fact, it may draw more philanthropic leaders out of offices and echo chambers, and into relationships and communities where they can gain a better understanding of what is needed and which organizations are leading truly impactful work.”

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2024 Fellow Focus: Vicky Garalina + Inspiring Futures

“I hope that Inspiring Futures creates a space that is welcoming and embracing of all those who have system-involvement and are trying to move forward in life. I hope Inspiring Futures successfully de-stigmatizes mental health, and that as a result, these incredible youth and young people are able to stay out of future systems that the foster care system is often a pipeline to, disrupting the narrative that foster care is a pipeline to jail, homelessness, and other negative outcomes.“


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2024 Fellow Focus: Dr. Brandi Kenner + Village Nanny

“My vision for Village Nanny is for our app to be so universally accessible that it creates a paradigm shift in what families view as not only feasible and accessible, but beneficial, in terms of their family's village and needs. I hope to create a more caring, community-centered world in which children and elders are cared for in the ways that serve them best, a world in which more people have embraced the notion that it truly "takes a village,” and to leave a legacy for our own children.“


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2024 Fellow Focus: Murewa Olubela + Erudyte

“Through Erudyte, my vision is to contribute to a world where education is truly inclusive, breaking down language barriers and providing equal opportunities for students regardless of their linguistic backgrounds. Ultimately, I envision a world where language is not a hindrance to academic success, and students can thrive, contribute meaningfully to society, and pursue their aspirations without limitations imposed by language barriers.”


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2024 Fellow Focus: Jessica King + FlowIntell

“What I enjoy most about being a founder is the incredible opportunity it provides to champion causes that truly matter, like the taboos and stigmas surrounding women's health. Being a founder gives me a platform to make a meaningful difference, such as ensuring that the information we provide is both accessible and impactful.”


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2024 Fellow Focus: Jordan Hankins + Southern Nevada Black Educators Initiative

“Through [Southern Nevada Black Educators Initiative], I aspire to establish a realm that provides students of color with representation and opportunities. I envision a world abundant with culturally attuned, highly skilled Black educators passionately advocating for their students.”


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Challenging White Supremacy Cultural Norms in Philanthropy with Radical Optimist Collective

In this insightful ”It’s Not Your Money” episode, Lisa Flick Wilson and Staci Walker from the Radical Optimist Collective to share their experiences working with philanthropy teams on racial justice learning, how that is different and similar to working with teams in other industries, and how their approach as a collective differs from typical org white supremacy cultural norms. 

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2024 Fellow Focus: ShaKimberly Cooper + AES Literacy Institute

“I want to create a world where everyone has equal access to resources and the ability to pursue their dreams. I hope to help create a world that emphasizes the importance of collaboration, inclusivity, and respect for different perspectives. I want a world where race, age, gender, social class, or background aren’t barriers to opportunity.”


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Rightsized Capital: Redesigning the Experience of Impact Financing

“Just as we expect founders to design products and services that meet the needs of their target markets, I contend funders must also put in the effort to design financing instruments that align with the needs of BIPOC, women and nonbinary social entrepreneurs.“

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One Foot After The Other

“It can be so easy to move through our daily to-dos towards our missions and forget to actually stop and embrace the why. Let our hearts lead. So much of the work is about us. Examine how we choose to show up for ourselves, our people, our mission. Ground ourselves in intention, especially when doing work that moves us towards a liberated future.”

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Building Equitable Funding Through Dialogue

“Co.act Detroit aims to promote a more equitable funding landscape in our region by piloting participatory practices and centering community voices. Our role as a convener also allows us to advocate for change across philanthropy by creating space for honest dialogue, peer learning, and reimagining decision-making.”

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Elevating My Psychology In Pursuit of Equity, Impact and Joy Through Philanthropy [Part Two]

“By making a conscious effort to elevate our own psychological operating system, we can expand our view beyond our own immediate needs and  fears. This more resourceful perspective equips us with the depth required to tackle systemic issues more holistically, thus opening the door for more enduring and equitable solutions in the realm of philanthropy.”

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2023 Fellow Focus: Kathryn Adabonyan + GoPursue

“I spent almost 10 years as a K12 educator, first as a teacher, then an instructional coach, a career academy leader, and a principal-in-training. No matter whether I worked in a private school, public school, or district office, I was constantly confronting systems bound by constraints and bureaucracy. Finally, after years of trying to implement change from within, I realized I could help more students and affect greater systemic change outside of the system.”


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