Podcasts about strivetogether

Welcome to Together for Together for Change, the podcast where we explore the transformative power of systems change and civic infrastructure. In this episode, we interview Cradle to Career Network members who won the Nancy Zimpher Courage in Leadership Award at our 2024 Cradle to Career Network Convening and learn more about the work that won them this award. Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

Welcome to Together for Together for Change, the podcast where we explore the transformative power of systems change and civic infrastructure.In this episode, we reflect on the Cradle to Career Network's largest in-person gathering to date — the 2023 Cradle to Career Network Convening. We also look back at some of our favorite moments from recent episodes as we close out this season of the podcast.Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

Policy plays a critical role in the work of systems transformation. In this episode, we explore different approaches to policy work and show why it can be effective for achieving results at scale.Featured guests include: Ryan Lugalia-Hollon, Chief Executive Officer of Up Partnership in San Antonio, Texas. Haley Simmons, Chief Public Policy Officer at Seeding Success in Memphis, Tennessee, and Stacy Schweickart, Chief Executive Officer at Learn to Earn Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. Learn more: www.strivetogether.org

Part of the work in transforming systems is understanding how different social systems intersect: education, housing, health, criminal justice, etc. On the flip side, there is a large cross section of social impact organizations who have different but overlapping approaches. In this episode, we'll talk about the role civic infrastructure plays in building collaborative relationships where organizations can work toward a common vision. And, we'll discuss how this approach can transcend international borders to get results. Featured guest is Danya Pastuszek, Co-CEO of Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement.Learn more: www.strivetogether.org

When it comes to solving large problems and creating population-level results, the idea of treating urgent symptoms often seems in conflict with developing a cure. In this episode, we talk about a both/and approach in addressing issues to get “population level results.” And, we finally get consensus on what “population level results” means. Featuring Marian Urquilla, co-founder at the Center for Community Investment. Learn more: www.strivetogether.org

To achieve economic mobility for every child, we must organize systems around youth, not institutions. This is the fundamental shift network communities make as they change the way they work together. To achieve economic mobility for every child, we must organize systems around youth, not institutions. This isn't just a talking point, it's really taking a very different approach to the work of policy and developing relationships within a community.  This episode features Richard Raya, chief strategy officer of Mission Economic Development Agency, the anchor entity of Mission Promise Neighborhood. Richard is also the newest member serving on the board of directors at StriveTogether. Learn more: www.strivetogether.org

When people talk about evidence-based decision making, they're really talking about data. Data can support good decision making about policies, the allocation of resources, and provide a real-time look at how solutions are faring. But how do we make decisions on what to measure? Why does StriveTogether love data so much? And, does the data love us back? This episode features Sarah Rosen Wartell, president of the Urban Institute, and Ashwina Kirpalani-Vasanjee, vice president of insights and analytics at StriveTogether.Learn more: www.strivetogether.org

From schools to systems, we often talk about transformation as if it we were resetting or rebuilding things. But what if we instead approached this work as a rethink? What would this mean for our work in education, in policy, and elsewhere? This episode features Frederick Hess, senior fellow and the Director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, and one of the keynote speakers at this year's Cradle to Career Network Convening.For more information on the Great School Rethink by Rick Hess, visit this page.Learn more: www.strivetogether.org

Zig Ziglar once said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” To achieve results, it is necessary to have a clear, measurable, and defined targets. Even though different social impact organizations might have different approaches to the work, it is important to be aligned in vision. For example, how does one define systems transformation and economic mobility? How can it be defined in a way that is scalable and sustainable but also meaningful for those at the center of that work?This episode features Bill Crim, President and CEO of the Promise Partnership/United Way of Salt Lake, and Susan Dawson, President and Executive Director of the E3 Alliance.

The North Star is the only bright star whose position relative to a rotating Earth does not change. For StriveTogether, that North Star is economic mobility and creating equitable pathways for every child to have the best possible opportunity. This involves both transforming systems and delivering outcomes. And, it involves placed-based communities. So what does it mean to get better results?This episode features Jennifer Blatz, President and CEO of Strive Together and Lisandra Gonzales, CEO of Rocky Mountain Partnership.

Working across the community, achieving collective impact, building civic infrastructure, and moving from talk to action. Those things are at the heart of our discussion today.  In this episode, we talk with Monroe Nichols from StriveTogether. StriveTogether animates a network of over 70 communities, reaching around 14 million students with a focus on improving cradle-to-career education outcomes. Based on his experience, Monroe shares with us what it takes for communities to be successful at the changes they wish to see. Find the full episode transcript HERE.Learn more about StriveTogether and their network HERE.If you enjoyed this episode, you might also find our interview with Kalika Curry from Eastside Pathways of interest. Eastside Pathways is a member of the StriveTogether Network. Listen HERE.If you're interested in more episodes focused on equity in education, you might also enjoy The Leading Equity Podcast with Dr. Sheldon L Eakins.Learn more about Impact Tulsa HEREMonroe Nichols Bio:In 2016, Representative Monroe Nichols became the first African American elected to represent House District 72 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. During his time in the Legislature, Representative Nichols has authored legislation focused on providing all students with a high-quality education, all Oklahomans with access to health care services, ensuring Oklahoma's economy works for everyone, revitalizing neighborhoods, and reforming the justice system. Currently serving as Vice Chair of both the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus and the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus, Representative Nichols is the incoming Chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus and will assume that office in April of 2023.Prior to being elected, Representative Nichols spent his career in government, private business, higher education, and the non-profit sector, serving as a mayoral aide, chief of staff in the president's office at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, and an economic development director. In 2014, he co-founded ImpactTulsa, a collective impact organization aimed at improving education for all Tulsa area students. From 2014 – 2016, Representative Nichols also served on the Tulsa Technology Center Board of Education.In addition to his legislative service, Representative Nichols is the Director of Policy and Partnerships for StriveTogether, leading the organization's state policy strategy focused on advancing equity to improve student outcomes in communities across the country.Over the course of his career, Representative Nichols has been the recipient of several awards including the United States Department of Justice Award for Public Service. Monroe holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Tulsa and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. 

14.8 million children and counting, StriveTogether is improving the education and economic mobility of communities throughout the country. This week, we're lucky enough to sit down with Parv Santhosh-Kumar, VP of Equitable Outcomes, to learn just how they do it.This episode is jam-packed with lessons on equitable outcomes, systems change thinking, and holistic transformation of communities. Together, we can all help build a world where a child's potential isn't dictated by their race, ethnicity, zip code, or circumstance.You can find StriveTogether here:https://www.strivetogether.org/IG: @strivetogetherFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/StriveTogetherTwitter: @StriveTogether

Dr. Nancy Zimpher is an educator, state university leader, and former Chancellor of the State University of New York. Before serving at SUNY, Nancy worked as a dean and professor of education at Ohio State University, where she also earned her undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees. In 1998, Nancy served as the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee—the first woman to hold the position in the university—until she joined the University of Cincinnati to serve as its President from 2003 to 2009. Today, Nancy is the Co-founder of StriveTogether, a national movement that uses collective impact to help more than 14 million children succeed from cradle to career. She is also the Director of The Power of Systems, a project dedicated to transforming public university systems in the United States. She is also the co-author of the books, Creating a New Kind of University, University Leadership in Urban School Renewal, and A Time for Boldness. Nancy joins me today to describe her vision of universities' roles in communities and society. You'll hear about her journey to becoming the administrative leader of three universities across the country and her advocacy for ensuring the academic welfare of students and collegiate athletes. She explains what it means to create a new kind of university and why universities need to collaborate with external social institutions. You'll also learn about the importance of mentorship and representation and hear Nancy's advice to young women aspiring to become leaders. “Universities need to leave behind their isolation and build partnerships with communities and social entities. This is our role—our public good.” - Nancy Zimpher This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores: Nancy Zimpher's childhood in Ohio Her academic path and her journey to joining the faculty of the Ohio State University The responsibilities of a university provost Nancy's sense of leadership and how it emerged and grew in her life Creating and advocating for an academic enterprise for student-athletes Her role in the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics The history of NIL policies for collegiate athletes and where they're headed March Madness and why the NIL rules are a leadership issue like no other Joe Burrow's story and the power of successful professional and collegiate athletes to drive social action The crisis of confidence in higher education and the role of universities in the larger social sphere How universities drive upward social mobility Creating a new kind of university Why universities need to focus on cooperating The responsibilities of women leaders and Nancy's advice to women who aspire to become leaders Our Favorite Quotes: “Many of our public social institutions are being questioned in terms of their ability to serve the needs of our society. The wrong thing to do is to be defensive about those critiques.” - Nancy Zimpher “Be aware of what your knowledge base is and be an expert in your discipline. Be good at what you do and who you say you are.” - Nancy Zimpher Connect with Nancy Zimpher: Power of Systems StriveTogether Book: Creating a New Kind of University: Institutionalizing Community-University Engagement Book: University Leadership in Urban School Renewal Book: A Time for Boldness: A Story of Institutional Change StriveTogether on LinkedIn StriveTogether on Instagram StriveTogether on Facebook StriveTogether on Twitter Nancy Zimpher on Twitter Spaceship Not Required  I'm Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean. I'm an explorer, and that doesn't always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action. In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required. Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores. Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead! Don't forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts! Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Place-based partnerships can serve a major role in supporting governments' commitment to serving and improving the lives of residents. But partnerships on a city-wide scale rely on good data governance practices in order to be successful, data-driven, and self-sustaining. In particular, collaboration between government and non-government organizations (NGO's) poses an extra layer of complexity, and successful service delivery through these partnerships demands robust data governance and open communication between all participants. Today, we're joined by Jenelle Zito, Director of Continuous Improvement for the Racine, WI Unified School District, Geoff Zimmerman, a consultant with StriveTogether, a nation-wide network of cradle-to-career place-based partnerships, and Ben Taft, Data Impact Manager of Higher Expectations, a collective impact organization local to Racine and member organization of Strive Together. We'll explore the needs of the Racine Unified School District and how collaboration with Higher Expectations and StriveTogether to address these issues was made possible through a shared responsibility for data governance and communication by all three organizations.If you'd like to learn more, come visit us at govex.jhu.edu.

In our field, we often talk about the importance civic infrastructure, the connection between people, institutions, and systems in a community. We also love to engage in discussions power. But have you ever stopped for a moment to really break down what those words mean or thought about how people outside the Cradle to Career movement engage with those ideas? In this episode, we dive into this deep world of power, civics, and democracy with founder of Citizen University, Eric Liu. Eric is one of the keynote speakers at the 2022 Cradle to Career Network Convening.  

The following is a conversation between Jennifer Blatz, President and CEO of StriveTogether, and Denver Frederick, the Host of The Business of Giving. StriveTogether is a national nonprofit working in 70 communities across the United States to ensure that every child has every chance to succeed, because race, ethnicity, poverty, and circumstance should not determine opportunity or outcome. And here to tell us more about the work they do and how they do it is Jennifer Blatz, the president and CEO of StriveTogether.

In September 2021, Melody Barnes, chair of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, led a conversation with four social change leaders who for more than a decade have used collective impact to create collaborative, place-based change. Participants included Jennifer Blatz, president and CEO of StriveTogether, a national network of local communities striving to achieve racial equity and economic mobility, supporting the success of every child from cradle to career; Geoffrey Canada, founder and president of Harlem Children's Zone and the recently launched William Julius Wilson Center, nonprofits working to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty with comprehensive, on-the-ground programming that builds opportunities for children, families, and communities; Rosanne Haggerty, president and chief executive officer of Community Solutions, a nonprofit working to achieve a lasting end to homelessness; and Erik Stegman, chief executive officer of Native Americans in Philanthropy, an organization promoting increased and equitable investments in tribal communities that align with Indigenous values.During this roundtable, the participants discussed how their years of experience with collective impact has evolved and what they have learned that will carry them into the next decade of collaborative work to improve communities. This discussion is an unabridged version of an article shared in the Stanford Social Innovation Review titled Reflecting on Collective Impact for Place-Based Social Change.Resources and FootnotesArticle: Centering Equity in Collective ImpactMore on Collective ImpactInfographic: What is Collective Impact?Resource List: Getting Started in Collective ImpactThe Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Today, we're going to speak with a couple that has traveled over 100,000 miles into the heart of America over discover what those stories would be. Jim and Deb Fallows are the writers and researchers behind the Our Towns book, documentary, and series for The Atlantic. We'll also be joined by Bridget Jancarz, chief of staff at StriveTogether.   Together, we'll unpack some of those stories and the lessons that can be learned for changemakers across the country. 

In episode 7 of Together, We're Better, Community Engagement Manager Brandon Morris talks with our local Parent Advocates and our partners from the Wisconsin Partnership – a collaborative effort of the four StriveTogether-affiliated local collective impact partnerships in Wisconsin, about how parents can lead change in their communities, specifically for early childhood care and education. One parent advocate, Ashley Wells, explains how the PACC Fellowship equipped her with the necessary skills to confidently speak with her elected representatives and inspire other parents to use their power as a parent to make changes. Parents Advocate for Child Care (PACC) Fellows: Ashley Wells, Genevieve Gerou and Patrick Langston

Have you ever noticed that behind every superhero is a good origin story? It's the tale of they got their superpowers and how they made the decision to fight for the good of others. But whether you are talking about one extraordinary person or a team of uncanny strength, the real superpower is the movement that they create. By planting the seeds of justice and hope, they can create real lasting change. Today, we going to explore the origin story of the Cradle to Career national movement and how that is now transforming the lives of millions of families. We'll learn more about how the environment in which this movement was born parallels what we're experiencing today and what lessons we can apply for those seeking to change. We'll hear about some fail forward moments. Most importantly, we'll talk about why this is a moment to truly feel a sense of hope. Today's episode will feature a discussion with Jeff Edmondson, the Executive Director of Community Mobilization at Ballmer Group and the founding executive director of the flagship Strive Partnership whose work became a national model for the concept of “collective impact” in 2010. And, we'll also be joined by Jennifer Blatz, the current president and CEO of StriveTogether.

Andy Freeze is a fundraiser and developer for StriveTogether. John Webster works in business operations for Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Both are alumni of the BOLD Program.

#BetterTogether was trending in 2020 as we discovered our way to push through the pandemic. For 2021, how about we #StriveTogether, embracing discomfort, navigating complexity, and making an impactful difference? Jeff Moore, former NCAA coach, pulls up a seat for the Counter Service podcast to discuss his book, Strive Together: Achieve beyond Expectations in a Results Obsessed World. 

Improving Education Outcomes through Effective & Responsible Student Data Use   Data sharing comes with the crucial responsibility to protect student privacy. And, developing effective partnerships to share student data across organizational boundaries can be tough. StriveTogether,a KnowledgeWorks subsidiary has partnered with the Data Quality Campaign and a national student data privacy task force including Summit Education Initiative to develop and share best practices for community organizations. Our guests are Matthew Deevers, PhD, a Senior Research Associate at Summit Education Initiative,  Geoff Zimmerman, Associate Director of Data Utilization for StriveTogether,  AND Chris Kingsley, Associate Director of Local Policy & Advocacy for the Data Quality Campaign www.knowledgeworks.org  @knowledgeworks @strivetogether

Collective Impact:  Empowering Communities to Achieve Real Results Listen-in and hear from education thought leaders on how communities nationwide who have adopted a civic infrastructure that unites stakeholders around shared goals, measures and results in education, cradle to career see dramatic improvements in kindergarten readiness, standardized test results, and college retention. Jeff Edmondson, Managing Director, StriveTogether, a subsidiary of KnowledgeWorks and Lillian Pace, Senior Director of National Policy for KnowledgeWorks, a non-profit social enterprise focused on innovative education approaches to personalized student learning; the advancement of aligned policies; and the development of communities and educators to build and sustain vibrant learning ecosystems.   www.strivetogether.org | www.knowledgeworks.org     @worldoflearning