Hi Reader,

I'm deep in the weeds of producing season 2 and hatching the masterplan for season 3 [insert mad laugher and frantic hand-rubbing gesture].

BUT: Before we jump into this fortnight's updates, give a big round of applause to all women ecosystem builders! Thanks for all that you do!

Yesterday was my first full-time day at Shenandoah Community Capital Fund and I'll admit, it was weird starting such a monumental career shift from my home office! I had imagined starting work as a full-timer by sipping coffee on my front porch in the morning before hopping on my bike to the office. Instead, the last few weeks of wrapping up existing client work while gearing up with SCCF made my schedule look a little bit more like this:

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I'm the first one to admit that a schedule like this is not healthy. I've been burning the candle on both ends and I know I'm not alone. In fact, I'm convinced that most of us struggle with maintaining a schedule that supports our professional productivity and personal wellbeing. That's why I want to invite you all to join my first community conversation on April 14:

What does it mean to take care of ourselves? What's getting in the way? How can we mitigate the effects of long stretches of incremental progress? When do we need to step away? What does a sustainable lifestyle mean for purpose-driven community champions?

I hope you'll join us at this first community conversation to share your story and help me figure out what the big, hard questions are so that I can help us find some answers in season 3!

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I have a bunch of resources and events on my radar that I think you would love! Check them out here:

• March 15: I'll be hosting a fireside chat with author and futurist April Rinne (who you'll meet in season 2, eeeek!) to talk about how we might start embracing ambiguity and learn how to thrive in constant change!
• March 23: My friends at Armillaria (I can't WAIT for you to meet Madelynn Martiniere in episode2!) are hosting an intimate discussion about how best to design and implement society-scale interventions that reach across the siloes, feat. Aniyia L. Williams, Stuart Fulton and Tara Chklovski.
• April 4-6: Meet fellow ecosystem builders from all across the U.S. at the spring summit of Startup Champions Network! We'll be talking about racial equity, reimagining tech and regional ecosystem building (moi!). Come join us and experience the Research Triangle startup ecosystem in person!
• April 14: Burn Both Ends - a community conversation about the emotional and mental toll of ecosystem change. Come co-create season 3 of Ecosystems for Change!

In camaraderie,

Anika

P.S. Like any of the graphics in this newsletter? Feel free to download and share them with a little tag for @SocialVenturers.