Hello Reader,

Welcome to the first issue of Impact Curator in 2023. Did you miss it? I doubt it, and that's ok.

You know why?

Because we all get bombarded with messages and calls-to-action vying for our attention at all times. I find January especially tough. It felt GREAT to give the world a break form my thoughts for a few weeks.

Consider it my New Year's gift to you: One fewer email to clog up your inbox.

Now that we're here, January more or less behind us, let me fill you in on what's been going on in the world of Social Venturers:

I decided in the fall that the few things I wanted to start practicing couldn't and shouldn't wait until January 1st - which is when I've historically launched the execution part of my intentions. Like many of us, I get it. My new year started sometime in November which freed me up to

• lower expectations and less pressure on myself when it comes to "achieving", and
• enjoying January as a slow and peaceful time with my family.

My sister and her kids came to visit over the new year and instead of fretting editorial calendars and publication schedules, I was simply present: We explored vineyards, I showed them around my favorite spots in the Valley, and we spent hours sitting around our dining room table sipping coffee and talking about life. If I could start every year off like this I would consider myself extremely fortunate.

The next season of Ecosystems for Change starts next week. It's called The Quitters. I can't wait to introduce you to my guests who have quit their organization, their community, or the field of ecosystem building - either temporarily or for good. The stories they entrusted us with, the vulnerability with which they told them and the reflections they shared have been deeply personal and left me in awe of their resilience and courage. I have a feeling you will relish them, too.

But before we launch into season 5, I have two incredible BONUS episodes for you that are close to my heart:

1. Melissa Roberts Chapman talks about federal funding opportunities for entrepreneurial ecosystem builders in the U.S.
2. I caught up with 5 Social Venturers who joined me during the first year of the show to find out what they're working on, how life has changed and what they learned in the process. It was hilarious, sad, joyful and personal.

I hope you'll give it a listen and join me for the start of season 5 next week!

​

​

​

I come across a lot of resources that I think every ecosystem builder should get their hands on. While I share them far and wide on many channels (mostly LinkedIn & Instagram), I love curating a list of the best insights, opportunities and resources for you:

• Charlton is currently reading The Power of Strangers. The benefits of connecting in a suspicious world. Joe Keohane
• Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter recommends Life is in the transitions. Mastering Change at any age, Bruce Feiler
• Denisse shared Ecosystems Emerge by Dell Gines and if you ever wanted to read a brilliant impact report by an ecosystem development organization, check out Colmena66's Impact Report!
• For an insight into Sassy's home library, grab a copy of adrienne maree brown's Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation and John Scalzi's Old Man’s War.

If you listened to Logbook #5, you heard me talk about my intention to share the mic with the unsung heroes from our communities in 2023! I want to talk to those in the trenches, who tirelessly support changemakers where you live, and who we all can learn from! And I need your help in finding them:

• ​Nominate an Unsung Hero for Ecosystem Building from your community.​
• ​Send me a voice message and let me know what you learned this year, what episodes resonated, what stuck with you. I'd love to hear from you!

A big shout-out to Madelynn Martiniere who is the new Managing Director at Zebras Unite! As part of a very thoughtful and intentional transition, Madelynn will be leading this international co-op throughout its next chapter of growth and self-governance. And I'm here for it!

You had me at "We're never supposed to be the life of the party but somehow we always get invited." In all secrecy Rick Turoczy launched a podcast called Mildly Interesting People and I'm subscribed on all channels.

Speaking of podcasts: I was recently invited to join Lauren Mathena and Jacob Dolence to talk about my work on their show Entrepreneurship on the RISE:

A few of my favorite organizations are hiring and I HAVE to assume we know someone who knows someone who would be excited about a new role:

• Red Wing Ignite is hiring an Entrepreneurship Navigator in Red Wing, Minnesota
• My friends at the Center on Rural Innovation/Rural Innovation Strategy are hiring a Director of Marketing & Comms & a Senior Researcher.
• Right to Start is looking for their next Director of Communications in DC.
• Forward Cities are recruiting a Program Director.
• Yunus Social Business is trying to fill several roles in Berlin and Bogota.
• Startup Rutland is looking for an Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Specialist.
• The Good Lobby (Brussels, Milan, Paris) is looking for a Policy Manager & Research Manager.
• The Roddenberry Foundation is looking for a seasoned community builder to support their Africa-based Fellows.

Mark your calendars!

• April 23-26: ICBI37 InBIA’s 37th International Conference on Business Incubation​
• April 24-26: Sourcelink Affiliate Summit, San Juan, Puerto Rico
• June 7-8: Startup Champions Network Policy Summit, Washington, DC
• June: RuralRISE Summit, Maine

​

I'll be back in your inbox in two weeks to ring in season 5!

In camaraderie,

Anika