I'm an ecosystem builder for social change. I love telling the stories of systemic changemakers around the world who make their communities a better place to live, work and play.
Human systems are messy
Hello Reader,
As you are reading this (hopefully with a strong cup of coffee in the comfort of your sofa/office chair/ [insert favorite location for good news]), we are kicking off day 2 of the Startup Champions Network Summit here in spring-time Durham, NC!
I got to host my favorite session yesterday which is to welcome new members to this network of entrepreneurial ecosystem builders from around the U.S. Today, we'll be touring Black Wall St and spend the afternoon exploring different themes and skill sets. The evening will end with a long-held tradition of Roses & Thorns, intimate conversations about the house and challenges of helping build & nurture ecosystems. Nowhere do I feel more understood, heard and seen as I do in these convenings. And before you know it, we'll wrap this show up on Wednesday and everybody travels back home to their corners of the U.S.!
I get to wear at least two hats these days: that of Summit co-host through Social Venturers AND representative of Shenandoah Community Capital Fund - much of my team and a group of partners are attending the event to learn more about ecosystem building
Lastly, I'm excited to meet a few people face-to-face who I've so far only met virtually! Julie Heath, VP of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for the state of Indiana is coming as well as Amy Beaird, who participated in Solopreneurs for Impact in 2021 and is now part of a regional effort to build the ecosystem for entrepreneurs in Florida's high tech corridor!
But don't let fomo get the better of you! While my extrovert self is reveling in the company of such magnificent changemakers, I'm confident you'll feel a similar sense of camaraderie listening to the new episodes of Ecosystems for Change wherever you are in the world!
Dancing with systemsLauren Higgins shares her journey to becoming a systems thinker and talks about how she remains anchored and sane in the wild dance with systems.
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A new kind of leadershipWhen I sat down with my colleague Jeff Bennett, things got personal as he talked about his experiences as a local and nationwide ecosystem builder:
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I have a long list of resources and events on my radar that I think you would love! Check out the highlights here:
- April 8: Ecosystem Day at the Skoll World Forum. Meet Social Venturer Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter and join the conversation about building the impact ecosystem in Latin America!
- April 14, 2022: Burn both ends. A community conversation about the emotional toll of ecosystem building. Help me co-create season 3 of Ecosystems for change!
- As co-host of the upcoming Summit, Startup Champions Network wanted to know what I've been up to. Ever the chatty person I am, I gave them a run-down of the last few years and was amazed to look back on everything I've accomplished!
- The Dawn of System Leadership, Peter Senge, Hal Hamilton, & John Kania (2015)
- Dancing with Systems, Donella Meadows
- The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization, Peter Senge
- A Simpler Way, Margaret Wheatley & Myron Kellner Rogers
| Burn both ends |
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.
Anika Horn
I'm an ecosystem builder for social change. I love telling the stories of systemic changemakers around the world who make their communities a better place to live, work and play.
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