In this dynamic session, participants will co-generate the steps, milestones, phases, and success factors (basically all the elements we need) to systematically build a healthy, resilient, and effective impact network. We'll then organize this big messy pile into a process model (or more than one) that can inform our individual efforts moving forward. 

Session hosts, Carri Munn of Converge, Aashti Zaidi of Global Schools Forum, Kerstin Tebbe of Collective Mind, and Russ Gaskin of CoCreative will offer questions to support the organizing process and examples from the over 85 networks we've supported.

Join us for an exciting event to explore:

• What’s most needed for long-term success of an impact network
• What your own network might be neglecting and areas you could strengthen
• A quick and co-generative way of working that you can use in your own collaborations

You will gain and generate practical insights into how to:

• Assess what’s strong and what might be missing in your network
• What sequence of activities and milestones seem to most help networks succeed

About the Speakers & Facilitators

Carri Munn is a systems strategist and facilitator who partners with collaborative leaders to cultivate thriving organizations and impact networks. She has been consulting teams and coaching leaders for more than 20 years. Her clients include regional and global networks, NGOs and regenerative organizations. She brings a bright spirit of generosity, detail-orientation, and a patient, caring essence that supports people navigating change. Carri is based in Portland, Oregon and enjoys working across cultures with people who love what they do and want to collaborate for positive change. You can find her with Converge.net or in her own practice, ContextforAction.com.

Kerstin Tebbe is the founder of Collective Mind. Focused on fostering effective collective action to solve complex problems, she has 20 years of experience supporting networks and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Her passion for networks was ignited by many years working on the staff of a global network and furthered by extensive independent study and research on networks. As a consultant, advisor, and thought partner, Kerstin supports networks and multi-stakeholder initiatives around the world with strategy development, network assessment and evaluation, design and organizational review, convening, fundraising, capacity building, and network strengthening. 

Russ Gaskin is a managing member of CoCreative, a consultancy that has helped develop over 55 impact network across all 17 sustainable development goals, and supports others to support and build networks. Prior to launching CoCreative, Russ served as the chief business officer of Green America, a global leader in developing economic strategies to advance social equity and environmental sustainability; served as managing director of US SIF, a pioneering membership organization for financial firms and institutional investors doing impact investing; and founded the Green Business Network, the first network of triple-bottom-line businesses in the U.S.

Aashti Zaidi Hai is the Founder and CEO of Global Schools Forum, a collaborative community of 84 non-state organisations working to improve education at scale for underserved children in low and middle income countries. Prior to this, Aashti oversaw a portfolio of education investments at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. She previously worked at the U.K. Department for International Development, the World Bank and at the American Institutes for Research. Aashti sits on the Boards of InHive and CommonTime and is an Adviser-in-Residence with LedBy Foundation.

Kavita Rajagopalan is a Director at Global Schools Forum. She brings over a decade of experience in education in India working with both government and low-cost private schools. Her most recent work was with KPMG in India, providing advisory services in education. She has experience designing and implementing large-scale training programs for teachers and school leaders and supporting state governments with their education intervention through her work as Chief Academic Officer at India School Leadership Institute and her early work with Teach For India. Kavita also has experience incubating and investing in early-stage education enterprises working in education and skill development.

Harouna Abdoulaye has more than 20 years of experience in development, humanitarian, governance, and social cohesion programming. Over the past 5 years, he has led local efforts to confront violent extremism through peacebuilding projects and programs that inspire youth to take action. He is the President of the Community Coalition for Peace and the Promotion of Living Together (COPAVE), he has participated in regional workshops on the Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism. As a respected local leader, Abdoulaye participated as a panelist at the General Assembly of the United Nations on ‘Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Formerly-Violent Extremist’ in 2017.

Hosted at the Workshops Zone

Step into the Workshops Zone, where creativity and collaboration collide. For centuries, artisans and craftsmen have gathered to share their skills and passions with one another. Honoring this long-held tradition, we bring together diverse makers, creators, and innovators to roll up their sleeves and dive into hands-on learning. From the scraping of chisels to the gentle human of sewing machines, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of this vibrant space – and learn, contribute, and connect. 

What is the Networks Festival?

Embark on a month-long journey filled with connection, curiosity, and play bringing together thousands of changemakers, funders, conveners, companies, and governments to explore the power of networks to transform our world.

As you step into the festival grounds, you'll be greeted by a buzzing atmosphere of excitement and innovation. Everywhere you look, there are people eagerly discussing the latest breakthroughs in network theory, sharing stories of how networks have changed their lives and communities, and dreaming up new ways to harness the power of connections.

Leveraging the power of lived experience, we will strengthen our collective practice, directly increase funding opportunities for networks, and foster new collaborations to scale innovations and amplify transformational impact on the lives of billions around the world.

Whether you're a seasoned networker, curious changemaker, or philanthropist interest in "doing things differently" – there's something for everyone at the Networks Festival. Join us!