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Ep2: Uprising of Women in Philanthropy Show — Meet 3 more authors of this international social justice playbook who discuss the history of the Women’s Funding Movement
In this episode you'll meet Laura Risimini, Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, and Ana Oliveira mind
The Little City: “Making a Daily Connection in FCCPS” — John Wesley Brett, Communications Director at the Falls Church City Public Schools
"At Falls Church City Public Schools, we believe in the power of connection. Connection between educators and students. Between schools and families. Between a community and its future. And at the heart of it all is one of the most transformative tools we’ve ever created: The Morning Announcements." mind
The Little City: “Changing Lives and Changing the World, since 1949” — Marybeth Connelly, Director of Strategic Planning and Community Engagement and Falls Church City Council Member
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Anthropologist Margaret Mead would appreciate the FCCPS Secret Sauce project. spirit
The Little City: I asked Dr. Noonan recently: “Is IB working?” His answer: “It is absolutely working.” — Justin Castillo, Falls Church City School Board (2012-present)
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The Little City: “All hands on deck: There isn’t a single person in our district who is not willing to step in and support our students in ways that go beyond their usual responsibilities” — By Jen Fessenden, PK-12 Mathematics Coordinator, Falls Church City Public Schools
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An interview with Seth Klukoff, Principal of Eoan Strategies, a new consultancy that focuses on thought leadership strategy and communications capacity building
Enter Name mindThe Little City: “FCCPS’ Secret Sauce is the connection within and between the community.” — Tricia Minson, legal counsel for FCCPS
Enter Name we're all heartThe Little City: “In Falls Church City, you can’t separate the school system from the community; they are one and the same.” — Shannon Litton, Fall Church City School Board (former chair)
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The Little City: “Our strong commitment to each student’s success from every angle sets our district apart.” — Amie Murphy, Falls Church City School Board
Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) is an excellent, award-winning school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia. However, objective student achievement data alone doesn’t tell the whole story of who we are as a division and community. soul
Creating Zen Circles: The daily practice that leads to enlightenment, limitless strength, your inner-self
Fine artist Cynthia de Lorenzi soul
Ep6 Illuminate Philanthropy — Trend 6: Wealth Planning 3.0 with Daylight’s Advisor Practice Specialist Rick Peck
"This trend too often has a fear-based approach, includes outdated proverbs, and is preservation-based." we're all heartThe Little City: “My life changed the day an interview panelist asked, ‘Would you accept the position of second-grade teacher with us next fall?'” — Gail Bodner, 2nd grade teacher
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Empowered Together Network co-founder Cynthia de Lorenzi is an artist, activist, peacemaker and founder of Success in the City, an international networking group that she launched in 2006 in Washington, DC
Cynthia is also an International Motivational and TEDx Women Speaker, former tech CEO, and art curator living in Las Cruces, NM spirit
Empowered Together Network founder Hope Katz Gibbs, president and founder of Inkandescent® Inc., a national PR firm and publishing company that this award-winning journalist, author, podcast and video producer founded in 2008
With the goal of helping entrepreneurs supersize their small businesses, Hope and her team of 10 publish online magazines (including InkandescentWomen.com and BeInkandescent Health & Wellness: BeInkandescent.com), produce dozens of podcast shows on InkandescentRadio.com, and film, direct, and produce videos featured on Inkandescent.tv soul
The Little City: “FCCPS Changes the World!” — Mechelle Coppock, Director of Budget and Finance
A great environment is not enough; there needs to be a catalyst. The catalyst in Falls Church City is the conviction that we can make a difference. mind
The Little City: “During the few months I have been in FCCPS, I have focused on learning the stories of the amazing people who make up this wonderful community. I look to Finding Nemo for guidance.” — Dustin Wright, Chief of Schools
As the father of three awesome kids, I have seen most of the Pixar movies countless times. My favorite is “Finding Nemo,” my son Emmett always loved “The Incredibles,” my other son Hank is a “Toy Story 3″ kind of guy, and my daughter Charlotte was always mesmerized by “Up.” spirit
The Little City: “Collaboration and shared values turn advocacy into action throughout FCCPS.” — Kristen Michael, Chief Operating Officer, Falls Church City Public Schools
Enter Name spiritEp1: Uprising of Women in Philanthropy Show — Meet 3 authors of this international social justice playbook, an urgent call for women’s collective leadership to guide humanity through the gravest of challenges
On today’s podcast you’ll meet: Dr. Chris Grumm, author and consultant Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, author and Former President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Fund for Women Dr. Jane Sloane, author and Senior Director at the Asia Foundation mind
The Little City: “This is where I am home.” — Steven Knight, Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Career and Technical Education, Falls Church City Public Schools
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Teachers Make the Difference: “We know our kids are in good hands.” — FCCPS parents Brittany and Michael Sakata
When one of our daughters was diagnosed with double-deficit dyslexia in elementary school, her savvy and loving second-grade teacher alerted us to her academic struggles. The consultant said she “would be in good hands.” She still is. we're all heart
Teachers Make the Difference: “FCCPS is a group of people willing to roll up their sleeves and heed President Kennedy’s famous maxim to always ask what they can do to make their community better.” — Peter Laub, Principal of Meridian High School
FCCPS is a DIY school system. It was created by people willing to work late nights to read and create state code, establish a council and school board, and write policy and zoning regulations. The government was the neighbor, and everything was, and remains, hyper-local. spiritTeachers Make the Difference: “A Day in the Park: How my Student Howie Created Inspirational Activism” — Angelina Prestipino, Director of Specialized Instruction and Behavioral Support at FCCPS
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Ep5 Illuminate Philanthropy — Trend 5: Growing Mistrust with Daylight’s Director of Strategic Impact Crystal Thompkins
The keys to adapting: Cultural dexterity, transparency and ethics. we're all heart
Teachers Make the Difference: “At the heart of FCCPS is a commitment to preparing students for the future.” — Dr. William Bates, Chief Academic Officer for the Falls Church City Public Schools
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From Doing to Being: A New Way to Lead
True Power Institute founder Rúna Bouius explains how we can: Rethink Leadership in a Complex World body
Teachers Make the Difference: “Our teachers go beyond teaching calculus or history. They contribute to developing our students into kind people.” — Amy Hall, Director of Human Resources of the Falls Church City Public Schools
Both of my daughters have since graduated from Meridian High School with the knowledge to take them on their continued educational journey and with a genuine attentiveness to the acceptance and well-being of others. spiritTeachers Make the Difference: “By empowering students with technology, FCCPS has created a more engaging and effective learning environment.” — Dang Nguyen, Chief Technology Officer, FCCPS
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Teachers Make the Difference: “There isn’t a way to mass market our secret sauce; the addition of all the finest ingredients, prepared at the proper temperature using the best methods, takes us from a series of numerical data to a recipe for success.” — Lisa Eaton, English Collaborative Team Leader Yearbook Adviser Meridian High School, FCCPS
Enter Name spiritTeachers Make the Difference: “Embracing innovation is woven into the division’s core values.” — Eric Duchaj, teacher, Individuals & Societies, PE/Health and Economics and Finance at the Hybrid Learning Center
Enter Name mindTeachers Make the Difference: “The secret sauce lies in each student’s growth, curiosity, resilience, and willingness to engage with the world.” — Miriam Schimmoller, Third Grade Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
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Ndana Bofu-Tawamba, Chief Executive Officer of Urgent Action Fund Africa
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Ruby Bright, Past President and Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis
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Stephanie Clohesy, Former Board Chairman of the Women’s Funding Network
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Chris Grumm, Past President and Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Funding Network
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Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Fund for Women
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Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, founder and president of the HLH Family Foundation
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Ana Oliveira, President and Chief Executive Officer of The New York Women’s Foundation
Ana Oliveira has increased the Foundation’s grantmaking from $1.7 million to $11 million annually. In its 36 years, The Foundation has distributed $125 million to over 350 organizations advancing economic, gender, and racial justice. soul
Jane Sloane, Senior Director of the Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality at The Asia Foundation
Jane’s previous roles include Vice President of Programs at the Global Fund for Women, Vice President of Development at Women’s World Banking, and Executive Director at the International Women’s Development Agency. mind
Laura Risimini, Director of Grants at the Amplify Her Foundation
Laura Risimini runs a private grantmaking foundation supporting women and girls from underserved communities to become transformative changemakers. mind
Jessica Tomlin, Chief Executive Officer of the Equality Fund
Jess leads an effort to resource feminist movements worldwide, working to change systems, shift power, and dismantle barriers. spirit
Ep4 Illuminate Philanthropy — Trend 4: Questioning Norms with Daylight’s Director of Strategic Impact Crystal Thompkins
How to adapt to Trend4: Questioning Norms — Modifying planning assumptions, involving new voices, and goals that are less donor-centric soul
November 2024: Rhonda Falgie-DiAntonio, a mom, wife, and accountant for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, says, “Be true to yourself and follow your dreams. You will eventually realize them — or get close!”
Enter Name we're all heartTeachers Make the Difference: “The Secret to the Sauce is Dr. Noonan himself.” — Brian Fowler, Director of Facilities, Falls Church City Public Schools
Enter Name spiritTeachers Make the Difference: “As amazing as they are, it’s not just the kids that make FCCPS different from other schools. It’s the adults.” — Diane Kidder, second grade teacher at Mount Daniel Elementary, FCCPS
Enter Name we're all heartTeachers Make the Difference: “During my seven years as superintendent, I saw many aspects of the secret sauce at work and play, but the most outstanding ingredient for me was the schools and what they did for my husband, Larry.” — Lois F. Berlin, Ed.D., Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent (2004 – 2011)
Enter Name spiritTeachers Make the Difference: “Unshakable Belief” — Rebecca Sharp, Executive Director of Special Services
Enter Name spiritTeachers Make the Difference: “A (very) personal essay” — Laura McNamara, Kindergarten Teacher
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Professor Cindi Gilliland, Ph.D., teaches us about “The Power of Love” — Attend, Mend, Ascend
In her latest TEDx Talk, "The Power of Love," Professor Cindi Gilliland, Ph.D., knows love has the power to transform us, others, and the world. spirit
October 2024: Classmate Ron Mahoney and his wife Peggy are the proud owners of the 4th Street Cafe in Bridgeport, PA
Fun fact: Ron met his wife, Margaret Mahoney (Peggy), on his 18th birthday while walking down the street. "I told her it was my birthday and got a kiss from her." They married in 1985. spirit
Why We Love: A tribute to Dr. Helen Fisher, a scholar and a friend
What is love? Why do we pick the people we choose to love, hire, befriend? Is there really love at first sight? How did love evolve? Dr. Helen Fisher explains we're all heart