Womxn Leading Systems Change & Ecosystems in the Unsung States of America
Celebrating Womxn Leading Systems Change in the Midwest & Beyond
Shining a Spotlight on Womxn Leading Systems Change in America's UNsung states
This publication explores the powerful work of 35 womxn driving systemic change in often-overlooked regions of the United States, such as Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Michigan. These womxn are addressing critical issues like climate change, economic inequality, and health disparities in ways that challenge the conventional notion of where innovation happens. Operating in politically challenging and resource-constrained environments, they are transforming their communities through bold, grassroots efforts that often go unrecognized.
The piece highlights stories from leaders like Irma in Arkansas, building entrepreneurial ecosystems for her Latinx community, and Heather, a former Alderwoman running the Midwest Climate Collaborative. These womxn are not just tackling systemic problems—they're also bridging political divides, forging unexpected partnerships, and using local culture and resources to fuel their work.
It argues for a shift in the narrative around who leads systems change and where it happens, emphasizing the need for greater support and funding for these regions. It's a call to action for the systems change community to broaden its view, recognize the unsung heroes in the Heartland, and invest in the transformative work happening at the grassroots level.
By highlighting these womxn’s stories, the piece aims to inspire a more inclusive and holistic approach to driving systemic change.
Join us for an insightful webinar exploring the unique opportunities and challenges for those aiming to make a difference in America’s “Unsung States”—regions that are often overlooked by traditional grantmaking but hold incredible potential for systemic change.
This webinar presents key findings from a groundbreaking publication featuring interviews with 35 womxn leaders working on the front lines of systems change in the Midwest and beyond.
What You’ll Learn:
Key Insights from womxn systems leaders in America's flyover states
Unique Challenges and Opportunities for systems change funding in underfunded regions
Practical Funding Strategies for fostering sustainable, community-driven impact
How to Build Collaborative Networks that uplift local ecosystems and empower changemakers
Who Should Attend?
This event is ideal for grantmakers, foundations, government agencies, impact investors and changemakers eager to understand and support innovative systems change efforts in regions that have traditionally been under-resourced.
Details
Date: January 23
Time: 9 PT, 11 CT, 12 noon ET
Location: Online (Zoom link will be provided upon registration)
Registration below
Speakers
Rachel Sinha – of The Systems Studio and author of the new publication Womxn Leading Systems Change & Ecosystems from America’s Unsung States.
Special Guest Panelists – Select womxn leaders featured in the publication who are driving change in their local communities.
Why Attend?
This webinar is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of systems change in underserved areas and discover practical ways to contribute to a resilient future for communities that are too often overlooked.
Join us for a webinar Jan 23 to find out more
“We are living in such a rapidly changing world. The days of staying the course of 10 years are no longer here. This is really challenging for any funding organization. The next thing is always in your face. But any depth of impact takes time and you have to stay the course, while being adaptive and responsive to emerging needs. This is the kind of organization we need to be.”
- Marci
Listen to our AI generated podcast about the publication.
The Womxn we spoke to
Anika Horn
Social Venturers,
Shenandoah Valley, Virgina
Jess Limbird
Confluence Consulting, Lewisburg, Tennessee
Shantel Wilkins
Chief of Staff, Donors of Color Network, San Antonio, Texas
Hannah Lancaster
Director of Nonprofit Support and Innovation, United Way of Greater Chattanooga,
Tennessee
Robin Hornkohl
Great Start Collaborative Coordinator Northwest
Education Services, Traverse City, Michigan
Emily Hemingway
Director, Tech STL, St Louis, MO.
Marci Lesko
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Natalie Self
SVP, Cortex, St. Louis, Missouri
Katie Kauffman
Senior Strategist, Missouri Foundation for Health, St Louis, Missouri
Jill Pereira
Creative Collaborator, Dynamic Problem Solver, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Maxine Clark
Founder, Build-A-Bear Workshop, St Louis, Missouri
Srijita Ghosh
Venture Advisor, i2E, Inc, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Mari Hicks
Founder, Scattering Seedlings, Wyandotte Nation, Oklahoma
Pennie Foster-Fishman
Systems Change Consultant, East Lansing, Michigan
Saras Chung
Executive Director, SKIP, St Louis, Missouri, Faculty Affiliate at the Social System Design Lab, St Louis, Missouri
Teri Garstka
Director, Social Innovation Lab at The University of Kansas, Kansas
Ellie Scott
Founder & Chief Strategist, Bayleaf Consulting, St. Louis,
Missouri
Kristy Klein Davis
President and CEO, Georgia Health Initiative, Atlanta, Georgia
Sam Shaak
Executive Director at The Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Cecilia Wessinger
Director for Global Community, Global Entrepreneurship Network, Tulsa Metropolitan Area, Oklahoma
Heather Navarro
Director, Midwest Climate Collaborative, St Louis, Missouri
Irma Chavez
Founder & Executive Director at Conexión de Negocios Latinos, Springdale, Arkansas
Sarah Murphy
Racial Equity Support Catalyst, Forward Through
Ferguson, and Senior Engagement Staff, Washington University’s Office of Institutional Equity, St Louis, Missouri
Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter
Executive Director, Strategy and Content SOCAP Global
Claire Reid
Chief Impact Officer at United Way of the Greater Capital Region, Albany, New York
Gail Francis
Strategic Director at
RE-AMP, Greater Duluth Area, Minnesota
Freya Bradford
Director of Systems Change & Learning at Rotary Charities of Traverse City, Traverse City, Michigan
Fay Horwitt
President and CEO, Forward Cities, Durham, North Carolina
Brittany Sickler
Director of Ecosystem Development / Office of Investment and Innovation, U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington, District of Columbia
Jasmine Hall Ratliff
Build Missouri Health, St. Louis, Missouri
Jackie Hansom
Program Manager, Social Innovation at the Wond’ry Innovation Center, Nashville, Tennessee
Katie Rock
Senior Midwest Organizer, Transmission (MISO), Des Moines, Iowa
Susan Lightfoot Schempf
Co Director at Wallace Center, Winrock International, New
Orleans, Louisiana
Norika Kida Betti
Early Childhood System Coordinator, United Way of Northwest Michigan, Traverse City, Michigan.
Melissa Roberts Chapman
Director, KCBIO Hub, Kansas City
Quick guide: Womxn Leading Systems Change Toolkit
Download our Womxn Leading Systems Change Toolkit and access actionable strategies inspired by the work of 31 womxn who are transforming their communities in the ‘flyover’ states of the US.
What’s Inside
Top activities in projects designed to create systemic change with examples of how they fit into a wholistic a strategy for systems change.
Quick Case Studies from innovative womxn changemakers across the U.S., tackling deep-rooted social, economic, and political challenges.
Actionable Insights on how to effectively invest in community-led initiatives, bridge divides, and foster long-term, sustainable change.
