What's New.
The most fulfilling and impactful work is all about community, and Amelanchier was fortunate to conclude 2024 by partnering with some exceptional nonprofit leaders that are grounded in their communities.
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That includes Jennifer Walton and the team at Advocating Change Together (ACT), who are centering the leadership of people with disabilities in their newly developed 5-year strategic plan. That also includes Ibrahim Mohamed and Community Resource Center, who are proving that historically marginalized communities know what they need and can solve big challenges with access to the resources they need.
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As 2025 gets underway, I am thrilled to be partnering with some forward-thinking public agencies in their efforts to advance collective health and wellbeing for the communities they serve.
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I am looking forward to supporting Dakota County Community Services with leadership development and executive mentorship as they onboard new leaders. I am also excited to be partnering with state human services leaders in Minnesota and Oregon on multiple projects to support community living for older adults and people with disabilities. While Amelanchier’s support varies greatly between these projects, a common thread across them is the need to think more collectively about the challenges we face and the transformative potential of community when invited into the problem-solving space.
My biggest takeaway from Amelanchier’s first six months is this:
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Leaders Know the Problems—and Often the Solutions
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Many social sector leaders are acutely aware of the underlying causes and drivers of the problems they work on. Often, they even know the solutions but are caught in an endless cycle of crisis management. With limited time and attention, leaders focus on near-term problem solving with intentions to tackle bigger, root cause issues in the future when they have time. That time never comes and leaders (and the systems they oversee) stay stuck in limbo: aware that things can be different and better, but unsure how to get there.
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I am heartened to see more leaders interrupting this cycle by rethinking their roles, priorities, and capacity – and inviting the community to co-create solutions. Amelanchier has been fortunate to be a partner to many of them in those efforts.
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Here’s to a meaningful and impactful 2025! I hope this year brings deeper collaboration and courageous leadership to address the root causes of challenges our communities face.
-Evan ​​