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.

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Summary of the research

Find a summary deck, sharing key findings below.

“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 

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The Womxn we spoke to

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Anika Horn 

Social Venturers,
Shenandoah Valley, Virgina

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Jess Limbird 

Confluence Consulting, Lewisburg, Tennessee

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Shantel Wilkins 

Chief of Staff, Donors of Color Network, San Antonio, Texas

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Hannah Lancaster

Director of Nonprofit Support and Innovation, United Way of Greater Chattanooga,
Tennessee 

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Robin Hornkohl 

Great Start Collaborative Coordinator Northwest
 Education Services, Traverse City, Michigan

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Emily Hemingway

Director, Tech STL, St Louis, MO. 

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Marci Lesko

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

Smiling woman with curly hair in black top against a dark background

Natalie Self 

 SVP, Cortex, St. Louis, Missouri

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Katie Kauffman 

Senior Strategist, Missouri Foundation for Health, St Louis, Missouri

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Jill Pereira 

Creative Collaborator, Dynamic Problem Solver, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Palmerton, Pennsylvania

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Maxine Clark 

Founder, Build-A-Bear Workshop, St Louis, Missouri

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Srijita Ghosh

Venture Advisor, i2E, Inc, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Mari Hicks

Founder, Scattering Seedlings, Wyandotte Nation, Oklahoma 

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Pennie Foster-Fishman 

Systems Change Consultant, East Lansing, Michigan

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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 

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Ellie Scott

Founder & Chief Strategist, Bayleaf Consulting, St. Louis,
Missouri

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Kristy Klein Davis

President and CEO, Georgia Health Initiative, Atlanta, Georgia

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Sam Shaak

Executive Director at The Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health, Allentown, Pennsylvania

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Cecilia Wessinger

Director for Global Community, Global Entrepreneurship Network, Tulsa Metropolitan Area, Oklahoma

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Heather Navarro 

Director, Midwest Climate Collaborative, St Louis, Missouri

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Irma Chavez 

Founder & Executive Director at Conexión de Negocios Latinos, Springdale, Arkansas

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Sarah Murphy

Racial Equity Support Catalyst, Forward Through
Ferguson, and Senior Engagement Staff, Washington University’s Office of Institutional Equity, St Louis, Missouri

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Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter

Co-founder, IMPAQTO + IMPAQTO Capital, former ED, SOCAP Global

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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

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Freya Bradford 

Director of Systems Change & Learning at Rotary Charities of Traverse City, Traverse City, Michigan

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Fay Horwitt

President and CEO, Forward Cities, Durham, North Carolina

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Brittany Sickler 

Director of Ecosystem Development / Office of Investment and Innovation, U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington, District of Columbia

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Jasmine Hall Ratliff

Build Missouri Health, St. Louis, Missouri

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Jackie Hansom  

Program Manager, Social Innovation at the Wond’ry Innovation Center, Nashville, Tennessee

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Katie Rock 

Senior Midwest Organizer, Transmission (MISO), Des Moines, Iowa

Susan Lightfoot Schempf 

Co Director at Wallace Center, Winrock International, New
Orleans, Louisiana

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Norika Kida Betti 

Early Childhood System Coordinator, United Way of Northwest Michigan, Traverse City, Michigan.  

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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.

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