Celebrating Our Inaugural Leadership Summit

We had an amazing time at our inaugural Leadership Summit on November 15th in Minneapolis. We experienced: 

• 115 excited registrants. 
• 23 generous sponsors and partners.  
• 16 inspiring Foster and Adoptee speakers. 
• 11 supportive volunteers. 
• 8 amazing Fosters showcasing their companies. 
• 5 dedicated event staff.   
• 1 memorable day. 

We certainly made history that day. 

There were amazing panel discussions, personal stories shared, resources given, and authentic conversations buzzing all day. 

But what made it history-making was seeing Adoptee and Foster voices and leadership centered in this way - elevated on this stage. 

What made the day memorable was our amazing attendees building relationships with one another, and centering community. 

One Adoptee shared, "I didn't realize we could have things like this". Wow, that stopped me in my tracks. We created this because this didn't exist yet - this level and caliber of event that centered Adoptees and Fosters in the world of work and our future economic opportunity. But to hear that our vision became reality for so many, especially the Adoptees and Fosters in the room, and that we showed them what was possible for us, that we deserve this, is deeply meaningful. 

One of our speakers shared that they had never felt so seen and heard across all their intersectional identities, especially as an executive leader in corporate. This is how we know that we have stayed authentic to our values and we are having the impact we have worked so hard to achieve. 

We cannot convey how much joy this brings us, and how much joy we felt from everyone in that space with us. 

From all of us at The Inclusion Initiative, thank you. It is because of all of you, and with your support, that we have achieved this! We could not do this important work without you. We are deeply grateful for this community.

We cannot wait to share the highlights and video clips with you all! For now, enjoy the amazing photos from the day, and photo credit to our photographer, Dante's Craft.

Please view the album here or scan the QR code using your mobile phone.