Social Innovation ForumSince joining the SIF team in September, I have been welcomed into this incredible community of people who are working tirelessly to make our communities stronger and more equitable. As Director of Advancement, I have the privilege of sharing updates about our programs and network, as well as forming relationships with supporters who understand the critical role that SIF plays in this sector. It has been a pleasure getting to know so many generous, creative, and inspiring people in such a short time, and I am eager to continue getting to know our many partners in the months ahead.
A highlight of my first three months in the role was Warm Winter Welcome. I’ve worked in nonprofit events for more than a decade, and I was blown away by the genuine feeling of joy and inspiration in the room. Each person I spoke with shared a beautiful, personal reason for supporting SIF and expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to come together. In a time when so much collaboration happens in inboxes and Google Sheets, there was something magical about people excitedly gathering in person to drink coffee, catch up with friends and colleagues, and celebrate the accomplishments of their peers.
As we look ahead to 2026, the SIF Advancement team will focus on amplifying the organization and broadening our community of supporters. There is a lot of exciting and transformative work happening here, and we are excited to find new ways to invite more people on our journey. Personally, I am also looking forward to getting to know our supporters even better; learning what drew them to SIF, what part of our mission and programming speaks to them, and how we can be an even better partner.
I want to thank each of you for warmly welcoming me to the SIF community and express my gratitude for the ways in which you are making Massachusetts a better place for us all. I wish you a peaceful, fun, and restorative holiday season, and I look forward to working with you in the new year.
With gratitude,
Emily