Center for Social Impact Strategy

Are you ready to merge design and creativity with social impact? Or maybe you're looking for new skills and tools to solve a problem you'd like to fix but are unsure where to start. Then, you should apply for the Executive Program in Social Innovation Design (XSD) program next cohort starting this fall! Since 2019, the XSD program has been bringing together social innovators from landscape design to education professionals and career transitioners to consultants. Join us on April 22nd for our first information session, or check out other sessions coming up this summer. We can't wait to share XSD with you! For more information, check out the links in our comments ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

The Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) recently welcomed its Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy 2025 blended cohort to campus for three days of immersive learning and community-building. The on-campus convening included guest lectures, CSIS instruction, and a special line dancing lesson taught by SP2's Donkey Dover, Jr., M.S., Associate Director of Alumni Engagement & Annual Fund! 🤠 Learn more about CSIS's Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy at https://lnkd.in/gQhmDNwA

We are excited to announce our April speaker for our virtual speaker series! Representative Chris Rabb will discuss his book titled "Invisible Capital: How Unseen Forces Shape Entrepreneurial Opportunity". Join us virtually on April 28 from 3-4:30 pm. Register at https://bit.ly/SPEAK25. See you online! 🖥️ Representative Chris Rabb is a fifth-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, serving nearly 70,000 constituents in the 200th legislative district, which covers four neighborhoods in northwest Philadelphia. Prior to being elected to public office, RepRabb was a visiting researcher at Princeton University; Rep. Rabb wrote the ground-breaking book Invisible Capital: How Unseen Forces Shape Entrepreneurial Opportunity (2010). Representative Rabb, better known as ”RepRabb”, is a father, educator, author, and staunch advocate of social justice. Host: Ken Miles Register at: https://bit.ly/SPEAK25 at School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania

"As artists and changemakers face the challenges of these particular times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But the need for creative, innovative solutions to the world’s inequities is greater than ever. As we push forward in our efforts to create change, we must remember that these difficult times demand resilience, determination, and, above all, the courage to persevere." - Blair Brown Shout out to the current Exec Program in Social Impact Strategy student, Blair Brown, for sharing her reflections on our most recent convening! Blair captures such an important perspective on social impact, empathy, the arts, and movement. We love to see it, and this quote in particular. Thank you, Blair!

Earlier this month, 22 students representing eight Penn graduate programs traveled to Chilamate Eco Retreat in Costa Rica for the Penn Impact Lab. Students spent the week exploring their passion and purpose while acquiring new skills essential for creating positive social change. 🌎#puravida The Center for Social Impact Strategy Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) offers this 1-week intensive travel course once a year through the School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. Penn Impact Labs awesome team! Adam Roth-Saks, Montana Tamny, Peter Frumkin and Anna Dausman

💡There is still time to apply to our May online cohort for the Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy! The Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy is an 8-month online certification for leaders and innovators working to make an impact. 💻The Online format is asynchronous, with synchronous virtual orientations. In addition, executive online students are required to take an extra online social innovation class and have the option to join monthly virtual meet-ups. Apply and enroll by April 1st for a $1,000 discount! You can find the application link in the comments. And share this opportunity with your network! 🔄

Last week, we welcomed our blended executive students to campus! It was wonderful to meet the 2025 cohort, who traveled from near and far. We had an excellent lineup of guest lectures and CSIS instruction. The cohort members left with valuable knowledge and meaningful connections. Thank you to our guest lecturers! Sarah Rottenberg- taught a full-day lecture about design thinking 📐 Constance Paige Young - presented on Trust-based Philanthropy ⌛️ Donkey Dover, Jr., M.S. - DonkeyTonk guided us through line dance with social impact gems🤠 The Rev. Charles (Chaz) Lattimore Howard, PhD - spoke during the closing remarks 💭 And shout out to our amazing CSIS staff: Ariel Schwartz, Jannate Temsamani, Mandisa Thomas, and Carl Sveen 🌍

TODAY! Register at https://bit.ly/SPEAK25 to join our free virtual session at 3pm ET.

Huge congratulations 🎉 to all the fellows, and enormous gratitude to our wonderful partner CLLCTIVLY for bringing this community to life and inviting us into the space ❤️

It’s Convening time! The 2025 Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy - Blended cohort is on campus for three days this week to engage in learning, community building, and some fun (obviously) 😉 Thanks, Jennifer Bahrami for this first day recap!!