EP is on a mission to mobilize and catalyze our national network of now more than 4,500 Alumni. With more than 70% of them continuing to work in education following their EP Fellowship and 30% holding senior roles at their organizations, they are a serious segment of the talented and influential professionals working to transform the education system for kids, schools, and communities. We’re energized by the potential for how much we can accomplish together — but none of it will happen without the support of the people who know us best: our Pioneers for life.
I’m thrilled and honored to be leading this important work for EP. I joined Education Pioneers four years ago because of my strong belief that recruiting talent from diverse professional and personal backgrounds will lead to transformational change within the education sector for kids and communities. As the Senior Manager of Alumni Network Mobilization I’m here to support EP Alums and our work to catalyze and mobilize that network of leaders. I’m grateful for the opportunity to take our show on the road this year to meet and engage with you in your local communities, and share EP’s vision for collective impact. See you soon!
Last week, EP staff from across the country traveled to Memphis to launch our Alums Across America event series (and host our second Impact Fellowship convening which you can read about here). These events are an opportunity for EP Alumni to connect with EP staff members, including our VP, Program, Tracy Session, hear about the progress EP made in 2019, and our plans for 2020 and beyond.
The night began with food, drinks, and networking among Memphis Alumni, current EP Impact Fellows, and staff. After some drinks and handshakes (or alternative handshakes since it’s flu season) the group circled up to introduce themselves and share why they chose to attend the event; reasons varied from getting an opportunity to see their EP friends, to wanting to hear how they could give back to the EP community because of how powerful of an experience it had been for them.
The event enabled EP to share with Memphis Alumni our future vision for the organization and Alumni impact quite specifically: We believe change and lasting impact will happen at the local level and EP Fellows and Alumni have the unique context to drive that lasting impact. Our plan is to build the systems and structures Alumni need to connect with each other and pursue solutions to local challenges. Alumni are an immensely consequential part of our guiding coalition — the supporters and advocates of our work who will help us learn, evaluate, and evolve our program to ensure we are achieving our mission of developing leaders who are prepared to lead transformation in today’s ever-evolving education sector and close the opportunity gap.
We heard loud and clear that Alums are fired up about taking an active role in helping EP shape the future and strategically plan for the sector’s evolving set of skills, mindsets, and orientations it’ll require of its leaders. And, big news, EP Alums in Memphis next year are planning to launch their Alumni board to deepen their connection to each other, the larger EP network, and our work of attracting and developing talent to transform education!
One stop down, many to go. I’m excited to see our Pioneers in Denver later this month. Keep an eye on our events page to see where we’re headed next!
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Thalia Tirado joined Education Pioneers in 2016 because she has a strong belief that recruiting talent from diverse professional and personal backgrounds will lead to transformational change within the education sector for organizations and students. As the Senior Manager, Alumni Network Mobilization she works to support EP Alums, and our work to catalyze and mobilize that network of leaders. |
