The mission and purpose of the Berrett-Koehler Foundation (BKF) is to help the next generation of leaders create a world that works for all by learning and putting into practice systems-changing ideas and methods that foster positive change in people’s lives, organizations and communities through convening and facilitating intergenerational exchanges. We support young and emerging leaders (ages 18
-35) such as managers in nonprofit and mission-based organizations, teachers, social entrepreneurs, and organizers of community-based grassroots movements through creating intergenerational environments that encourage authentic dialogue and mentoring. Our goal is to empower young leaders to shift the underlying beliefs, practices, and structures that keep generating the same cycles of problems. The Foundation launched in 2013 and became an official 501(c)(3) in July 2014. We were created as an independent non-profit organization designed to extend the mission of Berrett-Koehler Publishers of creating a world that works for all, by connecting young leaders with experienced leaders. Berrett-Koehler publishes books on change-making tools and technologies, and the Foundation’s original vision was to make these practices accessible and applicable to the next generation of leaders. We have since evolved and expanded our community including and beyond BK authors, and are currently refining our unique contributions in the field of leadership development and intergenerational exchange. Program Overview
BKF’s program delivery model is 4-pronged. While they are offered individually, the impact of their performance is best observed when viewed as an ecosystem of change via programming. They are designed and scheduled to promote an arc of engagement throughout the year, with some programs serving as entry points and others as deepening tools.
1. Leadership Exchange (LE): Day-long events that convene leaders across generations in participatory dialogue and activity that promotes new leadership paradigms in our communities and workplaces. This is our biggest public event, excelling at networking and consciousness-raising.
2. Experiential Exchanges (EE): Challenging traditional mentorship models, EE’s pair emerging and experienced leaders in a two-way learning exchange that focus on leadership issues specific to them. This program takes the relationships formed at out Leadership Exchanges and facilitates their deepening and impact over a longer-term mentorship partnership.
3. Action-Learning Partnerships: We enhance the work of mission-aligned NPO’s by providing financial, programmatic and staff support to help create action-learning experiences that can apply in their programs. This program brings our systems-changing approach into the organizations in which our partners work, allowing us to build a movement of positive change at the organizational level.
4. Leadership Laboratory – Initiative to research and iteratively design new models of collaborative leadership, increase critical consciousness around the intersections of leadership and positive change-making, and cultivate a community of learners. The Leadership Laboratory invites our community of thought-leaders and change-makers to contribute to the overall field of leadership and generate models and tools to shift national and international leadership conversations.
