Gather & Grow #14

Building connections in your backyard and across the globe

We’re in the thick of a sweltering summer. Between the record-breaking heatwaves, the constant hum of World Cup matches, high gas prices, and the radio silence from recruiters, it’s tempting to retreat to the comfort of your couch and tune the world out.

This week, we are looking at opportunities stretching from the streets of London and Nairobi all the way to Denver and Atlanta. These events are about more than just trading business cards; they’re about restoring your energy, picking up fresh skills, and remembering that you are part of a deeply talented, resilient network.

Since our team is based in the DC area, it’s easy for us to miss out on incredible local events happening elsewhere. That’s where you come in! Help us crowdsource the best gatherings so we can keep this community fully plugged in.

Friday, July 10

Global Opportunity (Virtual) | Career Pivot Author Talk with Alex Snider

We live in a pressure cooker built on productivity-maxxing and FOMO which is exactly why so many of us are dealing with burnout. Alex Snider believes that the best way to break this cycle is by slowing down and redefining your relationship with time. Join us for a live conversation with Alex where we’ll discuss his brand-new book, Sometimes You Should Be Late.

We will be diving deep into the traps of “productivity-maxxing” and how over-efficiency can actually sabotage your ability to think clearly about your next career move.

Join the live stream here

DC Area | Comedy Catalyst Graduation Showcase: Cohort 2

When Chris Blackwood and his team at Grassroots Comedy partnered up with Rising Organizers to launch their Comedy Catalyst Course their goal was simple: to help comedians and advocates harness humor as a tool for civic engagement and social change. It’s been six months since they launched the course and their second cohort is hosting their Graduation Showcase this Friday.

Expect a mix of standup and sketch comedy tackling the issues of our time: from immigration and voting rights to trans rights, the displacement of the government workforce, and more, all custom-tailored to make you laugh while pointing toward real calls to action.

Get your tickets here

Global Opportunity (Virtual) | Human Rights, Sustainable Development and the Law

Join CISDL for their annual symposium exploring how legal frameworks and governance are advancing climate justice, sustainable finance, and Indigenous rights. This event brings together practitioners, academics, and policymakers to look at rights-based solutions to global emergencies.

It’s an excellent way to keep your policy skills sharp and engage in an interactive online dialogue with global experts.

Register for the symposium here

Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12

London Area | London Data Week

Data solutions have great potential to tackle major societal crises, but they require public trust earned through deep community engagement. London Data Week aims to build this trust by bringing residents, community groups, and public organizations directly into the conversation to drive meaningful impact.

Dive into a citywide festival featuring over 50 free events focused on data and AI. Take your pick from interactive workshops, presentations, hackathons, and lively discussions. It is a great opportunity to network with tech-forward professionals and explore how AI is altering global systems.

Check out the full schedule of events here

Tuesday, July 14

Global Opportunity (Virtual) | Learning From What Went Wrong in Evidence and Impact

In a sector that constantly demands polished success stories, we rarely get space to talk about what didn’t go to plan. ACF is hosting a peer-led session where practitioners can reflect honestly on the messier side of evidence and impact work - from unused data and ineffective reporting processes to strategies that didn’t deliver as expected.

Join the discussion to learn how redefining “failure” can build better systems, stronger learning cultures, and better future decisions.

Learn more and register here

Friday, July 17

Atlanta Area | The 4th Annual Southeast Environmental Justice Summit

Bringing together community stakeholders, federal and local government agencies, business leaders, and climate and clean renewable energy advocacy groups from across eight states and six Tribal Nations, the Harambe House is hosting a summit all about action.

Activities will focus on directing investment toward community-driven projects and building partnerships for climate readiness. This is the perfect space to leverage your project management or policy background for regional environmental impact.

Secure your spot here

Saturday, July 18

DC Area | Restore: A Day of Grounding & Care for Public Servants

Our friends at wellfed have designed a workshop specifically for current public servants navigating prolonged stress and workplace uncertainty. This in-person event offers a much-needed mental health break.

Risha Holmes will kick off the morning with a restorative sound bath immersion, afterwards Susanna Sung will share evidence-based therapy tools for managing chronic stress. Wellfed founders Rebecca and Drew will close out the session with a guided meditation.

You’ll come away from this restorative experience feeling more grounded, confident, and equipped for the days ahead.

Register for the workshop here

Monday, July 20 through Wednesday July 22

Nairobi, Kenya | World Energy Council Kenya: Powering Futures 2026 Conference

Connecting energy access, equity, and global stability, this conference, hosted by oEsslin, Electricity Sector Association of Kenya, and the Energy Council of South Africa, is a results-focused platform designed to translate clean energy ideas into real progress.

Join funders, innovators, and development partners as they collaborate on an actionable agenda that connects energy access and equity with industrial competitiveness and global stability.

Learn more and sign up here

Wednesday, July 22

Global Opportunity (Virtual) | What It Takes To Get Your Story Out There

Have you been thinking about writing a book or sharing your unique career journey with the world? Author Jennifer Erie is bringing her book editor, Maria MacAndrew, to pull back the curtain on the actual mechanics of writing and getting published.

Spend an hour gaining insider knowledge on how to structure your narrative and get your story noticed.

Join the live session here

Global Opportunity (Virtual) | Building Youth Job Readiness Through Life Skills Learning

Discover the best practices behind youth employment programs that scale. The International Youth Foundation team is hosting a webinar based on their flagship curriculum, which has been deployed across 50 countries over the last two decades.

Learn what it takes to design effective, community-led life skills learning modules in direct partnership with employers.

Register for the webinar here

Thursday, July 23

Global Opportunity (Virtual) | Smart Landscape Solutions: Water, Shade & Resilience Strategies

Outdoor spaces are rapidly becoming critical infrastructure for climate adaptation and long-term operational savings.

The California Alliance of Sustainability Executives is hosting an implementation-focused webinar featuring real-world project examples, water-efficient irrigation, and tree canopy solutions. Take away practical tactics you can apply directly to sustainable land management roles.

RSVP for the webinar here

Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 25

Copenhagen, Denmark | 7th World Conference on Climate Change and Global Warming

This massive international gathering brings together non-profits, government agencies, and academics to brainstorm solutions for complex global warming issues including carbon sequestration, green technology, and climate policy.

If you are in Europe, use this conference to engage in insightful discussions, build international partnerships, and broaden your expertise in climate adaptation.

Explore the conference details here

Tuesday, July 28

Denver Area | New Frontiers Diplomacy Forum

Join leaders across sectors as they explore how Colorado is advancing global cooperation to shape the future of aerospace and space exploration—from Earth-based innovations to humanity’s return to the Moon through the Artemis Program.

Hosted by World Denver, this forum features a keynote conversation with NASA’s Head of International Relations, Meredith McKay. There will also be panels featuring top aerospace and technology executives sharing how public–private collaboration extends U.S. leadership in global markets, discussions where local city and state government leaders will dig into policy frameworks for cross-border cooperation.

You’ll come away with new insights and connections after engaging with top leaders who are making space exploration a reality

Get your tickets here

Your Turn

Which of these events are making it onto your calendar? Did you attend any past events we shared? Drop us a line and let us know your biggest takeaways, or tell us about a great connection you made.

If you know of an upcoming workshop, networking circle, or community event that we missed, please send it our way so we can get it on the calendar for next time!