In the early months of 2020, we were getting ready to launch a new Ford Global Fellowship, a 10-year, $50-million investment to support leaders to shift structures and systems of inequality over time. The fellowship built on Ford’s long history of investing in individuals. The Global Fellowship was designed to allow fellows to travel the globe together, learning about how they each challenge and change systems that perpetuate inequality. By co-creating this community of practice, inclusive of fellows and Ford, we believe we have the potential to identify cracks in those systems, and then, together, we can pry open those cracks and catalyze change and opportunity.

But then the pandemic arrived, just as we were preparing to convene the inaugural cohort. As a foundation, we had to respond to the moment and chose to cancel our plans to bring the fellows together in person. But even with the limitations on travel, we decided establishing the fellowship community virtually was even more necessary for the world—and for the leaders’ work and sustainability.

It required some creativity but, over the past 18 months, we moved our fellowship fully online, building a close knit cadre of leaders through virtual gatherings, web-based community platforms, and small topical discussions with the inaugural cohort. It’s been a journey for both Ford and the fellows—the leaders have navigated these uncharted waters with us, often taking the helm and introducing us to new ideas and approaches along the way to build a fellowship unique to them and this moment in time.

What do leaders need to survive and thrive?

  • Leaders need spaces and pathways where their creativity can flourish and they take the lead
  • Leaders need flexibility and mutual trust.
  • Leaders need opportunities to design, collaborate, and iterate together.

Read the full article about leadership to fight inequality by Adria D. Goodson at Ford Foundation.