/15 December, 2021

Roundup: New and expanded alumni ventures in 2021

Foster America alumni have many skills that make them successful entrepreneurs, and in 2021, seven alumni launched or grew their own social ventures.

Some ventures were supported by Foster America’s first-ever alumni incubator, which was offered to alumni of the fourth cohort, who graduated in April. The three-month program connected alumni to targeted support, including strategy, storytelling, branding, business planning and graphic design, and covered other start-up costs. Since July, the four alumni who participated in the incubator – Asad Bandeali, alicia nance, Cassandra Finley, and Takkeem Morgan – have focused full-time on their child and family-focused social ventures. 

Senior Fellow Mathangi Swaminathan launched her own incubator this past summer, and Jermeen Sherman, who worked with the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services in her time as a fellow in Cohort 3, launched her consultancy this fall. John Drebinger also expanded his communications consulting firm in 2021. 

Read more about each alum and their organization at the links below.

Asad Bandeali

Launched A Spark Consulting to partner with nonprofits, government, and philanthropy to solve complex problems and create positive social impact.


alicia nance

Continues to build her consultancy, She Who Learns, and serves as a coach for other fellows on kinship, equity, and community-driven design.


Cassandra Finley

Founded Corporate Insights Consultancy, a think tank that focuses on family-centered healing and decolonization.


Jermeen Sherman

Launched Community Up, a social impact consultancy.


John Drebinger

Grew Equity Centered Communications, a communications consulting firm that works with nonprofits, government agencies, and social impact initiatives.


Mathangi Swaminathan
Created Parity Lab, an incubator for community-led organizations that address violence against women and girls.


Takkeem Morgan
Founded Mosaic Foster Parent Hub to create a community of support for foster parents in Indiana.

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