Foster America Co-Founder and Executive Director Marie Zemler Wu was invited to address the 2024 cohort of the prestigious Dial Fellowship, an initiative of the Emerson Collective that cultivates visionary leaders who are leading innovative systems reforms.
As a 2023 Dial Fellow, Marie reflected on her experience in the program and how it shaped Foster America’s ongoing efforts to refine our messaging, expand our influence, and deepen our work in co-design and equity-driven reform. The 2024 Dial Fellows Summit Summit was held in Santa Cruz, California.
Since Foster America’s earliest days, we’ve been committed not only to exploring new approaches to child welfare but also to sharing lessons learned with others working to transform systems. Marie’s return to the Dial Fellowship kickoff convening as a guest speaker was an opportunity to continue that exchange — contributing to a broader dialogue about systems change and cross-sector collaboration.
This commitment to learning-driven transformation is embedded across Foster America’s work, ensuring that change isn’t just about generating new ideas but about tracking progress, using data to refine strategies, and scaling what works.
About the Dial Fellowship: The Dial Fellowship, an initiative of the Emerson Collective, supports leaders from across sectors who are driving social reform. Fellows participate in a year-long experience designed to refine their strategies, expand their impact, and build connections with a network of changemakers. The fellowship provides mentorship, coaching, and practical experiences that enhance leaders’ ability to craft and communicate their organization’s message effectively. Marie Zemler Wu, executive director and co-founder of Foster America, was a member of the 2023 Dial Fellowship.
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