Cultivating Belonging within Communities Today
In a world of othering, how are organizations and corporations building a sense of belonging?
Thursday October 23, 2025
1PM ET | 10AM PT
In today’s fractured and fast-changing world, building a sense of community has emerged as one of the most urgent priorities in Corporate Social Impact. Forward-thinking companies and other organizations are seeking something deeper: fostering authentic human connection and a sense of belonging that transcends labels.
This conversation with john. a powell, Director, Othering and Belonging Institute and Professor of Law, African American, and Ethnic Studies University of California at Berkeley, Dena Trujillo, CEO of Crisis Text Line, John Brothers, Former President of the T. Rowe Price Foundation and Grapevine’s Strategic Advisor, and Emily Rasmussen, Grapevine’s Founder & CEO, will explore how belonging is evolving from a buzzword into a strategic, human-centered commitment, where companies and organizations can champion not only with dollars, but through intentional experiences that build trust, spark empathy, and unite people across lines of difference.
This panel will illuminate how creating a sense of belonging can be a catalyst for bridging divides, drawing on the latest research and their own frontline experiences, breaking down barriers, creating space for understanding, and igniting a culture where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected.
Meet Your Speakers
John Brothers, Former President of the T. Rowe Price Foundation and Former President of T. Rowe Price Charitable
Dr. John Brothers is a respected leader in philanthropy and social innovation with decades of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors. He previously served as President of the T. Rowe Price Foundation and T. Rowe Price Charitable, overseeing more than $150 million in giving and pioneering nationally recognized initiatives focused on equity, youth development, and community partnership. He has held academic appointments at NYU, Rutgers, and currently teaches at Coppin State University and with the Goucher Prison Education Project. Dr. Brothers has advised global institutions, led the consulting firm Quidoo, and contributed to the creation of the China Global Philanthropy Institute. He serves on Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s councils and national boards including Independent Sector and Candid. A published author and frequent media contributor, he has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. His work continues to influence public-private efforts across the country and abroad.
john a. powell, Director, Othering and Belonging Institute and Professor of Law, African American, and Ethnic Studies University of California at Berkeley
johna.powell is Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute and Professor of Law, African American, and Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He was previously the Executive Director at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at the Ohio State University, and prior to that, the founder and director of the Institute for Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota. john formerly served as the National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He is a co-founder of the Poverty & Race Research Action Council and serves on the boards of several national and international organizations. john led the development of an “opportunity-based” model that connects affordable housing to education, health, healthcare, and employment and is well-known for his work developing the frameworks of “targeted universalism” and “othering and belonging” to effect equity-based interventions. john has taught at numerous law schools including Harvard and Columbia University. His latest books are Belonging Without Othering, How We Save Ourselves and the World and The Power of Bridging, How to Build a World where we all Belong.
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Dena Trujillo, CEO of Crisis Text Line
Dena Trujillo is the CEO of Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit providing 24/7 mental health support via text. A leader in innovation and social impact, she has expanded the organization’s global reach and integrated AI to improve service delivery and volunteer training. With 25+ years of experience across nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Dena previously spent 17 years with the Omidyar Group, managing a $150M portfolio focused on leadership development, education and economic development. She began her career at Accenture and previously served on such boards as DonorsChoose, FuseCorps and the African Leadership University. In addition, Dena has been featured in national and local news outlets including AP News, Real Leaders Podcast, The Business of Giving Podcast, Forbes, Chronicle of Philanthropy and Good Day Seattle.
Emily Rasmussen, Founder & CEO at Grapevine
Emily brings more than 15 years of financing for impact, nonprofit and social enterprise leadership experience to Grapevine - the only platform dedicated to Giving Circles and the collective giving movement that she founded and runs. Previously, she was the founding Executive Director of NYU’s Center for Ballet and the Arts, launched the Lincoln Center at the Movies global media initiative, and developed innovative financing models for impact at Enterprise Solutions to Poverty. Emily has consulted on event cinema for Disney Theatrical Group, taught Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship at SUNY Purchase, and spent two years developing microfinance and fair trade programs in India. She is a board member and co-chair of the membership committee of the Harvard Business School Women’s Association and a member of the LISC Emerging Leaders Council. Emily holds a B.A. from Occidental College in Diplomacy, World Affairs, and Economics and an MBA from Harvard Business School.