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April 10, 2025 Convergence Annual Summit

WHEN:  

Thursday, April 10, 2025 

12:00pm – 12:30pm: Lunch 

12:30pm – 5:00pm: Program 

5:00pm – 6:00pm: Reception 

WHERE: 

The Whittemore House 
1526 New Hampshire Ave NW 
Washington, DC 20036  

Join us for the Convergence Annual Summit – a unique opportunity to engage with the Convergence community, hear from our leadership and project participants, and provide valuable input on our ongoing initiatives.  

Highlights include: 

• Reflections on the current political moment and what it means for Convergence; 

• A panel with past Collaborative participants touching on how Convergence drives impact; and, 

• A fireside chat on the state of election administration 

We look forward to your participation as we come together as a community to share ideas, reflect on our work, and plan for the future! More details about the program and logistical information will be posted here in the coming weeks. 

This event is open to anyone seeking to learn more about collaborative problem-solving and get engaged with Convergence. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions! 

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Reflections from the Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families

Hosted by Convergence Center for Policy Resolution at the Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy

Date/Time: February 19th, 2025, 5:00 – 6:30 PM ET 

Location: McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University 

125 E St NW, Washington, DC 20001  

With the new Congress and Administration, there are many opportunities and challenges for a policy agenda that can help working families flourish. In our politically divided environment, it is critical to build an agenda with broad-based support.

The Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families represents the most ideologically and organizationally diverse group of family policy leaders in recent memory, akin to the Congressionally-created National Commission on Children in 1989. The Collaborative met together for a year and released its consensus report in spring of 2024. 

On February 19th, join McCourt to learn about the five areas for supporting family flourishing this year. Several Collaborative members, including Indivar Dutta-Gupta (Doris Duke Distinguished Visiting Fellow, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University), will join the group’s facilitator David Fairman (Consensus Building Institute) and the group’s director Abby McCloskey (McCloskey Policy LLC) to discuss how needed change for families can happen. The event will also include remarks from Neil Bradley (U.S. Chamber) who serves on the Convergence Board and on the Advisory Board for the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy and Mariah Levison Convergence CEO and President.

Panelists

• Charles Aull, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Center for Policy and Research 
• Chris Griswold, Policy Director, American Compass
• Lina Guzman, Chief Strategy Officer & Director of Hispanic Institute, Child Trends
• Josh McCabe, Director of Social Policy, Niskanen Center
• Wakisha Newton, Childcare Organizer and State Lead, Family Values @ Work 

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Join us virtually on October 10th from 1-2pm ET to hear more about the Collaborative from Project Co-Directors and Participants

Join Convergence to celebrate the release of “Health Starts Here” the Blueprint for Action created by the Convergence Collaborative on Social Factors of Health. 

More than good health care is needed to achieve good health in communities and households. A growing body of research indicates that many “upstream” social factors, from housing conditions and the availability of good nutrition to the availability of social services and basic education, influence a person’s or community’s health status. Recognizing this connection between upstream social factors and health, many health systems have begun to form cross-sector partnerships with a range of organizations focused on housing, nutrition, transportation, and other social services. The policy environment is unfortunately not always conducive to these cross-sector partnerships, however.  

The Convergence Collaborative on Social Factors of Health brought together a group of representative stakeholder organizations and experts from health and social policy organizations to identify policy actions – primarily at the federal and state levels – that would pave the way for cross-sector partnerships with the goal of improving household and community health by addressing social factors of health. They coalesced around consensus solutions in four areas – (1) improving system integration; (2) building an SDOH workforce; (3) financing SDOH approaches; and (4) addressing data sharing, evaluation, and experimentation – outlined in further detail in “Health Starts Here” the Blueprint for Action from the Convergence Collaborative on Social Factors of Health.  

Join us on October 10th to hear more about the Collaborative from Project Co-Directors: 

• Stuart Butler, Scholar in Residence, Economic Studies, The Brookings Institution and Member, Convergence Board of Directors 

• Caryn Hederman, Principal, Hederman Consulting, LLC 

The event will also feature Collaborative Participants sharing the impact of the “Health Starts Here” Blueprint for Action: 

• Brian Corbin, Executive Vice President, Member Services, Catholic Charities USA 

• Blair Harrison, Senior Policy Director, Population Health and Social Care, UnitedHealthcare Community & State

• Sue Pechilio Polis, Vice President, Public Relations and Government Affairs, Lutheran Services in America 

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Location:

1310 Kitchen & Bar
1310 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20007

The Convergence Board of Directors is pleased to invite you to a reception on Wednesday, October 9^th in Washington, DC to celebrate the release of Convergence Founder and First CEO Rob Fersh and Convergence President and CEO Mariah Levison’s groundbreaking new book, From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems.

Full of real-life stories, examples, and proven strategies – many drawn directly from Convergence’s work – the book’s goal is to inspire and equip people to be effective collaborative problem-solvers and leaders. It speaks to concerned citizens looking for concrete pathways to lessen troubling divides in their workplaces, their communities, and society at large. Learn more about the book and purchase your copy here.

Join us on October 9^th for:

• A fireside chat with the authors, Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison, moderated by Convergence Board Chair, Art Taylor;
• Insight and updates into Convergence’s latest work bringing people together across divides to catalyze consensus-based solutions to critical challenges at the local, state, and national level;
• Opportunities to connect with the Convergence community new and old; and
• Book signing, refreshments, and hors d’oeuvres

Kramers will be selling copies of From Conflict to Convergence at the event.

We hope to see you on October 9 from 5:30-8:00pm at 1310 Kitchen & Bar in Georgetown! Whether or not you can join us, please help us spread the word by forwarding this event to anyone you think might be interested in attending to learn more about From Conflict to Convergence and our work.

Click here to register!

Click to watch the official book trailer.

Order From Conflict to Convergence now:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Powell’s | Target | Wiley

Join us for a reception and book signing event for “From Conflict to Convergence”, featuring the coauthors Mariah Levison and Rob Fersh

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LOCATION:

Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc.

1408 Kingshighway Boulevard #Suite 108 St. Louis, MO 63113

Mark Levison and Mike McMillan are hosting a reception to celebrate the release of From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems, a groundbreaking new book from Mariah Levison and Rob Fersh being published on July 30, 2024. The event will feature a fireside chat with the authors, including an opportunity to ask questions, followed by a book signing, enjoyable company, and drinks and hors d’oevures. You’ll hear firsthand from the authors, who bring decades of experience uniting diverse leaders to tackle seemingly intractable issues and achieve consensus among unlikely collaborators. This event is open to anyone interested in learning how to engage constructively with others and who seek hope in these divisive times. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a complimentary copy of the book.

About From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems

This compelling, practical guide offer strategies for de-escalating conflict and engaging constructively with others to find better solutions. Through real-life stories and examples, it offers proven strategies to help a diverse array of individuals negotiate and navigate seemingly insurmountable conflicts. Readers will learn how to achiever “higher ground” or “mutual gain” solutions that meet the needs of even conflicting groups and people in workplaces, communities, and society at large, paving the way for long-term cooperation. The primary aim of the book is to inspire and equip people to be effective collaborative problem-solvers and leaders. It has already garnered endorsements from prominent figures across the political spectrum, including Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defense and Chief of Staff for Bill Clinton and Marc Racicot, former Governor of Montana and past Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Pre-order From Conflict to Convergence now:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Powell’s
• Target
• Wiley

About the Authors:

Mariah Levison is the CEO and President of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, a nonprofit organization that builds trust and bridges divides to solve critical challenges and strengthen our democracy and society. Mariah is a seasoned consensus-builder with decades of experience in bringing people together to solve critical issues. She has spoken and offered trainings nationally and internationally, including with the Haitian government and the Presidential Leadership Scholars, at this year’s Civic Learning Week National Forum – where she led a session applying lessons from Justice Sotomayor and Justice Barrett’s dialogue – and most recently, at a TED Discovery session. She is also Mark’s daughter.

Rob Fersh is the Founder and first CEO of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution. He has spent over 45 years bridging policy differences and moving important public policy solutions forward in Washington D.C. through working for Congress and in the Executive Branch as well as in leading non-profit organizations. He is the author of multiple articles and op eds, has been a plenary speaker at many conferences including recently at the National Association of Counties and PathNorth, and has been interviewed on multiple podcasts, including Our Voices Matter, Let’s Find Common Ground, The Great Battlefield Podcast, and more.

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Please join us on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 1-2pm ET over Zoom for a celebration honoring the publication of From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems by Convergence Founder and First CEO Rob Fersh and Convergence CEO and President Mariah Levison.

Moderated by Linda Lorelle, Emmy Award-winning journalist, media personality, and Convergence Board Member, the event will feature a Q&A with Rob and Mariah about the experience of writing a book together, a sneak peek at the stories they told through the book, and a preview of the tried and tested strategies the book offers for helping a wide array of people negotiate and navigate seemingly intractable conflicts.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 1-2pm ET

WHERE: Zoom (Details will be emailed to registrants)

WHAT: Register today and submit a question for the authors!

WHY: From Conflict to Convergence is a must-read resource for an increasingly combative and conflicted world. Help us spread the word.

PRE-ORDER TODAY: convergencepolicy.org/book

About From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems

This compelling, practical guide offer strategies for de-escalating conflict and engaging constructively with others to find better solutions. Through real-life stories and examples, it offers proven strategies to help a diverse array of individuals negotiate and navigate seemingly insurmountable conflicts. Readers will learn how to achiever “higher ground” or “mutual gain” solutions that meet the needs of even conflicting groups and people in workplaces, communities, and society at large, paving the way for long-term cooperation. The primary aim of the book is to inspire and equip people to be effective collaborative problem-solvers and leaders. It has already garnered endorsements from prominent figures across the political spectrum, including Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defense and Chief of Staff for Bill Clinton and Marc Racicot, former Governor of Montana and past Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Pre-order From Conflict to Convergence now

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, Powell’s, Target, Wiley

About the Authors

Mariah Levison is the CEO and President of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, a nonprofit organization that builds trust and bridges divides to solve critical challenges and strengthen our democracy and society. Mariah is a seasoned consensus-builder with decades of experience in bringing people together to solve critical issues. She has spoken and offered trainings nationally and internationally, including with the Haitian government and the Presidential Leadership Scholars, at this year’s Civic Learning Week National Forum – where she led a session applying lessons from Justice Sotomayor and Justice Barrett’s dialogue – and most recently, at a TED Discovery session.

Rob Fersh is the Founder and first CEO of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution. He has spent over 45 years bridging policy differences and moving important public policy solutions forward in Washington, DC through working for Congress and in the Executive Branch as well as in leading non-profit organizations. He is the author of multiple articles and op eds, has been a plenary speaker at many conferences including recently at the National Association of Counties and PathNorth, and has been interviewed on multiple podcasts, including Our Voices Matter, Let’s Find Common Ground, The Great Battlefield Podcast, and more.

Join the Center for Economic and Social Opportunity at Brookings to learn about the four pillars making up the Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families Blueprint for Action, and the Convergence process as a potential model for problem-solving in polarizing policy spaces. See below for the detailed agenda: 

Finding common ground for working families

Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. EDT
The Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 

https://www.brookings.edu/events/finding-common-ground-for-working-families/

Throughout 2023, the Convergence Collaborative brought together experts from across the political spectrum to find common ground on challenges facing working families with young children. The resulting consensus document was released in January of this year. The organization’s collaborative process is different from other attempts to find common ground on these issues because it emphasizes relationship-building and facilitated dialogue among people with deeply held convictions and diverse perspectives.

On April 3, join the Center for Economic and Social Opportunity at Brookings to learn about the four pillars making up the Convergence Collaborative’s blueprint for action, and the Convergence process as a potential model for problem-solving in polarizing policy spaces.

Two members of the Collaborative–Lina Guzman (Child Trends) and Josh McCabe (Niskanen Center)–will join leader of the group Abby McCloskey (McCloskey Policy LCC) on a panel moderated by Brookings’s Molly Kinder to discuss the four areas of common ground for working families.

Following their conversation, Stuart Butler (Brookings), Maya MacGuineas (Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget), and Lindsay Torrico (American Bankers Association Foundation) will broaden the issue to discuss finding common ground on polarizing issues with the New York Times’ Jessica Grose.

The event will run from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. EDT, followed by a light reception.

This event will be open to attend in person or watch online. Online viewers can submit questions via email to [email protected] or on X (formerly Twitter) using #CommonGround.

Guests at Brookings are required to attest to their state of health before attending. Visitors may not enter the building if they are feeling ill for any reason, have any symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19, have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and do not yet meet the criteria to resume normal activities based on current CDC guidance, or have been advised by their healthcare professional or otherwise to not enter any space where some persons may not be vaccinated. 

Welcome and introduction 

Tara Watson, David M. Rubenstein Fellow and Director, Center for Economic Security and Opportunity, Brookings

Panel: Four areas of common ground for working families 

Lina Guzman, Chief Strategy Officer and Director, Hispanic Institute, Child Trends

Joshua McCabe, Senior Fellow, Niskanen Center

Abby McCloskey, McCloskey Policy LLC

Moderator: Molly Kinder, Fellow, Brookings Metro

Panel: Finding common ground on polarizing issues 

Stuart M. Butler, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies, Brookings

Maya MacGuineas, President, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget

Lindsay Torrico, Senior Vice President of Bank Community Engagement and Executive Director, American Bankers Association Foundation

Moderator: Jessica Grose, Opinion Writer, The New York Times

Closing remarks 

Tara Watson, David M. Rubenstein Fellow and Director, Center for Economic Security and Opportunity, Brookings

Reception 

Join Convergence to celebrate the release of “In This Together: A Cross-Partisan Action Plan to Support Families with Young Children in America” at an in-person event on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, February 6th from 5:00-6:30pm featuring remarks from Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

“In This Together: A Cross-Partisan Action Plan to Support Families with Young Children in America” is the Blueprint for Action formed by the Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families, a cross-partisan, cross-sector group of leaders convened by Convergence who have dedicated their careers to improving the lives of children and families in America. One of the most ideologically and sectorally diverse groups to address family policy that has convened in recent decades, the Collaborative came together against a backdrop of historic polarization and political divides. They met regularly throughout 2023 and their final report, to be released on February 6, is an action plan to help low-to-moderate income families with young children flourish.

The event will also include remarks by Abby McCloskey, Director of the Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families and Founder of McCloskey Policy LLC, and will feature a short panel conversation with Collaborative participants Indivar Dutta-Gupta, President and Executive Director at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Lina Guzman, Chief Strategy Officer and Director of the Hispanic Institute at Child Trends; Katharine Stevens, Founder and President of the Center on Child and Family Policy; and Patrick Brown a Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center sharing about the consensus they found for advancing public dialogue and action across party lines. Topics will include what it means for families to flourish, shared principles to guide collaborative action, and recommended actions for policymakers, employers, communities, and philanthropy.

David Fairman, Senior Director at the Consensus Building Institute and Associate Director of the MIT-Harvard Public Disputes Program, will moderate the discussion. Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be provided.

The Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families was made possible thanks to the generous support of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

A virtual leadership development series to equip business professionals to bridge divides in corporate America.

Description:

From Feb. 14 through April 3, hosted by Convergence Center for Policy Resolution and Interfaith America, the Bridging Divides in Corporate America Leadership Development Series will explore the detrimental effects of toxic polarization on business and how leaders can meet the very real challenges of this moment for their companies and the country. A series of monthly cohort meetings will offer participants the opportunity to deepen their knowledge,  build skills, and network with peers at no cost as they pilot best practices in their company.

Participants will–

• Learn from leaders in the bridgebuilding field and explore how to apply best practices to their particular context
• Build skills to engage deep difference inside their companies and with external stakeholders
• Identify and pilot an initiative to increase bridgebuilding efforts in their company and workshop challenges and opportunities with their peers.

Details:

This will be a live, virtual series that runs from February – April 2024, consisting of 5 meetings. All sessions will take place from 11:00-1:00 PM CT on the following dates (with tentative topics):

• Wednesday, February 14: Why Build Bridges
• Wednesday, February 21: The Divided Mind
• Wednesday, March 06: Collaborative Problem Solving
• Wednesday, March 20: Engaging Tension Constructively
• Wednesday, April 03: Leading with Values in the Workplace

There is no cost to participate. Registration is limited to 30 learners. The deadline for registration is Friday, February 2, 2024.

Learn more:

Who should attend this course?

This series is intended for business professionals who recognize the impact of polarization in their workplaces and who lead teams, projects, or initiatives where they have the opportunity to introduce a bridgebuilding approach. Attendees will be asked to select a problem or challenge they are facing related to polarization in their company and will identify a bridgebuilding practice to pilot as a response.

Will the class sessions be recorded or shared in any way?

No, we will not record the class sessions. Our intention is to open a space in which attendees can be comfortable navigating territory that might be unfamiliar, challenging, or delicate, without concerns about what might be recorded or shared.

Do I need to attend all five sessions, or can I choose from among them?

We strongly recommend that learners commit to all five live sessions in the series. That said, we will work with you to accommodate reasonable scheduling conflicts as they arise.

What is the time commitment?

The time commitment for this series is approximately 2.5 hours per session week. Each month’s learning entails: 1) reviewing pre-session materials (such as a written resource, video, or tool), 2) attendance at a 2 hour live, online session, and 3) self-paced work on your individual project outside of the scheduled meeting time. The full course will run from February 14 – April 3.