Letter from Director Veena Pankaj

Dear friends and colleagues,

When I joined Innovation Network in the summer of 2000, I never imagined that I would have the pleasure of serving and co-directing this organization for two decades. During this time I have had the privilege of working alongside and learning from past and present colleagues at Innovation Network. Together, we have navigated change in the world, in the field of learning and evaluation, and most importantly within our organization.

Collectively, re-aligning on our mission, vision, and values over the last few years has deepened and renewed our commitment to the future of Innovation Network and the organizations we support. For myself personally, our work over this time has encouraged me to more directly contribute to the creation of courageous spaces that create pathways for learning, inspiration, and social change through work with individuals, organizations, and communities.

With that in mind, I am grateful to announce that I will be completing my time as the Director of Innovation Network over the course of the next couple of weeks. While this was a difficult decision, I am filled with excitement, hope, and confidence for the transformation that this change will bring to both Innovation Network and myself as a leader and community servant.

Over the coming months Innovation Network will work to identify a leader that is aligned with its re-defined values, mission, and vision. The efforts of our Board and team to establish an equitable approach to determining the leader we need is another example of the collaborative strength of Innovation Network.

I leave the organization in the incredibly capable hands of Alissa Marchant, Virginia Roncaglione, Anvi Mridul, and the newest member of our team Cory Georgopoulos. The competence, passion, and humanity that they have demonstrated in leading Innovation Network client projects and our organizational transformation process, while also supporting me as a leader, is both inspiring and assuring. I am truly thankful for the great work they have already done, and the great work they will surely do in the future.

It is with deep gratitude for the lessons learned through 20 years of work and a community committed to integrating hearts and minds through authenticity and connectedness that I say, thank you.    

As I start this new chapter, there is nothing that I would appreciate more than staying connected with the colleagues I have encountered and learned from along this journey. Please stay in touch and feel free to connect with me in the coming weeks to commune, share memories, and exchange ideas.

 

Respectfully,

Veena Pankaj