Connecting Leaders with Lived Experience in Poverty to Platforms for Change
Purpose
The Change Leader Alliance aims to transform traditional top-down approaches to addressing poverty by elevating emerging leaders with lived experience. Through Think Tank, the Alliance develops leadership skills in individuals who have personally navigated poverty, addiction, or incarceration, enabling them to serve on community boards, speak in public forums, and drive effective solutions to the challenges our communities face.
We Believe People in Poverty are Powerful Change Leaders
Thousands of experiential leaders across the country want to lead change.
We need to invest in these emerging leaders.
The Change Leader Alliance is a model to achieve better outcomes.
“Change Leaders shared compelling stories and hard-gained wisdom that is only found in those with deep and multi-dimensional life experiences. We believe that every community concern, every systemic barrier, and therefore every solution must be grounded in the perspective of Change Leaders like these.”
Community Foundation Executive Director
“This is a chance to take the hard things we’ve lived through and turn them into something powerful. It’s about using our voice to inspire hope and create real change, so fewer people have to struggle. Being part of the Alliance is about growing and being part of something bigger—a movement of people who believe in hope, action, and a future where everyone has a chance to thrive.”
Change Leader
Happening Now!
Change Leader Academy
A leadership training that equips individuals with lived experience to lead change. Participants build skills in storytelling, advocacy, consulting, and board service to influence systems and drive impact.
June 6-7, 2025
Join the Alliance
What if those most impacted by poverty were the ones leading the solutions? Be part of a growing national movement that equips and elevates leaders with real-world experience to drive change in their communities. The Change Leader Alliance connects, trains, and amplifies the voices of those who have personally navigated poverty, addiction, or incarceration.
Get Involved
Whether you're ready to lead or looking to support, there are powerful ways to engage with the Change Leader Alliance. From national conversations to local leadership training, join us in elevating lived experience to drive real change.
Online Forums
Think Tank hosts monthly online conversations (“Power Hours”) featuring Change Leaders sharing insights on issues relevant to their experiences and organizations, addressing various aspects of poverty. Some examples of conversations hosted include topics like: trust-building, storytelling to affect change, rural/urban poverty, literacy, health equity, affordable housing, and emotional resilience.
Change Leader Academy
A leadership training that equips individuals with lived experience to lead change. Participants build skills in storytelling, advocacy, consulting, and board service to influence systems and drive impact. This training is hosted annually in person and virtually.
At The Table
A national event designed to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and foster connections about poverty. Save the date, September 18, 2025.
