What’s the role of policy in strengthening connection?

RSA US facilitated a conversation with Sam Pressler as he shared Connective Tissue, his recently published policy framework for regenerating connection within American communities. He provided insights gleaned from interviews with more than 70 practitioners and policymakers on how policy can promote civic opportunity, participation, and connection in the places we call home. Pressler joined us to advocate for a different way of approaching policy — not as a domain beyond our control, but as one that can be actively shaped by community builders and neighbors. 

We were also joined by Frederick J. Riley of Weave: the social fabric project as we explored the intersection of social connections practice and policy making. We explored how policy-making happens - how we can create and support an enabling environment for re-generating American communities and reflect on our own ability for policy influence and joined up advocacy. 

This interactive session provided participants with the opportunity to interrogate how their work impacts and is impacted by policy as well as empowered practitioners to lean into their power as policy shapers.

Sam Pressler

Sam Pressler is a community builder, researcher, and writer focused on connecting people to the communities, connections, and commitments that make life worth living. He is a Practitioner Fellow at UVA's Karsh Institute of Democracy, a Research Affiliate at the Harvard Human Flourishing Program, and the author of Connective Tissue, a policy framework on the role of government in regenerating connection within communities. In his past life, Sam was the founder and executive director of the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), the nation's largest community arts organization serving veterans and their families. Sam has been recognized as an Echoing Green Global Fellow, Halcyon Fellow, and 30 Under 30 awardee from Forbes and Pacific Standard Magazine, and his work and writing has been featured in POLITICO, Vox, The Washington Post, CNN, and NPR, among others. He holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. His grandmas are very proud of him.

Frederick J. Riley

Frederick J. Riley is the Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute.  He previously served as the Chief Advancement Officer for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati where he provided strategic leadership in financial development, advancing the YMCA mission through annual giving, government and foundation grants, endowment bequests, along with gifts and capital campaigns. He developed a fundraising board, positioned the Y as a dedicated community partner and led advocacy efforts, program impact and volunteer development.

Before joining the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, he served as the National Director of Urban Development for YMCA of the USA, the Y’s national resource office. There, he served as the principal thought leader and strategist for programs and services impacting over three million teens around the country.  He has also served in similar leadership roles for the YMCA of Southwest Illinois, Metro Atlanta YMCA, and the National Conference of Black Mayors.

He is passionate about the development of communities and its people. He has spent almost 2 decades ensuring the positive life trajectory for youth with a focus on urban, under-served communities and poverty. Originally from Saginaw, MI; college and professional opportunities allowed for stops in Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, and Cincinnati. He participates in many professional and civic groups but none are more coveted than the role of favorite son, brother, uncle, and godfather.