The 2017 ONE buildOn Conference

buildOn staff from across the globe recently came together in Norwalk, Connecticut, for four days of learning, collaboration and celebration at the 2017 ONE buildOn Conference. Through professional development sessions, peer-to-peer presentations and the first annual buildOn Awards Ceremony, buildOn team members rallied around the buildOn mission and elevated expectations for the coming year. Some of the highlights from the 2017 ONE buildOn Conference include…

The buildOn Awards Ceremony celebrated the achievements of buildOn staff who have gone above and beyond in their work to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations through service and education.

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buildOn staff took center stage to share their skills and passions during peer-to-peer presentations.

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Time Warner Inc. Executive Director of Cultural Investments Diahann Billings-Burford (pictured below) and buildOn’s Director of Human Resources LaNelle Alexander (not pictured) led an open and moving session on leveraging diversity at buildOn.

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Staff came together to explore the beautiful Dolce Nowalk Conference Center campus and have some fun getting to know each other during a team scavenger hunt.

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Rich Been, a senior faculty member at the Center for Creative Leadership, led sessions on humility and resiliency.

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buildOn celebrated members of the movement by hearing from buildOn students and stakeholders who have participated in buildOn’s Partnership and 36 Hours programs.

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The ONE buildOn Conference was a chance for buildOn staff from different regions to form new friendships.

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buildOn’s Founder, President and CEO Jim Ziolkowski welcomed everyone to the third annual ONE buildOn Conference.

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After the buildOn Awards Ceremony, buildOn staff took to the dance floor for the annual buildOn Dance Party.

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buildOn team members from across the United States and the globe took advantage of the conference to connect face-to-face about buildOn’s mission.

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Keynote speaker and Founder of Exodus Transitional Community Julio Media brought the conference to a close by speaking on the importance of empowering underserved individuals and communities.

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All photographs by Benjamin Jarosch.