Changemakers from around the world will inspire with personal stories of growth, impart wisdom on topics that matter and share valuable insight on reaching goals at the upcoming 2nd Annual International Changemakers Virtual Forum: “Reset, Renew, Reinvent.”
This year’s forum, which will begin at 10:30 a.m., March 23 will welcome 20 speakers from a variety of sectors and backgrounds, including keynote speaker, Steven Cohen, author of “Leading from Within: A Guide to Maximizing Your Effectiveness Through Meditation.” Cohen is also co-founder and board chair of the nonprofit Meditation4Leadership.
“The forum was created so that people from around the globe could come together and bring their ‘A’ game of authenticity,” said Jodi Grinwald, founder of Today is the Day Changemakers and host of the International Changemakers Virtual Forum.
“So often in life we become defined by our title and what we do for a living each day. Connecting with other like-minded people helps us to discover, learn and grow in so many ways,” Grinwald said.
“Last year so many of our attendees and panelists went on to work together because of the connections that were created during this event,” Grinwald said. “They left feeling like their goals were not so distant and anything is possible with the right mindset and having people in your corner. And that doesn’t mean those people have to sit in your corner of the world. Everyone is a changemaker in their own way.”
Fred Wasiak, president & CEO, Food Bank of South Jersey, will be recognized at the forum as the 2023 “Inspire Change Honoree,” an award given to outstanding leaders who support and inspire others, and whose impact in their corner of the world causes a lasting ripple effect.
Grants will be given by Today is the Day to two deserving not-for-profits — one national, one international. This year’s recipients are:
- Princeton-based SheTek, an organization that works to increase the percentage of women in the technology industry by providing a pipeline of talent that is highly skilled and job-ready
- She-Unit Uganda, which empowers young women living in challenging situations by giving them skills such as cosmetology training that enable them to work toward becoming financially independent and living fruitful lives absent of violence.
Last year’s inaugural forum welcomed engaging speakers and 155 guests from six countries. It provided sustainable networking opportunities, breakout learning sessions, panel discussions and sponsorships. The catalyst for the program is the Today Is the Day Changemakers podcast that Grinwald started in 2020 when challenging times called for a deeper, more sustainable connection and healing.
To date, people in 53 countries and more than 600 cities around the world have downloaded the podcast that has featured more than 100 interviews with CEOs, CNN Heroes, Changemakers, authors, executive directors, entrepreneurs, young changemakers and more of all ages. Grinwald, who is being honored by NJBIA later this month for her efforts to bridge the gap between for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, also co-founded the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) for-impact organization, where she also serves as CEO.
“We hope to bring the same energy we had in our first forum but only better! I think it’s time to reinvent the conversation, be bolder and transform the no’s,” said Grinwald, who has 20 years of experience as a for-impact (non-profit) organization expert, having worked in management for several non-profits and is now coaching others to succeed.
To learn more about the March 23 forum, and to register, go to https://todayisthedayliveit.com/about-the-forum.
