"Transforming Futures: Tessa LeSage on Workforce Innovation and Philanthropic Impact"

In season four, episode 11 of the "Stories to Create" Podcast, Cornell Bunting sits down with Tessa LeSage, the architect and director of the FutureMakers Coalition, Southwest Florida’s premier regional collective impact initiative at Collaboratory. Tessa shared her journey, from being born in Texas to feeling like a Floridian as she grew up in Southwest Florida. She reminisced about being a straight-A student throughout school until college, driven by a desire for something different and grappling with her identity. She started working at the age of 14 and discussed her role with the FutureMakers Coalition, a network of over 250 individuals and 140 partner organizations committed to transforming the workforce in Southwest Florida. The coalition prioritizes students facing significant challenges to attainment, including traditional age students, adults with some college but no degree, and those without post-high school education experience.

Tessa also talked about joining the Southwest Florida Community Foundation in August 2014 as the Director of Social Innovation & Sustainability. She led the development of innovative solutions to understand philanthropic impact by mapping individual organization and local outcomes to the Sustainable Development Goals. This framework facilitates collective impact and enhances the positive outcomes of philanthropic investment. Tune in to hear Tessa's inspiring journey and insights.