Inspire Stories
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Samantha Porter unites applied research and outreach in her community development work
Sam Porter brings her previous public service work to help the Philadelphia Fed promote economic growth and improve access to opportunity in underserved communities.
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Javier Silva elevates the perspectives of Spanish-speaking communities around climate resilience and health economic outcomes
At work, Javier Silva brings together two distinct but important worlds of community development and the Spanish language. “In community development I try to help areas that are underserved and need attention on health equity and climate resiliency /adaptation—two of our team’s thematic focus.”
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A rural foundation for success in community conversation
As a Community Development Regional Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Erika Bell helps amplify people’s voices.
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Nishesh Chalise connects research and community perspectives through equity work
Nishesh Chalise works to bridge the gap between data and real-world application, providing a path forward for economists, community leaders, and researchers.
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Bank examiner Jessica LeVeen Farr bridges community development and regulatory worlds
Atlanta Fed bank examiner Jessica LeVeen Farr has a background in bank financing and community development. The dual experiences have proved invaluable in her current role supporting banks’ complying with the Community Reinvestment Act by investing in the communities they serve.
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Collaboration and service motivate Jane Santa Cruz’s community development work
Jane Santa Cruz shares how collaboration and partnerships help communities grow and achieve their goals.
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Dr. Dontá Council brings awareness to disaster impacts in under-resourced communities
The Atlanta Fed’s Dontá Council uses the lessons he’s learned about the impacts of weather disasters to give back to his community and region.
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For Ashley Putnam, creating change starts with listening to the voices in the community
Ashley Putnam knows that change starts with listening. She leads programs that encourage organizations to think differently about their impact on communities.
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Heather Sobrepena honors ancestry, people, and places in her Indian Country work
Heather Sobrepena’s role is very much about relationships, people, and community. Her work is to give a voice to Indian Country.
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Natural curiosity has always kept Steven Howland focused on ‘community’
Steven Howland shares how curiosity drives his research and helps him address economic issues faced by lower-income populations.