Why Now?

We’re living in divided times—but also a moment of opportunity.

Recent national data from More in Common shows that 70% of Americans want to connect across lines of difference. The challenge isn’t willingness—it’s access. Most people would rather build community in person than argue online.

The Change Lab exists to make that possible.
Because when we connect, we create change.

Purpose

At The Change Lab, we're building more than a platform — we’re nurturing a movement grounded in connection, participation, and impact. Our purpose is to provide:

• Accessible Civic Pathways
  Clear, approachable entry points for anyone to get involved — no matter where you're starting from.

• Real-World Engagement Options
  Hands-on opportunities that turn ideas into action and bring people together in meaningful ways.

• A Framework for Growth
  A step-by-step guide to help you explore, express, and expand your role in civic life.

• Content that Sparks Change
  Resources that bridge information → connection → action → systems change, empowering you to make a difference.

What We Are Building

We’re developing a digital platform that lights up the pathways to belonging, collaboration, and action.
Here’s what’s included:

• Common Ground Meetups
  In-person gatherings to build trust across difference.

• Civic Action Library
  Tools and stories to help you learn, reflect, and take action.

• Partnership Network
  Aligned organizations working together to scale impact.

• Interactive Platform (Coming Soon)
  A personalized map to show how and where you can plug in.

Staff

David A. Brown
Founder of The Change Lab
Nonprofit leader, civic strategist, and storyteller with 20+ years of experience building creative, community-driven initiatives.

He founded Spacetaker, led the merger with Fresh Arts, and launched Arts District Houston. As Collaborative and Engagement Strategist at the Houston Food Bank, he piloted programs connecting neighbors, donors, and volunteers across difference. He is a Leadership Houston alumnus and ALF Senior Fellow (Class XXXIII).

Mission & Vision

Mission
To spark belonging and civic connection through accessible tools, shared learning, and stories of community-led change.

Vision
A resilient community powered by people who show up for each other.
The Change Lab is the next step—transforming that experience into a civic engine for connection and collective action.

Board of Directors

David A. Brown
Where Creativity, Grit & Systems Thinking Collide

Michael Crowder
Artist, Civic Catalyst, Senior Preparator, Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Christa M. Forster
Writer, Educator, Performer, English Teacher

Advisory Board

Megan M. Finnerty – LinkedIn
Founder of the Storytellers Project (USA TODAY Network) and national storytelling coach and curator. Megan has helped 6,000+ people share true stories across 20+ cities, and now leads coaching and live-journalism programs for communities, nonprofits, and brands.
Value to The Change Lab: Narrative design for civic connection; programming that grows empathy, belonging, and participation.
Focus: Community storytelling, live journalism, narrative coaching.

Tracie Jae – LinkedIn
Founder of The Quiet Rebel, designing and facilitating HUMAN-centered conversations and large-scale dialogue experiences (e.g., 100 Voices). Work centers on empathy, brave space, and practical culture change.
Value to The Change Lab: Inclusive facilitation and bridge-building frameworks that translate across communities and organizations.
Focus: Inclusive dialogue design, civic empathy, culturally responsive communication.

Elena Korbut – LinkedIn
Most recently served as Executive Director of PAIR (Partnership for the Advancement & Immersion of Refugees), leading refugee-centered mentoring and equity initiatives in Houston through early 2025. PAIR has since named a new Executive Director.
Value to The Change Lab: Deep experience in immigrant equity, youth leadership, and resilient program design across schools and community partners.
Focus: Refugee-centered education, immigrant advocacy, resilience-driven programming.

Aaron Landsman – LinkedIn
Playwright, performer, and educator; Lecturer in Theater at Princeton University. Guggenheim Fellow and Creative Capital awardee whose participatory works and toolkits connect performance with civic life.
Value to The Change Lab: Story-driven engagement methods that invite public participation and local problem-solving.
Focus: Creativity-driven civic engagement, narrative-based public participation.

Barry Mandel – LinkedIn
Founder/CEO of Mandel Group, a leading real-estate developer known for urban infill and mixed-use projects that revitalize neighborhoods while emphasizing design quality and community benefit.
Value to The Change Lab: Strategic leadership, capital partnerships, and place-based development insights for inclusive civic infrastructure.
Focus: Community-building through design, organizational leadership, inclusive partnerships.

Lilyanne McClean – LinkedIn
Senior Vice President of Global Public Policy & Government Affairs at FuelCell Energy. 30+ years in policy, communications, and government affairs spanning energy and corporate sectors.
Value to The Change Lab: Policy strategy and cross-sector advocacy to align civic goals with institutional partners.
Focus: Strategic policy leadership, cross-sector advocacy, organizational governance.

María del Carmen Montoya – LinkedIn
Artist and Assistant Professor (Corcoran School, GWU); core member of Ghana ThinkTank. Her participatory practice flips conventional power dynamics through collaborative public art.
Value to The Change Lab: Participatory methods that center community voice and co-creation in civic problem-solving.
Focus: Participatory art, collective civic creativity, narrative power shifts.

Evan Yoshimoto – LinkedIn
Head of Community / Project Coordinator with UC Berkeley’s Othering & Belonging Institute (Democracy & Belonging Forum), developing member ecosystems across North America and Europe; prior work at Berlin’s GPPi on data/tech policy.
Value to The Change Lab: Ecosystem design for belonging, bridging practices, and equitable tech/policy interfaces.
Focus: Inclusive community ecosystems, climate justice, tech-equity policymaking.