The Power of
the Alumni Network
BY THE NUMBERS
99 alumni in our network 4 newsletters keeping the alumni network connected 1 national network of alumni increasing in size and impact
Over the past decade, Foster America has cultivated a growing community of
Today, that investment has grown into a powerful alumni network spanning government, community organizations, philanthropy, research, and advocacy. Together, these leaders are advancing new approaches that strengthen family well-being and prevent unnecessary family separation. What begins during a fellowship year doesn’t end there. Alumni remain connected to Foster America—and to one another—through shared learning, collaboration, and leadership opportunities that continue to deepen their impact. In 2025, alumni gathered through quarterly Alumni Spotlight conversations and peer learning sessions, creating space to exchange ideas, reflect on challenges, and support one another as they advance prevention-first solutions in their communities. Across the country, alumni are translating fellowship learning into real-world change. Fiscal Leadership Circle alum Dustin Koury continues to expand the Family Keys housing stability approach that provides flexible supports to families experiencing housing instability to prevent unnecessary foster care placements. Early implementation in Marathon County, Wisconsin, has shown promising results—keeping many families together in stable housing while generating cost savings for local jurisdictions. Dustin now partners with the Imagination Factory’s Creative Cluster to advance housing supports across four implementation sites. Alumni are also helping shape the national conversation about how families should be supported. National Leadership Circle alum Sofie Fashana, a Policy Entrepreneur at Next100 and Policy Resident with Foster America, is helping lead the development of Foster America’s first Prevention Financing Brief, exploring how strategies such as direct cash transfers and housing stability investments can prevent unnecessary family separation. Together, Dustin and Sofie were recently featured during Foster America’s quarterly United for Prevention
roundtable, Confronting the Unethical Practice of Family Separation Due to Housing. The roundtables bring together leaders to examine how approaches like Family Keys and direct cash transfers can strengthen housing stability and prevent unnecessary family separation. The conversation explored how approaches like Family Keys and direct cash transfers can strengthen housing stability and prevent unnecessary family separation.
changemakers through its fellowships—leaders with lived experience and cross- sector expertise who are working to strengthen how the nation supports families.
As Foster America approaches its 10-year milestone, the alumni network represents one of the organization’s most powerful and enduring contributions to the field. Each year, the network grows—not only in numbers, but in connection, influence, and shared purpose. By continuing to invest in leaders and strengthening the bonds between them, Foster America is building a community capable of driving lasting transformation in how our country supports children and families.
National Leadership Advisory Group (NLAG)
Foster America’s National Leadership Advisory Group (NLAG) brings together alumni leaders and longtime collaborators whose professional expertise and lived experience help guide the organization’s strategic direction. Members Anthony Barrows, Francesca Gonzalez, Tkeyah Dupclay, Jasmene Hawthorne, and Mutima Imani contributed insights and perspectives that informed Foster America’s work throughout the year. NLAG members helped shape priorities for a national convening with Casey Family Programs and partner organizations focused on elevating lived experience in systems change. They also participated in early conversations informing Foster America’s strategic planning and
co-hosted a Fellows & Friends Career Talk in May 2025, supporting professional pathways for emerging leaders. Throughout the year, members offered guidance on learning, communications, and leadership initiatives, and provided perspective on emerging practices for partnering authentically with people who have lived experience in the child welfare system. Through NLAG, these leaders continue to play an important role in shaping Foster America’s work— ensuring that strategy, partnerships, and learning remain informed by the insight and leadership of those closest to the system.
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