By Brian Clancy, Citizen Connect, Co-founder: A Project of the Bridge Alliance
Becca Kearl is the executive director of Living Room Conversations, an organization building understanding and transforming communities since 2010.
Living Room Conversations is revitalizing civil discourse through their open-source “conversation guides,” a self-facilitated, structured format that connects people with differing views and backgrounds. These guides increase understanding, build relationships, reduce polarization, and pave the way for collaborative and inclusive problem-solving. The Living Room Conversations network of libraries, faith communities, Higher Ed institutions and civic groups deeply investing in community dialogue is proof that we can come together in these divisive times.
Becca also sits on the Steering Committee of the Bridging Movement Alignment Council where she leads training and place-based bridging efforts and is a co-creator of the National Week of Conversation (NWOC). In all her roles, she is committed to collaboration, collective impact, and shifting social norms toward respect and understanding across differences.
Connect with Becca on LinkedIn
Brian has been deeply involved in America’s civic renewal movement for more than a decade now. His signature accomplishments include launching Citizen Connect – a powerful online platform that puts 600 nonpartisan organizations working to address our toxic politics at every American’s fingertips. Brian is also a board member at the Listen First Project – the organization that hosts the groundbreaking National Week of Conversation and highly innovative programs like America Talks.
Among other career adventures Brian was the CFO of Fidelity Management and Research, led the team that launched Fidelity.com and was responsible for systems planning and analysis at the world’s largest investment management organization. He also has a strong social entrepreneurship track record that includes co-founding the Center for Financial Inclusion. The Center has become a global thought leader in poverty alleviation via microfinance and has partners and funders that have included the Gates Foundation, McKinsey, Mastercard, Harvard Business School and the World Bank. He also has experience in the rough and tumble world of city and state politics through his tenure as President of the Boston Public Library Foundation. Brian did his undergraduate work at Cornell University and has an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Connect with Brian on LinkedIn
