The Consultancy kicked off its 2025 event series on the first Friday of February with a vibrant social gathering themed ‘Connect. Collaborate. Create Impact.’ The event drew more than 100 current students, alumni, and clients, all eager to build meaningful connections, explore collaborative opportunities, and learn about the consultancy’s impactful work.
The evening began with an engaging introduction from the Comm Lead’s Consultancy team, who highlighted their diverse range of initiatives, including paid projects, faculty advising, volunteer projects, and mentorship programs. These opportunities for involvement and professional growth sparked great interest in future collaborations and active participation among our clients, current students and alumni.
The highlight of the night was the keynote by My Tam Nguyen, Founder & CEO of làmdi, who addressed “Redefining Resilient Leadership & Cultivating Community Capital.” She emphasized that true impact comes from intertwining personal narrative, collective identity, and timely action. Resilient leadership isn’t just about enduring challenges—it’s about nurturing supportive environments for sustained growth.
Nguyen highlighted community capital as a driver of systemic change, showing how deep relationships, collaboration, and shared resources can tackle complex societal challenges like homelessness, affordable housing, and urban planning. Drawing on statecraft principles and innovative methodologies such as MOCHA and community-based participatory research, she illustrated how targeted, inclusive strategies can address these issues ranging from homelessness and affordable housing to urban planning.
Following the keynote, attendees engaged in networking, exchanging ideas, forming new connections, and exploring potential collaborations. This lively interaction provided a platform for sharing experiences and inspiring innovative projects. The event concluded with participants leaving energized and equipped with fresh insights and contacts to fuel future endeavors.
The February First Friday event celebrated past achievements while setting the stage for future growth and community impact, reinforcing the Consultancy’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, interconnected community where every member contributes to meaningful change.
The Consultancy will continue to host events throughout the year, offering students, alumni, and local community members opportunities to connect, collaborate, and engage with professionals in their field.
Stay tuned!
University of Washington