Looking back on 2022

As we enter 2023, we’re taking a look back at what our community accomplished together in 2022. 

Quarter 1: 

Starting the year off, Global Patron Member Winrock International hosted Concordia Live A Fresh Start For America’s Financial Independence. Building on decades of experience supporting small businesses, Winrock is working to address the needs of businesses recovering from the economic crisis brought about by COVID-19. This conversation highlights their programs like the Southern Opportunity and Resilience Fund (SOAR) Technical Assistance Project, funded by the Visa Foundation, which provides support to these small business owners, while also promoting economic growth. 

Back in 2020 during a Concordia Live, Center for Workforce Inclusion CEO Gary A. Officer and Greyston CEO Joseph Kenner explored solution sets to the inequity around achieving the American Dream. This 2020 Concordia Live resulted in the creation of a partnership between Center for Workforce Inclusion and Greyston to support formerly-incarcerated job seekers. Together, they are working to make the American Dream an attainable goal for all, regardless of race or background. In honor of Black History Month, these two impactful leaders continued the conversation in February for a follow up Concordia Live Equal Opportunity to Achieve the American Dream Part II to share the importance of these initiatives, and how other organizations can help fight racial injustice both within and outside of the workplace. 

To wrap up quarter one, Hologic hosted Concordia Live The Power & Perceptions of Preventative Care in Women’s Health during Women’s History Month. This conversation spotlighted the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index, the first global measure of women’s health from the perspectives of 60,000 women and girls in 116 countries and territories. The panelists dove into the importance of regular checkups for women of all ages, discussed the perceptions surrounding women’s preventive care measures and other indicators of women’s health, and assessed strategies for elevating women’s health globally.

Quarter 2:

In April, we hosted our first U.S-domestic focused Summit in Lexington, Kentucky. Having taken place in both a digital and in-person capacity, the inaugural Concordia United States Summit convened a variety of voices across the political spectrum and across sectors to advance civil discourse and understanding between the different socioeconomic worlds present in the U.S. In line with Concordia’s mission, we created impactful partnerships that not only addressed drivers of division and improved economic empowerment for all, but also addressed the future of technology, trade, environmental sustainability, and much more. 

Later that month, Global Patron Member Pollination hosted Concordia Live How Climate and Nature Solutions Can Ease the Global Energy and Food Crises. This conversation explored how we can build resilience to future shocks and bolster our food and energy security by investing in the green solutions which are already available and scalable, including zero carbon energy and regenerative agriculture. Companies in the food and energy sector can lead the way by setting serious climate change goals and realistic action plans in order to deliver them and accelerate the transition towards a net-zero, climate-resilient future. 

In May, Global Patron Member SightLife hosted Concordia Live Transforming Health Systems for Gender Equity. This conversation convened several prominent international NGOs that have been at the forefront of efforts to promote gender equity and transform health systems by way of integrated primary health care. The panelists covered critical challenges faced by women and girls accessing health services, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries, discussed successful primary health integration strategies and their impact, and explored what lies ahead for women’s health and equity. 

In honor of World Refugee Day in June, Global Patron Member Sesame Workshop hosted Concordia Live Childhood Interrupted – A World Refugee Day Dialogue on the Youngest Refugees and their Families. This conversation presented several exciting new initiatives to meet the needs of refugee children and families and facilitated a discussion on how to scale up the financing, policies, inter-sectoral collaboration, and leadership needed to effectively support the youngest refugees and their families.

Quarter 3: 

Quarter three began with Concordia’s longest-standing regional initiative, the 2022 Americas Summit, which continued its legacy of gathering leaders from across industries, sectors, and geographies to confront the challenges and opportunities facing the Western Hemisphere. Our programming agenda explored key themes of healthcare, regional investment, and climate and national security, examined through multiple lenses. The beauty of convenings is that it brings together a variety of voices and perspectives, and reminds us that no issue has just one solution. The 2022 Americas Summit gathered Concordia’s unique and global community to collectively establish solutions that allow the hemisphere to reach its full potential. 

In September, we hosted our largest convening, welcoming over 1,000 attendees for Concordia’s 

12th Annual Summit in New York City. We heard a powerful keynote speech from the U.S. First Lady Jill Biden on the importance of connection, diplomacy, and humility. We also heard from three of the most influential political figures of today, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield. There were a few announcements that were made on stage, including H.E. Iván Duque Márquez, Former President of Colombia, introducing our exciting plans for the 2023 Amazonas Summit. 

For the second year, we hosted and announced the winner of The Horizon Prize–MIT Solve Pitch Competition. The Horizon Prize, powered by Global Patron Member MIT Solve, seeks technology-based solutions that improve the quality of life of people who have been diagnosed with a rare disease. This year’s prize went to EB Research Partnership, whose mission is to end Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a devastating genetic disorder that affects approximately 500,000 people worldwide. 

Additionally, Concordia announced SAMRIDH IPE as the 2022 P3 Impact Award Winner. Sustainable Access to Market and Resources for Innovative Delivery of Healthcare (SAMRIDH) is a blended finance facility supported by USAID and implemented by IPE Global, in partnership with varied stakeholders from government, philanthropic and financial institutions, private sector, incubator/accelerators and academia. SAMRIDH works to address the weak health systems and persistent shortage of skilled workforce and infrastructure (which have been exacerbated by the pandemic) in India. 

Quarter 4: 

Concordia kicked off Quarter four by hosting two dinners for the 2022/23 Europe Initiative Fireside Chat & Dinner Series. Leading up to the 2023 Europe Initiative, this dinner series will continue into 2023 and will focus on the overarching theme of Democracy, Security and Geopolitical Risk, with a focus on the three following sub-themes: Cyber Defense, Energy Security, and Diplomacy. 

Later in October, Global Patron Member Vistagen hosted the Concordia Live Addressing Stigmas and Solutions to Mental Health Challenges. The speakers dove into the need for an innovative approach to mental health treatment, breaking down societal stigmas around mental health, and the logistics of implementing a new standard of care felt horizontally across a diverse, equitable society. 

In November, Concordia convened leaders at the forefront of a renewable transition alongside government and private sector representatives in the traditional extractive-based energy space for a dinner as part of Concordia’s Africa Initiative.  

To learn about opportunities for collaboration with Concordia in 2023, please contact partnerships@concordia.net.