Alexis Taylor Discusses Systems Thinking and Changemaking in Feb. 25 Ignite Masterclass

Alexis Taylor, a global leader in activating and connecting entrepreneurial ecosystems for economic prosperity, returns as a guest speaker in the Sullivan Foundation’s next Ignite Masterclass, titled “How Systems Thinking Translates to Tangible Change.”

The virtual Ignite Masterclass, which is free and open to the public, will be held in two sessions on Thursday, Feb. 25. Session 1 starts at 10 a.m., and session 2 follows at 2 p.m. (ET). Click here to register for session 1 and click here to register for session 2.

Related: Learn more about Sullivan Foundation’s full Ignite Masterclass schedule for Spring 2021. 

Taylor is a member of the Austin, Texas hub of the Global Shapers Community, a network of young people driving dialogue, action and change. Born out of the World Economic Forum, the Global Shapers Community spans 430 city-based hubs in 150 countries. She is the former director for global engagement at the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and a past Ignite Retreat facilitator and mentor.

For the Feb. 25 Ignite Masterclass, Taylor will share her insights on systems thinking and changemaking. Creating tangible change on the ground requires a comprehensive systems view on the challenges you aim to solve. Based on her work around the world, Taylor will share how to approach systems thinking and apply it to a multitude of settings, from launching social ventures to engaging as a local activist.

Each Ignite Masterclass also features about a dozen coaches who will offer changemaking insights and help participants develop and implement their own ideas for action and personal improvement. Professors and their classes from across the Sullivan Foundation network of partner schools participate in the masterclasses as well.

In her role with GEN, Taylor advocated for ecosystem builders and “all those who empower the world’s doers, makers and dreamers,” according to the GEN website. The Global Entrepreneurship Network operates a platform of projects and programs in 170 countries aimed at making it easier for anyone, anywhere, to start and scale a business.

Prior to her work with GEN, Taylor was the CEO and president of Austin, Texas-based 3 Day Startup, a global entrepreneurship education program, which she helped scale to more than 500 programs and expanded to Australia, Southern Africa and the Middle East. Taylor has been recognized by the U.S. State Department and the World Economic Forum as a leader in empowering people and communities through entrepreneurship.

The Ignite Masterclasses boost students’ confidence in their ability to create positive change in their communities and have earned high praise from participants.

Aeden Rowell, a student at Sullivan Foundation partner school Brenau University, said a recent masterclass with Dustin Liu, UNA-USA Youth Observer to the United Nations, served as “a good reminder that I can make an impact even though I’m just one person.”

Deanna Joseph, another Brenau University student, gave the Liu masterclass a top rating of 10 out of 10 and said the session taught her “that you don’t have to choose just one passion—pick multiple things that get you excited and motivated to make change.”