The Upside: A Leadership Forum on the Future of Fairfield County

Thanks to all who joined us on June 6th, 2025 for The Upside: A Leadership Forum on the Future of Fairfield County, which brought together a vibrant group of business leaders to imagine what pursuing a more competitive, resilient, and inclusive local economy would mean for our region.

John Harper, CEO of global social impact firm FSG, kicked off the event with an exploration of what it means to apply a systems change lens, and why business leaders may want to engage in this work. Researchers Daniel Teles, PhD, and Tomi Rajninger, from The Urban Institute, then shared key findings from our recently released research report, The Upside: Growth, Potential, and the Future of Fairfield County. Participants then enjoyed a panel discussion on workforce development and an exploration of My Architecture Workshops’ youth-centered systems, followed by interactive networking and comments from Claire Kramer Mills, Assistant VP & Director of Community Development Analysis at the NY Federal Reserve Bank.

The conversations—on stage and around the room—made it clear: inclusive growth is not only possible, it’s an essential strategy for creating a thriving region that works for all. Special thanks to our generous sponsors, Webster Bank and MediaVision Creative, for supporting this important work.

Together, we can start to realize The Upside for all of Fairfield County.

To explore the research and ways you can get involved, click here.

View Event Photos:

Photos by Olivier Kpognon, O & Co. Media