RSA US

Just sharing a quick note that our Connection Session originally planned for June 3 has been #rescheduled to November 12, 2026. We know date changes aren’t ideal, and we appreciate your understanding. We’re glad that the same wonderful group of Fellows, Sir Michael Galvez KCR FRSA, Sarah P., and Cindy C., will still be part of the session! We’re looking forward to coming together in November. If you already signed up for the June 3 event, you’re all set; your registration has automatically been transferred to the new date. If you aren't signed up yet and want to join us, please register here: https://lnkd.in/g5fytr2G

This week's #FellowSpotlight is shining on Sunil Agarwal FRSA. Sunil is a seasoned #technology professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the #software industry, specializing in observability, artificial intelligence (#AI), site reliability engineering (SRE), and large-scale distributed systems. Through his work in #enterprise observability and cloud-native operations, he focuses on improving the #reliability, #visibility, and #resilience of modern #digital platforms operating at scale. As organizations increasingly adopt AI-driven operations and complex distributed architectures, Sunil is particularly interested in how observability and operational intelligence can help #engineering teams better understand system behavior, reduce operational risk, and respond more effectively to production incidents in real-world environments. His work spans application performance monitoring (APM), Kubernetes-based systems, operational troubleshooting, and intelligent automation for mission-critical enterprise platforms. He is especially passionate about bridging the gap between traditional monitoring and modern observability practices to build more #adaptive, reliable, and #trustworthy digital systems. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Sunil actively contributes to the global technology community through conference speaking, peer reviewing, mentoring, technical writing, and judging industry awards and conferences. He believes that the future of resilient digital systems will require not only technical innovation, but also collaboration, continuous learning, and responsible adoption of AI-driven technologies. Learn more about his work here: https://lnkd.in/ddSbDT3H

In partnership with the US Chamber of Connection, we’re continuing our exploration of how life #transitions shape #connection and #belonging in the lead-up to the Connected Cities Summit in October. In recognition of #MaternalMentalHealth Month, the next life transition we are focusing on is supporting new #parents and #caregivers. Becoming a parent is one of life’s most significant transitions, and it can take many forms — welcoming a first #child, #adoption, #fostering, #surrogacy, #blendedfamilies, #kinship care, becoming a #guardian, or growing a family in other ways. Alongside #joy and #excitement can come major shifts in #identity, #relationships, #routines, and mental #well—being. Yet too many parents and caregivers navigate this period feeling #isolated and unsupported. Building stronger #care #infrastructure means thinking beyond services alone — it means creating #systems, #communities, and #networks of support that help parents and caregivers feel #connected, #seen, and #supported. Who is doing meaningful work to support new parents and caregivers? Please tag practitioners, healthcare leaders, doulas, researchers, parent support networks, community organizers, designers, and advocates who are helping build stronger pathways for care, connection, and belonging for families.

In honor of Memorial Day, the RSA US office will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026.

One of the strengths of the RSA Fellowship is the #diversity of perspectives within our network. Fellows are part of a #global #community of #changemakers, #practitioners, #researchers, #creatives, and #leaders committed to using their #ideas, #expertise, and #relationships to drive positive #socialimpact. Through the Fellowship, members not only share their work, but also build meaningful #connections through #collaboration and exchange. This week we’re spotlighting Julian Rodriguez, Jr. FRSA, Managing Principal at @Julian Rodriguez & Associates and a Doctoral Researcher whose work sits at the intersection of systemic #risk, #governance, and emerging #technologies. With more than 20 years of experience navigating the complexities of cross-border financial systems, Julian brings deep expertise in understanding how institutions function — and where they can break down. His research focuses on the Systemic Intent Shadow (SIS) Theory, a forensic framework designed to identify "Administrative Fog" and patterns of organizational collapse within complex regulatory and AI-driven environments. Julian recently chaired the Mind and Consciousness session at the 6th International Conference on Philosophy of Mind in Porto and actively contributes to the field through his work with the Institute of Strategic Risk Management. Offer to the Community: Forensic diagnostics for institutional lag and technical substantiation for systemic risk mitigation. Looking to Connect Around: Collaborative dialogue with Fellows working on the ethical and sociotechnical implications of AI-driven governance. If your work intersects with #AI, #ethics, #systemsthinking, #governance, or #institutionalresilience, we encourage you to connect and continue the conversation.

AI is often framed as something inevitable — a force moving toward us that we simply need to accept and adapt to. But what if the future isn't pre-written? What if we still have #agency in shaping how technology serves #people, #creativity, and #community? Join RSA US for "Countering Narratives of AI Inevitability," a live conversation exploring how creators and changemakers can engage with #AI intentionally and critically — moving beyond passive adoption toward values-driven #action and meaningful dialogue. Hosted by Christabel N. with Tania Duarte FRSA, this session creates space for reflection, curiosity, and connection. As AI reshapes how we #create and #communicate, the question may not be "Where is AI taking us?" but "What #future do we want to build together?" Register here:https://lnkd.in/gmMBXsfk

Developed by Kevin Campbell, FRSA and Elizabeth Wendel, LSW, FRSA, this new working paper looks at a difficult but important question: what do we know about the long-term outcomes for #children placed in non-kin, out-of-home care, and how are #systems investing in these approaches? The paper brings together nearly 60 years of peer-reviewed #research (1965–2026), along with data on child welfare #spending in four English-speaking countries. It’s not trying to offer a simple answer—it’s trying to make the evidence easier to see, understand, and hold in one place. Across 14 robust studies using strong research designs, the evidence reviewed is consistent in one direction: children who experience non-kin, out-of-home care tend to face worse long-term outcomes, on average, compared to a range of comparable groups. These include higher risks of early death, poorer mental and physical health, and lower educational and economic outcomes later in life. Some studies estimate this as roughly double the risk of early mortality and about three times the risk of suicide compared to similar peers. At the same time, the paper is careful to note that this is a complex and debated field. Different methods can produce different estimates, and outcomes are not the same for everyone—factors like age, type of placement, and local systems all matter. One clear finding across the literature is that there is no peer-reviewed evidence in this review showing better outcomes for non-kin placement compared to home-based or kinship care alternatives. In fact, evidence on #kinship care (children placed with relatives or #family networks) is more consistently positive. A major 2018 Cochrane review of over 100 studies found better wellbeing, fewer behavioral and mental health challenges, and more stable placements compared to non-kin #fostercare. The paper also steps back to look at how systems are currently structured. In countries like #England, the #UnitedStates, #Australia, and #NewZealand, between 57% and 82% of #childwelfare spending is directed toward out-of-home placement, even though rates of children in care vary significantly. Taken together, the work raises may questions including: how well are current systems aligned with what the evidence suggests about children’s long-term wellbeing?

#Philadelphia Fellows — this one’s for you. Join Michael O'Bryan and Jessica (Dreistadt) Aviva Ph.D., FRSA on May 26 for Philly Fellows Connect, an opportunity to gather with fellow changemakers, reconnect with familiar faces, and build new relationships across the community. Whether you’ve been involved for years or are newly connected, this is a space to share ideas, spark collaboration, and strengthen the relationships that help meaningful work happen. We know connection doesn’t just happen in big moments — it’s built through conversations, community, and showing up for one another. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gXr75V5v

Over the next couple months, in partnership with the US Chamber of Connection, we’ll be sharing a series of posts exploring how life transitions shape connection, belonging, and community in the lead-up to the Connected Cities Summit. Grounded in the Chamber’s Five #LifeTransitions framework, this campaign highlights the moments in life when people are most vulnerable to isolation — and most in need of meaningful connection. Through this series, we’re also looking to identify and connect with people creating meaningful #impact across these transition areas. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Week (#MHAW2026) and it's relevant themes of "More Good Days, Together" (Mental Health America) and "Turning Silence Into Connection" (NAMI), we’re beginning with health transitions. Health transitions can change far more than someone’s medical status. They can reshape identity, routines, relationships, work, mobility, confidence, and connection to community. A health transition might mean navigating a new #diagnosis, #chronicillness, #disability, #mentalhealth challenges, #caregiving responsibilities, #recovery, #aging, #fertility journeys, #grief, #burnout, or simply learning how to move through the world differently than before. These moments are often treated as clinical experiences. But they are deeply social ones too. Too many people find themselves #isolated at exactly the moment #connection matters most. Who is doing meaningful work at the intersection of health, healing, care, and connection? Tag #practitioners, #organizers, #researchers, healthcare #leaders, #peersupport builders, #designers, and community #advocates who are helping people move through health transitions with greater #dignity, #belonging, and #support.

There’s something powerful about being in a space where people show up with #curiosity, #generosity, and a shared commitment to building a better #future #together. Join us on June 3 for the next RSA US Connection Session — a welcoming virtual gathering designed to help #Fellows connect across geography, sectors, and lived #experience. Whether you’re new to the Fellowship or have been part of the community for years, this is a space to exchange #ideas, spark new #relationships, and meet others working toward meaningful #change. This month’s session will also feature Fellow spotlights from: Sarah P. — entrepreneur and Co-Founder & CEO of Space Bridge Partners, whose work spans global licensing, #innovation, and connecting philanthropy, #education, and #exploration within the space sector. Sir Michael Galvez KCR FRSA — creative marketing director and photographer whose work bridges arts, culture, and social impact, with a longstanding commitment to addressing homelessness and hunger through advocacy and community action. Cindy C.— founder, inventor, and strategist working at the intersection of AI, space, and systems innovation, helping organizations and emerging technologies scale through cross-sector #collaboration, data expertise, and mission-driven #leadership. Come as you are. Bring your questions, your ideas, and your humanity. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/gaPc_Zdz