Fuel the Future Virtual Breakfast
Tuesday, December 2
7:45-9:15 am CT US on ZOOM
Why Community Matters Now More Than Ever: We will hear from CPL friend and mentor Peter Block* and colleagues Maya Mehta of Designed Learning and Derek Peebles of Designed Learning and the Common Good Alliance.
Peter Block is an author, consultant, and citizen of Cincinnati, OH.
His work is about chosen accountability and the reconciliation of community. Peter is partner in Designed Learning, a training company that offers workshops designed to build the skills outlined in his books.
Leader as Convener: The focus is to create workplaces and communities that work for the common good of all through conversations to consult, convene, and empower. Peter’s current work in consulting and civic engagement include:
Common Good Collective, Designed Learning, Abundant Community, Restore Commons, A Small Group, Common Good Alliance Cincinnati
Peter’s books include Flawless Consulting, Stewardship, The Answer to How Is Yes, Community: The Structure of Belonging, The Abundant Community, Activating the Common Good and An Other Kingdom. Peter is a founder of the Common Good Collective, and is part of the Cincinnati Common Good Alliance. He served on the board of directors of LivePerson, a provider of online engagement solutions. His work is in the restoration of the common good and creating a world that reclaims our humanity from the onslaught of modernism.
You can pre-order the 3rd Edition of Peter’s ground-breaking book,
Community: The Structure of Belonging.
The classic, go-to book for change agents and consultants, Flawless Consulting, is in its 4th edition.
Maya Mehta began working with Designed Learning as a Communications and Community Engagement Consultant in 2021. Starting in 2023, she joined the team full-time as a Marketing Specialist. Maya’s professional joy comes from storytelling, convening, and creative production.
Holding a Master of Arts in International Affairs from The New School, she believes wholeheartedly in the power of the word to bring about positive transformation. Her background is in human rights and media, which moves her to use language, visual design, and journalism as tools for social change.
For over ten years, her work has focused on creating a safe space for the stories of individuals to emerge and bringing visibility to projects focused on radical human rights education, systems change, and civic engagement. She has led Marketing and Communications teams for major international organizations and grassroots projects in New York, Fiji, and Brazil. Her work incorporates practices of collective narrative, participatory media, and generative journalism.
Originally from Maryland, Maya lives with her husband and cat in the beautiful Sierra just outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
With over 15 years of experience in cross-cultural and cross-sector collaborations, Derek Peebles is a prominent figure in community economic development. As a proponent of sustainable economic growth, he brings together various businesses, residents, and institutions, leveraging the combined power of private, public, and social capital to create transformative opportunities.
Currently, Derek holds a senior position at a national sustainability organization, where he plays a pivotal role in establishing influential peer networks, advocating for policy shifts, promoting place-based finance, and investing in revitalized local economies.
Previously, Derek spearheaded an organization that supported a vast network of 60 independent business alliances across 32 states, benefiting over 50,000 small business owners. This initiative uplifted local businesses, contributing to community-driven economic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drawing on Peter Block’s Six Conversations, Derek facilitates meaningful dialogue between community and economic developers, fund managers, impact investors, advocacy groups, small business associations, faith-based institutions and frontline communities. By focusing on inherent strengths and the power of connected conversations, Derek empowers diverse stakeholders to collaborate effectively. Through his work, Derek unlocks the potential of both individuals and communities, ensuring that investment strategies align closely with the aspirations and needs of the communities he serves.
Passionate about forging meaningful partnerships and advancing inclusive economic strategies, Derek resides in Cincinnati, OH. He holds an M.B.A. in Organizational Leadership and a B.A. in Public Relations from Eastern Kentucky University.