"Empower, Transform, Heal: Shaping Tomorrow Together"
About Us: Transforming Lives, Transforming Systems
Two very different foster care journeys... and one mission!
At the Ripple Society, our story is deeply rooted in our own lived experiences. Founded by visionary women, who grew up in the foster care system, they realized that despite their distinct backgrounds and journeys, they shared a common passion for creating meaningful change within the very systems they had personally navigated. This realization served as the catalyst for the birth of our organization in 2023.
Our mission is clear: We are dedicated to working alongside individuals with lived experience, particularly those who have spent time within various human-serving systems, to harness their unique insights and empower them to become effective leaders in their respective fields.
A Gap in the Journey
We understand the unique challenges faced by individuals who've been a part of these systems. It's not uncommon for young advocates to be groomed for change while they're still considered "youth" or "young adults." But, when they reach the age of 26, their voices are suddenly no longer considered youthful, and the transition from advocacy to consultancy can be a daunting one. Traditional consulting training doesn't always address the nuances and specific skill set required for individuals with lived experience.
Centering Equity, Addressing Anti-Blackness, and Promoting Liberation
At the Ripple Society, we are committed to anti-racist practices and approach our work through liberation and equity lens. Our goal is to teach leaders to center equity, address anti-blackness, and embrace the principles of liberation, diversity, and inclusion in every aspect of their leadership journey. We firmly believe that leaders with lived experience are not just effective, but crucial, change agents in advancing equity, liberty, and inclusion to transform the systems they have experienced.
The Role of Well-being and Healing
Recognizing the substantial stress, burnout, and activation of trauma that often accompanies working within challenging systems, we place a strong emphasis on healing and well-being. We understand that sustaining long-term success requires a focus on holistic health, resilience, and self-care. Through our unique leadership development program paired with well-being coaching, we provide the support needed for individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including youth, young adults, and biological parents impacted by the system.
From Lived Experience to Living Experience
We've adopted the term "Living Experience," coined by a dear colleague, to reflect the enduring impacts of these systems on individuals' lives, careers, relationships, and overall well-being. These impacts can be both triggering and unhealing, and we recognize that ongoing support is essential to navigate the lifelong journey of healing and transformation.
Building the Next Generation of Leaders
Our commitment goes beyond consultancy training; it's about building the next generation of Living Experience Leaders. We provide personalized coaching with a focus on healing first because we believe that individuals can only be effective agents of change when they are empowered, resilient, and centered in their well-being.
In essence, the Ripple Society is a place where lived experience becomes a powerful catalyst for transformation, where individuals with Living Experience become the champions of equity, liberty, and inclusion. We invite you to join us in this journey of healing, growth, and change as we work together to transform lives and systems alike.
Eshawn Peterson, MBA, CDE, CDP
Meet the Unstoppable Force Behind the Ripple Society!
So, you want to know about the brains and the heart behind the Ripple Society? Well, you're in for a treat because you're about to meet Eshawn Peterson, our Co-Founder & Co-CEO, and the driving force behind this whole operation.
From Foster Care to Fearless Leader
Eshawn is not just any CEO; she's an alumni of foster care, and she knows the system inside out. Eight years in the Arizona foster care system? Check. A former foster parent? You betcha. An unwavering advocate for youth in and from foster care? Absolutely.
But wait, there's more! She is currently a national Child Welfare Consultant. Yep, she's got her hands full, but she's loving every minute of it.
Brains, Beauty, and a PhD in Progress
Now, let's talk smarts. Eshawn didn't just stop at surviving the foster care system; she aced her academic game too. She's got a BA in Africana Studies (Humanities), a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), and if that's not impressive enough, she's currently on a mission to conquer the world of academia with her PhD pursuits.
Youth Champion and DEI Superstar
But hold on, there's more to this powerhouse. Eshawn is a certified expert in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Plus, she's got the magic touch in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Oh, and did we mention she's a certified Life/Transitional Coach, Executive Coach, and Organizational Development Coach? Yep, she's got more coaching certificates than most people have shoes.
Jack (or should we say Jill?) of All Trades
But Eshawn isn't just about titles and certifications. She's also a dynamic Activist, a Motivational Speaker who can charm the socks off anyone, a Podcast Creative who knows how to keep you hooked, an Author who can pen inspiring stories, and a Trainer who can turn anyone into a child welfare expert. She's got over 15 years of child welfare experience under her belt, and her impact on youth in and from foster care is undeniable.
Mom Extraordinaire and Community Champion
Outside of her many duties, Eshawn has her most important role, she is a wife & mother of eight amazing children. In a blended-family bliss. Yes, you read that right, eight! She's a superwoman, we tell you. She's also been a foster parent herself, mentored youth in foster care, and been a rock-solid supporter foster care alumni (those with lived experience/expertise).
Finding Permanency as an Adult
And in a heartwarming twist, Eshawn finally found her own permanency as an adult when she was adopted in July 2019. A testament to her resilience and the incredible journey she's been on.
So, there you have it, folks – the brilliant, funny, and unstoppable force that is Eshawn. She's not just the Co-CEO; she's the mind and body of the Ripple Society, and we're proud to have her leading the charge in our mission to transform lives and systems.
Chanetta Stewart, MPA
Meet the Heart and Soul of the Ripple Society!
Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce you to the beating heart of the Ripple Society, our Co-Founder & Co-CEO and the one who brings the warmth, wisdom, and a dash of humor to the team – Chanetta Stewart.
25 Years of Changing the Game
Chanetta has been in the business of system reform for foster youth for over 25 years, and let's just say, she's a pro at it. With a whopping 16 years in the Arizona Child Welfare system, aging out at 18 like a true champ, Chanetta knows the ins and outs of the system like the back of her hand.
A Champion from the Get-Go
But Chanetta's passion for reforming the system and championing the rights of foster youth started way before her "adulting" days. At just 16, she was already serving on Governor Janet Napolitano's Youth Advocacy Council, fighting tooth and nail for the rights of transition-age youth in foster care. Now that's what we call dedication!
Brains and Heart Rolled into One
With a Bachelor's in Political Science and a Master's in Public Administration, Chanetta is not just about passion; she's got the brains to back it up. In 2009, she took her advocacy skills all the way to Florence, Alabama, helping foster youth develop their own advocacy skills and Foster Youth Council.
Getting Down to the Front Lines
Chanetta is not one to just sit behind a desk. In 2014, she moved back to Arizona and became a front-line case worker, wanting to understand the real impact of caseloads on the retention of case workers at the grassroots level. And guess what? She not only championed the successful closure of an initial backlog of over 200 cases but also made sure that families and foster youth were active partners in the process of case development and permanency.
Public Servant and Advocate Extraordinaire
During her seven-year stint in the Arizona Department of Child Safety, Chanetta held various roles, with her last as the Legislative Liaison, her commitment to advocacy never wavered. She's also been a dedicated member of community-based government boards centered around child welfare advocacy, serving as the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Onward Hope, Inc. and currently is a national Child Welfare Consultant – all while keeping a smile on her face.
Bringing Ethics, Family, and Faith to the Forefront
What sets Chanetta apart is her unwavering commitment to ethics, her deep love for her family (she's a proud wife & bonus mom to two wonderful kids), and her strong Christian faith. She believes in the power of relationships and centers them at the core of everything she does.
So, there you have it, the heart, soul, and the ethical compass of the Ripple Society, Chanetta. She's not just about changing systems; she's about changing lives, and we're honored to have her as a driving force in our journey to transform the world of foster care and beyond.
If you are a person with Lived Experience in any system, who works in a system, discover our transformative approaches, join our online community, and kickstart your journey to personal growth and impact.