In 2013, our founder Greg Behrman came home after serving a tour with the US military in Afghanistan. Having experienced the power of service and teamwork, Greg gained new clarity on his own purpose and the journey he would take towards enacting it: that despite the divisive rhetoric of our times, it was clear that there were so many people and organizations working hard across those divides to solve the real problems facing their communities, and that he could play a key role in providing them the support and connections they needed to achieve their ambitious goals. He started NationSwell to support these leaders as they advance and scale their impact with confidence and credibility. 

We believe that we are all part of a greater whole — and are always striving to do better and be better in service of others. We are bold, daring, and believe in transformational progress — yet, clear-eyed about the dogged and incremental progress it will take to get there. We see the promise and possibility in the role that our organizations can play in redressing past injustices, healing current wounds, and paving new pathways of opportunity, sustainability, and well-being for a better and more equitable future. We also recognize that this is no ordinary time and that we must all push ourselves and lead with equal parts humility, empathy, urgency, and resolve. We also know that we can’t do it alone — that no one leader, organization, industry, or even sector can bring about the progress we seek.

So, we believe, as well, in the power of community — of coming together alongside fellow leaders — to learn, share, advise, debate, collaborate, and inspire; to lift each other up and to help each other to be our best, so that, together, we can rise up and meet the moment.