Overview

October 15

Mobility from poverty has been on the decline in our country. The percentage of children born in the 1980s who earn more than their parents did has dropped to just 50%, compared to 90% for those born in 1940. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for people to climb the economic ladder, gain long-term economic security, and thrive in their communities.

Government leaders want to help, but it can be hard to know where to start or which levers to pull to improve economic mobility for your constituents.

On October 15, join Governing for a special webinar on improving economic mobility in your communities by understanding the impact of life experiences on a person’s economic mobility. We’ll explore the findings from a new research series called Mobility Experiences.

This hourlong webcast will touch on:

The 28 mobility experiences that significantly impact a person’s lifetime income
Advice for cities, counties, and states on developing – and funding – programs with the highest potential to drive change
How people’s perceptions of mobility experiences align with data and academic findings
Strengthening economic mobility policies, programs, and practices toward efforts valued by people experiencing poverty.

About Mobility Experiences

Mobility Experiences are life experiences that can significantly impact a person’s lifetime income. By combining findings from over 230 research studies with the lived experiences of over 4,000 Americans, Camber Collective found strong evidence for 28 life experiences that can significantly impact a person’s lifetime income. These occur across varied phases of life, from birth and childhood to adolescence and adulthood, and can be organized into six domains. These experiences can impact an individual’s economic success and sense of power, autonomy, and belonging in their communities. Visit www.mobilityexperiences.org to learn more.

Speakers

Zach Patton — Moderator

Editorial Director, Governing Content Studio

Zach Patton edits and oversees papers and events for the Content Studio at e.Republic. Prior to joining the Content Studio in 2020, he was the Executive Editor of Governing magazine, which covers policy and politics in state and local governments across the country

Marc Allen

Director of Shared Prosperity, Camber Collective

Marc brings 15 years' experience shaping investments, programs, and policies advancing economic and social inclusion. In his current role as Director of Shared Prosperity at Camber Collective, an impact advisory firm, Marc manages research, strategic planning, and field initiatives advancing economic, civic, and democratic vitality on behalf of government and nonprofit organizations. Most recently, these include seminal insights on the 28 life experiences most proven to increase lifetime income, available at MobilityExperiences.org. Marc graduated from the London School of Economics & Political Science and is based in California, following formative experiences in the American and Global South.

Kimberly Brown

Senior Program Officer, U.S. Economic Mobility and Opportunity, Gates Foundation

Kimberly Brown has worked promoting economic mobility through education, workforce development, and philanthropy for over 15 years and currently leads worker- and job quality-focused portfolios at the foundation. She began her career as a faculty teaching member, teaching English language learners at the University of Maryland, then moved to Montgomery Community College where she developed specialized, employment-focused curricula and programs for refugees and other populations with high barriers to employment, including victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, survivors of torture and trauma, opportunity youth, and reentering community members. From there she became the chief program officer at DC Central Kitchen, focused on social enterprise models, food justice, and workforce development for individuals experiencing poverty, incarceration, homelessness, and addiction.

Robert Fisher

Founder & Principal, Fisher Strategy Partners

Robert Fisher is Founder & Principal of Fisher Strategy Partners (FSP). FSP is a strategy consulting firm that helps public, nonprofit, and social sector organizations advance racial justice and economic mobility strategies through policy, planning, and people advisory services. With over a decade of experience implementing placed-based, cradle-to-career initiatives, Robert and FSP have delivered value and impact for clients such as Blue Meridian Partners, Chattanooga 2.0, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Results for America, and Watershed Advisors. Robert is also a Senior Advisor at America Achieves where he provides implementation support for evidence-based, data-driven solutions intended to enhance economic mobility and inclusive growth outcomes. Prior to launching FSP, Robert served in several public sector leadership roles in his home state of Tennessee, to include Deputy Chief of Staff to Nashville Mayor John Cooper and Director for Strategic Operations & Innovation at Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Both a Rhodes and Truman Scholar, Robert holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as well as master’s degrees in public policy and education from the University of Oxford. He is also a current doctoral candidate in education leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education with an anticipated graduation in May 2027.

Webinar

How 28 Lifetime Experiences Impact Lifetime Income: Research and Insights to Help Policymakers Implement Successful Economic Mobility Programs