Staff Spotlight: Brianna Forde
In this month's issue of our newsletter we would like to shine the spotlight on our Chief Program Officer Brianna Forde. Bri has been with ICW since the spring of 2021, and has dedicated her career to advancing social justice and addressing economic and educational disparities for youth and communities in Greater Boston. Before joining ICW, Brianna served as the Director of Nonprofit Leadership at the Alnoba Lewis Family Foundation, where she led the Strong Leaders Program, collaborating with top executives to develop stronger teams and more impactful organizations. A proud Bentley University graduate, Brianna’s career highlights include her work at The Boston Foundation, where she provided crucial on-site training, grants, and seed funding for out-of-school programs. As the Director of Programs and Community Partnerships at The BASE, she led initiatives that supported Boston Public School students by expanding high school retention, college access, and degree completion opportunities.
With her deep roots in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, Brianna’s presence, knowledge, and commitment As Chief Program Officer at ICW, have been invaluable in advancing the lives of our participants and supporting the growth of our organization as a whole. She leads our efforts to enhance participant engagement, build robust partnerships, and expand programming, empowering those most affected by social and economic barriers. Her dedication and expertise continue to drive ICW’s mission forward, creating lasting change for our community. We are so grateful to have Brianna as a pivotal member of the ICW family.
We were able to ask Brianna a few questions about her time here at ICW,
-How did you find out about ICW?
Brianna: I previously worked for a Foundation that was heavily invested in Strong Leaders- who were making a great impact on key initiatives in the City of Boston (violence intervention). Jon Feinman was one of those leaders identified- who were making a difference in working in communities impacted by neighborhood violence. His passion, vision, and commitment to the work had me sold!
-What makes ICW special?
Brianna: The people. We are a community of individuals who are individually and collectively trying to make a difference. I am inspired everyday by the perseverance and courage of our Participants. Understanding that everyday shouldn't be taken for granted; and presents an opportunity to give a little0 which will then go a long way.
-What is the most meaningful part of your role?
Brianna: I value working with organizations, institutions, and community partners who understand the importance of our work. Being instrumental in the success/positive influence of any individual is truly gratifying.
-What does ICW mean to you?
Brianna: I identify and believe in the mission of ICW; as we are a space where we welcome individuals from all walks of life- to build, heal, and invest in themselves by way of a career in personal training. With 100% of our Participants being (directly/indirectly) impacted by gun violence and mass incarceration, we specialize in building bridges and pathways towards social and economic mobility. This specific focus, on such marginalized communities, strongly influences my "why".
Brianna's answer about giving a little and having it go a long way stuck with me, especially coming from someone with deep Dorchester roots who's seen firsthand how small investments in people can compound over time. It's refreshing to read about a Chief Program Officer who values working alongside community partners rather than just directing from above. I've noticed that same principle in community work around Boston, and https://schweizencasino.com is where I've seen similar ideas about local engagement discussed in a Swiss context that parallels a lot of what she describes.
I loved reading about Brianna’s journey and her dedication to the community! It reminds me of how fun it is to collaborate in games like Moto X3m, where teamwork shines too. Thanks for sharing!
https://parhaatuudetkasino.com came to mind reading about Brianna's path through The Boston Foundation and The BASE, since that kind of behind-the-scenes grant work rarely gets the spotlight even though it's often what keeps out-of-school programs alive. Her answer about ICW being special because of the people, and the line about giving a little going a long way, feels like the honest perspective of someone who's actually been in the community rather than just talking about it. I've noticed that staff who come up through nonprofit leadership roles tend to bring a practicality that's easy to underestimate.
Brianna, your journey is so inspiring! I’m curious about how you see the role of community in personal growth, especially in environments like InnerCity Weightlifting. Do you think this supportive atmosphere mirrors the challenges faced in games like drift boss? How do you navigate that balance between competition and collaboration?
Over at https://newonlinecasinouk.net, I spend a lot of time thinking about risk, but Brianna’s work expanding high school retention and college access at The BASE puts statistical odds in perspective. That kind of structural support changes real futures, not just numbers. Her reminder not to take any day for granted is something I’m carrying with me today.