How to Build Bold Connections, Brave Conversations, and Big Vision: Lessons from Founder Jenn Graham
When most people hear “networking,” they picture business cards, awkward intros, and forced smiles. Jenn Graham—the founder and CEO of Inclusivv—sees something completely different.
For her, it’s not about collecting contacts. It’s about collective courage—bringing people together for real, curious, human conversations that create change.
Jenn has spent more than a decade doing exactly that. From her early days co-organizing TEDxAtlanta to leading Inclusive’s work with organizations worldwide, she’s built a career (and a movement) rooted in connection, curiosity, and courage.
Here are a few standout lessons from our conversation on the Purpose & Profit Club podcast—because whether you’re raising funds, rallying community, or reimagining what leadership looks like, these insights will change how you connect.
1. Networking Isn’t About Transaction. It’s About Transformation.
Jenn doesn’t consider herself a “networker.” In fact, she calls herself a “recovering activist.”
“The best way to make progress around the issues you care about is to find other people who are also energized by that same issue.”
Instead of showing up with a pitch, she shows up with curiosity. Her go-to conversation starter isn’t “What do you do?” It’s “What resonated with you today?”
When you focus on shared ideas instead of shared agendas, that’s when you move past small talk into real connection.
So next time you’re standing in line for coffee at an event—get off your phone. Ask someone what stood out for them. You’ll leave with more than a contact; you’ll leave with context and connection.
2. Pitch with Energy, Not Apology.
When it comes to pitching—whether for investors or funders—Jenn’s learned that storytelling, confidence, and energy are everything.
“Bees that have the most energetic dances about their vision are the ones other bees follow.”
It’s not about perfect words—it’s about conviction. Investors, donors, and partners can feel when you believe in your vision.
Women especially, Jenn says, tend to be reasonable. We shy away from the audacious, the “hockey-stick” vision, the bold ask. But investors (and funders) don’t invest in reason. They invest in belief.
If the dollar signs make you squirm, talk about the impact—the people you’ll reach, the systems you’ll change, the movement you’ll build. The funding will follow.
3. Face the Fear and Ask the Hard Question.
Every founder—and every fundraiser—has faced the fear of failure.
Jenn’s advice? Go there. Ask the question you’re avoiding: “What’s the worst-case scenario?”
“Once I faced the fear, I realized I’d still be doing what I love—bringing people together for hard, meaningful conversations. I’d be okay.”
Fear thrives in silence. When you drag it into the light, you can finally move from scarcity to strategy.
That mindset shift—from “I have to survive” to “I’m here to build”—is where real growth happens.
4. Handle the “No” Like a Pro.
Jenn’s been told no plenty of times—by funders, investors, and partners. Her secret? Curiosity again.
When she gets a no, she doesn’t retreat—she leans in.
“Ask clarifying questions. Say, ‘Would you be open to sharing what I could improve for next time?’ You’ve got nothing to lose.”
And here’s the reframe every nonprofit leader needs to hear: A no isn’t a rejection of your worth.
You are not your organization. You’re its leader, its co-creator, its energy source—but you exist beyond it. Treat your organization like a partner, not a baby. That mindset gives you the resilience to hear “no” without letting it derail your mission.
5. Build Communities That Include, Not Echo.
Jenn’s work centers around creating spaces for civility—not politeness, but true, intentional respect and curiosity.
“The words you use matter. How you frame an event tells people whether they’re welcome.”
Building inclusive community starts with framing and follows through with how we respond when disagreement shows up. When someone shares a perspective that challenges you, try these four words:
“Can you tell me more?”
Curiosity doesn’t mean agreement. You can understand without endorsing.
That’s how you move from “I’m right, you’re wrong” to “Let’s get it right together.”
6. Lead with Curiosity, Leave with Connection.
Jenn calls it “transformative conversation”—the kind that changes people, not just opinions.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner, a donor briefing, or a board retreat, try structuring it like she does:
Start with personal storytelling.
Move to shared realities.
End with co-created solutions.
It’s the same formula for powerful community building, effective fundraising, and bold leadership.
The Takeaway
Networking, pitching, community building—they all come down to the same thing: connection with courage.
You don’t need a script. You need curiosity.
You don’t need to fake confidence. You need conviction.
You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be present.
As Jenn says, “I might not be here to be right—I’m here to get it right.”
Key Shift: Move from transaction to transformation.
Try This: Replace “What do you do?” with “What resonated with you today?”
Remember: Energy sells. Curiosity connects. Courage sustains.