Jaana Rehnstrom

Kota Alliance
New York, New York
Encore Host

 

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This social venture relied on a fashion industry veteran to help them pivot during the pandemic.

When the Kota Alliance, a nonprofit social enterprise incubator, hired an Encore Fellow, the plan was to create a co-working space in Harlem that would provide a physical space for collaboration as well as skills and leadership training. But four weeks into Rabia Farhang’s fellowship, the pandemic hit. Knowing they could not wait until the pandemic was over, they quickly adapted plans to focus on supporting 50+ partners, crafting new messaging that addressed the impact of the pandemic, and discussing longer-term goals.

Jaana Rehnstrom, The Kota Alliance’s founder and president, is glad Farhang stuck around. “Rabia has been very flexible, efficient and focused during this time,” she says. “Together, we worked out a new strategy to refocus our programming, make it virtual, and look to foundations for grants to finance activities going forward for the next few years. My hope is to raise enough funds to keep her on board.”

Farhang hopes Encore Fellowships become a new norm. “There are so many skilled people out there who have a desire to do purpose-driven work,” she says. “I hope more organizations open their doors so people with varied skills can come in and help. That could be hugely impactful and important.”

Visit the Kota Alliance website

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