For Immediate Release
November 14th, 2018
Contact: Aaron Weibe, aaronweibe@extension.org
Indianapolis, IN. DEI Indy, a team from Purdue University, participated in eXtension’s Impact Collaborative Summit from October 16th – 18th in Indianapolis, IN. The Summit united design thinkers from the Cooperative Extension System and partners from organizations confronting the most pressing challenges of our time to shape positive futures for communities. Three days of co-creating, hands-on learning, and collaborative conversations sparked innovation and creative implementation planning in over 30 projects designed for local community impacts. Summit teams, which included Extension professionals and partners, along with diverse partners from regional and national organizations and businesses explored the 
processes and practices that enable co-creative approaches to the challenges and opportunities in our communities.
The DEI Indy team included Naoimi Bechtold, George Okantey, Virginia Roberts, and Steve Wagoner, and Xiomara Diaz-Vargas. Their project increases diversity, equity, and inclusion practices within Purdue Extension CityLAB- a synergistic hub for the 16 Tech Neighborhood that features innovative experiential learning enabling the development of practical skills to enhance the lives and livelihoods of residents.
At the end of the three-day Summit, teams participated in a “PitchFest” where they each presented the advancements on their projects and the important next steps and investments needed to move forward. The PitchFest was judged by external partners/investors, Extension leaders, and peer co-creators.
As a result of the PitchFest, DEI Indy earned an award for Most Innovative – Internal. This award has earned the team a trip to the 2019 Impact Collaborative Summit.
To learn more about eXtension’s Impact Collaborative and how it is helping Cooperative Extension professionals make a more visible, measurable, local impact – visit us online at eXtension.org.
