In 2021, we knew it was time for a change. As five friends and colleagues, we wanted something different - not just for ourselves but for the communities we care about. We recognized that the world was shifting and the traditional ways of doing things were no longer cutting it. Our goal was to rethink how engagement happens — between schools and families, within organizations, and across communities and institutions. Our vision was about changing the dynamic from telling people what they need to asking what matters to them. We aimed to create approaches that listened more, included more voices, and built trust from the ground up.

This shift wasn’t just about change—it was about coming back to who we are. It was about leading with our values, making decisions rooted in what we believe and working in ways that felt authentic. We wanted to create a space where we could do work that not only betters our communities, but also reminds us that what we do—and how we do it—matters deeply.  So we took a leap—left our jobs, bet on our vision, and launched Coaction Collective.

That’s how Coaction Collective (or CoCo, as we call it) came to be. CoCo is a human-centered organization focused on strengthening the connections between families, communities, and institutions. We understand the ever-changing world of education and community engagement because we’ve lived it — as parents, teachers, and seasoned school district and organizational leaders. We bring both practical insight and personal experience. Our approach isn’t just about systems and strategies; it’s about people. It’s personal. It’s purposeful. And it’s grounded in the belief that lasting change happens when communities come together.

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