We know that to achieve an equitable, socially just, and ecologically sound society, we must work to dismantle the systems, structures and relationships of power that perpetuate racism, oppression, and exploitation.

We recognize that to develop effective solutions to intractable problems, we must build fierce alliances across difference, support the assets of places and people, and take the lead from those with lived experience who intimately understand the problems we seek to address.  

We also believe that our ability to create communities that work for everyone rests on our capacity to listen to each other with curiosity. This means being willing to suspend our position for a moment to truly hear and understand what another is saying. Then, authentic dialogue can ensue and unforeseen possibilities emerge.  

Thus, taking time to build relationships, to acknowledge the complexity of historical and current experiences, and to work toward trust are fundamental to creating an inclusive organization as well as a community that is actively dismantling systems and norms that perpetuate oppression and exclusion. 

These practices are central to our mission and require continuous attention as well as intention. To this end, we commit to:

• educating ourselves about racial justice, racial violence, and white privilege;
• examining and undoing norms that can replicate exclusionary practices and power structures within our organization;
• resisting in our decision-making the competitive, urgent, individualistic, either/or, right/wrong scarcity mindset dominant in our culture; instead, cultivating collaborative, both/and, asset-based and abundance thinking, all of which takes time;
• supporting programs that center the leadership, insight, and experience of those they aim to serve;
• promoting policy and practices that increase the diversity of our staff and participants;
• fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone has the experience of being heard;
• engaging thoughtfully in antiracist actions that work to dismantle the structures, power relationships, and habits of mind that perpetuate inequitable outcomes within our organization, community, and society: and
• establishing accountability processes throughout our organization to hold ourselves to these commitments.

History and culture have produced social norms that structure how we work, socialize, engage, and even think. Layered within them are messages about what is good, right, worthy, and heroic—and what, or who, is not. While these messages may guide us to behave well, they also reinforce a fear of those unlike us. This fear and the anger that runs close on its heels shut down our natural impulse to empathize and connect—to act from the heart. 

“Us vs. them” thinking, polarized positioning, and discord across differences such as race, class, ethnicity, religion, or political leanings result. Experiences of being threatened and wronged by the “other” can justify patterns of exclusion, injustice, and violence that tear at the fabric of our communities—and our very being. 

Transformative Action calls for courage to break the silence that surrounds these injustices; patience and compassion to build an inclusive movement for systemic change; imagination to stay free from “us vs. them” strategies; and inspiration to envision new solutions to common challenges. 

When we animate the power of our hearts in these ways, bold actions result:

• We find common purpose with others
• Take pressing social problems in hand
• Live our lives out loud
• Listen deeply, act courageously
• Transform ourselves and each other
• And ultimately co-create thriving, inclusive communities that work for everyone.

At CTA, our projects and initiatives engage and strengthen the power of the heart, and our services support bold change makers. Because Ithaca, Cornell University, and New York exist in a far-reaching network, the impact of those empowered through our programs ripples across the country and the world, transforming lives and communities. This is our vision for change.

The Center for Transformative Action is an independent 501(c)3 affiliated with Cornell University. As an affiliate, our center plays a unique role by offering courses and programs to Cornell University and serving as an incubator for innovative nonprofit social ventures on campus, in our community and across New York State.

Since 2008, we have been teaching courses in social entrepreneurship at the university and leading Cornell’s involvement in the Ashoka U network of changemaker campuses.

CTA began as the Center for Religion, Ethics and Social Policy in 1971 to house the social justice efforts that emerged from Cornell United Religious Work in the 1960’s. In 2006, we re-focused our vision to deal with a polarized global society and brought transformative action to the forefront of our efforts, changing our name to reflect our new vision. In 2011, we expanded our fiscal sponsorship offerings to include projects from across New York State. 

CTA’s board of directors is responsible for overseeing the activities of our entire organization, including all our projects. The board meets every month except for July.

Mara Braddy
Mara is a Program Assistant on Cornell University’s Development Discovery Team.

Glen Dowell
Glen is a professor of management and the Senior Director of the MBA and MPS programs in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

Susan Fleming, Secretary
Susan is an educator, researcher, and business consultant who focuses on women in leadership.

David Foote
David is the Communications Manager at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County.

Kellie Graves
Kellie is an Investment Banking Analyst at Morgan Stanley.

Rob Klein
Rob is a Psychology PhD in Cornell’s College of Human Ecology student.

Heather Kolakowski, Treasurer
Heather is a lecturer in food and beverage management in Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

Laura Larson
Laura is the owner of the Odyssey Bookstore, an independent bookstore in Ithaca.

Dominick Recckio
Dominick is the Communications Director for the Tompkins County Administration.

Denise Ramzy
Denise is a Senior Lecturer in Design Strategy in the Dyson School of Applied Economics at Management at Cornell University.

Samuel Straus
Sam is an associate at the Boston Consulting Group.

Michelle Thevenin, President
Michelle is the Director of Development at Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca.

To review our recent audited statements please download the following file.