This two-day summit event will bring together people who are interested in working collaboratively with data across government, philanthropy, nonprofits, universities, businesses, and impacted communities. Speakers will address strategies for using data to promote positive change in areas of health, community development, environment, and beyond.
May 1-2, 2025
Clark-Fox Forum
Hillman Hall
Washington University
We are all data people. Whatever your role, experience, or relationship to data, this two-day summit is an opportunity to connect, share ideas, and discover new ways data can be leveraged to increase impact in St. Louis and beyond.
Topics
- Community-engaged research
- Collaborative data practice
- Community-centered philanthropy
- Data storytelling and community voice
Bridging Data Divides is hosted by the Data for Social Impact (DSI) initiative at the Center for Social Development and Transdisciplinary Institute in Applied Data Science (TRIADS) at Washington University in St. Louis, in partnership with the Community Innovation and Action Center at University of Missouri–St. Louis. Support for the event comes from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and WashU Digital Transformation.
Schedule
May 1 | Bridging Research/Practice Divides
| 1:00-1:15 | Welcome |
| 1:15-2:30 | Panel: Collaborating to Address Health Disparities |
| Theresa Gildner, Assistant Professor of Biological Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis Joyce Balls-Berry, Associate Lead, ICTS Precision Health, Washington University in St. Louis Additional speakers coming soon! | |
| 2:45-4:00 | Fireside Chat: Community- and Data-Informed Housing Solutions |
| Patrick Fowler, Co-Director, Division of Computational and Data Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis Samantha Stangl, Executive Director, House Everyone STL Andrea Jackson-Jennings, Managing Director, Regional Response Team Adam Pearson, Director, Department of Human Services, City of St. Louis Shannon Koenig, Executive Director and CEO, County Housing | |
| 4:00-5:30 | Reception/networking (heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and NA options) |
May 2 | Bridging Data Divides in the Social Sector
| 8:30-9:30 | Data and Donuts: Continental Breakfast and Networking |
| 9:15-9:30 | Opening remarks |
| 9:30-10:45 | Collaborative Data Practices and Tools |
| Riisa Rawlins, Chief Executive Officer, Community Health Commission of Missouri Paul Sorenson, Co-Director, Community Innovation and Action Center at UMSL Fatuma Faarah, Campaign Officer, Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data Bridget Blount, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Baltimore’s Promise Additional speakers coming soon! | |
| 11:00-11:45 | Small group discussions |
| 12:00-1:00 | Networking lunch |
| 1:00-2:15 | Fireside Chat: Collaborative and Trust-Based Philanthropy |
| Megan Simmons, Senior Research Strategist, Missouri Foundation for Health Leah Moser, Planning and Operations Lead, University of Missouri St. Louis Community Innovation & Action Center Additional speakers coming soon! | |
| 2:30-3:45 | Panel: Data Storytelling and Community Voice |
| Lindy Drew, Co-Founder and Lead Storyteller, Humans of St. Louis Atia Thurman, Lecturer, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis Jia Lian Yang, Director, Storytelling & Communications, Forward Through Ferguson Additional speakers coming soon! | |
| 3:45 | Closing remarks |
Hosts
Transdisciplinary Institute in Applied Data Science (TRIADS)
Community Innovation and Action Center at University of Missouri–St. Louis
Sponsors
Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
This event is one of a series celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Center for Social Development and the centennial of the Brown School at Washington University.