Quick Links
We worked alongside Lori Murphy, a VA Innovation Fellow, to design and facilitate the Social Connection Series — a four-part virtual workshop series held over a month that brought together more than 200 experts.
The series tackled a pressing challenge: fostering collaboration and peer learning among the leaders, researchers, and innovators working to combat veteran loneliness. The need for a community of practice was clear, but creating meaningful connections across such a large, distributed group required a fresh approach.
what we did
- Designed and facilitated a four-part Social Connection Series for 200+ experts over a month as part of our Virtual Connection Café offering
- Anchored the series with opening remarks from senior VA leaders
- Designed each session around a different participatory format to spark connection and surface collective insights
- Turned a scattered group of leaders, researchers, and innovators into a connected community of practice
- Delivered a comprehensive final report summarizing the key insights and recommendations
how we did it
A virtual series built for connection, not broadcast
As part of our Virtual Connection Café offering, we hosted the series on our virtual platform, designing each of the four sessions to spark connection, surface collective insights, and chart a shared path forward for the group.
Session 1: Speed Networking
The opening session set the stage for meaningful connection. Dr. Shereef Elnahal, VA Under Secretary for Health, opened with remarks on the importance of tackling veteran loneliness through innovation, followed by author Julia Hotz on the global movement of social prescribing — linking people to community-based resources to combat isolation. Participants then dove into an interactive Speed Networking activity and small-group discussions, sharing expertise, exploring common challenges, and laying the foundation of a community of practice.
Session 2: World Café
Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Discovery, Education, and Affiliate Networks, opened by underscoring the VA’s commitment to addressing social isolation. Participants then moved through rotating small-group discussions on critical questions around strengthening veterans’ social connections — a format built for diverse perspectives and collective problem-solving that surfaced overarching themes and concrete recommendations.
Session 3: Collective Story Harvest
The third session used a Collective Story Harvest where storytellers (program directors and researchers) recounted their initiatives, while everyone else listened for a specific thread they felt drawn to, from Success Criteria and Defining Moments to Tools & Technologies, Collaborations, and Challenges. Reflecting on those narratives together, participants identified shared themes and effective practices that could be replicated or adapted elsewhere.
Session 4: Open Space
The final session used Open Space, letting participants set the agenda around the topics they were most passionate about — from innovative interventions to policy advocacy and community engagement. It closed with participants sharing insights and commitments to action, reinforcing a collective dedication to strengthening social connection for veterans.
A community of practice, and a report to carry it forward
Together, the four sessions built a vibrant community of practice, equipping participants with new tools, perspectives, and networks to address veteran loneliness and social isolation. The series culminated in a comprehensive final report summarizing the key insights and recommendations.
