Stay Connected. Keep Growing. Lead What’s Next.
The ELEVATE Alumni Network brings together small business owners, principals, and founders who have completed The Coalition’s ELEVATE program and are ready to build on that momentum. Led by an alumni chair and supported by The Coalition, the network extends the ELEVATE experience beyond graduation by fostering ongoing peer learning, increasing business visibility, facilitating business development, and promoting long-term growth.
ELEVATE is DC’s first executive education program backed by a university partner — a 3-month curriculum built by the George Washington University School of Business. Graduates leave with a credential, but the Alumni Network is where that growth keeps compounding: through peer learning, referrals, and a community that keeps showing up for each other long after the program ends.
Reconnect with fellow ELEVATE graduates and build relationships with other DC small business leaders.
Learn through peer sharing opportunities focused on real business challenges and practical growth strategies.
Increase visibility for your business through alumni spotlights, events, referrals, and storytelling opportunities.
Share your expertise with newer participants, emerging entrepreneurs, and the broader ELEVATE ecosystem.
Stay informed about relevant resources, events, business support programs, and opportunities for continued development.
Attend alumni gatherings: join networking events, roundtables, workshops, and learning sessions created for ELEVATE graduates.
Share your story: be featured as an alumni business leader and help showcase the impact of ELEVATE across the District.
Mentor or support peers: offer insights, lessons learned, or guidance to other alumni and current participants.
Lead a conversation: host or contribute to discussions on growth strategy, capital readiness, contracting, marketing, operations, hiring, or leadership.
Make connections: refer fellow entrepreneurs, collaborate with alumni businesses, and help expand the strength of the ELEVATE network.
The Alumni Advisory Board is the leadership body of the network — a group of ELEVATE graduates who guide its direction, shape programming, and represent the alumni community in partnership with The Coalition.
Christopher Ryans Chairperson |
Tisa Clark |
Sammi Nesbit |
Subcommittees give alumni a hands-on way to shape the network around topics they know best.
Partnerships & Contracts |
Events & Engagement |
Marketing & Storytelling |
This page will grow alongside the network, maintaining a home for the stories, milestones, and momentum ELEVATE alumni are creating across the District.
Become a member of The Coalition today, and join the fight for a District where all residents can live in thriving communities that are racially, economically and socially just!
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