What if everyone had access to the social connections they need to thrive?
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This International Women’s Day, and Women’s History Month, the RSA US team has invited female-identifying Fellows to explore how social capital, social connections, and building community, intersect with their work. Throughout the month of March we will feature a series of blogs exploring how social capital – the network of relationships and support systems that help people succeed—can make a world of difference, particularly for women. From journalists to coaches to network architects, these female-identifying Fellows are building bridges, and creating the connective tissue that holds communities together.
As an executive function coach and autism advocate, I work with my team to empower individuals with the tools and strategies they need to take control of their time, focus, and productivity. Rooted in inclusive education, our approach ensures that both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals develop essential skills like organization, planning, and self-regulation. For individuals who are neurodivergent, we provide tailored strategies to navigate transitions, reduce overwhelm, boost self advocacy and enhance focus. Neurotypical individuals can also benefit by optimizing productivity and decision-making. Whether it’s excelling in academics, thriving in a career, or navigating daily life with confidence, we help our clients unlock their full potential and achieve success on their terms.
For me personally, social capital represents the network of relationships, support, and shared knowledge that helps individuals and communities thrive. As a mother of a teenager with autism, social capital has been crucial in navigating the challenges and triumphs of my child’s journey. From connecting and collaborating with autism specialists and educators, to meeting other parents who understand my journey, these invaluable relationships have provided me with the guidance, encouragement, and resources that have made a significant impact on my life, my family’s life and more importantly, my son’s life.
Within my area of work, I see how social capital can transform a client’s ability to succeed. By building strong connections with families, educators, and professionals, I create a holistic support system that fosters independence, confidence, and essential life skills. Social capital isn’t just about who you know—it’s about nurturing meaningful relationships that open doors and empower us all to reach our full potential. Having once felt lost and isolated when my son was first diagnosed with autism, I know the power of community. That’s why I’m committed to cultivating connection in both my personal and professional lives. Nobody wins on their own, nor should anyone feel alone on their journey.
By investing in relationships and fostering a holistic support network, I’ve been able to make a lasting difference in the lives of the students I support.
As the founder of a start-up, social capital has been crucial in shaping my ability to support clients, collaborate with professionals, and grow my business. The relationships I’ve built with educators, mental health professionals, and other experts in the education field have helped me stay informed about best practices and ensure that clients receive comprehensive, tailored support.
Networking with experts in mental health and education has created opportunities for collaboration. Whether it’s discussing strategies for supporting clients in our ever-changing world, or simply providing relevant introductions, these professional relationships have expanded my expertise and strengthened my impact.
The trust and respect that I’ve built with parents and clients has been invaluable. When parents and clients see the progress they make, they often become advocates for executive function coaching, referring others and helping to spread awareness. This word-of-mouth support has been instrumental in growing my practice and is the ultimate compliment. By investing in relationships and fostering a holistic support network, I’ve been able to make a lasting difference in the lives of the students I support.
One of the biggest challenges my company has faced is the lack of access to social capital in spaces where executive function coaching is still an emerging concept. Without strong connections in these circles, it has been difficult to build awareness and communicate the value of this work—especially in demonstrating that it complements, rather than competes with, related professions. Without these trusted networks, gaining credibility and traction has been significantly harder. My focus has been on finding “insiders” who understand what we do and then become our ambassadors, helping to open doors that would otherwise remain closed.
There needs to be increased education on social capital—how to build and strengthen it, and how to share networks and opportunities with those who are less connected. This is vital for anyone striving to be a human-justice-focused change agent. Mentorship is crucial; we must share knowledge and support one another. Anyone committed to social change should actively share access and opportunities with others.
In addition to being a mum, Elana Campbell FRSA is the Chief Executive (Function) Officer at Intentional Students where she helps individuals develop effective learning habits, organization strategies, and self-advocacy skills by identifying the root causes of their challenges and providing personalized support and accountability.
Do you want to learn more about our Social Connections intervention in the U.S.? Get in touch with our team to find out more. Email them today at general.us@thersa.org. Or you can sign up to our Social Connections newsletter.
Our social connections work will oversee a step-change in encouraging approaches and practices that value and commit to stewarding social capital.
