US Fellowship gathering

Now more than ever, we need spaces where meaningful relationships can grow – where ideas are exchanged with care, where action is born out of connection, and where people from all walks of life come together to bridge divides and build a better future. The RSA Fellowship community is one of those spaces.

Whether you’re just joining our US community or you have been a Fellow for a while, we warmly invite you to an informal gathering designed to welcome, reconnect, and inspire. This is a space for Fellows – new and long-standing alike – to meet one another, hear from US Fellows and learn about their work in the world, share stories, and discover the many ways to get involved in our collective dynamic network.

During this time, we will be joined by a few Fellows who are putting ideas into motion – building relationships, bridging divides, and shaping a better future in their communities and industries. As we have these Fellows confirmed, we will add them to this event page and announce them via our socials.

At this gathering you’ll have the chance to:

• Connect with other Fellows who are passionate about creating positive change in their communities and beyond
• Learn more about the work of the RSA US team and how we’re supporting Fellows across the country
• Explore ways to get involved in our community, such as through events, projects, and Fellow networks
• Hear directly from Fellows about the work they’re doing in the world and how they’re collaborating across the Fellowship
• Explore ways to engage with local and regional activities through our Ambassadors and growing networks
• Discover how your ideas, experience, and energy can support RSA programs and initiatives
• Ask questions, share your interests, and get to know the US team

Come curious, come as you are, and come ready to meet others who, like you, believe in the power of community to spark transformation. We can’t wait to welcome you.

Speakers

Dr. Rassheedah Watts FRSA

Dr. Rassheedah Watts, The Inclusive Community Architect®, is an award-winning Diversity Strategist, Corporate Trainer, and Keynote Speaker, and author of How To Be An Ally And Create Inclusion Using The A.C.A. Pillars and Black Womb Dialogues. Over the last decade, she has helped organizations build stronger communities through allyship, inclusion, and diversity—earning national awards, launching a Truth, Racial Healing, Transformation Center in Minnesota, and joining the U.S. Speaker Program to keynote internationally on equity and belonging. Her mission is to activate courageous change agents who create a positive impact in the world.

Barry Seifer FRSA

Barry Seifer co-founded Hearing Health Science in 2010 to bring Dr. Josef Miller’s ACEMg hearing preservation formula from the University of Michigan lab to market, serving as CEO until 2018 and co-inventing several related patents. In 2019, he co-founded Soundbites Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), where he is CEO, and leads the Keep Hearing Initiative’s ACEMg OTIS study to fulfill Dr. Miller’s vision of broad access to ACEMg. A UC Berkeley and Cranbrook Academy of Art graduate, Seifer has been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts since 2007.

Melissa Wong FRSA

Melissa Wong is a coach, community builder, and experience designer who connects people in ways that expand collective care. She founded Coherence Studio, where she helps creatives design careers around their unique gifts, and hosts the Coherence Podcast for multi-passionate people seeking inspiration and practical guidance. Previously, she founded New Women Space, produced Hustle Fest, supported creators at Kickstarter and SoundCloud, and even produced a circus.

Jessica Aviva FRSA

Jessica Aviva, Ph.D., is a writer, researcher, educator, and founder of The Fruition Coalition, a social enterprise that fosters flourishing organizations and communities through education, publications, and partnerships. She leads Club Fruition, an online space where feminist leaders connect, learn change-making strategies, and mobilize bold visions for a more inclusive world. Author of 17 books, including The Joy of Feminist Leadership!, Jessica brings over 25 years of experience in community-based organizations, academia, and local government.

Christabel Nsiah Buadi FRSA

Christabel Nsiah Buadi is an award-winning audio journalist and podcast strategist dedicated to amplifying under-recognized voices. As Executive Strategist at Your Podcast Pipeline, CEO of My Lens Media, and founder of AudioDiaspora, she guides creators—especially Black audio storytellers—in developing impactful, nuanced podcasts. Formerly with Spotify, NPR, and the BBC, she has designed creator programs, taught at leading universities, and published writing in The Independent and British Vogue.

Chris Forman FRSA

Chris Forman, PhD, is a scientist, author, and systems thinker studying how information accumulates in a universe shaped by planetary thermodynamics. As founder of Deliberation Gateway, he works to reimagine democracy as collective cognition—helping societies use deliberation to increase clarity, minimize suffering, and maximize prosperity. Co-author of Brave Green World and a Fellow of the RSA, he is currently building a team to advance this vision while also making music and caring for his young daughter.

Cinzi Lavin FRSA

Born in Manhattan and raised in Texas, Cinzi Lavin is an award-winning creator of original musical dramas, novels, and theatrical works, as well as an accomplished actress, singer, composer, and educator. She has performed at the White House, received the Yellow Rose of Texas award for her artistic and charitable contributions, and in 2020 was honored by the NSDAR for her influence on American culture. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, she is also a member of the National League of American Pen Women for distinction in both Letters and Music.

Taking part in RSA US online events

At RSA US, we host interactive online events designed to foster connection, dialogue, and community among Fellows. We use Zoom for these gatherings, and you’ll receive joining details by email after registering. Some events may be recorded, and by attending, you acknowledge that your name or image may appear in public recordings. If there are any accommodations we can provide to support you in participating fully, please reach out to the RSA US team at general.us@thersa.org and we will be happy to support in whatever ways we can.

Our online events, especially our monthly Virtual Salons, typically held on the third Thursday of the month, have been developed as a space to have meaningful, inclusive dialogue across geography and perspective, and are often supported by volunteer moderators. We invite all Fellows to join us in showing up at our events with care and curiosity, and encourage all participants to review our Rules of Engagement so that we can best support one another in these spaces. We also warmly welcome Fellows who are interested in co-creating an event with us to reach out via email at general.us@thersa.org.