Bridging Networks and Building Liberation: Reflections from Departing Board Member Susan Misra
At Netcentric Campaigns, we believe in the power of networks to drive lasting social change. Whether tackling issues like climate, democracy, or public health, our work centers on helping people connect, align, and act together – because wicked problems require collaborative solutions.
That’s why we’re proud to work with board members who bring deep experience in network strategy, nonprofit leadership, and systems thinking. As we bid farewell to longtime board member Susan Misra, we’re taking a moment to reflect on her contributions, hear her perspective, and share what’s next in her journey.
Susan is the founder of Aurora Commons, a consulting firm dedicated to supporting social justice and civic engagement organizations through shared leadership and organizational design. Her work blends strategy and values, helping groups build cultures and systems rooted in interdependence and equity. Prior to that, she served as co-executive director at Change Elemental, where she focused on strengthening movement ecosystems and supporting networked approaches to social change.
Susan’s approach to leadership has always been deeply systems-oriented. From organizational design to shared governance, she brings a clear understanding of how strategic infrastructure supports bold, people-powered work. Her perspective has helped Netcentric Campaigns stay grounded in its mission: not just to connect people, but to equip them to collaborate, adapt, and build collective power to meet today’s most complex challenges.
A Shared Focus on Strengthening Systems
Susan’s connection to Netcentric Campaigns began during her time at Change Elemental, where her focus on movement networks naturally aligned with Netcentric Campaigns’ mission to build action-oriented networks for systemic change.
But it wasn’t just shared work—it was shared worldview that brought Susan and Netcentric Campaigns together.
“We were drawn to Susan’s thinking early on,” recalls Netcentric Campaigns Executive Director, Marty Kearns. “Her insights into how people collaborate and the importance of honoring different ways of knowing—emotional, experiential, intellectual, and spiritual—really resonated with our work.”
That framing grew out of Susan’s leadership at Change Elemental, where she helped develop tools to support ecosystems of change-makers working across lines of difference. Her emphasis on valuing lived experience alongside strategy and data mirrored Netcentric Campaigns’ belief in the power of human connection and diverse perspectives to drive collective action.
“Netcentric Campaigns and Change Elemental were working alongside each other on strengthening ecosystems,” Susan recalls. “There was natural alignment.”
This kindred orientation toward systems, wisdom, and collaboration laid the foundation for a strong partnership—and ultimately led to Susan’s role on the board.
As a board member, Susan brought a clear lens around operational health, shared leadership, and what it takes to sustain organizations doing mission-driven work. She offered thoughtful contributions to ongoing efforts to ensure that Netcentric Campaigns’ internal operations and infrastructure are as adaptive and well-aligned as the complex external challenges the organization helps its partners navigate.
“What Netcentric Campaigns needs from its board isn’t necessarily to direct the programmatic work – that’s already in great hands,” she said. “The board’s real value-add is to make sure the organization itself remains strong and well-resourced.”
That perspective shaped how the board approached questions of staff experience, financial resilience, and long-term planning – essential work that supports the broader network-building mission.
Holding Complexity in Today’s Network Landscape
Susan sees networks as essential to social change, but not always easy to maintain in today’s environment. While the mechanics of networks haven’t changed, the conditions around them have.
“Networks thrive on differences,” she says. “That includes people with different identities and ideas that live on the margins. The challenge is that it’s easier now for networks to become homogenous. And while shared identity can be a catalyst for action, it doesn’t always foster the creativity or innovation needed to solve complex problems.”
In Susan’s view, the real power of networks lies in their ability to absorb and integrate diverse perspectives – and that requires intentional design and ongoing adaptation. It’s not enough to create a network that feels cohesive. It also needs to be open, porous, and willing to evolve.
“If you’re weaving a network, it’s not just about belonging,” she explains. “It’s about making sure the network is constantly engaging with new people and perspectives. That’s where generative thinking comes from.”
She also cautions against the assumption that dialogue alone is enough to overcome systemic challenges. “Some of the issues we’re facing aren’t just about communication – they’re about ideology. That’s why networks that reflect the full complexity of a system are critical for creating real solutions.”
What’s Next: Scaling Power and Operational Resilience
Susan’s next chapter will continue her focus on systems and infrastructure. She will be taking on a new leadership role with a national organization dedicated to strengthening the long-term operational capacity of groups working to build power in their communities and aligning their practices with shared values.
Her work will span two layers of networks – one connecting organizations within and across states, and another building a community of practice for operations staff, supporting their growth from entry-level to executive leadership roles.
“What excites me most is the idea that power-building groups can grow their own talent and improve their internal systems,” she says. “Ultimately, this work helps create stronger environments for social justice organizations and expands the strategies available to them.”
It’s a natural evolution of the systems work she’s championed – ensuring the infrastructure behind the scenes is just as strong and values-aligned as the public-facing mission.
A Note to the Next Board Member
As Susan steps away from the board, she reflects on what kind of leadership can continue to strengthen Netcentric Campaigns from the inside out.
In an era of shifting funding streams, increased operational pressure, and tighter philanthropic priorities, she underscores the value of board members who bring strong nonprofit fluency – particularly in areas like financial stewardship, fundraising, and staff support. Sustaining resilient, network-driven work, she suggests, requires a board that understands the systems and structures that allow people to thrive.
“It’s not just about overseeing the mission,” she says. “It’s about making sure the organization itself stays healthy, aligned, and ready for what’s ahead.”
Carrying the Vision Forward
Susan’s time with Netcentric Campaigns has left a lasting impact – not just in what she helped shape, but in how she approached the work. She modeled a kind of board leadership that is grounded, reflective, and always thinking about what systems need to grow stronger.
As she moves into her next chapter, she takes with her the same commitment to collaboration, complexity, and purpose-driven design that made her such a valuable part of the Netcentric Campaigns community.
Inspired by Susan’s journey?
Learn more about how Netcentric Campaigns partners with movement leaders, funders, and organizations to build resilient, people-powered networks that drive lasting change. Get in touch to explore how you can support or get involved – and be part of the growing network for systems-level impact.