5 pillars of community building

Reed Howard,
Chief Strategy and Public Affairs Officer, Future Caucus

Reed Howard shares a practical framework for building trust and collaboration across difference, drawing on his experience in interfaith campus life and bipartisan civic leadership.

This interactive session introduces five pillars of inclusive community-building—hospitality, ritual, vulnerability, shared purpose and joy—and explores how they can be applied to create meaningful connections. You’ll learn how to articulate and apply trust-building strategies, navigate tension with confidence, and move beyond event planning towards true community co-creation, with practical tools you can implement immediately.


Key takeaways

  • Articulate and apply frameworks for building trust and collaboration across difference

  • Use the five pillars to design inclusive, meaningful community experiences

  • Shift from event planning to intentional community co-creation


About Reed

Reed Howard is a community builder and civic leader working at the intersection of faith, politics and belonging. Formerly a university chaplain at Georgetown, he now supports Gen Z elected leaders in bridging partisan divides. Known for creating spaces that foster dialogue and connection, Reed is committed to building ethical, collaborative leadership across communities.


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