The Center for Transformative Action is a catalyst for innovative social change agents and their projects. We advocate an approach to social change that considers not how we can defeat them, but how we can act together on the unseen threads that connect us all.
For more than 35 years, the Center has supported life-changing projects that emphasize the principle that social policy should be guided by the values of peace, social justice and sustainability. Our history includes the development of several innovative and successful social ventures. In 2006, we re-focused our vision to deal with a polarized global society and brought Transformative Action to the forefront of our efforts.
Operating in the cradle of Cornell University, our Center plays a unique role in Ithaca, offering programs to Cornell University as an affiliate and serving as a catalyst for independent organizations. We serve our member organizations, the public, and Cornell University by offering educational programs and strategic organizational resources.
- Our Project Partners are social ventures to whom we provide sponsorship, non-profit status, business services, and a network of like-minded innovators for sharing knowledge and best practices. If you are interested in becoming our Project Partner, please visit Our Work for information about our incubation services and our current partners.
- Our Strategic Initiatives are our own programs designed to open spaces in which new perspectives can inspire future leaders and change-makers. Please visit Our Work for information about our initiatives.
- Transformative Action, the philosophy upon which we base our work, is a nonviolent, cooperative approach to social change that focuses not on how we defeat them, but on how we can act together on the unseen threads that connect us all. To read more information about Transformative Action and related topics, please visit our Resources page.
Our Theory of Change
When we animate the power of our hearts to remake the world --- bold action results.
- We find common purpose with others
- Take pressing social problems in hand
- Live our lives out loud
- Listen deeply, act courageously
- Transform ourselves and each other
- ...And ultimately co-create thriving, inclusive communities that work for everyone.
At CTA, our initiatives engage and strengthen the power of the heart to remake the world, and our services support bold change makers. Because Ithaca and Cornell University exist in a far-reaching network, the impact of those empowered through our programs ripples across the country and the world, transforming lives and communities. As we touch more students and engage change makers near and far, our impact grows. This is our vision for change.
Our Mission
The Center for Transformative Action is an alliance of individuals and organizations inspired by principles of nonviolence and committed to bold action for justice, sustainability, and peace. Our Center supports change makers with the tools to build thriving, inclusive communities that work for everyone. We serve our member organizations, the public, and Cornell University by offering educational programs and strategic organizational resources.
Our Organizational Model
CTA employs a hybrid organizational model. We are a non-profit but gain some cost-recovery through the provision of business services to our Project Partners for which we charge an administrative fee. To sustain the transformation activities of our organization, however, we mobilize other sources of funding which include income from a Cornell-held endowment, gifts from donors, and grants from the public and/or philanthropic sectors. Our Project Partners each develop their own funding sources within our non-profit structure.
Our Staff
Executive Director: Anke Wessels, PhD [Bio]Director of Operations: Richard Lansdowne [Bio]
Board Members [Bios]:
David Bock, Robin Dubovi, Beth Fiori, Cynthia Henderson, Georgia Howe, Patrice Lockert Anthony, Alicia Plotkin, John Suter, Vivian Relta, Larry Roberts
Contact Us
Center for Transformative ActionAnabel Taylor Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
e-mail: cresp@cornell.edu
Anke Wessels, Executive Director
phone: 607-255-5027, e-mail: akw7@cornell.edu
Richard Lansdowne, Director of Operations
phone: 607-255-6202, e-mail: rl369@cornell.edu