Social Innovation

If you enjoy making friends and discovering new places, join us for a hike to Ras Il Wahx. Please be on time. If you're unable to show up update your RSVP, even if it's the last minute.

*📌Tickets to be bought on the [Website](https://englishcafemalta.com/events-in-malta/excursions-in-malta/sunday-hike-malta/)* 👣 Discover Malta’s natural beauty on our Sunday Hiking Adventure, exploring hidden gems, Mediterranean landscapes, coastal paths, rugged cliffs, and some of the island’s most impressive outdoor areas. Along the way, it’s easy to meet new international people naturally while walking, sharing views, and experiencing the trail together — whether you come alone or with friends. It’s a chance to move, breathe fresh air, connect with nature, and experience a more authentic side of Malta - all while spending your Sunday outdoors. 📅 Every Sunday 🕚 Meet at 10:30, departure at 11:00 📍 Meeting point: McDonald’s, Sliema 🚌 Return: around 16:30, same location 🌎 Who joins: Internationals, students, travellers, expats & locals 🎯 The hiking destination changes weekly — find the full list of upcoming locations on our website. 🎟️ Online ticket required (limited spots), starting from €12.50, including: – Private bus transportation to and from the hiking area – Guided hike and full team support – Event coordination and logistics 👉 Spots are limited due to transport — advance online booking via our website is required. On spot, cash payment is possible but it's €20, and is not reccomended as the trip can be soldout. Check our website for an online ticket and FAQ. After the hike, those who wish often join for drinks or food together — a relaxed and spontaneous way to unwind and continue the social vibe. See you on the trail! Links: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/english_cafe_malta/) [Website](https://englishcafemalta.com/events-in-malta/excursions-in-malta/sunday-hike-malta/)

If you enjoy making friends and discovering new places, join us for a hike to Ras Il Wahx. Please be on time. If you're unable to show up update your RSVP, even if it's the last minute.

*📌Tickets to be bought on the [Website](https://englishcafemalta.com/events-in-malta/excursions-in-malta/sunday-hike-malta/)* 👣 Discover Malta’s natural beauty on our Sunday Hiking Adventure, exploring hidden gems, Mediterranean landscapes, coastal paths, rugged cliffs, and some of the island’s most impressive outdoor areas. Along the way, it’s easy to meet new international people naturally while walking, sharing views, and experiencing the trail together — whether you come alone or with friends. It’s a chance to move, breathe fresh air, connect with nature, and experience a more authentic side of Malta - all while spending your Sunday outdoors. 📅 Every Sunday 🕚 Meet at 10:30, departure at 11:00 📍 Meeting point: McDonald’s, Sliema 🚌 Return: around 16:30, same location 🌎 Who joins: Internationals, students, travellers, expats & locals 🎯 The hiking destination changes weekly — find the full list of upcoming locations on our website. 🎟️ Online ticket required (limited spots), starting from €12.50, including: – Private bus transportation to and from the hiking area – Guided hike and full team support – Event coordination and logistics 👉 Spots are limited due to transport — advance online booking via our website is required. On spot, cash payment is possible but it's €20, and is not reccomended as the trip can be soldout. Check our website for an online ticket and FAQ. After the hike, those who wish often join for drinks or food together — a relaxed and spontaneous way to unwind and continue the social vibe. See you on the trail! Links: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/english_cafe_malta/) [Website](https://englishcafemalta.com/events-in-malta/excursions-in-malta/sunday-hike-malta/)

**The NoVA Forward Party's March 2026 Social Event will be at Pisco y Nazca Gastrobar in Reston on Wednesday, March 11th starting at 6:30 PM.** Forward Party members and guests will have an opportunity to socialize with each other, learn more about the Party and other opportunities to participate, all while enjoying wonderful food and drink! Pisco y Nazca is located [about 10 minutes away from the Reston Town Center Metro Station on the Silver Line.](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Reston+Town+Center,+Reston,+VA+20191/Pisco+y+Nazca+Ceviche+Gastrobar,+1871+Explorer+St,+Reston,+VA+20190/@38.9556926,-77.3640052,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b64819e3b9a3af:0x79660a279d78850f!2m2!1d-77.360184!2d38.952766!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b64995fc72437b:0xaa8dff8eae11a6ab!2m2!1d-77.3601954!2d38.9586109!3e2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) Pisco y Nazca is also located right next to two Parking Garages, both a couple minutes walk away ([Red](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Red+Garage,+12025+Town+Square+St,+Reston,+VA+20190/Pisco+y+Nazca+Ceviche+Gastrobar,+1871+Explorer+St,+Reston,+VA+20190/@38.9579213,-77.3612486,18.62z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b64819561cb327:0xc3553158d6b54294!2m2!1d-77.3605819!2d38.957638!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b64995fc72437b:0xaa8dff8eae11a6ab!2m2!1d-77.3601954!2d38.9586109!3e2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) & [Orange](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Orange+Garage,+Library+St,+Reston,+VA+20190/Pisco+y+Nazca+Ceviche+Gastrobar,+1871+Explorer+St,+Reston,+VA+20190/@38.9579887,-77.3604528,18z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b6481934febbbd:0xb0133ef1caf8fadd!2m2!1d-77.3588211!2d38.957565!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b64995fc72437b:0xaa8dff8eae11a6ab!2m2!1d-77.3601954!2d38.9586109!3e2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) Garages). Here are Menus for attendees to help decide what they would like to enjoy during our Monthly Social (Gluten-Free Options are available upon request): * [Beverage Menu](https://piscoynazca.com/wp-content/menus/reston/PYNRES_Beverage.pdf) * [Happy Hour Menu](https://piscoynazca.com/wp-content/menus/reston/PYNRES_HappyHour.pdf) * [Dinner Menu](https://piscoynazca.com/wp-content/menus/reston/PYNRES_Dinner.pdf) Note: Happy Hour Service will be available during the first half-hour of our Monthly Social (6:30 PM - 7:00 PM). Attendees will be expected to pay for their individual or group items. We look forward to seeing you!

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“A Practical Guide to Social Change,”** a research-based look at how communities bring about reform and progress, with Marissa Robinson, founder of Real Health Impact LLC and an adjunct professor at George Washington University who teaches courses focused on public health leadership and social change. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-social-change](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-social-change) .] Systems built on inequality rarely transform without deliberate pressure from the people most committed to justice, because progress takes coordination, conviction and willingness to change what has always been accepted. Real change starts when people choose to move together. Learn what research and experience say about how to make real social progress with Dr. Marissa Robinson, a public health practitioner who previously worked in federal agencies coordinating global and national public health initiatives focused on infectious diseases, HIV, and health equity. Among the key questions she’ll tackle: How do communities overcome barriers to create real change? When should evidence guide decisions and when does context matter more? She’ll discuss established frameworks for moving from intention to measurable progress and talk about the importance of building coalitions that actually work and of making decisions grounded in real data. You’ll learn about the importance of testing ideas on a small scale before going big, as well as how to use rapid feedback loops and continuous improvement cycles to refine approaches and scale what truly works. Dr. Robinson will share stories of ordinary people and communities who refused to accept the status quo and pushed through real barriers to achieve breakthrough results. She’ll talk about practical strategies, usable frameworks, and evidence-based examples that people can apply immediately in their own communities and organizations to support change that lasts. If you have dreamed about bringing about progress in your world, this talk will give you the clarity, direction, and confidence it takes to turn such dreams into reality. ( Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

**DC Service Jam is back.** This March, SD:DC is hosting the DC edition of Global Service Jam 2026 week. We are part of a worldwide movement of designers, strategists, and curious minds who come together to build real service concepts from scratch. From **Saturday March 14 to Sunday March 15**, you'll work in a small team around a secret theme revealed at kick-off. No briefs, no client. Just hands-on design, rapid prototyping, and plenty of Post-its. This year we're bringing AI into the mix. Throughout the weekend we'll look at how AI tools can support service design work, as a sensemaking tool, to build artifacts faster, and to push prototypes further. **WHAT TO EXPECT** **Saturday March 14th** * **9 - 10am:** social / breakfast (theme reveal + team formation) * **10am - 6pm:** full day of research, ideation, and prototyping (meals provided) * **6:30pm (optional):** social / happy hour (nearby bar) **Sunday March 15th** * **9 - 10am:** social / breakfast * **10am - 12pm:** finalize prototyping & storytelling * **12pm - 2pm:** present your work and share what DC made with the world **WHO SHOULD COME** You don't need to be a service designer. If you're a UX or product designer, strategist, public servant, researcher, or just someone curious about how services actually work, you're welcome here. **LOGISTICS** * **Dates:** Saturday March 14th & Sunday 15th (ending at 2pm) * **Venue:** SteamPunk, McLean, VA * **Capacity:** 50 spots only (first come, first served) * **Attendee fee:** $60\* (covers meals, materials, and space) *\* If the fee is a barrier for you, we have a limited number of discounted tickets available, just reach out to Sergio Venegas directly for a code.* **WHAT TO BRING** ✔️ An open mind and a willingness to make things ✔️ Laptop and charger ✔️ Curiosity about Service Design (no experience needed) **Follow SD:DC on LinkedIn and @DCServiceJam on Instagram for updates!** \*\*\* Many thanks to our host and sponsor, **SteamPunk** *Design. Disrupt, Repeat. Steampunk is anchored by a startup culture with a customer-centered delivery approach. We put our Federal government clients in the center of everything we design, develop, and deliver to drive high quality mission impacts and user experiences at speed.*

# ✨ Real Founder Lessons for Builders & Career Pivoters (Ashburn) **Saturday, March 14 • 2–4 PM • Ashburn, VA** What if growing your work didn’t have to come with constant exhaustion? This entrepreneur-focused session is a behind-the-scenes conversation about how to build, pivot, and scale **without burning yourself out** — and without chasing work that drains your energy. Whether you’re launching something new, navigating a career pivot, or rebuilding after a layoff, the principles are the same: 👉 protect your energy 👉 make smarter pivots 👉 build momentum that lasts 👉 apply AI practically to support smarter decisions and workflows Over 12 years, I’ve launched **7 startups and side hustles** — alongside **21 years in corporate tech leadership**. The biggest lesson wasn’t scaling tactics… It was learning when to pivot, how to sustain momentum, and how to align what energizes you with what serves your customers — an approach that generated **revenue** in my first full-time year without burnout. A key part of that evolution has been learning how to integrate AI in grounded, practical ways — helping accelerate testing, decision-making, and workflow clarity without adding complexity. During this session, I’ll share real founder insights — including a live screen walkthrough — showing how smart pivots happen and what separates intentional growth from reactive hustle. *** ## What We’ll Explore 1. **How to recognize when to pivot — and when to stay the course** 2. **Building energy-first systems instead of burnout cycles** 3. **Founder decision-making under pressure** 4. **Designing work that supports long-term momentum** 5. **Why sustainable growth outperforms hustle culture** 6. **Using AI strategically to support pivots, experimentation, and smarter workflows** This is not a lecture or pitch — it’s a grounded founder conversation for people who want to grow smarter and build work that lasts. Expect practical thinking, humor, and takeaways you can use immediately. *** ## Event Details 💵 $20 RSVP — includes coffee + snacks 📍 Ashburn, VA (exact address shared after RSVP) 🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM 👥 Max 15 attendees — intentionally small for meaningful conversation Most attendees are professionals, founders, and growth-minded builders navigating reinvention, pivots, or startup ideas. *** ## About the Space — Startup Garage Style Hosted in my early-founder style startup garage — a **bright, spacious, comfortable Ashburn living room** designed for focused conversation and practical learning. These sessions are intentionally intimate — closer to a founder roundtable than a seminar. *** ## Background — Corporate to Founder Journey After **21 years in corporate tech leadership**, including senior director role, I transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship, building on years of startup and side-hustle experience. If you’re exploring a career pivot or next chapter, you’ll find this conversation highly practical. *** ## 🔗 Builder Ecosystem & Resources 🌐 Website: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co) ▶ YouTube (300K+ views): [https://www.youtube.com/@midlife_mindfulness](https://www.youtube.com/@midlife_mindfulness) 💼 LinkedIn (4K+ followers): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-debnath-0061524/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-debnath-0061524/) 🤝 Meetup Community: [https://www.meetup.com/ashburn-transition-meetup-group/](https://www.meetup.com/ashburn-transition-meetup-group/) 📚 Amazon Author Page (2 Books published, more on the way): [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anju-Debnath/author/B0FFNBVZLQ](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anju-Debnath/author/B0FFNBVZLQ) Everything shared comes from lived founder experience — not theory. *** **Space is intentionally limited to ensure focused discussion, interactive learning, and practical takeaways you can use immediately.**

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – March 11th Business Presentation** **Featuring CPR Lifeline** **Wednesday \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us for another impactful morning at 1 Million Cups Loudoun as we welcome **CPR Lifeline** to the stage. ## **About the Business** CPR Lifeline is dedicated to providing **Adult and Pediatric CPR, First Aid, and AED training** to individuals and organizations throughout the community. Their mission is simple yet powerful: equip people with the life-saving skills and confidence needed to respond in emergencies. They offer training for schools, workplaces, community organizations, and individuals — helping ensure more people are prepared when it matters most. ## **Who CPR Lifeline Is Looking to Hear From** They are especially eager to receive feedback from: * Schools (teachers, staff, administrators) * Parents, caregivers, and childcare professionals * Local businesses and community organizations * Workplaces requiring OSHA-compliant training * Public safety professionals * Members of the American Red Cross training network If you are connected to any of these groups, your insight could be incredibly valuable. ## **Current Business Focus & Barrier** CPR Lifeline’s biggest challenge right now is balancing **growth and marketing efforts** with day-to-day operations. As a small business, managing teaching, scheduling, administrative responsibilities, and outreach simultaneously makes scaling difficult. They are seeking feedback and ideas around: * Increasing visibility within the community * Building strategic partnerships * Streamlining operations * Expanding outreach to schools and organizations Additional support and collaboration could help them reach more individuals and organizations with life-saving training. ## **Why Attend?** * Learn about a business that directly impacts community safety * Provide meaningful feedback to help scale a mission-driven company * Connect with local educators, business leaders, and community partners * Be part of a solutions-focused entrepreneurial conversation **About 1 Million Cups** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Grab a cup of coffee and join us for a morning that could help strengthen both a local business and our community’s preparedness. We look forward to seeing you there.