Failing Forward
Failing Forward: Turning Setbacks into Growth brought together industry leaders who shared personal stories of failure and how those moments became catalysts for learning and growth.
Presented by Purpose Possible, this session was hosted by Cheryl Kortemeier and Roy Neill from Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta.
The guest panelists are:
Jay Cranman, President and CEO of Hands On Atlanta
Terra Gay, Managing Director of Culture and Equity for Drew Charter School
Tyrone Webb, Rural and Community Programs Manager with Georgia Council for the Arts
Here are a few takeaways from the session:
Failure is not an endpoint but a critical learning opportunity.
“Give yourself the grace to feel whatever you feel in the moment of what you are perceiving as you're failing, but at the same time, make sure that you are making space for you to be able to move forward from that incident.” - Tara Gay
Create environments where individuals feel safe to share their failures and normalize these conversations with communities and organizations. Building a culture of openness strengthens team dynamics and encourages innovation. Open spaces to talk about failure fosters authenticity and deeper connections.
"We've created a culture where we're comfortable discussing setbacks with our leadership team and board." - Jay Cranman
Understanding your limitations, reflecting on past experiences, and learning from them equips us all to improve. Not every failure may push you forward but the ability to fail forward is a privilege.
There is a complex interplay between personal failures and broader systemic issues.
"I see failure as a positive, especially when operating within or against systems that are meant to separate people." - Tyrone Webb
This highlights the need for both personal accountability and collective action to dismantle inequitable systems. The panelists discussed how disparities in access to education, resources, and opportunities disproportionately affect marginalized communities, making it harder for them to succeed. By recognizing the distinction between personal failings and systemic barriers, individuals and organizations can work toward more equitable solutions that empower all people to reach their full potential.
Failure is an inevitable part of striving for meaningful change. This webinar reinforced the idea that setbacks, when reframed, can spark creativity, resilience, and innovation. As we continue our mission-driven and personal journeys, this session is a reminder that failure is not something to avoid—it’s something to embrace as part of our growth.
Let’s keep the conversation going, and together, turn setbacks into stepping stones for success!
