Falling Forward: Reflections on a Season of Connection

Fall has always been one of my favourite times of year; the gentle shift in pace, the cooler air, and the natural moment it gives us to pause and reflect before moving into the year’s final chapter. Looking back, this summer has been one of the most meaningful yet, not only because of the incredible places I found myself in, but because of the people I shared them with.

The season began on Necker Island; a place that has come to hold such special meaning for our Forming Impact community. Every year, it’s a space where conversations flow freely, ideas form organically, and collaborations that once seemed far off suddenly take shape. From early morning ocean swims to late-night discussions on innovation, legacy, and purpose, Necker was once again a reminder of what’s possible when you bring together open, curious, values-driven people in a place that inspires creativity and connection.

From there, summer continued with more moments that filled me with joy and gratitude; first in Greece, then in Mallorca to celebrate the wedding of Andrew and Céline Colella. It was one of those rare gatherings where every conversation felt meaningful, every laugh sincere, and the line between friends, family, and community beautifully blurred. Many of the guests were part of our Forming Impact network, and I left feeling reminded that the truest measure of community is how we show up for each other, in both business and in life.

The next chapter took me to Saint-Tropez, where I joined the wonderful Cariad sailing team once again, hosted by Tim Hartnoll. Tim’s lifelong dedication to ocean work and to the creation of Bawah, a place that our community has been lucky to enjoy and learn from, always reminds me how purpose and beauty can coexist. I’m looking forward to returning there with our community in the coming years, this time with some exciting new ideas and small but significant changes in how we experience it together.

Finally, the season wrapped up in Vienna, a weekend that blended culture, creativity, and community in the most beautiful way. Hosted by our Forming Impact Necker alumni, Nina and Stefan, we explored art and architecture by day and found ourselves dancing on bars by night. Between shared meals and moments of laughter, we also finalised our second SPV and completed the first close for the Forming Impact Fund- in partnership with Daniel and Fonio.ai, based out of Vienna. It was a milestone that reminded me how much of what we do is built on trust, shared energy, and the willingness to step forward together.

As the leaves turn and we move into this next chapter, I feel both grounded and energised. I’ll be closing out the year in the US, with a special focus on Nashville, and hosting a small Christmas gathering in early December to celebrate what has been a truly extraordinary year.

2025 has been about deepening connections- between people, projects, and places. It’s been about refining what Forming Impact stands for and creating spaces that nurture both human sustainability and collective action.

So as we fall forward, I hope we can all take a moment to look back with gratitude; for the experiences, the lessons, and the friendships that shaped us this year, and to look ahead with that same spirit of openness and possibility that makes this community so unique.

With love and gratitude,

Fiona