January 2026
by London Losey, ETB Incubator Program Director

A Moment of Return

Hello! It has been a while since we last connected. If we have not had the pleasure of meeting, my name is London Losey, and I am a returning member of the Expanding the Bench® (ETB) team.

As we enter the new year, I am reflecting on moments of return — those times when we come back to work, people and purpose with new perspective. There is something grounding about re-entering a familiar space after time away, carrying with us what we’ve learned, unlearned and grown into. From this point of reflection, I find myself leaning into the opportunity to build on the strong foundation of relationships, values and shared purpose that the ETB community embodies so well.

While the complexities of our sociopolitical environment continue in 2026, I find meaning in contributing to the emerging work of ETB-Regional. This work focuses on cultivating communities of evaluation leaders in geographically specific areas of the country whose work is grounded in culturally responsive and equitable evaluation (CREE). These communities deserve our collective attention and support so they may flourish and drive learning, curiosity, reflection and mutual accountability in their respective fields. In our invited role as catalysts in these regions, the ETB team will help build capacity and connect the significance of their work to the broader evaluation ecosystem.

I am hopeful that our best work together lies ahead, and I look forward to reconnecting with the ETB community soon — both those I have had the privilege of working with before and those I have yet to meet. ETB is, and has always been, a living, evolving community shaped by generosity, courage and a shared commitment to justice. It is a true honor to return to ETB. I am excited to listen, learn and contribute alongside you once again.