I’m still feeling all of the “Rippl Changemaker feels” from our first annual Camp Rippl last month. The #founding40 left the event knowing that our time is NOW! We all enjoyed 3 days of togetherness on our home turf – Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood – with folks flying in from across the country. In the past weeks, I have been reflecting on my experience and the feedback I’ve received from the team. The time together was educational and connected us. We left feeling inspired with momentum, as well as the weight of the responsibility ahead.
Learning from the best in our field
We have intentionally focused on putting together a diverse team of professionals to disrupt the status quo approach to dementia care. While we come from various backgrounds with different experiences, we are all learners who share a strong passion for our mission.
Leaving camp felt like a “recommitment” for what we had signed up for. We can improve the lives of those #LIVINGwithDementia, across all stages of the disease and across the whole ecosystem of those impacted (patients, caregivers, family members). We have a HUGE opportunity to destigmatize dementia – so more people can get support, have peace of mind, and find community as they move through it all. All to extend quality of life. “We get to take care of people when they need it most”
Throughout camp, we had the opportunity to hear from top experts in dementia – from research, to care models, to therapeutics – alongside startup pioneers and other thought leaders. Each session challenged us intellectually and some moved us to tears.
Marie Clouqueur, LICSW, Geriatric Psychiatry at McLean Hospital, discussed why dementia care is her calling. Her contagious energy and passion lit up the room as she kicked-off and announced our first-of-its-kind dementia training program. “She made me remember why I was so excited to join Rippl.”- Rippl Board Member and Cityblock Founding CEO Iyah Romm gave us an insider’s view of what it’s like to build a company that transforms care for underserved populations in his StartUp Fireside Chat. Favorite advice? “Don’t try to resist the rollercoaster – just go along for the ride.”
- Amber Boyd, Rippl’s head of clinical practice pulled together industry experts Dr. Brent Forester, Chair of Psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center, Dr. Ken Robbins, Psychiatry at University of Wisconsin, and Dr. Reza Ghomi, Chief Medical Officer at BrainCheck for the “Doctor’s on Demand” lecture and Q&A session. Incredible insights and knowledge shared. “The doctors highlighted the gap of expertise that exists and the incredible need that our communities are facing – it made the work we are doing feel even more important”
- Ryan Watts, Rippl Board Member and Founder & CEO of Denali Therapeutics, shared an eye-opening view of the therapeutic landscape and the Alzheimer’s drug development pipeline. “The stories he shared about his personal experience with his mother – flooded me with emotion, and motivates and further connects me to the work we’re doing.”
- Christine Henningsgaard, Founder and CEO of Quilted Health, talked to the team about health equity and mission driven startups that look to vastly improve care for populations that are historically ignored. “She normalized what’s exciting and hard about the work we get to do.”
Our team was so impressed and grateful for the expertise, support and generosity of our partners and Board Members . Truly the best of the best – we had a chance to learn from them, ask questions and have dialogue – in a small setting.
Getting inspiration from both servant leaders and those we serve
In addition to all of the amazing and important education shared about dementia, Camp Rippl also served as a reminder that we need to put our own oxygen masks on first, in order to make the most impact to those #LIVINGwithDementia. As our closing keynote speaker, Eric Boles, President and Founder of The Game Changers, pointed out when he covered the Cauldron Theory, in order to fill others’ cups, we must first fill our own.
To that end, our team had the chance to hear from various leaders to inspire us.
- Lea Sullivan, LMCH, NCC, EFT, and resilience counselor to first responders, ran a peer support and grief workshop. She reminded us that the work we’re doing is hard and heavy, and that it’s normal to experience grief as we support patients and caregivers through their dementia journeys. She shared with us the power of being present. “Our patients are living in the present – right in the moment – how can we be there with them?”
- Cory Townsend, Director of Development, and Kerry Price-Duffy, Board Member, from the Alzheimer’s Association of Washington spent their lunch hour with us to talk about our sponsorship of The Walk to End Alzheimer’s and our ongoing partnership. “Hearing their personal stories as to why they have dedicated themselves to ending Alzheimer’s disease was a true inspiration. This partnership makes me proud to work at Rippl.”
- Leon Grundstein, CEO of Gencare Lifestyle, hosted our team at GenCare Ballard, where we had a chance to visit with some of the people we get to work with and serve. There was Laughing Yoga, karaoke and a BBQ dinner – lots of stories, singing and a little dancing. We were collectively brought to tears when one resident shared his personal story. “This is what it’s all about. Truly connecting with seniors is why I’m here.”
- The inspiration-icing-on-the-cake was on our last day with Eric Boles, author of Moving to Great and President and Founder of The Game Changers. Eric shared his philosophy with us and led a workshop to help us build esteem and unleash our potential. I’ve had the chance to work with Eric in the past and all I can say is “WOW.” His leadership lessons are timeless -and we’ve all been using them since camp! Here are a few favs:
- The importance in having a strong psychological immune system (so we’re ready for the tough stuff)
- Our attention is currency – spend it wisely on the important things
- Becoming fearLESS
- Making the pictures match = clarity
- Building our esteem so we can handle what comes and #movemountains.
“Progression over perfection”
Good times and better connections
Camp was chock full content, learning, intensity, emotion… and fun – lots of it. As a remote team, we’re ALWAYS connecting virtually…. But it was SO MUCH FUN to enjoy being with each other in person, vs chatting through the screen. Camp Rippl was a time to build personal relationships with those we work with every day. Passionate. Committed. Special. Awesome. Really care. We all want to do meaningful work. These are words our team used to describe ourselves. Nothing says fun and get-to-know-you like….
- Camp Rippl Cookout at the Center for Wooden Boats complete with yard games and the best BBQ inSeattle. Yes, there were coaches and whistles.
- Did someone say double decker bus? Seeing all of the top sights in Seattle…
- Karaoke at the Rock Box, including some surprise performances (you know who you are!).
- And lots of moments in between.
Rippl Co-Founder and CEO, Kris Engskov, grounded us each morning with our 3 jobs while at Camp Rippl:
- Meet other Changemakers, get energy from being involved with people who care about this as much as you do, build relationships.
- Reflect on the gravity of our responsibility. We now understand the need, no turning back, this is noble work.
- Be open to what’s possible, belief that we uniquely can be the people who solve this very hard healthcare problem. It won’t be a straight line and will be hard, but it will be worth it. We will ‘will’ this to happen.
Our team left Camp Rippl feeling like the universe is cheering us on to keep going – and that it’s our responsibility to deliver for our older adults. Change and impact only happen because the humans DO something. Through our Camp Rippl experience and the investment of time, attention and support for our team – we are even more ready to support those #LIVINGwithDementia. Let’s go!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
Until next time!
Jesse Schlueter is Chief People Officer at Rippl
