Cultivating leaders who bridge divides and spark transformation

Cultivate the Karass was founded to counter the growing polarization, partisanship, and erosion of trust that threaten our democracy. We believe that courageous leadership — grounded in connection, self-awareness, and curiosity — can move us beyond gridlock toward genuine collaboration and progress.

Since its founding, CtK has brought together leaders across political, cultural, and sectoral lines to engage in honest dialogue and build enduring relationships. What began as a bold experiment in bridging divides has grown into a vibrant community of changemakers — people working every day to strengthen trust, expand perspective, and lead with courage.

Today, as CtK continues to evolve, our mission remains the same: to cultivate leaders capable of transforming themselves, their organizations, and the systems around them.

Cultivate the Karass helps leaders grow from the inside out — expanding awareness, bridging divides, and leading with intention.

Our Purpose

Cultivate the Karass exists to:

Foster authentic relationships among leaders who influence public policy, culture, and civic life.
Elevate conversations beyond “civil discourse” toward deeper understanding and collaborative action.
Build capacity for perspective-taking, resilience, and creative problem-solving.
Create a living network — a karass — of people who can challenge and support one another across difference.

Our Impact

Over the past decade, CtK has engaged hundreds of leaders through its Campfire retreats, Brewer Fellowship to Unite America, and related initiatives — experiences that have changed lives and strengthened the civic fabric of our country.

Alumni of CtK programs have gone on to become:

Layla Zaidane — Time Top 50 Leaders, October 2025
Senior advisors, elected officials, and policy leaders in the White House, Congress, and major federal departments.
Founders and CEOs of national nonprofits and mission-driven startups.
Fellows at Harvard Kennedy School, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Published authors, media contributors, and thought leaders shaping public dialogue.
Recipients of national recognition, including a Pulitzer Prize and inclusion among Fortune’s 50 Greatest Leaders.

Together, they embody the spirit of the Loyal Antagonist — courageous, curious leaders committed to bridging divides and building a more resilient democracy.

Our Story

Cultivate the Karass was inspired by the life and legacy of Jake Brewer, a public servant and social entrepreneur who believed deeply in the power of human connection to drive change.

After Jake’s passing in 2015, a handwritten note found on his desk — “Cultivate the Karass” — became both the organization’s name and its call to action. His mother, Lori Brewer Collins, founded CtK to carry that vision forward and continue the work of uniting leaders who might otherwise never meet, much less collaborate.

““Your vulnerability is your strength.””

— Jake Brewer

What “Karass” Means

Karass
noun — A group of individuals who are unwittingly linked, in cosmically significant ways, all committed to doing work for the common good. (Adapted from Kurt Vonnegut by Lori Brewer Collins)

At CtK, the Karass is both our network and our north star — a living reminder that we are connected in ways that matter more than we know.