This undated image shows Tami Pyfer Pyfer, chief of staff and project director for UNITE, a national nonprofit that seeks to bridge political divides, was named an Emerson Collective fellow on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Emerson Collective is the philanthropy of Laurene Powell Jobs. (Tami Pyfer via AP)
In the latest round of fellows announced by Laurene Powell Jobs’ philanthropic venture, the Emerson Collective, Tami Pyfer has been recognized as a beacon of change. Among a group of twelve leaders across the country embarking on projects of their own design, Pyfer’s initiative is to foster respectful discourse within communities. Each fellow in this group is granted $125,000 from the Collective, with no obligation to account for its expenditure.
For Pyfer, the fellowship marks an opportunity to advance her work with UNITE, a nonprofit dedicated to healing political divisions. Her project, The Dignity Index, seeks to quantify the levels of respect and contempt in speech, aiming to combat the toxicity that dissuades women from assuming leadership roles. Pyfer’s vision extends beyond partisan lines, with bipartisan support recognizing the index’s potential to foster healthier dialogue in families, communities, and political arenas.
In a report from the Associated Press, Patrick D’Arcy, the senior director of the fellows program, emphasizes the collective’s commitment to supporting grassroots efforts aimed at strengthening community ties and bridging divides. Powell Jobs, renowned for her partnership with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, founded the Collective in 2011, steering its focus towards education, immigration, the environment, and health equity. In a bold move towards climate action, Powell Jobs pledged $3.5 billion towards climate-focused initiatives over the span of a decade.
Describing herself and the Collective as “horticulturalists of hope,” Powell Jobs envisions their work as seeds of change capable of transforming landscapes of possibility. The Collective’s approach involves researching and inviting potential fellows to apply with projects tailored to address evolving community needs.
As the 2024 election looms, Pyfer’s mission takes on added significance. She envisions a future where civility prevails, where differences are bridged, and where individuals come together to tackle shared challenges. With the support of the Emerson Collective, Pyfer is able to continue her wowrk of nurturing a culture of dignity and collaboration that transcends political divides.
A former school board member and Logan City Councilmember, Pyfer was named as Governor Gary Herbert’s education adviser in 2014. She has been involved with The Dignity Index now for several years.