Ann Rogan

Ann Rogan realized the potential of investing in emerging markets while working abroad. After improving healthcare access in rural India and boosting tech entrepreneurship in Estonia, Rogan landed in Stockton, California, a city fighting to improve its economy, public health, and climate resiliency. Working in the mayor’s office, she gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges posed by growing economic inequality and climate change within the U.S., particularly in underserved communities. And she identified a solution: building a “civic incubator” to partner with community groups, industry, and local institutions to invest in projects that address critical economic issues head-on.

As founder and CEO of Edge Collaborative, Rogan is proving this model in the Central Valley of California, starting in Stockton. Edge Collaborative has incubated and supported a variety of partner-led initiatives, ranging from an EV car sharing program for public housing residents to an initiative to introduce technology into agricultural workforce development. Partnering with environmental justice groups, Edge Collaborative has helped the region secure more than $65 million in public sector investments for green infrastructure. From here, Rogan aims to share the valuable lessons from her civic blueprint with other U.S. cities.