PRAISE FOR
The Future Is Collective
“A blueprint for workplaces that prioritize humanity over hierarchy.”
—EMILY GREEN
PULITZER PRIZE–WINNING JOURNALIST
“Compassionate and practical, Khonsari’s advice centers sustainable strategies for … giving back without burning out.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review
“Our movements for liberation and democracy have been waiting for a book like The Future Is Collective.”
—JENNA PETERS-GOLDEN, worker-owner and co-founder of AORTA Cooperative
“An indispensable resource for those ready to catalyze meaningful change in their workplaces.”
—ZAHRA BILLOO, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area chapter (CAIR-SFBA)
“Khonsari’s experience, curiosity, sharp analysis, and fabulous storytelling bring to life incredible examples of how our organizations can get into formations to share power and bring about the culture, structure, and wins for liberation we are thirsty for.”
—JENNA PETERS-GOLDEN, worker-owner and co-founder of AORTA Cooperative
“The Future Is Collective is not just a book—it’s a movement, a call to arms for organizations and leaders to embrace a more inclusive and compassionate future.”
—NICOLE WIRES, director of the Nonprofit Democracy Network
“. . . a groundbreaking exploration of reimagined workplace paradigms shining a compelling light on the power and potential of collective leadership.”
—MAYRA PELAGIO, former executive director of Latinos United for a New America
“This book strikes at the heart of traditional work hierarchies, proposing a transformative ethos that feels not just revolutionary but essential.”
—TIRIEN STEINBACH, former associate dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Stanford Law School
“Hierarchical workplaces repress the love and care that could transform our world. Let’s build workplaces where every worker can act on their deep yearnings to care for communities and the planet. The Future Is Collective shows us the way.”
—JANELLE ORSI, founder of Sustainable Economies Law Center
“The Future Is Collective brilliantly captures the zeitgeist of our times, offering a blue-
print for workplaces that prioritize humanity over hierarchy. A refreshing and thought- provoking read that challenges the status quo and paves the way for meaningful change.”
—EMILY GREEN, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist
“Khonsari boldly envisions a workplace where collective leadership and equity aren’t mere buzzwords but the foundational pillars of every institution. A must-read for anyone who believes in a world where work is driven by compassion and shared responsibility.”
—AZADEH ZOHRABI, executive director of Berkeley Underground Scholars
“Through riveting case studies and compelling narratives, Khonsari guides us toward a new era of collaborative leadership. The Future Is Collective is a beacon for all those disillusioned by outdated workplace models.”
—GAIL SILVERSTEIN, associate dean for experiential learning at UC Law San Francisco
“Khonsari bridges the gap between the ideal and the achievable, presenting actionable steps to transform our workspaces into hubs of inclusivity and innovation. A seminal piece.”
—CURTIS YANCY, director of philanthropy
“I am so grateful to Nilou Khonsari for sharing her ‘real-life-tested’ experience on how to build sustainable, people-centered organizations. Her insights are not only transfor- mative but also essential for any leader looking to shape the future of work.”
—LORENA MELGAREJO, executive director of Faith In Action, Bay Area
“At a time when many workers express great dissatisfaction with the status quo and experience burnout, this book shows us ways to establish sustainable and fulfilling workplaces governed by all involved.”
—ANDREW I. SCHOENHOLTZ, JD, PhD, professor from Practice at Georgetown Law and faculty director of the Human Rights Institute and the Center for Applied Legal Studies
“ With many of us spending more waking hours at work than doing anything else, we
need to be looking for paths and opportunities that support workers. Khonsari’s book
brings concrete ideas and practices, along with personal stories both positive and negative, for how we can shift our workplaces to empower workers, meet their needs, and lead to creative solutions.”
—REK KWAWER, former director of operations and board member of NASCO
“The Future Is Collective not only challenges traditional norms but also empowers us with the tools to build workplaces where equity and shared purpose drive innovation and success.”
—ZAHRA BILLOO, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA)
“This book is a powerful antidote to the cultures of power-hoarding, disenfranchise- ment, and marginalization that are all-too-common in our current Western industri- alized society.”
—RYAN MATLOW, clinical associate professor and director of community programs for the Early Life Stress and Resilience Program at Stanford School of Medicine