Connection is not a luxury.
It’s a necessity—for learning, for leading, for living well together.
Our story
The Positive Connection Initiative (PCI) was born from a simple but urgent insight: in a world overwhelmed by disconnection, we need a new mindset that prioritize human relationships. Whether it’s the breakdown of civil discourse, the rise of workplace tension, or the silent epidemic of loneliness, the consequences of disconnection are everywhere. We exist to change that.
Our roots trace back to Binghamton University where two alums, Bill Groner '77 and Trevor Fornara '23, launched the Civil Dialogue Project—a campus-wide effort to equip students with the skills to listen with empathy, ask genuine questions, and engage across political and personal divides.
The success of that program revealed something bigger: Connection isn’t just for students.
Connection is for everyone.
In 2024, Bill and Trevor founded the Positive Connection Initiative to expand this vision beyond the university setting. They were soon joined by the founding directors and staff—a team of educators, leaders, and researchers—who have shaped PCI’s bold, science-driven approach to cultural change.
We have since expanded our programming to secondary schools, corporations, and community groups, and are launching a podcast to explore the opportunities and benefits of connection through science and stories. And we're just getting started.