In January of 2006, Pittsburgh welcomed author and President of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Lewis M. Feldstein. Lew led the first Nexus conversation discussing the lessons of Better Together: Restoring the American Community which he co-authored with Bob Putnam.

Better Together chronicles stories of success in American cities and towns - places where a civic-minded venture has helped connect individual citizens in a meaningful fashion. While the book covers projects with positive outcomes, the authors are candid about the obstacles and uncertainty encountered by local leaders. From libraries to arts initiatives, union organizing to online communities, Better Together is a tale of solutions, often in the face of daunting odds.

A panel of respondents from local institutions mirroring those in Better Together followed Lew's remarks. Respondents included: Barbara Mistick, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh; Sarah Dieleman Perry, Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development; Kristy Trautman, advisor, Katie Waronek and Liz Clarke, participants, Girls As Grantmakers and the Girlcott; and Jessica King, The Union Project.