The infrastructure that
makes belonging possible.
For every student. By design.
We didn't just study this problem. We helped design the solution.
The Belonging Network grew from years of research, policy work, and direct partnership with educators across Massachusetts. It is built by two founders whose combined expertise spans MyCAP policy, curriculum design, belonging research, and professional learning — and who share a conviction that equitable career-connected learning is possible, but only if the infrastructure is built to support it.
OUR STORY
From 'Beyond Fitting In' to building the infrastructure that makes belonging possible.
Belonging and career exploration are not separate programs — they are two sides of the same coin. Students who can connect who they are to where they are going show stronger engagement, resilience, and persistence. Students who can't are left without a map.
The Belonging Network of Cape Cod and the Islands was built to close that gap. Middle school is the critical window for career readiness — yet only 8% of states have strong organizational support ecosystems in place. Massachusetts mandates MyCAP for every student in grades 6–12. The mandate exists. The infrastructure does not. When it's missing, opportunity defaults to students who already have professional networks and family connections. Everyone else is left behind — not by lack of ambition, but by lack of access.
We're an education intermediary that sits between schools and the broader community — recruiting and managing industry partnerships, and coaching school teams to embed career exploration as a belonging strategy. Our lead founder helped write the Grades 6–8 MyCAP framework as a member of the Massachusetts DESE task force. We didn't just study this problem. We helped shape the policy meant to solve it.
This is the infrastructure that makes belonging possible. For every student. By design.
"You built the framework. You know the research. You know the community. The infrastructure you're creating — the thing that does not yet exist in Barnstable County — is exactly what districts will need as MyCAP moves toward a state graduation requirement."
OUR VALUES
What we believe.
🏠 Belonging First
Students cannot envision futures in spaces where they don't feel they belong. Every design decision starts here.
⚖️ Equity by Design
Access to opportunity shouldn't depend on who you know or where you grew up. We build systems that remove that inequity structurally.
🔧 Infrastructure Matters
Good intentions without systems don't scale. We build the coordination layer that makes career-connected learning sustainable for everyone.
🎙️ Student Voice & Agency
Young people are co-designers of their own futures. Our program embeds voice, choice, and reflection — not passive observation.
📊 Evidence Informs Everything
Every decision is grounded in research and refined through data. We learn, adjust, and improve — continuously.
🤝 Shared Responsibility
Schools, families, industry, and community all have a role. We build the infrastructure that makes shared responsibility possible.
THE FOUNDERS
Dr. Julie DiPilato
Implementation & Policy Director
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Served on the Massachusetts DESE task force that developed the Grades 6–8 MyCAP framework — the policy our entire model is built to implement.
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Deep expertise in MyCAP implementation, curriculum design, professional learning, and data systems.
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Research background in identity, belonging, and student agency - - evidence base that grounds The Belonging Network's approach.
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Established community relationships in Barnstable County from prior grant work — enabling immediate outreach and early partnership development.
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Founder of Beyond Fitting In, LLC — an educational consulting practice focused on belonging, equity, and student-centered learning.
Dr. Jonathan Page
Research & Belonging Director
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Research expertise in belonging, identity development, and student agency — providing the theoretical and empirical foundation for The Belonging Network.
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Background in research design, continuous improvement, and data analysis — ensuring the program is built to learn from itself and improve over time.
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Adult learning theory expertise that informs professional development design — helping educators not just learn new frameworks, but change their practice.
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Commitment to evidence-based implementation — every design decision is rooted in research and refined through data.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our board brings expertise in education, community leadership, and regional workforce development — providing strategic guidance as we grow.
Michael P. Looney, Sr.
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Director of Career and Technical Education at Mashpee High School for 11+ years, overseeing the creation and continuous improvement of career pathways aligned with industry trends and student aspirations.
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30+ years in education, with deep expertise in curriculum design, instructional leadership, and workforce development.
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Certified as a Supervisor/Director, Cooperative Education Coordinator, and Technology Education instructor.
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Built and sustained partnerships with higher education institutions, government agencies, and industry organizations to expand student access to internships, job shadowing, and hands-on learning.
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Manages program funding and resources to ensure equitable access to high-quality, personalized career pathways.
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Served on the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council (2015–2017), supporting statewide STEM education and workforce readiness efforts.
Stephanie Rae
Bio coming soon!
Adrienne Barnard
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Over 25 years of customer service experience across diverse professional environments, bringing a community-centered and people-first perspective to the Board.
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Previous banking experience with Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, reinforcing a strong foundation in financial operations and client service.
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Deep roots on Cape Cod, with a career history that reflects consistent commitment to serving and supporting local communities.
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Holds a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Liberal Studies from the University of Montana, bringing a well-rounded academic foundation to her board role.
DRS. DIPILATO AND PAGE'S PODCAST
Enlightened Practitioners invites educators, leaders, and bold thinkers into honest conversations about reimagining education—moving beyond assignments to help students discover themselves and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Hosts Drs. Julie DiPilato and Jonathan Page explore the real work of building inclusive cultures, designing future-ready learning, and strengthening connections between identity, purpose, and opportunity. Each episode brings forward stories, insights, and practical ideas from educators and partners who are transforming school communities from the inside out. This is for anyone who believes education can reflect who students are and who they’re becoming.
What if school felt different?
