Trait-based ecology was proposed as a way to rebuild community ecology and to resolve much of the context dependency in our understanding of the processes that influence biodiversity patterns. While great advances have been made in the last decade, fulfilling the promise of trait-based ecology requires reflection on where progress has been made and where more progress is needed. The goal of this session is to “take stock” of recent advances in trait-based community ecology and highlight areas where more research efforts are needed to advance the field. We broadly focus on three areas: 1) trait-fitness linkages, 2) unresolved sources of context dependency, and 3) synthesis and scaling of functional diversity. First, we highlight the need for more research focused on the foundations of trait-based community ecology, specifically strengthening the linkages between functional traits and fitness or performance. Second, we highlight unresolved sources of context dependency in trait-based community ecology such as the role of intra- and interspecific trait variation and the impact of vertical species interactions such as small mammal herbivory and mutualisms in influencing pattern of functional diversity. Third, we highlight the need for greater synthesis in trait-based community ecology such as generalizing how functional diversity patterns change along environmental gradients and how to scale patterns of functional diversity from the local plant neighborhood to the continent. By addressing recent advances in these three areas, we will provide a path forward for the field of trait-based community ecology.