Facilitation

Setting the Table: Engagement Nationwide

An illustration of a diverse group of smiling people surrounded by large sunflowers and leaves, depicted in a black and white style. From the Better Food Policy Fund website.

The Better Food Policy Fund was co-developed with food policy councils nationwide. I designed trauma-aware, participatory processes that built trust, celebration, and shared ownership across the field.

Setting the Table: National Board Development

A photo collage showcasing a retreat or workshop. The images include people dining together, working in a garden and greenhouse, cutting a cake, and relaxing in both indoor and outdoor settings. The images are separated by a green banner with the text "Fund Leadership: Independent Advisory Committee."

The Better Food Policy Fund launched as a participatory grantmaking fund, with inclusive governance at its core. This case study shows how I designed board development and facilitated the Independent Advisory Committee, building trust, shared leadership, and decision-making practices that reflected the fund’s values.

Collaborative Leadership Development

A photo collage showcasing diverse and contrasting scenes, including a religious sign, a pride flag, and a sea turtle. A banner across the center says "The Wave Effect learning trajectory."

The Wave Effect was a seven-month collaborative leadership development program. With reflective practice, trauma-aware facilitation, and emergent design, participants shifted from cautious leadership to collaborative, adaptive approaches, building resilience, confronting power, and embracing systems thinking to shape healthier community patterns.

A Compass For Complex Work

The words "Purpose" and "Process" written on a chalkboard.

In complex work, passion isn’t enough. In this piece, I share how the 4Ps - People, Purpose, Process, and Presence - became a compass for navigating systems change.

Attending to People

A person with their back to the camera looks at a whiteboard covered in sticky notes. The board has handwritten questions that read "with regard to people?" and "with regard to purpose?" Other sticky notes are visible on the right.

Attending to people means more than who’s invited. Here I share stories of inclusion, leadership, and how creating space for others makes collaboration possible.

Attending to Purpose

Handwritten notes on a whiteboard under the title "Fundraising." The text defines the "purpose" as "to increase money in the Fund" and "responsibilities" as starting with "collaborate with."

Without shared purpose, groups stall. In this piece, I reflect on how co-creating and tending to purpose brings clarity, momentum, and resilience in complex work.

Attending to Process

Handwritten notes on a whiteboard that read: "Form clear proposals for the group -> What do you need to decide? Be clear..."

Process shapes how groups move from talk to action. Here I reflect on how thoughtful design and adaptation build trust, ownership, and lasting collaboration.

Attending to Presence

A note with two questions: "What songs reflect your governance style? What do you want to hear?"

Presence is the ground upon which other aspects of group facilitation depend. In this piece, I reflect on how attention, listening, and pace bring life to collaboration and make change possible.

Attending to Pace

A photo of a whiteboard with a hand-drawn grid. Various sticky notes are attached to the grid, including a green note that says "pace - slow + fast" and a yellow one that says "reality" and "lack of awareness." There are also two paper fish cutouts with text on them.

Pace shapes the rhythm of change. Here I reflect on urgency, patience, and how sensing the natural cadence of groups helps trust and collaboration grow.

UNC School of Government ⯈ Workshop

This course, which I was invited to develop, offers valuable insights and practical tools for local government staff and officials seeking to build stronger relationships with their communities. Participants explore collaborative approaches to foster trust, improve communication, and create a greater sense of shared purpose.