Leading Through Complexity

Appalachian State University ⯈ Guest Speaker

Event flyer for the University Forum Series presented by Appalachian State University College of Student Success. Title reads: "Listening for the Path: How Nervous Systems Shape the Way We Lead, Learn, & Live." The event will be held at Plemmons Student Union, PSU 420 Parkway Ballroom, on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The flyer features a photo of Christy Shi Day, a woman with long, wavy blond hair and glasses, smiling while seated. Text below the image reads: “Join us for an inspiring talk with Christy Shi Day, trauma-informed disaster response advocate and strategic facilitator, on how nervous system awareness shapes leadership, resilience, and meaningful change.” At the bottom, it states: “This event is FREE and open to all faculty, staff, students, & the Western NC community.” A QR code is labeled “RSVP.” The background includes decorative birds and a warm-toned setting.

Guest speaker for the University Forum Lecture Series, which provides opportunities for university students, faculty, and staff and for people in the surrounding region to hear some of the most stimulating speakers in the country.

Setting the Table: Participatory Grantmaking

Collage of food policy organization logos surrounding a cartoon of diverse people sharing a meal. Center text reads “Setting the Table for Better Food Policy.” Logos include SOFSA, NJ Food Democracy Collaborative, CFFN, Food System Alliance, and others, highlighting collaboration for better food systems.

The Better Food Policy Fund piloted a new model of participatory grantmaking. I facilitated a process that reduced burden, built trust, and shifted the tone of philanthropy toward fairness, joy, and shared ownership.

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.

Seeding Connection in Coastal NC

Line drawing illustrating a community-based approach. The title at the top is "Eastern Carteret County." The image is divided into three parts: on the left, an easel and a list of bullet points with the text "Train, Coach & Advise." In the center, a group of diverse, colorful stick figures representing people. On the right, a laptop computer with the text "Develop Support Systems."

A story of quiet leadership and complex systems. In a coastal North Carolina community shaped by deep pride and layered trauma, I helped seed conditions for connection, healing, and change - by holding a container, honoring resistance, and working gently at the edges of what could be spoken.