A black and white symmetrical mandala-style pattern featuring intricate, repetitive petal and teardrop shapes radiating from the center. The design includes scalloped and dotted textures, with heavy black outlines on a white background.

Writing & Reflections

These are short field notes, questions, and reflections from my practice. Each is a door into dynamics I’m exploring and or am learning about alongside others. You’ll find thoughts on trauma-aware leadership, systems change, network weaving, and the sometimes messy realities of helping groups move through complexity. They’re not polished essays but working notes, meant to be carried into your own facilitation, civic leadership, or community practice.

If something here sparks an insight you’d like to share, please do!

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.
Co-Creation, Collaborative Leadership, Facilitation, Group Dynamics, Leading Through Complexity, Network Leadership, Reflective Practice, Systems Change, Systems Thinking

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.
Co-Creation, Collaborative Leadership, Facilitation, Group Dynamics, Leading Through Complexity, Network Leadership, Reflective Practice, Systems Change, Systems Thinking

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.
Co-Creation, Collaborative Leadership, Facilitation, Group Dynamics, Leading Through Complexity, Network Leadership, Reflective Practice, Systems Change, Systems Thinking

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.
Co-Creation, Collaborative Leadership, Facilitation, Group Dynamics, Leading Through Complexity, Network Leadership, Reflective Practice, Systems Change, Systems Thinking

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.
Collaborative Leadership, Facilitation, Group Dynamics, Leading Through Complexity, Reflective Practice, Trauma-Informed Practice

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.
Co-Creation, Collaborative Leadership, Facilitation, Group Dynamics, Leading Through Complexity, Network Leadership, Reflective Practice, Systems Change, Systems Thinking

Others Reflect

“It’s so important to bring a diverse set of people to the table in our efforts involved in things that might, at first glance, not even seem to be connected. But when you dig under, they are connected.” – Adaptive leadership training participant

Others Reflect

“Mistakes equal learning.” – Community collaborator

Others Reflect

“That people are so open has been surprising. There is such willingness to step into the space.  I’d like to see how we fuel more of that…” – Community collaborator

Others Reflect

“Friction points have been helpful in highlighting the depth and breath of some of the challenges we face which we may not have fully appreciated otherwise.” – Community collaborator

Others Reflect

“Shift happens!” – light-hearted collective wisdom emerging from participants of The Wave Effect – June 2021

Sometimes the most
meaningful collaborations begin with a single conversation.

Let’s Connect