Writing, Workshops, & Other Resources

This page brings together my workshop and facilitation work, published writing, and the thinking that shapes my practice. It reflects a consistent belief that the most durable solutions come from people who understand both the strategic and the human dimensions of the problems they're trying to solve.

Workshops, Webinars, & Facilitation

I have designed and led workshops, webinars, and facilitation sessions for organizations, including Columbia University's School of Social Work and Civic Hall Labs, as well as for practitioner communities and organizational teams.

Current workshop offerings include Design Thinking 101, Rapid Prototyping, Proof of Concept and Pilot Design, and custom sessions tailored to specific organizational needs.

Interested in a workshop for your team or organization? Get in touch.

Writing & Thought Leadership

This section contains a snapshot of my writing, ranging from in-depth articles to shorter field reflections. More pieces can be found on LinkedIn.

Collaboration & Cross-Sector Work

The Missing Middle in Collaboration

Collaboration has become a buzzword that’s often suggested in meetings, proposals, and strategies, especially in times of crisis or constraint. It’s an answer we reach for when challenges multiply or resources tighten. But for all the talk of partnership, something essential is missing in many systems: the space between silos where collaboration truly happens.

Transforming Silos into Synergy: The Role of Cross-Sector Collaboration in Navigating the Foreign Aid Crisis

Think of each sector—public, private, nonprofit, NGO, philanthropy, academia, technology, impact investing, social enterprise, and CSR—as unique puzzle pieces. Each holds valuable insights and expertise on its own, but only when they interlock do we see the full picture. The global development and social impact landscape has always been a complex puzzle—one where funding, expertise, and local leadership must fit together to create lasting solutions. But the recent disruptions in aid have scattered the pieces, leaving critical gaps that cannot be ignored.

What It Takes to Spark Real Collaboration: Lessons from Practice and Recent Conversations

Collaboration is often championed as key to solving complex challenges. But what does it actually take to work effectively across sectors such as business, government, philanthropy, and civil society? Over the past few weeks, I’ve been exploring how we move beyond surface-level coordination toward genuine co-creation, especially in times of uncertainty. The Business Fights Poverty event on Strengthening Cross-Sector Collaboration added new layers to that conversation. Here are some insights I’m still sitting with, many of which echo what I’ve seen in practice.

Who’s Missing from Your Strategy Table? Why Frontline Voices are Key to Lasting Impact

Some problems are too complex, too systemic, or too urgent to solve with top-down strategies or siloed solutions. And yet, far too often, that’s exactly how we still try to tackle them—by gathering decision-makers in a room, setting priorities, and launching initiatives without fully engaging the people who live the reality every day.

After the Unraveling: What’s Next for Global Impact?

Since January 2025, the ground beneath global development and the broader social impact space has shifted—loudly in some cases, as funding vanished and programs dissolved. But not all impacts have been immediate or visible. Some are unfolding quietly, delayed, dispersed, or even denied.

USAID Is Gone. And It Hurts.

June 27, 2025: Today, I’m thinking of the people. The colleagues. The partners. The mentors, grantees, collaborators, and quiet backstops who made the work possible—often against the odds.

Reimagining the Future of Aid in a Changing World

February 27, 2025: The landscape of international aid is shifting in profound ways. The past few weeks have underscored the urgency of rethinking how we frame the purpose and importance of aid, how aid is distributed, how we measure its success, and how we empower local actors to work toward goals in today’s complex world.

The Power of Legacy

For various reasons, I've been thinking a lot lately about the idea of legacy. What actually endures? What do we leave behind?

Attention is a Leadership Move

Meaningful progress doesn’t have to come from major strategies or breakthroughs. Sometimes, a leap begins with the simple act of noticing. Noticing is a skill that can help leaders identify emerging patterns, see shifts in context early, catch what’s missing, and unearth surprising opportunities. It also allows teams to thoughtfully adapt based on new information.

Leading with Authenticity: The Secret to Resilience

In a world of constant change, the secret to resilience isn’t about sticking to rigid plans or perfect solutions—it’s about leading with authenticity. Authenticity allows leaders to adapt, pivot, and respond to uncertainty with confidence. Leaders who stay grounded in their true selves don’t just survive challenges—they become stronger, more adaptable, and avoid being reactive in the face of disruption.

To the Ones Still Holding the Work Together

A quiet appreciation for the leaders still showing up—even when no one’s watching.

Iteration as a Practice: In the Classroom and Beyond

In global impact circles, we often talk about iteration and the value of testing, learning, and adjusting as we go. These same principles power social innovation — and the classroom.

2,500 Laps: Lessons Beyond the Pool

On Memorial Day 2025, I set myself a clear, measurable goal: swim 2,500 laps. On Labor Day, I reached that milestone. For context, that’s nearly 39 miles (62 kilometers) or about 12 times the length of Manhattan and almost the length of Lake Geneva, Switzerland. But what I’ll remember most isn’t the distance.

Building a Mosaic of Impact: Embracing Locally Led Development and Adaptive Strategies

Imagine a vibrant mosaic, where each tile represents a local community with its own strengths, challenges, and unique story. Alone, each tile is distinct, but together, they form a powerful, interconnected whole. Similarly, effective development depends on the synergy of locally led solutions, adaptive strategies, and meaningful collaboration.

Empathy: A Catalyst for Connection, Transformation, and Reclaiming Humanity in a Divided World

In a world that feels increasingly divided—by borders, politics, inequality, and fear—empathy may seem like a soft skill or a luxury. But in truth, it’s far more than that. Empathy is a catalyst. A powerful force for connection. And, perhaps most urgently, it’s a line of defense against indifference.

More coming soon

Additional pieces are coming soon.

Check back for new writing or follow along on LinkedIn for the latest.

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Writing, Workshops, & Other Resources