Designing with Purpose
Over the past few years, I’ve been growing a facilitation practice rooted in a simple but powerful belief: real progress happens when people are seen, heard, and given the space to think together. As someone who’s worked across nonprofits, startups, and community-driven initiatives, I’ve seen firsthand how mission-aligned teams often face decision paralysis—not because they lack clarity of purpose, but because they lack a shared process to move forward together. That’s where facilitation comes in.
Recently, I deepened that commitment by earning a certification in Facilitative Leadership for Social Change from the Interaction Institute for Social Change. This training sharpened the skills I’ve built through lived experience and formalized the values I bring to the table:
Leading with equity and inclusion
Navigating complexity with shared power
Designing group processes that are both strategic and human
Facilitation isn’t just about hosting a meeting or sticking to a run of show. It’s about designing dynamic, human-centered experiences that unlock the full potential of a group, especially when the stakes are high or the path is uncertain. My facilitation practice focuses on helping nonprofit boards and senior leadership teams solve problems, spark innovation, and build stronger bonds—all while making meaningful progress on what matters most.
Leading SWAN Impact Network’s Board Retreat
I had the opportunity to design and lead a board retreat for SWAN Impact Network, an angel investment network supporting early-stage social and environmental impact startups. SWAN’s leadership team was at an important inflection point under new leadership, and they needed a space to step back, ask big questions, and align around the future.
The retreat was designed around three core goals:
Aligning on strategic priorities and the future direction of SWAN
Clarifying goals for the next few years and how to define impact
Strengthening team cohesion and shared leadership
But my real job wasn’t just to design the agenda—it was to create the conditions for clarity, connection, and momentum. That meant designing purposeful activities that brought out diverse perspectives, navigating tough conversations with care, and helping the group translate dialogue into decisions.
By the end of the day, we had surfaced key points of alignment, addressed long-simmering questions, and co-created a roadmap for next steps. More importantly, the board left feeling energized, connected, and more equipped to lead together.
What I’m Learning
Facilitating SWAN’s retreat—and completing the Facilitative Leadership for Social Change certification—reminded me that this work isn’t just about outcomes. It’s about relationships. It’s about building the kind of trust and clarity that outlasts any single meeting. Facilitation done well is an act of service. It invites people into a space where they can slow down, listen deeply, and move forward with purpose. It’s how we build alignment in complex times. It’s how we spark innovation without losing the human thread. And it’s how we make the work feel not just strategic, but sustainable.
If you’re navigating growth, transition, or tough decisions in your organization—and want support in designing a retreat, working session, or leadership gathering—I’d love to connect. Whether it’s a few hours or a multi-day engagement, I can help you bring the right people into the room and make the most of your time together.
