what i do.

In addition to food, I bring my curiosity and compassion to make the world a better place. In doing work to change programs, policies, and systems, it is oftentimes hard to find the words to describe such emergent, complex work! These are ways I see myself showing up for the work I care about. 

i create spaces.
I host and facilitate conversations that matter to encourage people to share their stories, beliefs, opinions, laughter, heartaches, and dreams. I have brought together teammates, colleagues, partners, learners, and strangers in rooms where the invitations are written based on what unites and challenges them to show up. These conversations take shape in various forms: strategic retreats, planning sessions, community engagement, workshops, classes, meetings, gatherings, discussions. I see my role as working alongside those who invite me in to co-create the space for these conversations to take place, and then ensure what is learned finds its way into the shaping of their collective future. Concepts I practice  include human-centered design, the Art of Hosting, systems change, equity, and user experience design.

If you're curious:

• I apply a lot of this in my work with the Future Services Institute, an organization focusing on innovation in the human services sector. 
• My friends and I created the Systems Simulation (page under construction), a simulation that encourages reflective practice in systems thinking. Participants make connections between the self and the system, surfacing patterns of behavior in the way they show up and the way systems work.
• Applying Design Thinking in the Social Sector: My favorite project that got me started in human-centered design - we explored what it means to improve a culturally-based food shelf for the community it serves. Check out our final report here.

i record stories using visuals.
I listen deeply and visualize what is said (and sometimes unsaid) into visuals for collective memory-keeping. This enables all of us to see ourselves in the whole, stories to grow in strength, and ideas to live on to become futures. These are visual harvests or graphic recordings of spaces I get to be in. I believe in the power of visuals to show what is sometimes hidden so we can be hopeful in how we paint tomorrow.

If you're curious:

• I am a part of the five women collective, Visual Sisterhood (instagram, facebook), featuring graphic recorders that are multi-generation, multi-nationality, multi-sector.
• See the 'foamcore kids' featured in this article? Myself and my visual sister, Jen Mein, were their creators.  Other 'foamcore peoples' have made appearances in community events such as those by Discover Together South St. Paul. 

i teach.
I offer spaces where learning is mutual, where I share what I have learned and seen, and in return learn from those who show up. These are classrooms, workshops, conference sessions, and sometimes coffee-fueled chats. I believe in abundance, and that knowledge is limitless power that we can invest in each other.

If you're curious:

• One of my most memorable experiences was to be on the training team for the 2019 Leading Courageously in Human Services workshop. Check it out here, and take a look at our workbook to see what we dove into!
• I am the co-instructor for both the core courses in the graduate level certificate, Human Services Leadership Certificate, offered by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. These courses are centered around human-centered design and racial equity, and how it can be applied to improving policies and programs.