How collaborative workshop facilitation mobilized stakeholders to tackle an 8% retention rate

I led the planning and execution of a multi-modal research project, facilitating workshops and engaging all of FreeWorld's 30-35 team members in small and large group settings.

I partnered with an impact-focused design strategist mentor, utilizing professional development resources to address the challenge of being a solo designer while advancing the organization's research capabilities through this strategic partnership model.

This was a persistent question that affected every department at FreeWorld.

It wasn't just a program issue—it was an organizational blind spot affecting resource allocation, success metrics, and team morale.

• 8 user interviews

• secondary data analysis

• secondary research analysis

• 2 organization-wide in-person workshops

• 2 small-group virtual workshops

While synthesizing research data, I found myself trying to rigidly interpret the data we had collected. My mentor emphasized the value of combining research findings with designers’ human-centered insights, which helped me trust my judgment and led to more compelling insights and recommendations in final deliverables.

“That’s the design role - to leap off of the evidence and consider how we should address this strategically, creatively, tactfully.”

A museum-style walkthrough of research insights

Multiple colleagues described my organization-wide workshop as "impactful," and the deep dive into participant experiences resonated across teams. This shared experience fueled the culture change and organizational commitment that followed.

Ongoing communication created shared ownership

Ongoing communication not only built project visibility but also created shared ownership. This led to alignment and increased readiness for action across teams.

Going forward, I’ll seek opportunities to invite key partners into earlier project phases to maximize impact.

The hand-drawn lines found throughout my portfolio are representations of the way my design projects have woven through the design process - so far, different each time and never linear.