Some Of Our Work

IN THE LAB

PROOF IN PRACTICE: CASE STUDIES

At the heart of my work is a belief that the places we work and the way we lead can - and must - reflect our values.

Whether I’m facilitating a workshop, building tools with a team, or guiding strategy behind the scenes, my goal is always the same: to create space for transformation that’s both meaningful and manageable. The case studies below highlight what that looks like in action - real organizations, real impact, and real change.

Walking the Walk with Equity Work

The Challenge

Nonprofit leaders—especially leaders of color—are on the frontlines of equity work, often without the internal supports they need. Chronic stress, unclear boundaries, and a culture of overwork contribute to burnout, undermining both staff wellness and mission impact. The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg recognized this challenge and launched a capacity-building initiative to support equity-centered organizational change from the inside out.

Our Approach

In September 2024, I led a workshop titled Walking the Walk with Equity Work: Supporting Staff Wellness and Preventing Burnout. Our goal was to provide nonprofit professionals with the space, tools, and framework to examine workplace wellness through a public health lens—and to take immediate, meaningful action.

Together, we:

  • Defined burnout and explored signs, causes, and impacts—especially in BIPOC-led organizations.

  • Examined internal policies that may unintentionally reinforce inequity or overwork.

  • Identified individual and organizational strategies to build supportive, caring cultures.

  • Discussed actionable ways to center self-care, peer support, and leadership accountability.

The Session 

Impact Snapshot 

  • 53% average increase in participant knowledge and confidence

  • 96% of participants planned to take new action

  • Pre-workshop hopes included practical strategies for leadership, boundaries, and team care

  • Common barriers: misaligned leadership, time constraints, and power dynamics

“Organizational leadership needs to attend this same training. Power imbalance, expectations, and lack of compassion can make some of this difficult.”
– Workshop Participant

Tools & Takeaways:

Participants received a list of resources including:

  • Joy in Work Toolkit – NACCHO

  • 7-Day Psychological Safety Challenge – Center for Creative Leadership

  • Workplace Well-Being Framework – Office of the U.S. Surgeon General

What’s Next?

Participants expressed interest in deeper learning around:

  • Disrupting hierarchy for more equitable collaboration

  • Communicating effectively with leadership

  • Empowering diverse staff voices