Navigate Change With Empathy and Human-Centeredness
Polices exist to articulate our values and protect our community (Stock Image: Squarespace)
I’m a policy nerd! I looovvvveee policy – developing, implementing, and advocating for health policies that support the lives, pursuits, and well-being of young people. Policy development is a way to articulate our values, and when done with empathy and human-centeredness, can improve culture. I’ve always been passionate about navigating systems and transforming them to better serve people rather than institutions. Whether it’s students, educators, families, clients, or patients, my work centers on putting their needs at the center of every policy and practice. I work with my clients to interpret existing federal, state, and local laws, conduct internal policy audits, and develop improved policies and guidance that ensure organizations are responsive, inclusive, and effective.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked alongside educators to navigate an unprecedented and rapidly changing policy environment. Public health guidance and school mitigation policy shifted almost weekly (certainly monthly), leaving schools in need of clear, flexible, actionable plans to protect students and staff. My role as a health and safety advisor to DC’s public charter schools was to help school leaders make sense of the chaos. I helped them translate complex public health policy into practices that worked and could be implemented – drafting/reviewing school protocols, training school staff, engaging school communities, and ensuring that implementation equitably prioritized safety and wellbeing.
The pandemic was a stark reminder that policies are living, breathing documents. They need to evolve as circumstances change, and they should always reflect the needs of the most impacted members of the community. Whether mitigating communicable diseases, improving childhood immunizations, or creating inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ students, my approach is always rooted in empathy, clarity, flexibility, and a compassionate commitment to centering the needs of those most impacted by the policies.
Beyond pandemics, I advise clients on the development and implementation of a variety of pressing health policies, from developing school policies that improve inclusion and belonging for gender-diverse students to implementing health department policies by effectively engaging families toward a dramatic increase in childhood immunization compliance. I mention both of these examples because policy development is incredible, and effective implementation of policy is even better! Effective policy implementation requires me to bring my other skills and services to my clients, including strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, training, and coaching. It is through all of this that we can develop and implement policy toward improving the lives, pursuits and well-being of our constituents. You can read case studies about my policy work here and here.
Supporting Those at the Center of the Policy Impact
At the core of my work is a deep commitment to supporting those most impacted by the policy being developed and implemented. This is why I bring empathy and a human-centered approach to all policy development and implementation. Policies aren’t just words on paper—they have the power to create real, lasting change. By centering the voices and needs of those most affected, we can ensure policies are not only effective but transformative.
The Changing Landscape: Why Now Is the Time to Act
The policy landscape is always shifting, and now is the time to shore up your policies to ensure they meet the needs of your community and also adhere to federal, state, and local laws and policies. Whether addressing new challenges, updating outdated policies, or identifying gaps in your current framework, proactive policy auditing and development can set your organization up for long-term success.
I’m here to help you:
Audit existing policies to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
Engage your community of stakeholders to build trust and buy-in for new initiatives.
Develop and update policies that are clear, actionable, empathetic, and human centered.
Train staff to ensure policies are implemented with fidelity and understanding.
I’m eager to work with you to create and implement policies that evolve with your organization, adhere to laws/policies further upstream and make a meaningful impact for everyone you serve. Reach out when you're ready and schedule a call!
