Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations (Melissa Pitotti)

In this episode Melissa speaks with Joy Kolin, Executive Director and Board President of Giving Joy.

Joy has 20-years of experience in the field of international development, a career that has taken her to over 60 countries. Throughout her travels, Joy found herself touched by a common trend - the immense ability of women to affect positive change if given the resources and opportunities to do so. In 2018 she established Giving Joy as a way to harness and grow the power and the influence of women-led ventures the world over. Now, women from any country, across any trade or industry, can apply for a one-time grant between $250 to $500 to jump start and/or expand their operations.

To learn more check out:

-       Giving Joy: https://givingjoygrants.org 

-       Email: info@givingjoygrants.org 

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

In today’s episode, we hear from Dr. Lucia Berdondini, a Gestalt therapist and humanitarian, who shares her journey and the importance of embodying change in times of crisis. She discusses how grief and uncertainty are affecting the humanitarian workforce amidst recent challenges, and how we can support ourselves and others through this transformative period.

Key points:

• The power of "embodying change" and how it applies to both personal and professional crises.
• Grief and emotional responses in times of uncertainty: why they don’t follow a linear path.
• The role of community and peer support in navigating crises and finding agency.
• The importance of creating spaces to reflect and support each other, particularly in the humanitarian sector.
• Practical strategies from Dr. Berdondini's portal for supporting humanitarian workers’ well-being.

About the guest:

Dr. Lucia Berdondini is an Associate Professor in Psychology and Course Leader of the Distance Learning MSc Humanitarian Intervention at the University of East London. A BACP Accredited Gestalt Psychotherapist since 2003, she has worked extensively with individuals, couples, and groups. Her research and practice focus on psychosocial interventions in war-affected regions, existential therapies, and intercultural counselling training, with experience in Afghanistan, Angola, India, Syria, and Ukraine. She has authored numerous international academic publications in these fields.

Resources mentioned:

• Dr. Lucia Berdondini’s online portal for well-being and mental health support for humanitarian and healthcare practitioners. [LINK]
• The session, titled "Singing, Singing, and Counter-Singing", will take place in 26th of February 2025 at 4:00pm (UK time) and will explore the power of voice, music, and rhythm in fostering resilience and well-being in humanitarian and healthcare contexts. The event will be facilitated by Valentina Barlacchi, Gestalt therapist and recently awarded with the MSc Humanitarian Intervention. You can find full details and register HERE.

Quotes by Dr. Lucia Berdonini

1. "Embodying change means investing your choices, emotions, and actions into addressing the challenges life throws at you." 
2. "In moments of crisis, the first thing we need to do is connect with each other, through listening, sharing, and acknowledging our feelings." 
3. "Grief doesn’t follow a linear path. It can surprise you with waves of emotion, and that’s okay. Be patient with yourself." 
4. "Humanitarians are not indestructible. They need support just like anyone else." 
5. "Let’s look at this challenging time as an opportunity to create new, more decentralized, and more resilient systems of support."

In this episode, Melissa talks with Brendan McDonald, co-founder and COO of Uncomfortable Revolution. They explore lessons learned from a big push to get the issue of aid worker well-being on the agenda in the run-up to the World Humanitarian Summit. 

To learn more about Brendan’s work, you can find him: 

·      on Twitter at @7piliers

·      Uncomfortable Revolution at https://www.urevolution.com/

·      his 2015 article in the Guardian at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/jul/31/aid-workers-casualties-mental-health

·      The petition discussed at: https://bit.ly/3oW1hJi

·      Uncomfortable Revolution’s mental health video series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClJ70hiDjK1HWCvGgu-re5Q

Other resources

·      WhatsApp’s Global Suicide Hotline Resources page is here: https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/security-and-privacy/global-suicide-hotline-resources/?lang=en

·      CHS Guidance notes on non-disclosure agreements is here: https://www.chsalliance.org/get-support/resource/non-disclosure-agreements-guidance-note/

Melissa talks with Hope Chigudu, reflecting back on the 20-21 May Global Gathering entitled “Living our values: Care, culture and power in aid organisations” held by the CHS Alliance.

In their conversation they cover:

• The connections between power, culture and care
• The importance of leadership, of using language that people can understand in different contexts, of raising awareness about power in our spaces
• The value of rituals, for individuals and communities
• The idea of accountability: In a world of external accountability and upward accountability, how are we accountable to ourselves?
• Ideas for how to follow-up the Global Gathering in a way that takes into consideration enthusiasm and energy

Hope Chigudu is feminist activist and a gender, organisational and development practitioner. In her earlier days in the women’s movement, she co-founded the Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network. She later used her skills in governance and management to serve as Chair of the Board of Urgent Action Fund-Africa and prior to this as chair of the Global Fund for Women. Hope is an internationally renowned consultant with experience in "healing" organisations, governance and creative monitoring and evaluation. She co-authored with Rudo Chigudu “Strategies for Building Organisations with a Soul.” 

To learn more, check out:

• 10 session recordings from the Global Gathering on the CHS Alliance YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh1w1Ldo3QjUh7q_coN5ifrnUZqlop8cI
• “Strategies for Building an Organisation with a Soul” by Hope Chigudu and Rudo Chigudu, edited by Jessica Horn, published by the African Institute for Integrated Responses to VAWG and HIV/AIDS (AIR): http://airforafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Strategies-for-Building-an-Organisation-with-Soul-WEB.pdf  

***We would like to give a special thanks to the Initiative’s supporters: the CHS Alliance members, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO) and the Netherlands. Thanks to ICVA for collaborating in this joint project engaging leaders. And thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

In this episode, Melissa Pitotti and Nasra Ismail have a candid conversation about navigating transitions, power dynamics, and the principles of localization in the humanitarian sector. They share personal anecdotes and insights into their professional journeys, discussing the challenges and opportunities they encountered along the way. From experiencing shifts in power dynamics to embracing localization as a personal and professional practice, they delve into the complexities of working in the humanitarian field and the importance of aligning personal values with professional endeavors. Join them as they explore the intersection of personal and professional growth, which could be helpful for anyone navigating career transitions or seeking to create meaningful change in their communities.

Background

Nasra Ismail is Alight's newly appointed U.S. Enterprise Executive Director, where she leads a team to build and expand welcoming communities for newcomers to the United States. With a career spanning two decades, Nasra's journey has taken her across the globe, from leading public policy in Washington D.C. to delivering humanitarian aid in East Africa and shaping social justice movement strategy in philanthropy for the past three years. As a first-generation immigrant, Nasra champions interconnected communities founded on principles of equity and inclusion, all working towards a shared future. Nasra has held leadership roles at organizations including the U.S Millennium Challenge Corporation, Care US, Oxfam International, Co-Impact, and GivingTuesday. Her unique blend of experiences in humanitarian, public, and philanthropic sectors all reflect her core values, which were enriched by her personal displacement journey from Somalia. 

In this episode, Melissa and Nasra

• reflect on their professional journeys, highlighting the transitions they've experienced and the lessons learned
• discuss the impact of power dynamics on relationships and professional interactions, sharing personal experiences of navigating shifts in power
• share insights into the principles of localization and its significance in empowering local communities to drive change and participate fully in humanitarian efforts
• explore the intersection of personal and professional values, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's purpose with their work
• offer encouragement and advice for individuals navigating career transitions or seeking to create positive change in their communities
• discuss the role of community support and collaboration in fostering personal and professional growth, highlighting the value of mutual aid and solidarity

Melissa's conclusion

Community is the #1 thing you need when navigating a values-aligned career transition in the humanitarian sector.

Resources mentioned

• Nasra Ismail's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/nasraismail
• Nasra Ismail's X (Twitter) profile: @NAS_isms
• Nasra is the U.S. Enterprise Executive Director of Alight, and you can learn more about Alight at: https://wearealight.org/ 
• Their previous podcast conversation can be found here: https://changemakingwomen.com/guest-series-embodying-change-4-nasra-ismail-director-of-the-somalia-ngo-consortium/ 

How can we create sustainable change within humanitarian and development organizations? 

In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes back Mary Ann Clements, a pivotal figure in the history of this podcast and Co-CEO at an organisation working on  disability justice, ADD International. Mary Ann shares her journey from initiating Healing Solidarity to re-imagining an INGO to become a participatory grant maker. You’ll hear about the importance of embodying change, the challenges of reimagining institutions, and the role of power dynamics in achieving sustainable transformation. Stay tuned until the end for Mary Ann’s insights on creating environments that support well-being and resilience.

Today’s Guest

Mary Ann Clements is co-CEO at ADD International and the initiator of Healing Solidarity. With extensive experience in social justice and humanitarian work, Mary Ann is committed to fostering well-being and systemic change in the sector.

Website: maryannclements.com
Social Media: LinkedIn 

You’ll Learn

• What embodying change means and how it influences organizational culture
• The importance of well-being and resilience in creating sustainable change
• How Healing Solidarity started and evolved over time
• The challenges and benefits of collaborative leadership
• Insights into the participatory grant-making process at ADD International

Resources Mentioned

• Mary Ann Clements’ website: maryannclements.com
• ADD International: add.org.uk
• Healing Solidarity YouTube Channel
• "We can’t hashtag our way to change" by Mary Ann Clements in Alliance Magazine
• "Power does not shift easily" by Fredrick Ouko and Mary Ann Clements in Alliance Magazine
• The Working Well report on the CHS Alliance website
• Embodying Change podcasts featuring Mary Ann Clements as host:
  • Episode 5 with Dr. Peter Mills 
  • Episode 6 with Imogen Wall 
  • Episode 7 with Lana Baqaeen 
  • Episode 8 with Gemma Houldey
• The CHS Alliance Global Gathering 2021 - Living our values: Care, culture and power in aid - on YouTube 

Quotes

• “Embodying change means showing up with vulnerability and leaning into difficult conversations.” – Mary Ann Clements
• “Creating a supportive work environment requires us to recognize our power dynamics and work towards more inclusive and caring practices.” – Mary Ann Clements

Call to Action

• Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
• Visit maryannclements.com to learn more about Mary Ann’s work and sign up for her newsletter.
• Engage with Healing Solidarity’s archived content on YouTube for more insights into creating systemic change.

How can we know how staff are doing during these crazy times? Ask them. 

Melissa talks with Roger Parry, Director of Agenda Consulting. His organisation specialises in employee and volunteer engagement surveys for non-profits. He shares his insights on how staff engagement has increased in the turbulent year of 2020, on how people are experiencing stress differently based on their gender, age and race, and on what it could look like if we tried – as a sector – to track well-being and culture over time using time-tested survey tools.

Roger is the Founder of Agenda Consulting. He has worked since 1985 in the public and not-for-profit sectors as a management consultant – 8 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers and a similar period with Compass Partnership. He has worked with boards, chief executives and senior managers in the following sectors: social care, housing, international development, associations and unions, central Government and Non-Departmental Public Bodies.  Internationally Roger has worked in Kenya, South Africa and in Tanzania where he started and led a new consultancy practice for PricewaterhouseCoopers for 2 years. Roger has an MBA from London Business School and a BA in Mathematics from Oxford.

To learn more about Agenda Consulting visit https://www.agendaconsulting.co.uk/insights/ .

In this episode Melissa speaks with Faye Ekong of RavelWorks Africa about common challenges in aid organisations, particularly as they relate to decolonising aid in a “post” COVID world. 

Faye Ekong is the Managing Director of RavelWorks Africa. She has been in Human Resources, Learning & Personal Development for over 10 years. She is an SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), holds a Masters of Science in International Management and a Bachelor of Arts in European Studies and Modern Languages. To learn more, check out:

-       Ravelworks Africa: https://ravel.works/

-       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faye-ekong/?originalSubdomain=ke 

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

Lydia Poole discusses "The Big Humanitarian Rethink," a digital consultation she launched with Ben Parker to capture diverse perspectives on reforming the humanitarian system during a period of unprecedented funding cuts. The consultation revealed two distinct camps: "reimaginers" who advocate for radical transformation addressing power imbalances, and "improvers" who prefer incremental change while preserving humanitarian principles. Despite these differences, both groups agree on the need to maintain some international crisis response capabilities. As the humanitarian sector navigates this watershed moment, Lydia emphasizes the urgent need to make difficult choices about what to preserve while avoiding a disorderly collapse of vital services. This conversation offers rare insight into a sector at a crossroads, balancing immediate operational demands with the opportunity for meaningful, long-overdue reform.

Today's Guest

Lydia Poole is a humanitarian financing expert with over 15 years of experience. Along with Ben Parker, Lydia co-created "The Big Humanitarian Rethink" citizen consultation, an initiative to collect diverse perspectives on humanitarian system reform following recent funding cuts. Lydia previously wrote an article published by The New Humanitarian addressing the risks of leaving key decisions about humanitarian system reform to a small group of leaders with vested interests.

You'll Learn

• How Lydia and Ben launched a digital consultation to give voice to diverse perspectives on humanitarian reform
• The major divide between "reimaginers" and "improvers" in approaches to humanitarian reform
• What both camps agree on despite their different visions for the future
• How the humanitarian system is responding to the current funding crisis
• Why traditional humanitarian financing models may be at odds with localization efforts
• The common ground that could unite different perspectives on reform

Resources

• The Big Humanitarian Rethink citizen consultation 
• Find Lydia Poole on LinkedIn
• "Improving or Reimagining? Mapping key narratives on the Future of Development Cooperation," by Prof. dr. Sara Kinsbergen & Dr. Zunera Rana, Radboud University, April 2025.

In this episode Melissa speaks with Dr. Aiysha Malik, a mental health specialist at the World Health Organization working for a world that supports, improves, and does not harm mental health. They discuss the WHO guidelines on mental health and work and accompanying WHO-ILO policy brief. What do the guidelines say and what can you do with them?

Check out the WHO guidelines on mental health at work here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240053052 

And the WHO-ILO mental health at work policy brief here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240057944

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

Please leave a review by scrolling down the show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.”

Melissa talks with Gozel Baltaeva and Adrien Muratet about Commitment Eight of the Core Humanitarian Standard. What are the data and the practitioners saying about people management in the humanitarian sector, especially during COVID?

Gozel Baltaeva was the People Management Adviser and point of contact for tailored support on all people management topics for CHS Alliance members. With a master’s degree in Business Administration and Strategic Human Resources Management, Gozel offers 15-plus years of experience leading multi-cultural and multi-skilled teams in challenging environments working with MSF, ACF and ICRC. Gozel loves helping HR professionals improve their strategies and solutions by providing guidance and tools and facilitating exchange of good practice, notably by bringing people management professionals together and creating powerful experiences at the Humanitarian Human Resources conference.  Gozel also enjoys mentoring up-and-coming HR professionals where she shares her knowledge and passion for people management.

Adrien Muratet was the CHS Verification Manager.  He is a humanitarian practitioner with experience in various international NGOs (Oxfam, IRC) and UN agencies (UNHCR). He started working in the field, in the Democratic Republic of Congo primarily, as coordinator of protection clusters and a program manager, before transitioning to headquarters, and from protection to protection mainstreaming, and finally to quality and accountability in humanitarian action. He joined the CHS Alliance in 2016 focusing on the support to organisations completing a self-assessment, and progressively extended his responsibilities to oversee the entire verification portfolio and participate in building a stronger verification system.

To learn more, check out:

-       CHS Alliance People Management Support: https://www.chsalliance.org/get-support/article/people-management/

-       CHS Alliance Verification Support: https://www.chsalliance.org/verify/ 

***As we close the year and the season, we would like to give a special thanks to the supporters of the Initiative to Cultivate Caring Compassionate Aid Organizations: the CHS Alliance, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO), ICVA and soon the Netherlands. We would also like to thank Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

Melissa speaks with Oge Chukwudozie about the Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub’s exciting pilot project accompanying 10 local Nigerian organisations as they work to change their organisational cultures.  Oge emphasizes the value of cultivating a safe and supportive workplace culture and the importance of leadership “walking the talk.”  

Organisations often issue written policies without addressing the underlying social norms of the organisation that block the full implementation of these policies. A good place to start is for leaders to develop qualities like awareness, self-acceptance, empathy, curiosity in the face of criticism, and a learning mindset in the face of mistakes. Work relationships that are friendly and filled with laughter – rather than tension - can motivate and energise people to do their best work. Leaders who are nice are not necessarily weak. Mental health challenges and burnout are real. You want to ensure your staff are okay. 

Oge Chukwudozie is a safeguarding and protection professional with 18 years’ experience in the aid sector. She has worked with different organisations, including Africare, Christian Aid and Save the Children. Oge has experience in various thematic areas such as education, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and emergency response. She is currently the National Representative for the Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) Nigeria Hub. Her six-month pilot project is currently providing mentorship to 10 local Nigerian organisations to assess their organizational cultures, create a vision and prioritized action plan for change, track progress in reflection journals, and share learning with peers. 

To learn more, check out:

-       The Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) website:

https://safeguardingsupporthub.org/

and Nigeria specific page:

https://nigeria.safeguardingsupporthub.org/

-       Twitter: @SafeguardingRSH  

-       LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oge-chinenye-chukwudozie-96164a2b

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

Annemarie Shrouder shares her personal journey with identity and discusses her work building inclusive cultures and communities. She and Melissa explore the difference between learning and BEING something (embodying change), the challenges of mixed race identity, creating safe and/or brave spaces, and the importance of representation, belonging and community support.

Topics Discussed: 

•  Identity and embodying change
•  Inclusion and belonging in organizations
•  Leadership, empathy and localization 
•  Diversity in leadership and overcoming barriers
•  Creating inclusive cultures and speaking up against injustice

Key Insights:

•  Embodying change means living what you learn, not just talking about it
•  Inclusion alone is not enough without addressing oppressive systems 
•  Self-care and vulnerability are acts of resistance for historically disadvantaged  groups
•  Both safe spaces and brave spaces are needed to have meaningful conversations (and this article by Elise Ahenkorah takes it a step further talking about accountable spaces)

Annemarie Shrouder – international best-selling author of Being Brown in a Black and White World: Conversations for Leaders on Race, Racism and Belonging - has spent more than 20 years in the field of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) as a facilitator, consultant, and international speaker. An expert in EDI with a Masters in Bias Awareness, Annemarie assists in the creation of healthy workplace communities through her Signature Methodology and Inclusive Leadership Program. Organizations turn to Annemarie when they are looking to build environments where people can learn and are supported, and where they are acknowledged and valued.  She also delivers presentations and keynotes, and can be booked for speaking engagements that inspire people to notice more, and raise awareness about the importance of inclusion. Annemarie works with diversity broadly and is passionate about healing the racial divide and supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion. 

To learn more, check out:

• Her website: https://annemarieshrouder.com/
• Her community for leaders committed to building belonging: https://ediwithheart.wordpress.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarieshrouder/
• Her book: https://annemarieshrouder.com/book/

“Embodying change is the difference between learning something and BEING something.”

-       Annemarie Shrouder

In this light-hearted episode of "Embodying Change," we sit down with Lucette Quarteron, a dynamic global citizen and visionary leader. Lucette shares her unique insights on self-leadership, the proper use of power, and conflict management, drawing from her rich personal and professional journey. Discover how Lucette transforms organizational cultures, fosters workplace trust, and empowers others to embrace change.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of self-leadership and healing personal wounds to lead others effectively.
• Strategies for managing emotions in conflict situations.
• The significance of standing up for your values and setting boundaries.
• How to build trust and acknowledge the contributions of others in a professional setting.

Compelling Quotes:

1. "You need to heal your wounds. If you don't heal your personal wounds, you're going to create wounds in others. Self-leadership is being aware of yourself so that it impacts others positively."
2. "When the emotion is overwhelming, the brain cannot function. You can just acknowledge that the person is furious and suggest discussing it later. It’s about managing emotions first so that you can think clearly."
3. "Stand up for your beliefs and values, whatever the consequences. If you don't respect yourself, nobody will. It’s like not respecting yourself if you don’t put boundaries."

Resources Mentioned:

• Conflict Management Workshop - Join Lucette on June 25th at the beautiful Chateau D'Ouchy in Lausanne.
• Gary Chapman and Paul White's Book on Workplace Appreciation - Learn about the five languages of appreciation in the workplace.
• The Leading Well report - Learn about the 10 practices sited by aid leaders to Lead Well

Connect with Lucette Quartiron:

• Lucette Quarteron's website: Explore Lucette’s work and contact her for coaching sessions or workshops
• LinkedIn: Lucette Quarteron's profile
• YouTube: Lucette Quartiron on Conflict Management (in French)

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to "Embodying Change" on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you inspiring content.

Join Us Next Time: Stay tuned for more insightful conversations that help you embody change in your own life and work. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Melissa Pitotti speaks with Deborah Doane, author of The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege, and Renewal. 

Deborah brings decades of experience in the humanitarian and development sectors, from leading the Ombudsman Project for humanitarian accountability to co-founding the RINGO Project, which is pushing for systemic change in global civil society. 

The conversation explores key themes from Deborah’s book, including the challenges of reforming the INGO sector, shifting power to local actors, and embracing new roles for INGOs in the future.

Key topics covered:

• A perspective on "embodying change": Deborah’s reflection on lifelong learning, stepping back, and listening.
• The INGO Problem: Power dynamics, accountability, and how the current INGO system can sideline rather than support local actors.
• The RINGO Project: Systems change and prototypes like the Reverse Call for Proposals that aim to shift power and resources to local civil society organizations.
• The future of INGOs: where INGOs move away from direct service delivery and focus on facilitation, advocacy, and fiscal sponsorship for local actors.
• The role of donors: How funding mechanisms must evolve to support more equitable, trust-based partnerships.
• Learning from prototypes: RINGO’s innovation approach, trying out new models for accountability, risk management, and participatory grant-making.

Quotes:

• “Embodying change means constantly learning, living my values, and interrogating my own actions.” – Deborah Doane
• “If INGOs truly want to show solidarity, they need to shift their role from service delivery to supporting local actors to lead.” – Deborah Doane
• “The bureaucracy and compliance requirements are protecting no one—they need a revolution.” – Deborah Doane
• “Prototyping is about trying something out, and if it doesn’t work, you’ve still learned something.” – Deborah Doane
• “We need to rethink the role of INGOs in the future—they must be smaller, more flexible, and in service to local communities.” – Deborah Doane
• "The need for system-wide change is clear, and everyone has a role to play." – Nana Asantewa Afadzinu

Deborah Doane is an independent consultant and author with over two decades of experience in humanitarian and development sectors. She has led key initiatives like the RINGO Project and the Ombudsman Project, which focused on bringing accountability to the humanitarian aid sector. Her latest book, The INGO Problem, explores the power dynamics and privilege embedded in international NGOs and how to move toward a more equitable system.

Connect with Deborah Doane:

• LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned:

• The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege, and Renewal by Deborah Doane: Purchase here
• The Ringo Project: Learn more here
• The Pledge for Change: Website
• CHS Alliance: Website

Call to Action:

If you want to dive deeper into how INGOs operate and how they can shift power to local communities, pick up Deborah’s book, The INGO Problem. 

Let’s continue these important conversations on how we can all contribute to meaningful, system-wide change.

Welcome to Embodying Change.

In this introductory episode, you'll hear Melissa Pitotti talking with Tanya Wood, Executive Director of CHS Alliance.

They introduce you to the initiative initially incubated by the CHS Alliance about building care and compassion in the sector and talk about wellbeing in the context of COVID-19.

You can find out more about CHS Alliance at https://www.chsalliance.org/ and about Tanya here.

Melissa talks with Julia Sánchez, the former Secretary General of ActionAid International. The conversation was part of an ICVA-CHS Alliance joint project engaging aid leaders on the issues of staff well-being and supportive organisational culture. 

ActionAid’s ten principles of feminist leadership include elements that explicitly link to staff well-being, like self awareness, self-care and caring for others. They also include ingredients for a supportive organisational culture like: dismantling bias, inclusion, sharing power and using it responsibly and transparently, accountable collaboration, courage (learning from mistakes rather than fearing failure), respectful feedback and zero tolerance for discrimination and abuse of power in the workplace.

In their conversation Melissa and Ms. Sánchez cover:

• Reflections on how important it is to know our values, and how hard it can be to apply them in our daily work
• Why we seem particularly stressed in this sector 
• The importance of leaders modelling healthy relationships to the work
• Lessons learned on collaborative management (vs. micromanagement) for building trust and giving space to learn 
• An open question about how we “recharge” when we can’t travel and see people in person

Ms. Sánchez is a development practitioner, feminist and environmentalist who has been promoting equity and sustainable development for more than 25 years. Born in Peru, Julia grew up in Latin and North America. A global citizen, she is tri-lingual and has lived and worked in numerous countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa. Early in her career, Julia worked with a Canadian INGO for many years, first in Guatemala, then in Canada and finally as regional director for Asia based in Nepal. From 2009 to 2011, she was then national campaign coordinator with the global secretariat of the Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA) based out of Delhi. She was appointed as president-CEO of the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) in 2011, a position she held until 2018. Subsequently, she ran as a federal candidate for the Canadian parliament in 2019 and completed a research contract with the largest union in Canada, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), on privatisation of municipal services. Julia has served on numerous Canadian and international boards and advisory bodies, including as co-chair of the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) from 2016 to 2018. She served as the chair of CIVICUS and was previously treasurer from 2016 to 2019. Julia has designed and managed programs in areas such as humanitarian assistance, reconstruction, governance, democratic development, community-based economic development, international volunteering and, more recently, campaigning on climate change. She is an economist and political scientist, with a BA in Economics and Political Science and an MA in Economics, both from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.  

To learn more, check out:

-       ActionAid’s Ten Principles of Feminist Leadership: https://actionaid.org/feminist-leadership 

-       The ICVA-CHS Alliance joint report, “Leading well: Aid leader perspectives on staff well-being and organisational culture”: https://www.chsalliance.org/get-support/resource/leading-well-aid-leader-perspectives-on-staff-well-being-and-organisational-culture/  

***We would like to give a special thanks to the Initiative’s supporters: the CHS Alliance members, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO) and the Netherlands. Thanks to ICVA for collaborating in this joint project engaging leaders. And much gratitude to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

Melissa and Brian Stout of Building Belonging discuss how transformation happens – for individuals, groups, societies and the planet. This includes inviting others to co-create compelling visions, holding space in containers with maximal diversity, stepping into our power and agency, and embodying the change we want with accountability, compassion, grace and challenge.

Brian Stout is the source for the emergent collaborative that has become Building Belonging. Drawn to mediation and social justice, he worked for anti-genocide civics organization Facing History and Ourselves in Boston. He pursued an MA in International Relations & Conflict Management at Johns Hopkins SAIS, before joining the U.S. Agency for International Development, where he focused on conflict management and mitigation in East Africa, and the Middle East during the Arab Spring. After a detail to help launch the USAID Mission in Myanmar in 2012/2013, he joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle. As the social movements he’d been looking for began to emerge (Occupy, the Arab Spring, Black Lives Matter, Standing Rock) he left in 2016 to explore the many tributaries that would ultimately become the source for Building Belonging. 

To learn more, check out:

Building Belonging

• website: https://www.buildingbelonging.us/
• medium: https://medium.com/@buildingbelonging 
• YouTube channel with conversations on transformation: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRrui9FZqM43NPfB5TFp0Ag

Thought leaders mentioned in this episode:

•  Mia Mingus’ on accountability: https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com/2019/05/05/dreaming-accountability-dreaming-a-returning-to-ourselves-and-each-other/
• Adrienne Maree Brown, Emergent Strategy http://adriennemareebrown.net/tag/emergent-strategy/ 
• Donella Meadow’s work on finding places to intervene in a system: https://donellameadows.org/archives/leverage-points-places-to-intervene-in-a-system/ 
• Shanelle Matthews on storytelling and persuasion for social good https://helloshanelle.com/ 
• Brené Brown’s podcast episode on feedback: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-barrett-guillen-on-the-hardest-feedback-ive-ever-received-part-1-of-2/ 
• AnaLouise Keating on Post-Oppositional Politics of Change https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=78atf8nh9780252037849 
• Teju Cole on the White-Savior Industrial Complex: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/03/the-white-savior-industrial-complex/254843/ 
• Conflict Transformation and Belonging: https://medium.com/building-belonging/reflections-conflict-transformation-belonging-7ffabcd6d0c9 
• Brian Stout’s newsletter: https://citizenstout.substack.com/

***We would like to give a special thanks to the Initiative’s supporters: the CHS Alliance members, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO) and the Netherlands. And thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

In this conversation Mary Ann Clements explains the background and the hopes for the 20-21 May 2021 CHS Alliance virtual Global Gathering on Living our values: Care, culture and power in aid organisations. 

This free virtual gathering is the first of its kind in our sector which will bring together leaders and practitioners who are interested in the question of how we live our values in aid organisations. The combined focus of how we treat ourselves and our staff brings together themes of power, privilege, identity, culture and wellbeing in aid. We will be asking together how do we move towards more compassion, equity, inclusion, accountability and solidarity? You can sign up for the event at https://www.chsalliance.org/get-support/event/living-our-values-care-culture-and-power-in-aid-organisations/

Mary Ann Clements is a feminist author, facilitator, activist & coach who has worked for two decades in international development. Her work combines analysis, reflection and holding space for new and unusual conversations with a body-based and trauma-informed approach. She is a coach and also the creator of Healing Solidarity, a project she now co-leads and co-author of “Red Tents: Unravelling Our Past and Weaving a Shared Future.” You can learn more about her work at https://maryannclements.com/

To learn more:

-       Read the ICVA-CHS Alliance joint report, “Leading well: Aid leader perspectives on staff well-being and organisational culture” https://www.chsalliance.org/get-support/resource/leading-well-aid-leader-perspectives-on-staff-well-being-and-organisational-culture/ 

- Watch the recorded episodes of the Global Gathering here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh1w1Ldo3QjUh7q_coN5ifrnUZqlop8cI 

***We would like to give a special thanks to the Initiative’s supporters: the CHS Alliance members, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO) and the Netherlands. Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

In this episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti is joined by Jody Gunn-Russell and Camille Lemouchoux, two trailblazers in humanitarian staff well-being. Together, they recount the inspiring story of the NGO Staff Wellbeing Network, from its inception to its evolution into a vibrant community of practice. The conversation dives into the challenges of fostering well-being in the humanitarian sector, the systemic changes needed, and the collective efforts required to support staff across diverse cultural and organizational contexts.

Guest bios:

• Jody Gunn-Russell: Founder of the NGO Staff Wellbeing Network, Jody has over a decade of experience in humanitarian HR. She now works in the care sector, exploring innovative approaches to staff well-being while raising her young family.
• Camille Lemouchoux: A professional coach and trainer with over 25 years in the humanitarian sector, Camille specializes in leadership development and well-being. She is spearheading efforts to create a Francophone version of the NGO Staff Wellbeing Network.

Key takeaways:

1. The importance of peer support: Sharing practices and resources helps alleviate the loneliness felt by many in the humanitarian field.
2. System change is necessary: Organizational cultures need to prioritize staff well-being as a core value, not an afterthought.
3. Inclusion and diversity: Future efforts should focus on engaging local NGOs and creating multilingual, culturally sensitive spaces
4. Wellbeing as a leadership responsibility: Leaders can adopt a coaching mindset, focusing on asking the right questions rather than having all the answers.
5. Advocacy with donors: Advocating for donor funding to include well-being costs can make well-being initiatives more sustainable.

Resources to explore:

The NGO Staff Well-being Network for professionals who care to share resources, ideas and strategies to improve NGO staff wellbeing meets quarterly online. Fill out this form to express interest in joining. 

The Graduate Course in Humanitarian Leadership and Crisis Leadership Program by the Center for Humanitarian Leadership

Other episodes of the Embodying Change podcast

• Episode 53. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with with Torrey Peace on Spotify
• Episode 27. Everyone needs a safe space to flourish with Oge Chukwudozie on Spotify
• Episode 22. The data tells a story with Dr. Liza Jachens on Spotify

The Perspective Coaching Collective - tailored leadership and well-being training and coaching solutions for humanitarian organizations: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectif-perspectives-coaching/

Hitendra Solanki is a senior lecturer in development studies at London South Bank University. He’s been active in the development and humanitarian sector for over 16 years. Most recently, he worked as a Mindfulness and Wellbeing Adviser in Action Against Hunger UK. He also led the 3-year Mindfulness & Wellbeing project as part of the Start Network’s Transforming Surge Capacity programme. You can see us reference his work in the recently published paper, “Working Well? Aid Worker Well-being and How to Improve It.”

You can find Being Inside, the project he describes in the show, here: https://www.beinginside.com/

‘Being. Inside.’ is a wellbeing initiative that brings regular live guided mindfulness meditation online, as we move through these uncertain times.
Mindfulness practice has been scientifically proven to enhance self-awareness, improve psychological wellbeing, increase general health, reduce stress and anxiety, and strengthen mental resilience. These live, hourly sessions, professionally delivered by qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) trainers, with long-standing experience in the humanitarian and academic sectors, are provided completely free, and are open to everyone, everywhere, every weekday. To book a place, please visit the Being. Inside. website where you can register for any of the live sessions you wish to participate in. 

This podcast series is part of an initiative originally hosted by CHS Alliance to Cultivate Caring, Compassionate aid organisations, led by Melissa Pitotti and Mary Ann Clements.

Mary Ann catches up with Gemma Houldey. We hear Gemma's nuanced perspective on the idea of the "perfect humanitarian," the need for new ways of working that value vulnerability, and the insights gained by applying the lens of diversity and difference (particularly as they relate to race and gender).

Dr. Gemma Houldey shares with Mary Ann her views on well-being in the aid sector, particularly the nuances that arise as a result of gender, race and professional status. She previews some of the concepts explored in her forthcoming book, including perfectionism, vulnerability and daring to have difficult conversations. During this period of COVID-19 and stark reminders of racial injustice, we have an opportunity to pause, slow down, and be with the parts of ourselves we don’t like. This conversation touches upon some of the key challenges identified in our mapping report, particularly the importance of supportive organisational culture. 

Gemma, an advisor and facilitator for aid sector professionals and change-makers, has over 15 years of experience with human rights and humanitarian programmes, particularly in the Middle East and East Africa, and 5 years of research and learning focused on staff care in the aid sector. Whether working on advocacy campaigns in Palestine, or with peace-building groups in northern Uganda - she has seen how unhealthy working practices and lack of self-care affect our ability to respond effectively to the communities we serve as humanitarians and human rights defenders. Her PhD, completed at the University of Sussex, investigated how the intersections of gender, race and nationality and organisational policies and systems contribute to stress among aid workers in Kenya.

This podcast series is part of an initiative originally hosted by CHS Alliance to Cultivate Caring, Compassionate aid organisations, led by Melissa Pitotti and Mary Ann Clements.

Learn more about Gemma Houldey's work at https://gemmahouldey.com/
 

What does it mean to sit in the gray areas of change? 

How can philanthropy better support nonprofit leaders and staff in these challenging times?

In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti speaks with Elisha Smith Arrillaga, a thought leader in philanthropy and the leader of the research team at the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Elisha shares her journey from a childhood deeply influenced by civil rights activism to her role in shaping effective philanthropic practices. The conversation covers critical topics, including the findings from the 2024 State of Nonprofits report, which highlights the ongoing burnout crisis among nonprofit leaders, and the transformative impact of large, unrestricted gifts as seen in Mackenzie Scott’s philanthropy.

Elisha also provides a sneak peek into their upcoming research, exploring the differences in grantee experiences when receiving funds directly from foundations versus intermediaries. This episode is packed with insights for anyone passionate about the future of philanthropy and nonprofit well-being.

Today’s Guest

Elisha Smith Arrillaga is the Director of Research at the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP). She has dedicated her career to ensuring that philanthropic practices are grounded in research and focused on maximizing their positive impact on nonprofits and the communities they serve.

Website: Center for Effective Philanthropy
Social Media: LinkedIn

You’ll  hear:

• What embodying change means in the context of philanthropy
• Elisha’s journey from a childhood rooted in social justice to leading research at CEP
• Insights from the 2024 State of Nonprofits report on burnout and staff well-being
• The impact of Mackenzie Scott’s large, unrestricted gifts on nonprofit organizations
• How funders perceive nonprofits' capacity to manage large gifts and what this says about the system

Resources mentioned

• The Big Gifts Report: The Impact of Large, Unsrestricted Gifts
• State of Nonprofits 2024: What Funders Need to Know
• Trust-Based Philanthropy: Trust-Based Philanthropy Project
• Haas Fund Case Study: SSIR article on operationalizing trust
• Wellbeing Project: The Wellbeing Project

Quotes

• “Embodying change means being able to sit in the gray areas and take the best of all kinds of solutions.” – Elisha Smith Arrillaga
• “Supporting nonprofit leaders and staff is crucial to achieving their missions—burnout can't be ignored.” – Elisha Smith Arrillaga
• “Receiving large, unrestricted gifts boosts leadership confidence and allows for greater innovation and impact.” – Elisha Smith Arrillaga
• “Flexibility in funding allows organizations to plan effectively and respond creatively to challenges.” – Elisha Smith Arrillaga
• “There are assumptions about nonprofits’ ability to manage large gifts, but our research shows they can, and they do amazing things with those funds.” – Elisha Smith Arrillaga

Call to Action

• Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
• Visit cep.org to learn more about the Center for Effective Philanthropy and their research.
• Join or listen to the replay of the CEP’s webinar on October 15th to dive deeper into their latest report on intermediaries in philanthropy.

In this heartfelt conversation, Dimple Dhabalia shares her journey from working in the government and humanitarian sectors to advocating for trauma-informed leadership and workforce well-being. Through the lens of her personal experiences and her book Tell Me My Story, Dimple explores the vital shift from “service before self” to a more sustainable, human-centered approach. This episode dives into the complexity of moral injury, the ripple effect of self-care in leadership, and how we can reframe our approach to service to prioritize both humanity and well-being.

Guest Background:
Dimple Dhabalia is a seasoned humanitarian professional and author of Tell Me My Story: Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self. With nearly two decades of experience in asylum and refugee policy and operations for the U.S. government, Dimple transitioned to focus on workforce mental health and well-being, organizational trauma, and moral injury. Her work and insights are dedicated to reshaping the way we approach service, leadership, and self-care in high-stress, misson-driven environments.

Top Learning Points:

1. Moral Injury in Humanitarian Work: Dimple explains how moral injury—feeling a deep conflict between personal beliefs and professional duties—affects humanitarian workers and government employees, especially when policies conflict with their values.
2. The Power of Self-Care and Boundaries: From the trauma of burnout to the importance of disconnecting, Dimple highlights how taking time for self-care is vital for both personal well-being and professional effectiveness.
3. Human-Centered Leadership: Shifting from metrics-focused to human-centered leadership can create environments of trust, creativity, and collaboration that improve team dynamics and reduce burnout.
4. Creating Space for Healing: Dimple emphasizes the importance of modeling empathy and compassion, and how small shifts in leadership style—such as fostering psychological safety and encouraging boundaries—can have a profound impact on team health.

Resources mentioned:

• Tell Me My Story: Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self by Dimple Dhabalia
• Podcast: Service Without Sacrifice–conversations on hope + healing
• Podcast: What Would Ted Lasso Do
• Project: /rōot/ by dimple dhabalia on Substack
• Book Mention: Pause–Harnessing the Life-Changing Power of Giving Yourself a Break by Rachael O’Meara  

Quotes:

1. "Service doesn’t require sacrifice—well-being should be a normal part of our everyday work and life." – Dimple Dhabalia

2. "Moral injury is a natural response when your professional role and personal beliefs don’t align." – Dimple Dhabalia

3. "True leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about how we show up in the world." – Dimple Dhabalia

4. "Creating space for healing starts with being authentic and modeling the change we want to see." – Dimple Dhabalia

5. "Even in systems that feel out of alignment, small acts of compassion can create ripple effects that lead to change." – Dimple Dhabalia

   
   

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the complexities and challenges of humanitarian work? Are you looking for signs of hope that, together, we can transform the sector?

In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes Pauline Chetcuti, the newly elected president of VOICE. Pauline shares her journey from international law to humanitarian advocacy, discussing the importance of saying no, the power of collective action, and the challenges of decolonizing and transforming humanitarian work.

Today’s guest

Pauline Chetcuti is the newly elected president of VOICE, the largest European humanitarian NGO network. With a background in international law and extensive experience in the humanitarian sector, Pauline is committed to advocating for effective, principled humanitarian aid and elevating local voices in global conversations.

Website: voiceeu.org
Social Media: Twitter, LinkedIn

You’ll learn

• What embodying change means in the context of humanitarian work
• The importance of setting boundaries and saying no
• How local voices can drive systemic change in the humanitarian sector
• The challenges of decolonizing and transforming humanitarian practices
• The role of VOICE in advocating for effective humanitarian aid

Resources mentioned

• VOICE Website: voiceeu.org
• Pledge for Change: pledgeforchange.org
• Charter for Change: charter4change.org
• Humanitarian and Climate Charter: ifrc.org/climate-charter
  
  

Quotes

• “Embodying change is positively, proactively embracing change with openness and a willingness to be challenged and to learn every day.” – Pauline Chetcuti
• “Our local colleagues are the biggest motivation for change because, for them, it's their communities that transform.” – Pauline Chetcuti

Call to Action

• Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
• Visit voiceeu.org to learn more about the VOICE network and how you can get involved.
• Connect with Pauline on Twitter and LinkedIn for more insights and updates.

Melissa talks with Melly Preira, the Human Resources Director at the Jesuit Refugee Service, about how she introduced major changes to her humanitarian organisation's approach to staff support. 

Melly’s HR Department supports 56 countries in 10 regions and implements HR management practices, tailored to both the field and HQ. She guides senior management on the development and promotion of strategic policies and projects to support the well-being and performance of their employees. Her focus on organisational well-being consists of organisational policies, specific self-care practices, and tailored health and psychosocial support services. 

To learn more, you can hear Melly when she speaks at the 3 November 2020 Humanitarian Human Resources (HHR) conference, organised by the CHS Alliance: https://www.chsalliance.org/hhr2020-online/.  You can also check out her organisation at https://jrs.net/en/home/ and her LinkedIn profile at linkedin.com/in/preiramelly.

In this conversation, Melissa speaks with Sabrina Prioli, the author of a memoir called “Rise up, phoenix” and one of the victim/survivors of the 2016 Terrain Compound Attacks in Juba, South Sudan. Sabrina shares her insights into how to better support victim/survivors and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. She also explains the nuances of the words “victim” vs. “survivor” and how to cope when hearing about traumatic incidents like hers. 

*Note: This conversation includes references to rape and may be triggering for some listeners.*

Sabrina Prioli is currently a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, Mental Fitness Coach and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). She is an independent consultant and she supports organisations in raising awareness, prevention and preparation on the issue of sexual abuse, violence and rape. She worked for years as an aid worker and consultant for humanitarian projects. Sabrina helped develop the planning, monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) plans for her own and different partner implementing projects. She has worked as a researcher and PM&E consultant for universities, NGOs and governments in Latin America, Africa and Europe. She has experience and knowledge in the thematic areas of protection, education, economic empowerment and gender equality which allow her to develop the appropriate indicators and PM&E tools. In 2011 she created a foundation “Fundacion Hilo Sagrado”, dedicated to the conservation of culture and tradition of the indigenous peoples of Guajira, in Colombia, to strengthen the identity and social role of women. In 2021, for her civil commitment in favour of women victims of violence and abuse, she won the "Woman Award 2021" and the award “Il Paese delle Donne Award 2021." In 2022 she won solidarity award, “Premio Solidarietà” Premio Nazionale Pratola 2022. Sabrina has a degree in Sociology, a Masters in Project Management for International Organisations, and Certification in Monitoring & Evaluation & Facilitation.

• Sabrina's website: https://en.sabrinaprioli.com/
• Sabrina's 2020 memoir "Rise up, phoenix": https://en.sabrinaprioli.com/il-mio-libro 

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

In this conversation, Melissa asks Dr. Emilia Roig, the author of the book "Why We Matter,"  about how power shows up in our work, her concept of “radical solidarity” and self care. 

Accountability has been defined in the latest version of the CHS guidance note as "the process of using power responsibly, taking account of, and being held accountable by, different stakeholders, and primarily those who are affected by the exercise of such power.”

Dr. Emilia Roig, author of “Why We Matter” explains in this Embodying Change episode that “a lot of people don't see power, and that's a problem. Because if you don't see power, then you cannot tackle power imbalances. What we need to do is to make it visible. And currently power is not visible.”

In this conversation, Melissa asks Dr. Emilia Roig about how power shows up in our work, her concept of “radical solidarity” and her thoughts on self care. 

Dr. Roig is a renowned social justice leader, author, and expert on intersectionality, diversity, equity, inclusion and non-discrimination. She created the Center for Intersectional Justice (CIJ) and published a book called “Why We Matter.” To learn more about Dr. Roig and her book check out her website at https://www.emiliaroig.com/ and Instagram feed at emiliazenzile. 

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

Melissa talks with Paula Ramírez of Breathe International.

In their conversation they cover:

• Her journey from focusing on peacebuilding for nations to peacebuilding from within.
• The political aspect of being mindful and aware
• The body as a source of learning
• How to be a living example of mindfulness in the workplace
• The irony that humanitarian work usually doesn’t make space to get to know each other as humans
•  Examples and benefits of leaders and emergency responders introducing awareness into their work 

Paula believes in the pivotal importance of promoting self-care for humanitarian actors. Studying anthropology and experiencing an auto-immune illness, she started to be curious about ways in which human beings can build peace from within, and how resilience and healing could be inspired and guided through the body. Paula has been co-directing RESPIRA since 2013, working closely with teachers and survivors of torture, GBV and landmines in Colombia, South Sudan and Bangladesh. She is an MBSR-Teacher from the UCSD Center for Mindfulness and Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY)-Facilitator from the Trauma Center.

To learn more, check out:

• Breathe International at https://breathe.international/
• Respira en Colombia: https://respira.co/ 

***We would like to give a special thanks to the Initiative’s supporters: the CHS Alliance members, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO) and the Netherlands. Thanks to ICVA for collaborating in this joint project engaging leaders. And thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

Why is burnout so prevalent in the nonprofit sector? How can funders better support the people who deliver?

In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes Rusty Stahl, founder of Fund the People. Rusty shares his journey into philanthropy, the systemic issues leading to chronic underinvestment in nonprofit staff, and the innovative solutions Fund the People advocates for. You’ll learn about the harmful myths surrounding nonprofit overhead, the importance of treating nonprofit staff as essential assets, and practical steps to foster a healthier, more sustainable nonprofit sector.

If you're passionate about creating a supportive and effective nonprofit environment, this episode is a must-listen.

Today’s Guest

Rusty Stahl is the founder of Fund the People, an organization dedicated to maximizing investment in the nonprofit workforce. With a background in social justice and philanthropy, Rusty has been a leading voice in advocating for better support and compensation for nonprofit staff.

Website: fundthepeople.org
Social Media: LinkedIn, Twitter

You’ll Learn

• The historical and systemic issues leading to underinvestment in nonprofit staff
• Why burnout is a symptom of deeper organizational problems
• The concept of "talent investing" and how it can transform the nonprofit sector
• Practical steps funders and nonprofits can take to better support their workforce
• The importance of aligning funding practices with organizational needs and values

Resources Mentioned

• Fund the People Website: fundthepeople.org
• Fund the People – A Podcast with Rusty Stahl: subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or visit the show webpage to stream episodes, get transcripts, speaker bios, and links to resources
• State of Nonprofits 2024: view the report by the Center for Effective Philanthropy
• How Foundations are Supporting Grantee Staff Well-Being: view the research snapshot by Center for Effective Philanthropy
• Blog Post (in response to Center for Effective Philanthropy research): To Ensure Nonprofit Wellbeing, Invest in Wages, Workload, and Working Conditions
• The Guru on Burnout Podcast Episode: Interview with Dr. Christina Maslach HERE
  
  

Quotes

• “Burnout is the visible symptom of an invisible problem: the chronic deficit of investment in our workforce.” – Rusty Stahl
• “Nonprofits are not social change machines; they are composed of people, and funding must reflect that.” – Rusty Stahl

Call to Action

• Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more insightful conversations.
• Visit fundthepeople.org to explore resources and learn how to support nonprofit staff effectively.

Melissa talks about organisational culture with Umut Dilara Baycili, a child psychologist working for Mavi Kalem. This humanitarian NGO and CHS Alliance member supports women and children in Turkey with a team that includes doctors, psychologists, sociologists and social workers. 

It is not unusual for people working for NGOs like Mavi Kalem to experience stressful and traumatic situations. In addition, local and national NGOs often face an uphill battle in accessing sustainable funding. What can be done to support staff and treat them fairly and equitably (Commitment Eight of the Core Humanitarian Standard)?

Dilara gives examples of leadership recognizing and tapping into staff members’ inherent skills, prioritizing learning and skills development, non-hierarchical communication infused with empathic understanding, ritualised conversations about organisational culture, annual exchanges of personalised feedback, a pragmatic handling of mistakes, and a realistic setting of targets. 

To learn more about Mavi Kalem and Umut Dilara Baycili, check out:

·      Twitter: @Mavi Kalem

·      İnstagram: @mavikalemdernegi

·      Youtube: Mavi Kalem https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuxxdEqGpST00mS-5l-IVYA)

·      Web Site: https://www.mavikalem.org/

·      Mavi Kalem’s E-mail: mavikalem@mavikalem.org

·      Umut Dilara Baycılı’s E-mail: u.dilarabaycili@mavikalem.org

***We would like to give a special thanks to the Initiative’s supporters: the CHS Alliance members, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO) and the Netherlands. And thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

In this show, you'll hear Melissa interview Don Bosch, Director of Risk Psychology and HEAT Training at the Headington Institute. Don is a licensed clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst with 35 years of experience and understands human behaviour and brain function.  Outside of Pandemic, Don is often in the field doing debriefs, working with global response teams, and providing psychological support for security trainings.  He is a lifelong mountaineer with a love for adventure, travel, exercise, and family. 

In this episode, Melissa talks with Don about his paper, “Managing Emotions During a Pandemic: Understanding the Effect of Uncertainty.”  It can be found here: https://headington-institute.org/files/academic-article--pandemic-w-images-correct_50321.pdf

The Headington Institute, has a team of psychologists helping humanitarian and development organisations ensure the well-being of individuals. They’ve created a suite of materials related to COVID-19 - including 2-pagers on managing emotions, media exposure, social distance/ isolation and moral injury – all consolidated here: https://headington-institute.org/topic-areas/732/covid-19. 

This podcast series is part of an initiative originally hosted by CHS Alliance to Cultivate Caring, Compassionate aid organisations, led by Melissa Pitotti and Mary Ann Clements.

In this episode, Melissa Pitotti is joined by Sarah Noble, Head of Global Engagement at the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation. Sarah shares her unique perspective on peace-building, storytelling, and how inner development can create outer change. Together, they discuss:

• The history and mission of the Caux Palace as a gathering place for change-makers.
• Sarah’s journey from working at The New Humanitarian to her current role at the Caux Foundation.
• The importance of storytelling in peace and conflict resolution.
• Practical ways to incorporate quiet time and self-reflection into your life.
• How the Inner Development Goals framework helps accelerate progress to tackle global challenges.
• A preview of the System Changer Sleepover retreat, a space for women in the humanitarian sector to connect and collaborate on systems change and workforce well-being.

About Sarah Noble

Sarah is originally from Canada and has lived in Switzerland for more than half her life. She has dedicated her career to building a better world through storytelling and peacebuilding. In her TEDx talk, Storytelling is Our Real-Life Superpower, she highlights the power of stories to address the existential challenges of our time. With over 20 years of experience in strategic communications, fundraising, and partnerships, Sarah co-founded and curates the Peace Talks at Interpeace. She has overseen more than 20 editions across eight countries and worked with over 200 speakers. Previously, she served as Director of External Relations at The New Humanitarian, leading its rebranding and expanding its funding base. Sarah holds an MA in International Affairs and volunteers as the Country Chair of Global Dignity for Switzerland.

Key Quotes:

1. "Embodying change is about being the change you want to see, and leading from the heart, not just the mind."
2. "Quiet time is not a luxury—it's an essential practice for inner and outer peace."
3. "We all need to be like the hummingbird, doing the best that we can, even when the world seems overwhelming."

Connect with Sarah and the Caux Foundation:

• Website: caux.ch
• Learn more about their summer forums, events, and how to host your own gathering at the Caux Palace.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She was the founder of the Green Belt Movement and the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her efforts in sustainable development, democracy, and peace. The hummingbird story is a beautiful story she often shared to illustrate the importance of individual action in the face of seemingly overwhelming challenges.Here is a recording of her telling of it.
• PeaceTalks - website 
• The New Humanitarian - website
• Inner Development Goals (IDG) - website
• System Changer Sleepover – contact Melissa Pitotti on LinkedIn for more details

Join us in this conversation with Helen Dunnett, Melissa’s accountability buddy. In today's episode, Helen shares her personal journey of transformation and discusses the powerful tools of nonviolent communication and assertiveness that have shaped her approach to coaching. She also shares the story of how she approached Melissa years ago to become her accountability buddy, and the five questions she designed to guide their weekly conversations. 

What You'll Learn:

• The story of Helen's career transition from communications and marketing to coaching.
• Insights into nonviolent communication and how it can transform workplace and personal relationships.
• Practical tips for becoming more assertive without infringing on others' rights.
• The impact of coaching on personal empowerment and stress reduction.

Featured in This Episode:

Helen Dunnett, an ICF accredited coach, works with organizations to develop their teams. She brings together her experience of teamwork and team leadership with her coaching tools to create highly practical training modules that enable participants to walk out of each session armed with insights and skills that should create a step-change in performance. She has worked for over 25 years in the UK and Belgium with a diverse range of team structures such as freelance teams, volunteers, start-ups and small organizations, federations, multinationals and consulting agencies.

For Our Listeners:
Check out Helen's website for a copy of the Accountability Buddy Starter Kit here:
https://www.helendunnett.com/home/accountability-buddy

Many thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the podcast and Michelle Sandler for help designing the Kit!

How can we better manage our workload, as per Commitment 8 of the Core Humanitarian Standard?* 

In this episode Melissa speaks with Wouter Smeets, a design-thinker, about how to re-shape our work in a way that gives us energy, rather than drains it.  He gives us some good questions to ask ourselves, like: How do we design our morning routine? What makes a break a good break? What task can we do first that will put us on good footing for the rest of the day? What are some life-centric strategies for managing our calendar? He also reveals a free, work-enhancing drug that has zero side effects. And he talks about a ground-breaking process he’s involved with to create a safe space for exchanging ideas that is also a brave space for experimenting with putting these ideas into practice to make our work more life-enriching.

Wouter Smeets co-founded Prototype You, a community lab for explorers who challenge accepted norms about work, to co-create ways of working where people and organisations thrive. It’s a community lab with workshops, conversations, and experiments to cultivate work that enriches people’s lives. When he’s not working he’s usually visiting the sea, hiking, or running on the athletics track.

To learn more check out:

-       Wouter on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wouter-smeets/

-       Prototype You at https://www.prototypeyou.nl/community 

-       Wouter’s newsletter where he shares gems from the lab here: https://prototypeyou.ck.page/newsletter 

-       Wouter’s email is: wouter@prototypeyou.nl 

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

*Core Humanitarian Standard Commitment 8: Communities and people affected by crisis receive the assistance they require from competent and well-managed staff and volunteers. 

In this episode Lana Baqaeen a Regional Staff Care Specialist for MENA Region with International Rescue Committee talks with Mary Ann about the work they are doing on their Duty of Care programme.

Lana shares how International Rescue Committee (IRC) implement their Duty of Care programme, providing professional mental health support that covers all staff and their families. They provide comprehensive support in a number of different languages, offer virtual wellbeing support and are thinking about the cross-cultural issues that are important in meeting their Duty of Care to their staff around the world. Our conversation with Lana is an important example of how good practice is being developed in the sector to meet some of the key challenges identified in our mapping report in terms of the provision of mental health care to staff. 

Lana Baqaeen is a Staff Care Specialist at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), where she works as part of the global Duty of Care program covering the Middle East and North Africa. Staff wellbeing is at the core of everything she does in her role at IRC. Lana comes with 10 years of HR experience and a Master of Science in Organizational Psychology.

This podcast series is part of an initiative originally hosted by the CHS Alliance to Cultivate Caring, Compassionate aid organisations, led by Melissa Pitotti and Mary Ann Clements.

In this episode, Melissa Pitotti talks with Debra Peltz, founder of CollabWork and a well-being champion with a 25-year career in senior administration roles. Debra shares her journey from volunteering in Sri Lanka to working at Save the Children UK and eventually launching her own business. 

They explore:

• What it means to truly "embody change" in your personal and professional life.
• Debra’s work at Save the Children UK, first supporting the Exec Director for HR before moving into a Wellbeing Lead role, where she developed and implemented strategies to promote psychological safety, enhance mental health, and build resilience across the organization.
• The creation of her Wellbeing Forum, a community space for sharing ideas, supporting each other, and promoting employee well-being.
• Insights into the System Changer Sleepover retreat, designed to foster collaboration and support among women in the humanitarian space.
• Practical tips for maintaining well-being and balance in demanding roles.

Key Quotes:

1. "It’s not just about talking or planning change, but showing it through everyday choices."
2. "Well-being leaders give so much to others, but they often forget about themselves until it's too late."

Connect with Debra:

• Website: collabwork.co.uk
• LinkedIn: Debra Peltz

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Wellbeing Forum - This is a collaborative working group of wellbeing professionals from over 60 diverse organizations, dedicated to employee health and well-being. It’s a space where ideas flow freely, challenges are met head-on, and meaningful connections are formed. If you hold the role of Wellbeing Lead, Advisor, or HR Manager or have dual responsibility and would like to join, email wellbeingforum@outlook.com. 
• Debra’s new venture, CollabWork Virtual Business Support, helps entrepreneurs and small business owners take their workload from overwhelming to manageable. With over 25 years of experience as an award-winning Executive Assistant, Debra’s approach is personal and tailored, focusing on understanding your unique needs to simplify your daily operations. Whether it’s managing schedules, organizing projects, or handling research, CollabWork is about making your life easier so you can focus on what truly matters. It’s virtual support, but with a human touch. If you or someone you know could use a bit of extra support, feel free to reach out and see how you could collaborate. www.collabwork.co.uk or email her at debra@collabwork.co.uk.

Melissa speaks with Dr. Liza Jachens, an occupational health psychologist, lecturer and research associate who has partnered with six major humanitarian organisations looking at their staff’s experience of work-related stress and its effects on their mental health.

Humanitarian work carries a “high emotional load” often exposed to trauma. Dr. Jachens has found that humanitarians are two to three times more likely to develop a mental illness (like anxiety, depression and PTSD) than the general population. This phenomenon is often more related to organisational stressors than to operational stressors. Experiences vary according to location, gender, professional status, and role – but everyone is affected in their own way. 

Dr. Jachens has noticed a reluctance of aid organsiations to share their mental health outcomes publicly, but she has also has seen the benefits when peers come together to compare notes, as many are facing common challenges endemic to the sector. Learning Mental Health First Aid is one way to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and practice having conversations with struggling colleagues. Some stress caused by organisational stressors can be addressed through the better design and management of the workload, including through techniques like job crafting. Ultimately, everyone should prioritise their own mental health and contribute to positive workplace environments. 

To learn more, check out:

-        Dr. Jachens’ publications at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Liza-Jachens

-        Mental Health First Aid resources at https://www.imogenwall.co.uk/training-courses and  https://www.ensa.swiss/en/

-        Information on job crafting at https://hbr.org/2020/03/what-job-crafting-looks-like 

***We would like to give a special thanks to the Initiative’s supporters: the CHS Alliance members, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO) and the Netherlands. And thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

At the end of January 2021 Naser Haghamed completed his 5-year stint as the CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide. Melissa reflects back with him about leadership, staff well-being and organisational culture for the ICVA-CHS Alliance “Leading Well” project. 

In their conversation they consider 

• What it’s like to be in constant “firefighting mode” as a CEO of an organization operating in multiple conflict zones and navigating complex donor and regulatory requirements
• The importance of constant, transparent communication with teams and stakeholders, including engaging Boards on the issue of staff well-being
•  What leaders can do to set the tone at the top and manage their stress
• The need for collective, sustained action on staff well-being in the aid sector

Naser Haghamed was born in Eritrea but was forced to leave his homeland as a refugee before he could complete his schooling – an experience that shaped his life and later fuelled his passion to serve the world’s poor and marginalised through Islamic Relief. He was with the organisation for 27 years, having initially joined as an IT Manager and risen through a variety of roles before being appointed CEO in April 2016. During his Islamic Relief career Naser led the International Programmes Division through a period of positive growth and diversification; oversaw the establishment of the Humanitarian Academy for Development as a global centre of excellence; and expanded TIC International as a retail subsidiary generating income from charity shops and recycling. He activated Islamic Relief’s global £20 million programme to support vulnerable communities threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic; led a far-reaching reform of governance structures; spearheaded global campaigns on gender justice and climate change; and cemented Islamic Relief’s position as a key strategic partner for governments, UN agencies and NGOs. Naser Haghamed said towards the end of his time at Islamic Relief Worldwide: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the millions of people we support around the world, and it is with great sadness that I am stepping down. I have seen for myself in so many countries that the impact of what we do is hugely positive and we have made great progress, but there is a lot more to do. Islamic Relief has been a big part of my life and I will continue to support the organisation’s work and the next CEO in any way that I can.” Today he is the CEO of AIC Ltd. specializing in governance and risk management.

To learn more:

• Read the ICVA-CHS Alliance joint report, “Leading well: Aid leader perspectives on staff well-being and organisational culture” https://www.icvanetwork.org/resources/leading-well-aid-leader-perspectives-staff-well-being-and-organisational-culture
• You can follow Naser on Twitter at @NaserHaghamed and LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/naser-haghamed-15bb3820

***We would like to give a special thanks to the Initiative’s supporters: the CHS Alliance members, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO) and the Netherlands. Thanks to ICVA for collaborating in this joint project engaging leaders. And thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

Melissa speaks with: Dr. Chinonso Emmanuel Okorie, an MSF doctor living in Rwanda who recently completed a mission in Yemen; Lindis Hurun, the General Director of MSF Norway; and Ryan Rodrick Beiler, a multimedia producer for MSF Norway. They and several colleagues were involved in the production of a video that has made waves in the humanitarian community for its handling of structural racism and patient dignity using a technique called “the duet.” In this podcast interview they talk about why and how the video came to be, the organisational culture changes that were happening behind the scenes, the public reaction to the video, and lessons learned they want to share with other humanitarians. 

Check out the video, “When you picture Doctors without Borders, what do you see?” - here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DFemg94ufU

Excerpt from the video:

“This is not about us and them. 

This is not about heroes and victims.

This is about global solidarity and humanitarian justice.

Because we are all just human beings, with the same worth and dignity, and the same right to live in safety and health.” 

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

This conversation with Sarah Diedro Jordão provides a deep and heartfelt exploration of what it means to embody change and foster love in the quest for a more equitable society.

“Going through a painful process can very much be part of embodying change. If it's itchy, uncomfortable, messy, and hurts, change is probably on the other side of that. So there’s hope."

 -Sarah Diedro Jordão

Sarah Diedro Jordão is a multi-passionate & versatile consultant. She works as a communications strategist, DEIB consultant, facilitator and podcast host. The driving interests foundational to her work are intersectional social justice, Black feminism, as well as collective dreaming. Among other things she served as an Intersectionality expert for the North-South Center of the Council of Europe, a moderator for the World Forum for Democracy and a podcast host for the European Greens. 

Sarah has also been facilitating a drop-in space for BIPOC professionals in the international NGO and aid sector for the last 2 years through Healing Solidarity.  Anyone interested in joining can email her at sdiedro@gmail.com.

Learn more about Sarah Diedro Jordão on 

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahdiedro and
• Her website: https://sarahdiedrojordao.com/  

Check out bell hooks’ book, "all about love: new visions," for further reading on the role of love in social justice.

Thank you to Ziada Abeid for editing the show! 

If you’re a humanitarian woman working internationally and you’d like to meet other women like you, request to join the free Humanitarian Women’s Collaborative on Mighty Networks here: https://the-humanitarian-women-s-collaborative.mn.co/admin/landing-page. 

Do you ever wonder how vulnerability and power dynamics shape your work in the humanitarian sector? Are you curious about how funding practices can better support well-being?

In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes back Gemma Houldey, author of The Vulnerable Humanitarian. Gemma shares her journey from human rights advocacy to becoming a thought leader regarding humanitarian well-being. You’ll hear about the importance of showing up with vulnerability, understanding power dynamics, and how feminist funders are pioneering new approaches to support long-term organizational well-being.

If you're passionate about creating a more supportive and sustainable humanitarian sector, this episode is a must-listen.

Today’s Guest

Gemma Houldey is a researcher, facilitator and space-holder for more caring and inclusive working cultures in the aid sector. Her book “The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout Culture in the Aid Sector,” draws on her own story and the accounts of over a hundred national and international aid workers she interviewed. The book explores the systemic causes of burnout in aid work, and provides guideposts for managers and staff to cultivate and embody collective resilience and care in the workplace. Her most recent research investigates the role of grantmakers in funding more sustainable, resilient human rights movements. Gemma works with individuals and organisations to support them to ‘walk the talk’ on principles of anti-oppression, by integrating decolonial approaches to wellbeing into everyday work routines and practices that deepen a sense of belonging and shared purpose. 

Website: gemmahouldey.com
Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram

You’ll Learn

• What embodying change means in the context of vulnerability and power dynamics
• How personal and organizational well-being are interconnected
• The impact of funding practices on the well-being of humanitarian workers
• The role of feminist funders in promoting sustainable well-being initiatives
• Practical steps for creating supportive work environments

Resources Mentioned

• Gemma Houldey’s Website: gemmahouldey.com
• The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Available on Routledge and other bookselling websites
• Newsletter Sign-Up: Available on Gemma’s website for updates and resources, including a free chapter of her book and 25% discount code to buy it.

Quotes

• “Embodying change means showing up with vulnerability and leaning into difficult conversations.” – Gemma Houldey
• “We need to decolonize well-being and allow partners to define what it means for them.” – Gemma Houldey

Call to Action

• Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
• Visit gemmahouldey.com to learn more about Gemma’s work and sign up for her newsletter.
• Join Gemma’s upcoming book circle to embody change through shared learning and practice on wellbeing and resilience in a supportive community.

In this episode of Embodying Change, Melissa Pitotti welcomes back Torrey Peace, leadership coach and expert in the humanitarian and development sectors. Together, they explore the challenge of balancing high performance with self-care, and the importance of setting boundaries and empowering your team to thrive. Torrey shares insightful strategies on overcoming imposter syndrome, delegating effectively, and why investing in your team creates a ripple effect of positive impact. Tune in to hear practical advice you can start applying today, whether you’re leading a small team or an entire organization.

About Torrey
As a certified coach with twelve years’ experience in international development Torrey Peace facilitates rising and established leaders in the humanitarian and development world to become the leaders they admire, or “people centered leaders.” She has taught and coached over 400 supervisors globally from the UN, INGO and civil society to become more inclusive and caring leaders that make a greater impact while also stepping out of overwork and overwhelm. Her mission is to provide leaders the skills they need to be part of the change we want to see in the humanitarian and development world while also maintaining their wellbeing. For more information about Torrey’s work and podcast, please visit www.aidforaidworkers.com.

Key Topics:
● What it means to embody change as a leader
● Overcoming imposter syndrome and shifting mindset
● Delegating effectively to create more time and space
● Practical tips for managing and empowering your team
● The importance of peer support and collaboration in leadership

Links and Resources:
● Torrey’s Leadership Style Quiz
● Learn more about Torrey Peace’s Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader course
● Follow Torrey Peace on LinkedIn

● Listen to the Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader Podcast

Ever wonder how aid workers can stay safe in some of the world’s most dangerous environments? 

Rebecca Maudling, is on a mission to make sure humanitarian staff not only survive but feel confident and equipped to do their work safely — even in the toughest conditions. From co-founding an organization that helps NGOs work more safely, to reshaping how we think about mental health in crisis zones, Rebecca's insights on duty of care are hard earned. Stay tuned to the end to hear her big news about an exciting event coming up. 

Today’s Guest

Rebecca is Co-Founder & Director of International Location Safety (ILS). She co-founded the organization, growing it from a start-up to its current position as a leading provider of security risk management services within the humanitarian aid and development sector. ILS supports organizations globally to meet their Duty of Care obligations and enable their staff to work in challenging situations around the world. As the business has grown, she has built up a fantastic team and so although now less involved in the day-to-day running of the business, she retains strategic oversight and a passion for supporting organizations to protect and care for their staff. 

Key Topics Discussed:

• Embodying Change: Courage to challenge the status quo and live in alignment with personal values

• The ILS Origin Story: How Rebecca and her co-founder started ILS to provide safety and security training for humanitarian organizations

• The Core Services of ILS: Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT), which is simulation-based safety, security and first aid training for staff working in complex environments, and Duty of Care Benchmarking, which assesses organizational practices around to ensuring the safety, security and well-being of staff in high-risk environments

• Psychological Well-being: How ILS integrates psychological safety into their training and organizational support

• Sector Trends: Growing awareness of mental health and well-being in the humanitarian sector

• AidEx 2024: Highlights of the upcoming Duty of Care Pavilion, including sessions on safeguarding, AI, crisis management, and LGBTQ+ inclusion in duty of care practices

Key Takeaway:
Rebecca emphasizes the importance of connection—both to oneself and to others—in sustaining well-being, especially in high-pressure environments like humanitarian work.

Connect with ILS:

• Website: https://www.locationsafety.com/

• ILS Duty of Care conference: https://www.locationsafety.com/aidex-2024

• AidEx website: https://www.aid-expo.com/whats-on/ils-duty-of-care-pavilion-and-conference

• ILS LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-location-safety/

• Rebecca’s personal LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-maudling/

Upcoming Events:

• AidEx 2024 Duty of Care Pavilion: Join Rebecca and her team in Geneva on October 23-24 for key discussions on aid worker safety and well-being. https://www.aid-expo.com/whats-on/ils-duty-of-care-pavilion-and-conference 
• System Changer Sleepover (Oct 25-27): A follow-up event for women in the humanitarian sector to discuss workforce well-being and systemic change. Contact Melissa@FacilitatingTheFuture.net for more details. 

Quotes

"Embodying change requires courage—courage to challenge the status quo and live in alignment with your values, even when it's difficult." – Rebecca Maudling

"We put psychological well-being at the heart of what we do. If you're not in a good mental place, you're not going to make good decisions under stress." – Rebecca Maudling

"The conversations around well-being in the humanitarian sector are happening more than ever. But there's still a long way to go." – Rebecca Maudling

"For us, it’s not just about teaching people how to survive hostile environments—it’s about helping them feel confident and empowered to do their work safely." – Rebecca Maudling

"When it comes to duty of care, it's not enough to have policies on paper. It’s about putting them into practice and making sure they actually work on the ground." – Rebecca Maudling

"Connection—to yourself and to others—is vital. You need to know what you need to sustain yourself and have a support network in place, especially when times get tough." – Rebecca Maudling

"We're seeing more conversations about mental health being just as important as physical health. That’s a positive shift, but there’s still so much more we can do." – Rebecca Maudling

"The humanitarian sector is facing unprecedented risks, and it’s never been more important to...

Melissa and Jules Frost talk with Rachel Coghlan about what humanitarians can learn from palliative care.

Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients and their families who face problems associated with life-threatening illness. Like the topic of mental illness, the subject of death and dying can be difficult to discuss. Compassion is a common theme that comes up in both domains. 

This conversation highlights small but potent acts of compassion that can be carried out in difficult circumstances, like giving genuine attention, empathic listening, bearing witness and offering a smile. It reflects on the duty of care -- not only self-care but also institutional support for people doing difficult work and supportive conversations between peers. It explores the concepts and benefits of working with dignity, humility and compassion.

Rachel Coghlan is a public health professional with 20 years experience in clinical practice, and in international public health research, policy and advocacy. She is currently undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy at the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, Deakin University. Her research is exploring the place of palliative care in humanitarian emergencies and crises, with a focus on armed conflict settings. She is also a palliative care physiotherapist at Calvary Health Care Bethlehem in Melbourne and a researcher with Palliative Nexus at the University of Melbourne. 

Jules Frost is the Head of Programmes and Partnerships at the CHS Alliance. She has 25 years of experience across the globe. At the CHS Alliance she oversees programme development and management, partnership building, and fundraising efforts in support of Accountability to Affected People (AAP), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and People Management. Before joining the CHS Alliance, Jules was Medair’s International Director and before that she had an extensive career at World Vision. 

To learn more, 

·       Watch the Sphere webinar on “Palliative care and COVID-19: Challenges for the humanitarian sector” held on 28 October 2020 in partnership with the CHS Alliance, H2H Network and UKaid.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY_v3kIpdoc

·       Read Rachel’s blog in the ICRC’s Humanitarian Law and Policy called “Palliative care, COVID-19 and humanitarian action: it’s time to talk” dated 2 July 2020: https://blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy/2020/07/02/palliative-care-covid-19/

·       Read Rachel’s September 2019 paper for the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, “Palliative care in humanitarian crises: innovation or radical reclaiming of roots” https://centreforhumanitarianleadership.org/research/publications/palliative-care-in-humanitarian-crises-innovation-or-radical-reclaiming-of-roots/

Humanitarian women are exposed to chronic stress, which can impact their experience of peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause.

In this episode of Embodying Change Scotti McLaren shares her experience and insight as it relates to this under-explored and yet powerful time of a woman’s life – before, during and after actual “M day.”

What are the symptoms and what can we do about them?

Scotti practices functional medicine and personalized nutrition, specializing in menopause and mental health. Following a career in audit and humanitarian aid (MSF), and eventual burnout, her process of recovery led to a profound shift towards the healing power of nutrition. Now, Scotti champions a gentle revolution in resilience and vitality, for herself and others. Her clinical practice is dedicated to investigating, identifying and addressing the root drivers of health – both illness and wellness - to help women reach their best health in midlife and beyond.

Check out Scotti’s website here: https://www.investigative-health.ch/

Thank you to Ziada Abeid for editing the show! 

If you’re a humanitarian woman working internationally and you’d like to meet other women like you, request to join the free Humanitarian Women’s Collaborative on Mighty Networks here: https://the-humanitarian-women-s-collaborative.mn.co/admin/landing-page. 

Shawna, Kristen and Rufaro tell the story of Root. Rise. Pollinate! and share learning from their experiment to shift culture through connecting inner and outer transformation.

Shawna Wakefield, Kristen Zimmerman and Rufaro Gwarada tell the story of Root. Rise. Pollinate! - informed by their previous experiences in aid and development. They share learning from their ongoing experiment to shift culture through connecting inner and outer transformation. They discuss practicing new ways of being and doing the work, counter-balancing harmful systems, accountability, responsibility and relationship, decision-making, inter-generational dialogue and much, much more.

Rufaro Gwarada is committed to gender justice, migrant rights, African-led solutions for Africans, and utilizing art and cultural expression as conduits for healing, liberation, and joy. Rufaro practices Zen Buddhism and grounds all she does in unhu/ubuntu – the understanding and way of life in which collective and individual well-being and thriving are one and the same. She co-founded ThriveAfrica.us and Wakanda Dream Lab and is a core-team member of Root. Rise. Pollinate!. Rufaro writes fiction investigating gender, power, and familial dynamics inspired by her homeland, Zimbabwe, is a Move to End Violence Movement Maker, and a Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Citizenship Fellow.

Shawna Wakefield is a facilitator, consultant and women's rights advocate with 25 years of experience advancing gender, racial and economic justice internationally and in the U.S. She accompanies leaders and their social justice and movement building organizations in feminist leadership and building organisational cultures that embody care, justice, equity and inclusion. She is a practitioner of Buddhism, trauma-informed yoga and somatics, with training in respectful confrontation. She is a co-founder Root.Rise.Pollinate!, Associate with Gender at Work, and was formerly Senior Gender Justice Lead at Oxfam International. Shawna is committed to the healing, well-being and freedom of gender justice, Black, Indigenous and POC activists around the world.

Kristen Zimmerman is committed to a world rooted in our fundamental interdependence and collective thriving. She is an artist-storyteller, coach, strategist, and facilitator with 30 years’ experience integrating embodied and creative practice into movement building, community and social transformation work. She is the co-founder of Root. Rise. Pollinate! Movement Strategy Center, Youth In Focus, and Community LORE and she helped to design and launch projects including the Transitions Ini tiative, Move to End Violence, and Decolonize Race. She is a practitioner of Zen Buddhism and is currently working on a graphic novel that explores themes of home, belonging and cultivating family.

To learn more, check out:

• Their website: https://www.rootrisepollinate.us/
• Their blogs: https://medium.com/@rootrisepollinate 
• Reimagining Resilience: supporting feminist women to lead development with transformative practice ://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13552074.2020.1717198?journalCode=cgde20 
• Email them at RootRisePollinate@gmail.com

***We would like to give a special thanks to the Initiative’s supporters: the CHS Alliance members, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO) and the Netherlands. And thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

In a sector increasingly battered by funding cuts, program disruptions, and global uncertainty, where can humanitarian professionals find stability? As the waves of change crash around us, what can serve as our anchor?

In this powerful episode, Melissa Pitotti talks with Carrie Santos about how structured peer support groups (also called masterminds or forums) can provide that crucial foundation during turbulent times. They explore how these intentional communities help humanitarians weather career transitions, prevent burnout, and find creative solutions to complex problems when traditional support systems falter.

Carrie shares her fascinating journey from working in a donor role to leading overseas programs for the American Red Cross, and then unexpectedly pivoting to run a global organization for entrepreneurs. There, she discovered the profound impact of structured peer support: an approach that successful business leaders have invested in for decades as their hidden compass during times of uncertainty.

You'll hear how this powerful practice serves as an anchor for people across industries and cultures, transforming not just their careers, but their marriages, parenting, and overall well-being during life's storms. As Carrie notes, "It's been a great source of mental strength for me... If you want to live in a community where people listen to each other, support each other, and help you when you're stuck–if you want to live in that world, you can create it."

If you're feeling adrift amid funding cuts, searching for your next opportunity, or simply wanting to connect with people who understand your unique challenges, this episode reveals how the right peer support network could be the anchor you need to remain steady, purposeful, and persevering.

Today's Guest
Carrie Santos
With 20 years' experience as an international humanitarian, Carrie has led overseas operations for the American Red Cross and served as a U.S. government donor to local and international organizations. As CEO of Entrepreneurs' Organization, with 16,000+ members globally, she led a network of purpose-driven entrepreneurs seeking to do good while making a profit; including 1,500+ peer support groups. Now she serves as a consultant, helping to build strategic plans for nonprofit and for-profit organizations that are aligned with her purpose of solving the world's problems by ensuring everyone can contribute their talents.

You'll Learn

• What makes a high-value mastermind your anchor during professional storms when casual networking falls short
• The intentional structure that makes these groups so effective at providing stability when everything else feels uncertain
• How to effectively run a "hot seat" (or "love seat") to get targeted feedback on your challenges when you feel most adrift
• How the exchange of real-world experiences in a peer group creates insights that even well-meaning friends can't provide
• How to find or create the your own mastermind group to weather today's humanitarian challenges

Connect with Carrie on

• LinkedIn: Carrie Santos 
• Her website: Timko Santos Consulting, LLC: Workshops that Work
• Ask her how to join the cohort of DC-based and otherwise located senior female humanitarian and development leaders affected by foreign aid cuts.

Resources

• For Melissa Pitotti’s quick-start guide on how to start your own peer support group email Melissa@FacilitatingTheFuture.net 
• Roman Terekhin's research on peer support groups: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/job.2845.
• Ahad Ghadimi's "Forums at Work" approach for implementing peer support in organizations: https://forumsatwork.com/ and his book, Turnaround Artists
• The Center for Leadership led by Prof. Cezary Wojcik based in Poland: https://center-for-leadership.org/

Key Quote
"...It's been a great source of mental strength for me... If you want to live in a community where people listen to each other, people support each other, people cheer you on, and people help you when you're stuck… If you want to live in that world, you can create it." - Carrie Santos

Farah Mahesri shares insights about systems-level change, the importance of building trust, and finding your community during times of transition. Drawing from her experience working with social justice organizations and in global development, Farah discusses how to embody change at multiple levels while staying true to your values.

You’ll hear about:

• The five levels of systems analysis and the importance of working at all the levels, all at the same time
• The importance of finding your community - no one can do hard work by themselves
• Building trust and taking the first step in trusting others
• Just transition frameworks and creating pathways for change
• The power of organizing and collective action

Guest bio: 

Farah Mahesri is a freelance consultant specializing in organizational development and systems change. With experience in both global development and social justice movements, she helps individuals and organizations navigate transitions while staying aligned with their values.

Resources mentioned:

• Farah’s LinkedIn Post, What should we do in #globaldev?
• FNM Advising website: https://fnmadvising.com/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farahmahesri/ 
• Shifting Paradigms podcast [Apple]
• Tim Synder’s work on ‘On Tyranny’
• Examples of community: GlobalDev4Palestine and Aid Workers Memorial

How can we create a thriving workplace culture in the humanitarian sector? 

In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti welcomes Leanne Marega, a pioneer in humanitarian workforce well-being and a founder of Thrive Worldwide. Leanne shares her journey from Interhealth Worldwide to founding Thrive Worldwide, emphasizing the critical role of culture in fostering thriving workplaces. You’ll hear about the importance of healthy boundaries, the challenges of leadership in times of crisis, and practical steps to create supportive work environments.

Leanne also opens up about her personal battle with cancer and how it influenced her perspective on well-being and leadership. Her story of hope and community support during a challenging time offers valuable insights for anyone facing similar struggles. 

Today’s Guest

Leanne Marega is Co-Founder and CEO for Thrive Worldwide bringing over 15 years experience in the wellbeing industry. Prior to Thrive, Leanne worked with InterHealth Worldwide for eight years, 4 of those years as Regional Director for Eastern Africa based in Kenya. Leanne is an entrepreneur with a heart to see people and organisations flourish. Leanne has a Masters from University of East London (UEL) in International Humanitarian Psychosocial Consultation. She is also a trained Coach from the Awaken Coach Institute. Leanne lives between the UK and Kenya with her husband. She thrives in community, going on long walks, cooking, baking and reading a good book.

Website: thrive-worldwide.org

Thrive LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveworldwide/

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanne-marega-kennedy/

You’ll Learn

• What embodying change means on a personal and organizational level
• The journey from Interhealth Worldwide to Thrive Worldwide
• The importance of culture in supporting staff well-being
• Practical steps for creating healthy boundaries for thriving
• The role of leadership in fostering a supportive work environment
• Leanne's personal journey with cancer and how it reshaped her views on leadership and community

Resources Mentioned

• Thrive Worldwide’s Website: thrive-worldwide.org
• 2024 Burnout State of Workplace Report: gallup.com
• McKinsey on Organizational Health: mckinsey.com
• Deloitte’s Insights on Employee Well-being: deloitte.com
  
  

Quotes

• “Embodying change means it literally comes from the inside out.” – Leanne Marega
• “We need to look at the system and consider how leaders lead and managers manage to foster a thriving workplace.” – Leanne Marega
• “Transformation takes time and commitment, especially in the humanitarian sector.” – Leanne Marega

Call to Action

• Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
• Visit thrive-worldwide.org to learn more about Thrive Worldwide and their work.
• Connect with Leanne Marega on LinkedIn for further insights and updates.

In this show, you'll hear Mary Ann interview Imogen Wall, an independent consultant working in the humanitarian aid sector, mental health advocate and a specialist around well being in the sector. And also Founder of the 50 shades of aid Facebook group that. They talk about the lack of attention to Mental Health in Humanitarian Settings and the huge amount we can learn from other sectors about the impacts of dealing with crises on our mental health. 

Imogen Wall is a former BBC journalist and UN spokesperson, now an independent communications trainer and advisor. She specialises in crisis response with a particular emphasis on mental health, peer support, critical incident management and safeguarding in humanitarian contexts. Her previous frontline humanitarian work includes field postings in Indonesia (Aceh), Sudan, Haiti, Philippines and HQ work in New York and Geneva.  Recent clients include DFID, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, CrisisCast, Care International and RedR. She is also the founder and lead administrator of the Fifty Shades of Aid group, an independent aid worker support community on Facebook. 

​Imogen is a qualified Mental Health First Aid instructor and has a lot of experience in crisis management, particularly in an international context and with reference to reputation management and staff care. You can find Imogen via her website: https://www.imogenwall.co.uk/ where there are also more resources that support this conversation. 

Mental health and employers - Refreshing the case for investment 

: https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/consulting/articles/mental-health-and-employers-refreshing-the-case-for-investment.html

Mental Health in the Workplace, Mind
https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/

This podcast series is part of an initiative originally hosted by the CHS Alliance Initiative to Cultivate Caring, Compassionate aid organisations, led by Melissa Pitotti and Mary Ann Clements.

Melissa speaks with Dr. Gaya Gamhewage about her work in the world’s premier health organisation, the World Health Organisation (WHO), to prevent and response to sexual misconduct. 

They talk about the importance of leaders being vocal, explicit and sincere about their commitment to living the organisation’s values. They also surface a variety of tangible things organisations can do to reduce the exploitation of power, like:

-        admit when there are failures, even though it is uncomfortable

-        give immediate, timely and sustained support to victims and survivors, irrespective of the status of evidence and investigations

-        integrate and emphasize values in vacancy notices, hiring, inductions and trainings

-        ensure hires are screened, briefed, trained and sign a Code of Conduct

-        build confidence in systems for reporting and investigations by resourcing them and showing results (e.g. an open accessible dashboard on the website tracking complaints follow-up, timely investigations, and following through with disciplinary actions); 

-        prevent retaliation against those reporting misconduct, even the subtle forms (e.g. letting contracts expire)

-        create psychologically safe spaces to learn and speak up (e.g. upstander trainings as well as facilitating interactions between men and women, professionals and non-professionals, international and national staff)

-        obliging every team across the organisation to select a team objective related to values, and assessing progress at the end of the year.

Dr. Gaya Gamhewage is a medical doctor and public health expert with three decades of experience in the health sector. She has worked with the World Health Organization for over 20 years, mostly leading institutional capacity-building initiatives for health emergencies, including COVID-19 trainings. Since July 2021, she has been the Director a.i. for Prevention of and Response to Sexual Misconduct. Prior to this, Dr. Gamhewage was Head of Learning & Capacity Development for WHO's Health Emergencies Programme and worked in the Executive Director's Office where she introduced social learning for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Previously she led new areas of work for WHO including in health communications & behavioral change; risk communications & community engagement; and most recently, lifelong learning for health which included the development of the first-ever WHO Global Learning Strategy for Public Health. Dr Gamhewage has worked for national and international NGOs including the Save the Children UK and Norway, and was at the beginning of her career the Director of Community Health for Sarvodaya, a Sri Lankan NGO working in more than 15,000 villages. She holds two Masters Degrees in addition to her medical degree - in International Health and in International Policy-Making and Negotiation.

To learn more, check out:

-        WHO Director-General's opening remarks. The role of CSOs in the prevention, detection, and response to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment – 26 April 2022. https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks.-the-role-of-csos-in-the-prevention--detection--and-response-to-sexual-exploitation--abuse--and-harassment---26-april-2022 

-        Dotiv the Podcast, Episode 3: A journey from journalism to public health https://dotiv.life/dr-gaya-i-ep-3-a-journey-from-journalism-to-public-health/ 

-        Twitter: @GayaG 

-        LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gamhewage-gaya-36a1677

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

Join host Melissa Pitotti as she welcomes change advocate Cindy Rocha for a morning conversation filled with insights on embracing vulnerability and stepping out of comfort zones for transformative personal and professional growth.

Highlights:

1.     Defining Embodying Change: Cindy explains how real change involves putting oneself in the 'growth zone' — a space beyond comfort that necessitates learning, unlearning, and relearning.

2.     Navigating Change and Discomfort: Discussing the discomfort that accompanies change, Cindy illustrates how adapting to new situations is crucial for development and progress.

3.     Impact of Technological Evolution: They delve into the accelerated pace of technological advancements and its effects on society and individual adaptability.

4.     Transformation through AIESEC: Cindy shares her transformative journey with AIESEC, highlighting the organization's role in fostering international understanding and leadership skills.

5.     Applying Lean and Six Sigma in Humanitarian Efforts: The conversation turns to how Lean and Six Sigma methodologies can streamline operations and improve efficiency in humanitarian contexts.

6.     The Critical Role of Mental Health: Cindy and Melissa discuss the importance of acknowledging and supporting mental health in the workplace to ensure a healthy, productive workforce.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on how they can push beyond their comfort zones and embrace change both personally and professionally.

Follow Cindy on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and gain more insights into making impactful changes. linkedin.com/in/cindyrocha

Cindy Rocha has spent the last 15 years creating bridges between different sectors and managing programs to create positive change. This all started while she was a college student in Sinaloa, her home state in northern Mexico, and joined AIESEC, an international student association present in 100 countries. Founded after the 2nd World War with the mission of "peace and fulfillment of humankind's potential," AIESEC is a youth-led organization that facilitates international understanding through exchanges and leadership development programs. While those opportunities are readily available for students in the Global North, that was not the case in Cindy's local context. She worked for AIESEC at the national, regional and global level, joining AIESEC International, a multicultural team leading a network of more than 60,000 volunteers worldwide. In her final AIESEC position, Cindy was appointed Director for the Africa region, and became the first woman in that role in 60 years of organizational history. After AIESEC, Cindy has held a variety of jobs in the social impact field: She worked in corporate responsibility and process improvement for a multinational company, then as a UNDP consultant to engage the private sector in projects around the Sustainable Development Goals in Mexico, transitioned to the nonprofit sector in a disaster response organization, and currently focuses on mobilizing philanthropy to strengthen the ability of communities to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. 

Tune in next time for more inspiring stories and practical advice on the Embodying Change Podcast!

In this show, you'll hear Melissa interview Kristin Duncombe a therapist and couples counsellor, life coach, and author. She’s based her career on working with international and expatriate individuals and families following her own experience of growing up across Africa and Asia as the child of a diplomat and having lived internationally most of her adult life. You can check out her work at her website here: https://www.kristinduncombe.com/

The cognitive distortions identified by David D. Burns can be found in his 1999 book, The Feeling Good Handbook and the article Kristin referenced was published on 19 March 2020. It was an opinion piece in the New York Times by Jennie Weiner, an associate professor of educational leadership, called “I refuse to run a Coronavirus home school: my kids are watching TV, playing video games and eating cookies.”

This podcast series is part of an initiative originally hosted by CHS Alliance to Cultivate Caring, Compassionate aid organisations, led by Melissa Pitotti and Mary Ann Clements.

Episode 42: We Are Feminist Leaders with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook

Do you ever feel conflicted by traditional leadership models that don’t align with your values? Are you curious about how feminist principles can transform the way we approach leadership, especially in the humanitarian sector?

In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti sits down with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook, founders of We Are Feminist Leaders. Leila and Natalie share their journey from feeling disillusioned by patriarchal and colonial leadership structures to creating a transformative program that empowers leaders to bring about genuine change. You’ll hear about the practical applications of feminist leadership, the importance of self-awareness, and the power of community and continuous learning.

If you're passionate about making a difference and leading with your values, this episode will inspire you and provide actionable insights into embodying change in your own life and work.

Today’s Guests

Leila Billing and Natalie Brook

Leila Billing and Natalie Brook are the visionary founders of We Are Feminist Leaders, an organization dedicated to fostering feminist leadership in humanitarian and development sectors. Through their 12-week online program and new membership learning network, they empower leaders to challenge traditional power structures, embrace intersectionality, and cultivate caring, inclusive work environments. Leila and Natalie draw inspiration from feminist movements around the world, particularly from the Global Majority, and aim to decentralize Western-centric leadership models. You can check out their bios here.

Website: wearefeministleaders.com

Social Media: Instagram and LinkedIn

You’ll learn:

• What it means to embody change in the humanitarian sector
• The importance of self-awareness and transformation in feminist leadership
• How patriarchal and colonial dynamics affect traditional leadership models
• Practical applications of feminist leadership in various contexts
• The power of community and continuous learning in driving change
• Real-life examples of participants applying feminist leadership principles

Resources Mentioned

• We Are Feminist Leaders Website: wearefeministleaders.com
• Course information and registration: HERE 
• Newsletter Sign-Up: Available on their website for regular updates and resources HERE 
• Social Media: Follow We Are Feminist Leaders on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Quotes

• “For me, embodying change means thinking through how we want to show up in this moment, whether we’re humanitarians or not.” – Leila Billing
• “Feminist leadership starts with the self and requires a long-term commitment to developing self-awareness and the willingness to learn and unlearn.” – Natalie Brook

Call to Action

• Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
• Visit wearefeministleaders.com to learn more about Leila and Natalie’s work and to sign up for their upcoming 12-week course starting in September and newsletter.

In this show, you'll hear Mary Ann interview Dr. Peter Mills, Medical Director of Cigna. They talk about the mental health impacts of Covid-19 and the need for organisations to be prepared to help meet them and support their staff and about the responsibility of boards and leadership to take seriously the wellbeing of staff. 

Dr. Mills trained in medicine at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine in London. He is an accredited specialist in respiratory diseases and still practices medicine on a part-time basis at the Whittington Hospital in London. In addition, he has a masters degree in Infectious diseases and a PhD in the field of cell biology.

Peter has been at the forefront of the digital health “revolution” over the past two decades, having helped a number of organisations in the UK and US develop their innovative solutions. He has published extensively in the scientific literature on the efficacy of digital health interventions.

Peter has been Medical Director for Cigna since 2015; responsible for the clinical management of their European plans. More recently he has taken on an external-facing role and works closely with clients and providers to drive global high-quality care, and ultimately superior outcomes.

This podcast series is part of an initiative originally hosted by CHS Alliance to Cultivate Caring, Compassionate aid organisations, led by Melissa Pitotti and Mary Ann Clements.

This episode is dedicated to humanitarians around the world on World Humanitarian Day.

Melissa and Torrey Peace of Aid for Aid Workers Leadership Podcast do a podcast exchange about people-centred leadership.

In this conversation they cover:

• The importance of empowering the people closest to the problem, as they know best how to solve those problems. This relates to high performing teams as well as to the localisation conversation.
• Three common limiting beliefs that hold leaders back and what to do about them: 

1. “Leaders always have to be available.” Actually, leaders are more effective when they – and their teams – schedule and protect regular, uninterrupted time for focused work.
2. “Leaders have to have all the answers.” On the contrary, no leader has all the answers. A coaching approach that supports individuals in solving their own problems can bring profound results to management relationships as well as partnerships. 
3. “Setting boundaries is selfish.” In reality, saying “no” when someone asks you to do something that doesn’t work for you or the organisation can protect the quality of work. It is okay to say no!

• Topics that are currently in demand in the aid sector from Torrey’s vantage point as a coach, podcast host, teacher and blogger:

1. Time management 
2. Well-being
3. How to set boundaries
4. How to be more inclusive
5. Decolonising aid and nationalising positions

• Creating cultures in which people and partners feel comfortable speaking up. 
  • Ask for feedback and take action on that feedback. We don’t have to call it feedback, as the word itself can be triggering, but consider methods from compassionate communication to connect and improve.
  • Make the organisation's values come alive by being clear on what they are and what they look like in action and revisiting them often.

With twelve years experience as a leader in international development Torrey facilitates rising and established leaders in the aid world to achieve optimal fulfillment in life and work through creative solutions that align with their organization’s values as well as their own. Torrey coaches leaders and shares learning through her blog, through a podcast, and through a digital course to teach  supervisors in international development how they can coach their teams. 

To learn more, check out:

-       Aid for Aid Workers: https://www.aidforaidworkers.com/ 

-       Write to her at Torrey@aidforaidworkers.com 

-       Check out these Aid for Aid Workers Leadership Podcast episodes:

• How to Measure Trust with Partners and Communities
• Is Your Leadership Style Preventing Community Engagement?
• A Case Study on Nationalizing Staff Positions and Lessons Learned
• Stop Being Inconsistent and Start Aligning Your Values to Your Actions in Aid Work
• The Leader’s Role in Promoting Well-being in Humanitarian Work

***We would like to give a special thanks to the Initiative’s supporters: the CHS Alliance members, the Government of Luxembourg, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (DFCO) and the Netherlands. Thanks to ICVA for collaborating in this joint project engaging leaders. And thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

In this episode Melissa Pitotti speaks with Degan Ali, the Executive Director of Adeso, about the story behind the Pledge for Change 2030. They explore the ways in which the process that led to the Pledge was informed by lessons learned from the Charter for Change and the Grand Bargain. They consider the need for brave leaders to have safe spaces to come together on tough issues - and for leaders to be evaluated on metrics of success other than “bigger is better.” They end with reflections on equitable partnerships and accountability mechanisms.

Degan Ali is Executive Director of the African humanitarian and development organisation Adeso, as well as co-founder of the first Global South civil society network for local and national humanitarian organisations, the Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR). She is a Rockefeller Foundation Global Fellow for Social Innovation, and a contributor to the Overseas Development Institute/Humanitarian Policy Group and Global Food Security journal. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Al Jazeera and The Guardian. Degan holds an M.A. in international service from University of Roehampton and a B.A. from Trinity College. She lives in Kenya and works with organisations across the Global North and South.

To learn more about the Pledge for Change 2030 check out:

-       The Pledge for Change website: https://pledgeforchange2030.org/ 

-       The launch of the Pledge on the New Humanitarian Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/event-launch-of-the-pledge-for-change-2030/id1420089508?i=1000584624738 

To learn more about the CHS Revision Process check out: https://corehumanitarianstandard.org/chs-revision 

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***

In this episode of Embodying Change, Melissa Pitotti talks with Anna Young, an organizational culture specialist, to explore how humanitarian teams can align their values with their daily work. Drawing from her research and extensive experience in the humanitarian sector, Anna shares actionable strategies for creating cultures rooted in kindness, connection, and appreciation—while addressing the systemic challenges that cause burnout and misalignment. This conversation is packed with practical insights, inspiring reflections, and a clear call to action: Start small, but start today. 

About Anna Young:

Anna Young is an organizational culture expert based in Tasmania and Sweden. With a background in humanitarian response, she specializes in helping teams operationalize their values, foster healthier work cultures, and sustain their impact. Anna works globally with humanitarian organizations to  create great cultures through bringing values into action through team behaviours, norms and rituals.  She specializes in the ‘how’ of culture creation so that everyone can be a part of the change. 

• LinkedIn: Anna Young
• Website: AK Young Consulting
• Collaborative Project: Culture Matters
  
  

Key Learnings:

1. Values as Guardrails: Teams thrive when their values are lived through behaviors and decisions. Misalignment creates disillusionment and burnout.
2. Small Practices, Big Impact: Start with simple, intentional actions—appreciation rounds, thoughtful check-ins, or celebrating milestones.
3. Shared Responsibility: Team culture isn’t just the manager’s job. Each member contributes based on their unique strengths and values.
4. Addressing Inclusion: Exclusion, favoritism, and cronyism undermine team culture. Building intentional rituals fosters fairness and connection.
5. The “Big Three” for Thriving Teams: Connection, celebration, and appreciation are foundational for positive and productive team dynamics.

   Resources to Explore:
   
   

• Anna Young’s Culture Matters platform (collaboration with Deb Ingersoll)
• The Center for Nonviolent Communication (NVC) for tools for identifying and reconciling values
• The Working Well report featuring research on values and burnout in humanitarian organizations

Melissa speaks with Aseem Prakash and Tosca Bruno-van Vijfeijken about how governing boards of aid organisations can “govern well.” They discuss the power dynamics present in any group of humans, embracing difference and true diversity, prioritising lived experience, modelling behaviours, and asking smart questions.

Professor Prakash studies NGOs and nonprofits, and voluntary/private regulation, environmental policy and climate governance. He is a widely published author. He has a B.A. (Hons) in Economics from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi in 1986 and MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad in 1988. Since 2002, he has served on the faculty of the Department of Political Science at University of Washington, Seattle. He won the European Consortium for Political Research Standing Group on Regulatory Governance's 2018 Regulatory Studies Development Award that recognises a senior scholar who has made notable "contributions to the field of regulatory governance." To learn more about Aseem, check out his website: http://aseemprakash.net. He edited a symposium for Regulation & Governance on Dysfunctional Institutions here https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/17485991/2016/10/2.

Tosca Bruno-van Vijfeijken is an experienced INGO and philanthropic actor-focused consultant, leadership development trainer, and coach, change management expert, author, evaluator, and analyst with strong knowledge of international development, civil society organizations, leadership development, organizational development/organizational change, social development and gender and leadership. Co-author of ‘Between Power and Irrelevance: the Future of Transnational NGOs’, with Hans Peter Schmitz and George Mitchell, and published by Oxford University Press (July 2020). Co-author of several academic articles in peer-reviewed journals; author of many practitioner-oriented reports, blog posts, and essays. Podcast host of ‘NGO Soul+Strategy’. To learn more about Tosca, check out her website: https://5oaksconsulting.org/about-tosca/ 

• Tosca’s essay on culture as an explainer for INGO scandals: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/npf-2019-0031/html?lang=en 
• Tosca’s essay for the CIVICUS State of Civil Society report related essay (2019): https://www.civicus.org/index.php/re-imagining-democracy/overviews/3371-internal-democracy-within-transnationally-operating-non-governmental-organisations-are-we-as-democratic-as-we-think
• And the episode featuring Tosca's and Aseem's conversation on the virtue narrative: https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/037-we-need-to-rethink-the-virtue-narrative/id1498390711?i=1000558519586 

Read the Governing Well report here: https://www.chsalliance.org/get-support/resource/governing-well/

***Thanks to Ziada Abeid for editing the show.***