strategy
Why Strategy? Why is it important to me?
So much of strategic thinking naturally connects with being a storyteller and thinking visually. I’ve always thought visually and channeled this into my artwork and filmmaking. However, in the last 5 years, I realized I wanted to do more. Here comes the twist! I didn’t exactly do a career change but a career “expansion.” I earned my MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins and with a concentration in digital communication strategy and DEAI practices. I wanted to explore my passion for finding new ways for people to communicate their ideas, values and intentions in both virtual and public spaces.
Coming from a storytelling background, I look at collaboration in a different way— I see that we can all have different motivations but how to weave each of our view points, objectives and creativity into one outcome is like intricately weaving together different storylines to reach a grand finale. The value in creative strategic thinking is that it is inherently collaborative and innovative. The goal is to find new pathways—new synapses—that lead to undiscovered spaces and better ways of communicating. Digital communication strategy is needed more than ever right now, and I feel the best way to approach it is with a inclusive and innovative mindset. I want to amplify voices and create spaces for learning and resources and discovery.
Click here to view a previous Strategic Plan Proposal Example
digital
Why Digital? I’ve witnessed the immense impact of digital spaces both positively and negatively on friends, family and my community in the last couple decades. We all have. However, I found myself driven to becoming a digital advocate because I know there is so much potential in the way we can access one another, learn, and experience. Access to digital spaces, resources and knowledge is a right everyone should have— and I want to make that experience easier. Ux and ui research is just the starting point; to build future digital spaces, we have to think ethically, equitably and intuitively.
One of my favorite quotes from George Eliot says it all,
“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?”
Let’s make digital spaces more welcoming, exciting and easier.
community
It’s funny— I think for so many people, they associate digital spaces with singularity and individualism. While not completely untrue, I think that’s only seeing one side of it. I remember one of the first digital communities I experienced was with fellow film buffs on Tumblr (many moons ago.) I learned so much from that community and ended up creating wonderful friendships that I still have today. That was a community and it grew much bigger than imagined. Digital spaces are not the antithesis of physical community and togetherness but simply a tool to enhance and expand the values and mission of a community. I am both a community and communications advocate. What does that mean? I’m working towards better strategies of communication that are digital-born but go far beyond that. And I advocate for communities because I understand that if we do not think strategically for the future, our spaces of togetherness are at risk. To build digital spaces for tomorrow, you need to know the communities you serve and help them envision their future.
core values
inclusivity
Diversity and inclusivity are at the forefront of all my strategic work. Who is this for? Who can we reach? Is this relevant to our audience? Does this meet their needs? Inclusivity is not just about saying “all are welcome”— its about direct communication and impact. It is not a one-size-fits-all formula but rather a strategy that is founded in adaptability and the right to customization for all.
accessibility
I’d like to make a bold statement— if your digital communication and spaces are not accessible, you’ve failed. Simple as that. No digital space or communication is complete without thinking equitably. The most effective strategic thinking is done with empathy, understanding and intentionality. The future of Digital spaces and community is nonexistant without accessibility.
innovation
Strategy developed with Innovation seems obvious but you’d be surprised how many organizations, institutions and people can be afraid of it. Newness can be frightening for many. However, innovation, in my opinion, is crucial. In building any strategy, you have to think of where you can go that you’ve never been before. Otherwise, what’s the point? Stagnation and fear is the death of any successful strategy.