In a time of great uncertainty and an unprecedented funding crisis, this network sought to bring together its members to create a nourishing space where members could come together to reconnect, reflect and find ways to move forward at a difficult time. The network wanted to create a space where funders and changemakers could move beyond transactional networking to deeper connection, reflection, and co-creation.

Proud collaboration with Naomi Saelens.

The Goal
Balance structure with openness, and design an experience that felt both purposeful and participant-led — welcoming diverse opinions and sparking ideas for the future.

Approach
We co-designed the event with the core team as well as a representation of their network members to create an adaptive structure that could hold both complexity and emergence, while also creating an inclusive and engaging space for collective wisdom to emerge.

Key elements included:
A rhythm of large and small group sessions to allow for intimacy and insight
Flexible formats that participants could shape in real time
Practices to ground people in presence and support deeper listening
Inclusive facilitation attuned to the emotional tone and diverse needs in the room

Key outcomes included:
– Strengthened Relationships: The focus on connection and empathy helped build trust and forge new partnerships among participants.
– Enhanced Engagement: Allowing participants to shape the event’s content increased their investment in the discussions and outcomes.
– Meaningful Learning: The mix of structure and spaciousness supported reflection on multiple levels — individual, relational, and systemic — enabling participants to integrate insights in personally relevant ways.
– Sparks for Action: Several participants shared post-event intentions and collaborative ideas sparked directly by the conversations and activities at Reconnect.