Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being for people in aid

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

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

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/

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

   
   

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

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 [email protected]. 
• 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 [email protected].

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

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 [email protected] 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...

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.

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.