Chapter Forty One: Being Reflective

As we start getting close to the end of the year, I am realizing how much of my brain is split between closing things off and planning for what comes next. It is one of those good challenges where you have to keep looking in two directions at once. I have been thinking a lot about capacity building and all the things we have been able to do, along with the things we have not gotten to yet. A big part of my work this year has been creating systems and making sure the team feels equipped. When you are in the middle of everything, it is hard to see the bigger picture, so I am hoping this week gives me a chance to sit with that and reflect a little more intentionally. I want to understand what we have done well, where we still have room to contribute, and how we can keep focusing on meaningful impact. It is also a moment to embrace some of the things I have already been able to do and actually celebrate them, while still leaving space to figure out what is next. We had a fundraising conversation the other day that reminded me of the importance of finding the balance between simple and high-impact ideas. There are so many things we could do, but the real question is which ones will move something forward in a clear, practical way.

I have also been thinking a lot about storytelling and how much of that work happens in the small, almost invisible pieces—perspective, intention, and the quiet decisions that shape how a message lands. I keep thinking about how I developed those instincts over a career and how I can help the team understand them, too. These are not the things you can measure with a single metric, but they matter because they shape how people grow, how they take on challenges, and how they simply get things done. If you remove one piece from a team, you start wondering how they will keep momentum, so part of my reflection has been about what is achievable for the team after I leave and what systems will support them in a real way. We already have a strong communications staff and processes, which is great, but the development never really stops. Education is its own challenge because not everyone will move at the same pace, but I still want to inspire and encourage them to keep stretching. The trajectory feels good, which is exciting. A lot of this work builds in layers, and as the team connects with more people and more organizations, whether it is other government groups or private sector partners, you can feel that movement.

Something I keep noticing about being here is how visible change is. You can actually see new things starting and growing, and shifting. Coming from Toronto, where a lot of things stay the same for long stretches of time, it feels motivating to be somewhere where development and possibility feel more alive. It makes me feel like the work I am doing contributes to real international development and real organizational change. That is something I genuinely appreciate about being here.

Another big thing on my mind has been impact and how we measure it. We have been working on the annual report for twenty twenty five, and it has been interesting to see everything laid out in numbers and stories. It is exciting to see the progress, but there is still a part of me that feels a little strange looking at my own achievements written down. That might be more of a personal thing about how I process my work. I always want to understand whether my contributions go beyond awareness and help move the organization in new directions. It also makes me think about how communications and marketing can create impact in different ways and whether there are more tactical pieces I should explore in my next role or project. It is just something I have been reflecting on as I think about my own growth.

Even with all of this reflection, I am still really appreciative of the year I have had here. Every time I talk through what has happened with someone new, I realize how unusual and strange and exciting it has been. It has been such a big learning experience and one that I would not trade for anything.

The Good
A huge shout-out to my Florida family who came down for a couple of days. It was really nice to have a bit of that family time and get to share a small piece of life here with them.

The Challenge
The challenge is thinking about the end of this project and figuring out how to wrap everything up in the right way. I want to close things off properly and leave the team in a strong position without feeling like anything is halfway done.

What Is Next
Christmas has already started in Georgetown. Trees are going up, lights are appearing around the city, and a couple of markets are getting ready. I am excited to see what a Guyanese Christmas looks like.