Week Twenty Six: Back to Pace

After a week of relaxing with friends and family, I’m back in Georgetown and back at work. That first week after vacation is always a reset, getting back into the rhythm of projects, meetings, and timelines. As we move into the second phase of this project, I have a clearer understanding of where I can make the most impact. Six months in, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, which makes it easier to set achievable goals while still driving meaningful change.

It’s a balance: pursuing big-picture ideas that could create real benefits for communities, livelihoods, and protected areas, while also ensuring smaller, achievable initiatives move forward consistently. The challenge and the opportunity is figuring out how to scale both kinds of efforts in ways that are impactful without overextending resources.

Finding the Next Chapter

This week has been about planning, reviewing, and identifying where to focus next. With our six-month work plan review underway, I’m examining what has been successful, where we’ve fallen short, and how to make adjustments for the next period.

Capacity building remains a personal priority, whether that’s knowledge sharing within our local team or engaging with partners across Latin America and the Caribbean. A big opportunity coming up is supporting the RedLAC network of conservation trust funds. Their upcoming conference will bring together conservation leaders from across the region, and we’re developing communications and marketing materials to support the event. It’s a chance to work in Spanish in a more professional capacity and to connect with peers who are doing innovative conservation work in their own countries.

Staying Focused in Changing Conditions

Work here moves at its own pace, with shifting priorities and a variety of perspectives. That’s part of the challenge and the learning. It’s important to keep pushing for progress, even when change happens slowly, and to know when to adapt rather than resist.

For me, that also means championing my own growth. I want to take on projects that stretch my skills, not just the ones that come easily. That’s how I’ll continue developing as a marketer and communicator while making sure the work we’re doing delivers measurable, lasting results.

The Good

Brought back snacks from home.

The Challenging

Bought plantain chips here thinking they were local… turns out they were made in Toronto. A small but funny reminder about how connected we all are.

What’s Next

A quieter work period ahead, focused on tightening plans, advancing ongoing projects, and setting a strong foundation for the next quarter.