I worked with the Ayni Local Innovators Program (LIP), an initiative co-led by four organizations committed to systemic innovation, collaborative leadership, and city transformation: the Local Innovation Network (RIL: Red de Innovación Local), the Social Innovation Co-Lab of the Catholic University of Chile, Vía Educación, and Ashoka. LIP is essentially a co-creation lab that brings together two key stakeholder groups: local government leaders and social entrepreneurs. The primary goal of the program is to design transformative collective strategies in response to pressing needs in cities. This approach recognizes the value of combining the institutional knowledge and resources of local government with the innovative thinking and agility of social entrepreneurs.

As part of the Ayni initiative, I supported Cynthia Murugi, a skilled facilitator, in guiding 10 teams of African social entrepreneurs and local government leaders through the Collaborative Systems Innovation Journey. This comprehensive process was anchored in four key principles: systems thinking, human-centred design, participatory design, and iterative design. Our work involved a structured approach to developing systems-change strategies, beginning with problem identification and root cause analysis. We then progressed through hypothesis formulation and validation, envisioning desired systemic outcomes, and organizing change network meetings to foster diverse stakeholder engagement. These collaborative sessions were crucial in building a shared understanding of the system's complexities and identifying leverage points. The journey culminated in drafting theory of change statements, utilizing various methodologies and tools to articulate pathways to systemic transformation. This cross-sector collaboration exemplifies Ashoka's core belief in the transformative power of partnerships to drive meaningful, systemic change.

Additionally, I contributed to Ayni's expansion efforts in South Asia, particularly in India. This strategic work aimed to map the social innovation ecosystem and identify potential allies for advancing participatory governance in Indian cities. This aspect of my internship aligns with Ashoka's global vision of building a world where everyone is a changemaker, by extending the reach and impact of their programs to new regions.

Two courses from the MPA-DP program at SIPA were particularly instrumental in preparing me for my internship with Ayni: Sustainable Development Policy and Practice, and Development Practice Lab-1.The Sustainable Development Policy and Practice course provided a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected nature of economic, social, and environmental factors in development. Through diverse case studies spanning international, national, and regional contexts, I gained insights into key 21st century sustainable development challenges and transformative ideas. This holistic perspective was crucial in my work with Ayni, allowing me to approach urban challenges with a multidimensional understanding. Development Practice Lab-1 equipped me with practical tools and methodologies essential for diagnosing development problems and designing impactful interventions. The course covered a range of critical skills including contextual analysis, theory of change development, stakeholder analysis, systems thinking, and human-centred design. Additionally, it provided training in project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, learning, budgeting, and strategic communication. This comprehensive skillset proved invaluable in my work with Ayni's Local Innovators Program, enabling me to guide teams in identifying key leverage points within urban systems and developing effective, holistic solutions to complex challenges. The research methods I acquired were particularly crucial for the ecosystem mapping project in South Asia. I applied these skills to gather and analyze information about India's social innovation landscape, contributing significantly to Ayni's expansion strategy in the region. This project allowed me to demonstrate my ability to conduct thorough, context-specific research and translate findings into actionable strategic recommendations.

During my internship with Ayni, I encountered some challenges that tested my adaptability and problem-solving skills. A significant hurdle was navigating the complexities of cross-sector collaboration, requiring careful facilitation to align the diverse viewpoints of local government leaders and social entrepreneurs. While I had a theoretical understanding of systems thinking tools from my academic background, applying them in dynamic, real-world contexts often required quick thinking and adaptability. Translating complex systems concepts into actionable strategies that all team members could understand and implement was a constant learning process. A pressing challenge was maintaining team members' engagement, communication and commitment, as Ashoka doesn't provide direct funding to participants. To address this, Cynthia and I developed strategies focused on building deeper relationships and fostering a sense of community. The ecosystem mapping project in South Asia presented its own set of challenges. Working remotely on this task meant dealing with limited access to on-the-ground information and potential cultural nuances. Ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the mapping while relying primarily on secondary research and remote communications was often demanding.

My internship with Ayni at Ashoka has been an incredibly enriching experience, offering numerous valuable takeaways that will shape my future career as a development practitioner. Firstly, I've gained a deeper appreciation for the power of collaborative, cross-sector approaches in addressing complex social challenges. Witnessing the synergy between stakeholders has reinforced my belief in the importance of inclusive, participatory processes in driving sustainable change. I've also developed a more nuanced understanding of systems thinking and its practical applications in development work. Learning to apply these tools in real-world contexts has sharpened my analytical skills and broadened my perspective on how to approach multifaceted social issues. Furthermore, the internship has honed my skills in research, strategic planning, and stakeholder mapping.

Next semester, I’ll be pursuing the Structural Change in Public Education Seminar and Practicum, offered by the Center for Public Research and Leadership at Columbia Law School. This program presents a unique opportunity to engage in educational consulting projects focused on enhancing learning outcomes for all students, with a particular emphasis on those from underrepresented and marginalized communities. I'm excited to apply the systems thinking approaches I honed during my summer internship to transform public school systems. The complex, interconnected nature of educational ecosystems aligns perfectly with the holistic problem-solving methods I've developed.

I've also learned the importance of adaptability and cultural sensitivity, especially when working on projects with a global scope. In the long-term, I am determined to pursue opportunities that allow me to apply systems-change methodologies and contribute to innovative, systems-level solutions to pressing social challenges.