Reflect + Refresh: Kathleen’s One-Year Retrospective
WARNING: Vulnerability Ahead!
It has been just over one year since I2I re-launched. Staying true to my commitment to reflective practice, I revisited Nina’s blog post that announced the re-launch to celebrate this anniversary. And folks… her words still slap.
When I reflect on Nina's post – and all that happened in the past year– my mind does a big ol’ loop-di-loop; somehow nothing has changed, yet EVERYTHING has changed for me. Please indulge me as I explain….
What Remains
At the one-year relaunch anniversary, I2I still has an unwavering belief that when women trust their intuition, embrace their strengths, lead with transparency and equity, and show up authentically in pursuit of their dreams, we can rewrite damaging + smothering cultural and gender narratives. We are still dedicated to the hustle (which is an understatement) and do our best to approach our work with humility, acknowledging our privilege as our responsibility. We remain committed to serving foundations and social enterprises by helping them measure and maximize their impact through 360° MERL (monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning) frameworks. And as a women-owned small business, we are doing our part to dismantle and rebuild systems (watch out, patriarchy) to give every woman and girl the freedom to chart her own course.
It’s truer than ever that I2I would not be possible without our audacious, generous, and ever-expanding village of women who paved the way, uplift, and ground us. And to #PayHerForward, we have doubled down on our commitment to donate 100% of our training/speaking honorariums and fundraising efforts to Girls, Inc.
What Has Changed
While the values, spirit, and hustle remain, we’ve undergone some massive transformation this past year as a result of embracing discomfort + learning from shortcomings.
In retrospect, I can firmly attest that when we relaunched I2I last year, I was battling immense doubt and internal resistance about my role at I2I. I just wanted to do what I love (spreading the joy of evaluation + learning to organizations on the front-lines of social change) with people who were tenacious, kind, and committed. I never envisioned myself at the helm of a start-up while doing the work I love. I didn’t feel ready for this.
It's been a year of falling on my face, getting up off the ground, eradicating prior beliefs + behaviors, rebuilding with humility, and leaning in so dang hard to counteract the silent screams of resistance from every fiber of my being. There were projects that I thought would fry my brain, logistics that made my head spin, financial conversation that made me squirm, business legalities that made me feel small, and strategizing/visioning sessions where I was rendered speechless.
Yet, as the iconic Maya Angelou says, “but we still rise.” And that’s because through it all, Nina was there beside me… through the discomfort, elation, trials, and triumphs. And that type of partnership and friendship is truly the root of all transformation.
Where We Go From Here
I am elated to announce that Nina and I have formalized our business partnership! From here on out, Nina will serve as Founder + CEO of I2I and I am embracing my new role of Partner + COO.
I don’t fully feel ready for this title or what comes next. Although, I am not sure that I will ever feel completely ready. But I do have an unwavering belief in the power of what Nina and I can build with the support + love of our communities. I feel grounded in I2I’s values + spirit. I feel capable. I feel grateful. I feel alive. I know there is more discomfort and resistance ahead, but I also know the transformative powers embracing these vulnerabilities.
No more playing small to keep myself safe. This is not only a disservice to myself but also to women everywhere. When we live in alignment with our own strengths, push through resistance with humility, and have gratitude for the journey + people in our lives, we grant others permission to do the same.
So, IT’S TIME TO LEVEL UP!! Thanks to one and all who support I2I’s emergent journey…and who support the transformative journeys of women everywhere. May we all continue to uplift one another in the pursuit of our wildest ambitions (even when we don’t feel ready).
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