From Fellow to Associate: Reflections on A Year with Ktisis
As I reflect on my fellowship and transition into the role of Associate, I’m reminded of the story of my arrival to Ktisis.
About a year ago, Ricky Benavidez and Michele Bookie emailed to let me know that after two rounds of interviews, I was one of three final candidates for the Ktisis Communications Fellowship. This fellowship had been created in recognition of the barriers to enter philanthropic advising. Personal connections are incredibly valued and trusted in this work. And so this opportunity was a rare avenue for folks, like me, with no direct tie to the space.
Given the caliber of the applicants, Michele and Ricky said that this would be a challenging decision and encouraged me to reach out anytime over the next week if there was anything additional that I wanted to say about myself.
I’m sure you could put yourself in my shoes: you’re a couple years out of school with a B.S. in Earth Systems and a Notation in Science Communications. You’ve polished your resume and perfected your answers to a number of hiring questions: (“If you were a kitchen utensil, what would you be? And how does your choice connect to teamwork, project management, and your strategic career trajectory for the next three decades?”). You’re doing your best to keep cool through the hand-ringing, hair-pulling, nerve-wracking, “Am I smiling too much? Am I not smiling enough?” interview process. And—gulp—the checkered flag is potentially in sight. No pressure.
Exaggerations aside, my conversations with Michele and Ricky had felt entirely and surprisingly comfortable. Down-to-earth, quick with a laugh, and obviously very clever, the two contained so much knowledge about the philanthropic field.
We discussed what brings me to this work: While working in communications for environmental non-profits and community organizers, I had become interested in the levers that control the flow of resources. I wondered how they could be unlocked to support the flourishing of the planet and all people, particularly those who have been disenfranchised and currently face the most extreme dangers posed by intersecting global crises. The work felt pertinent, actionable, doable, and in need of strong, passionate communicators. I found Ktisis working to inspire hearts and minds and taking action at the level that these emergencies demand.
It was a great fit and perfectly aligned. So, what else could I say to introduce myself?
Taking a chance, I sent Ricky and Michele a picture of myself at work from the year prior. Adorned in candy-cane striped socks and a matching nightcap, I had been a Macy’s Christmas elf, spending my days attempting to take just one nice photo of each family visiting Santa in which they’re all looking at the camera, (“Look right down here, Grandpa! Thank you. Okay, now, everyone, smile! Oh, the baby just threw up…”) It was a job that required daily negotiations with God to maintain my sanity.
Sending the “elfie” was a bit of a shot in the dark. I assumed that it would affirm their confidence in me to have a grip on most Christmas carols. And more than that, I felt it demonstrated the type of person I am. Another hiring team might have received the image with confusion and disdain. But my instincts told me I’d be embraced. And I was right.
Ricky called me a few days later to share the good news, launching me into my first year and my favorite fellowship. This early experience with Ktisis was indicative of the character, professionalism, humility, wisdom, passion, humor, and grace that I would discover is held by each member of our team.
Soon after onboarding, I was entrusted with freedom and autonomy that deviated from my typical fellowship experience. I felt my opinions honored, recognized, and remembered as coming from a respected thought partner. This radical
empowerment enabled me to move forward with projects effectively, infuse my work with creativity, and retain a sense of ownership and pride in our shared accomplishments.
Over the last year, I’ve had the pleasure to work on reports, blogs, graphics, newsletters, research, the Social Justice Donor Survey, our redesigned website and messaging strategy, and a host of other tasks. By coincidence, I was able to support The Carmack Collective at the Hollywood Climate Summit and the NY Climate Film Festival. All the while, with mentorship from our team, I’ve grown familiar with the legacies of where this field has been and where it urgently needs to go now.
I’ve joined Ktisis at a time when the field is beset with stunning setbacks for justice movement work. However, through my fellowship I have learned how it is also bolstered by quick thinking, innovative solutions, and a dedicated and expanding collective of folks working in solidarity to champion the causes that build for a brighter future. My work with Ktisis leads me to believe that there is an ever-growing momentum toward a Just Future that sustains and sees us through these times.
A few weeks ago, Ricky—who has consistently acted as an advocate and coach through my fellowship—called to say that Ktisis had decided to offer me a role as an Associate. I was thrilled to accept. Part of my excitement for this position derives from the fact that I co-designed my responsibilities. We’re confronting questions like, “Where do we want to show up? What do we want to say as a collective? And, how do we ensure that our identity and values transcend the screen?” I’m in the position to test the waters, experiment with new systems, and collaborate on out-of-the-box answers.
I’m over the moon to have the opportunity to further my work with Ktisis. As Associate, I’ll hone our online presence, support our staff and clients with design work, continue to craft the Ktisis voice that is threaded in all that we do, and build robust systems for content management. I love what I do and am so pleased to be here as we enter into our next phase of communications.
(And, if I were a kitchen utensil, of course, I’d be a spoon).
