What is Systems Change? Here are some of my favorite definitions:

Systems change is “the reconfiguration of a system, including its component parts and the interactions between these parts, such that it leads to the formation of a new system that behaves in a qualitatively different way” from the Systems Change Lab

“Systems change is about advancing equity by shifting the conditions that hold a problem in place.” from FSG’s The Waters of Systems Change

Pursuing systems change requires us to develop our skill in systems thinking, a perspective that sees the world as a complex web of interconnected systems. By embracing key concepts of systems thinking, individuals and organizations can identify and influence key leverage points, barriers to change, and sources of power within a target system. I also believe that Diffusion of Innovations Theory is crucial to strategies that involve changing mindsets and behaviors. I use the term “innovation” to mean ideas that are new, or not currently in use, in the target population, even if those ideas have been around for millenia.

What I provide

• Strategic planning for systems change capacity building within organizations and across networks

• Coaching on key elements and analytical methods of systems thinking for systems change

• Consulting around how to apply innovation diffusion principles to drive and sustain social and behavioral innovation

What you provide

• Access to stakeholders for information-gathering and strategic discussions

Key Components

• Defining the target system and its environment
• System mapping: resource flows, actor maps, causal loop diagramming, pattern recognition
• Analyzing differences between social structures and communication structures
• Understanding system stability and resistance to change
• Uncovering patterns of innovators, early adopters, and social capital
• Choosing appropriate time horizons
• Using system feedback to drive change in the right direction
• Applying the “Principle of Leverage” to system interventions and identifying conditions of systems change
• Estimating and tracking potential tipping points and critical mass
• Learning to “dance” with systems rather than trying to control or predict them
• Identifying potential side-effects of system interventions

My Favorite Foundational Systems Thinking Resources

Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System by Donella Meadows

Dancing with Systems by Donella Meadows

The Water of Systems Change by FSG

On the Diffusion of Innovations: How New Ideas Spread by Leif Singer

Previous Systems Thinking for Systems Change Experience

• 2024 Strategy Director for NSF ALL-SPICE INCLUDES Alliance; Build capacity for systems change through training and facilitated conversations; Develop and implement strategic plans to enhance data science capacity in the Hawai’i-Pacific region; Lead and manage cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones and objectives; Foster partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies, and non-profits; Monitor and evaluate program outcomes, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with strategic goals
• 2022-2024 Senior Sustainability Analyst for United Nations CIFAL Honolulu; Collaborate with educational institutions, government agencies, and non-profits to advance sustainability goals; Develop and implement programs and projects that promote environmental sustainability and resilience; Monitor and evaluate the impact of sustainability initiatives, ensuring continuous improvement
• 2020-2024 Strategy Consultant at Kamehameha Schools; I used my systems thinking and coaching skills to support future readiness for the entire enterprise, which is both a Native Hawaiian land trust and a preK-12 educational system; Conduct research and analyze data to inform strategy development and decision-making; Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to gather insights and feedback; Provide strategic recommendations to leadership and contribute to long-term planning; Design thinking, scenario-building, and strategic planning facilitation.