Karina Lehrner Email & Phone Number

Humanizing the pursuit of social change through The Glazed Doughnut.The Glazed Doughnut represents an alternative to The Frosted Cake (the dominant and paradoxical structure that governs how we advance social change).Allow me to describe. The Frosted Cake is vertical (hierarchical), square (rigid), and coated (opaque). It stratifies us in vertical positions based on our proximity or distance to money. We are placed in a hierarchical power imbalance. It confines us in a rigidly fixed square. We are boxed in to unrealistic expectations.It misguides us with an opaque coating of incongruence. We are covered in contradictions. In contrast, The Glazed Doughnut is flat (horizontal), circular, (spacious), and clear (transparent).The Glazed Doughnut democratizes us in horizontal relationships. We engage as lateral partners.The Glazed Doughnut liberates us in a spacious circle. We harness imagination, adaptability, and interconnectivity. The Glazed Doughnut dignifies us in transparent clarity. We model the change we seek.Through The Glazed Doughnut, a practice of three stories shapes how we influence social change.A Story of Hope reveals necessary and possible change (critically informative, clear, and adaptable to constant change). This replaces strategic plans, strategic planning, theory of change, etc.A Story of Voice elevates lived experience (legitimizing, democratizing, and amplifying wisdom and expertise). This replaces monitoring, evaluation, learning, etc.A Story of Action compels responsive dialogue and action (inspiring, motivating, and relevant means of influence). This replaces reports, findings, lessons learned, etc.Will you join me?Let us dismantle The Frosted Cake, where we advance social change covered in hypocrisy. Instead, we can pursue change enriched with values, nourished by stories, and fortified by coherence in The Glazed Doughnut.

Listed skills include Grant Writing, Nonprofits, Community Outreach, Strategic Planning, and 16 others.

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  Monterey Institute Of International Studies

  International Policy Studies