I was part of [Arika’s] piloted Group Thinking Sessions for Community Activation and the wealth of knowledge and expertise Arika brings is unmatched. Arika shared her knowledge in areas of governance, structure, activation, feedback and evaluation, and community building. I learned copious amounts and found like minded individuals to connect with. I am starting a community and wanted help thinking big picture design. I knew what some of the day to day would look like, but thinking about long term before it comes is crucial. [The Group Thinking Sessions] helped me realize that there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way, just different paths and this was a great group of people to explore with. I can’t say enough great things about Arika. She is inclusive and encouraging, open to feedback and ideas, and a talented facilitator and professional. Her experience allows for her to be relatable and pull examples for a variety of areas she has worked and lived in. Working with her was a rewarding and joyful experience. Everyone should have an Arika in their life – mine is definitely better for it.

I did a six session group thinking course on community activation. I was part of a small cohort that met weekly and participated in course work and guided discussions about community management and building. [After the course], I had a better conceptualisation of my role as an active manager and builder for my community. I think this will allow me to take a more structured approach to developing my community in future. I also got new ideas for initiatives that I can use to increase my community members engagement. Arika has a very participant centred approach to training in which all members of the group were active participants in each others learning and problem solving. This allowed her course members to access a wider range of perspectives and experiences than when a trainer presents themselves as the only person able to answer questions about the material they are teaching.

Arika’s community development training was concise yet comprehensive – we covered all of the key points I’ve often struggled with as a leader in professional communities. This program pushed me to create better structures for onboarding, governance, and sharing power in a community that I’m a part of. In turn, this helped me onboard new community leaders who can engage our network even better than I can…Arika’s area of speciality is one big differentiator. It’s clear she’s wrestled with challenges of sharing power and fostering an inclusive community in an under-resourced environment, so can relate to the challenges of managing an all-volunteer group… Personally [after working with Arika] I feel a bit more confident in my ability to foster community, knowing that I’m doing some of the right things already and I know what the next steps are to further develop our group.

Prior to working with Arika we had a vague concept of what we wanted to achieve. By working with Arika we clarified the vision for each project and she led us through the process from inception to delivery…These two products [that Arika delivered] are highly valued in our community and helped us move our goals forward in a way we couldn’t have done alone and hadn’t done in 10 years prior….Her research skill and instincts allowed her to see connections and tie observations together or draw out insights that made these a rich legacy product for our community for years to come….Arika left us with products that we are proud to share – she has made a lasting contribution to ESIP. Beyond the activities, Arika is a collaborative thought partner and thought leader. She is a skilled researcher with an ability to apply her understanding and insight to support the communities she works with. I recommend her regularly to colleagues.   

“When Covid hit, [Arika] gracefully and professionally helped us transition to a more economical model of execution, never losing her good cheer and sensibilities…She’s terrific, and an asset to any project.”

“I believe that [Arika] is primarily responsible for the dramatic increase in activity at the institute and interaction among our Research Scholars…She has been the central figure in our ongoing transition from a loose collective of rogue academics to a genuine community, characterized by a shared vision for the future and an empathy-based network of mutual support and collaboration.”