iF Quarterly: Q4 2022
Intentional Futures
A research, design, and strategy consultancy solving hard problems that matter
Home is where the iF is: Introducing our new office and sharing the history of our neighborhood, while taking a look back at 2022
It’s a new year, and Intentional Futures is starting 2023 in brand new digs.?
We moved (just a few blocks) down the street to an office building all our own, with characteristic iF charm and quirk. We spent the past 9 years on the fifth floor of the iconic Bullitt Center , a beautiful testament to humanity’s hope for a more sustainable future, but we realized the need for a larger and more private space. The intention behind our move was driven primarily by our desire to host our community, including stakeholders, clients, and thought partners in a gathering space that promotes collaboration and an exchange of ideas.?
As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, we envision a new year ripe with in-person collaborations, learning sessions, community workshops, and more. Moving and securing a new space isn’t just about our team, it’s about our community and our stakeholders. We have lots of ideas on how to do this in fun, impactful, and safe ways – dinner party anyone??
While we are still getting settled, we want to share the defining qualities and history of our new neighborhood, our organization, and our work as we reflect on 2022 and envision the year ahead.?
The new office
Our new home is a beautiful 3-story commercial space located in the Central District of Seattle – the former home of a landscape architecture firm from 1988-2019. The new physical location coincides with easing COVID restrictions, as we hope to host more clients and the community at our office in the coming year. The surrounding neighborhood– known in Seattle as the Central District – is rich with history, and an often-fraught past.?
What’s known in Seattle today as the Central District occupies the mostly-residential area between Rainier Valley and First Hill, and is historically one of Seattle’s most racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Inhabited initially by the Native Duwamish People, the Central District became urbanized around the same time as the downtown metro area. As a result of redlining and racial covenants, the Central District was home to mainly Black, Jewish, and Asian families throughout the early 1900s and up until the 2000s . As a haven for people of color amongst segregation and racist housing policies, the Central District grew to be known as a place where Black businesses thrived, immigrants could build community, and cultures were celebrated. In the last decade, gentrification has taken hold and the historic racial composition of the neighborhood has shifted greatly. Despite this, the history of the area is preserved by many Black and POC-owned businesses and community gathering spaces.?
It’s our hope that in the years ahead, Intentional Futures and our iFsters will be able to leverage the new office to engage with the surrounding community, listen to and incorporate our stakeholders in meaningful ways, and make the space a place where folks are excited to visit.?
What else was new in 2022
2022 was a big year for us– not only are we in a new home, but we also added three new practices, eight new iFsters, and welcomed a new president.?
As we reflect on the past year and the wonderful group of strategists, designers, and administrators we’re lucky to call our colleagues, it’s fitting to harken back to our humble beginnings.?
Our first assignment as an agency was The Big History Project ; a collaboration with Gates Ventures to implement a more holistic approach to history in high school classrooms. From the themes and values in that first project, iF’s present-day mission began to take shape:?
Be the most impactful consultancy by advancing the world’s capacity for empathy, ingenuity, and effective collaboration.
12 years on, iF is at once reminiscent of that first project and an entirely new organization. We’re grateful for where we’ve been, what and who we are, and what’s ahead. 2023 will be yet another year of collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and innovative work with our clients– we’re excited you’re joining us for it.?
A message from our CEO, Michael Dix:?
"2022 was a year of growth and transformation for iF – with a new home, talented additions to the team, new practices and methodologies, and strengthened leadership. I feel immense gratitude for the people at iF and the clients we have the privilege of working alongside with to drive innovation and impact. Thank you all for your trust in us. Here's to a fruitful, collaborative and fun 2023."
If you’re curious to read more about our new neighborhood:?
We’d love to host you at our new space! If you’re in the area, please reach out to [email protected] to schedule a visit to 2329 East Madison Street Seattle, WA 98122-4475.?
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Stakeholder Engagement?
In our last newsletter, we announced that iF has embarked on the journey to become B Corp certified. This decision is anchored in our belief that today’s consultancies must hold ourselves to the same standards that we hold our clients. We’re on a mission to ensure that the way we work creates stakeholder value which doesn’t just benefit our clients, but also benefits our people, our communities, and our plane
In September, we launched our first iF Stakeholder Survey to gather input on how we can show up in more impactful ways. We received 52 responses representing the diverse voices of our clients, partners, alumni, and friends. For those who participated – thank you for providing your valuable insight! We hope to surface future opportunities for our stakeholders to engage with us in ways which spark new perspectives, ideas, and connections at the intersection of Education, Philanthropy, Global Health, Business & Technology.
This survey surfaced some great suggestions which we’re excited to put to practice in 2023:?
领英推荐
Q: Which topics are you most interested in iF designing future events/content around?
Q: Which touch points would you prefer iF engage you through??
Q: What are other impactful ways iF should engage its stakeholders??
Stay tuned for the iF Shared Impact Report which we will publish in Q1 of 2023. In this report, we will share openly about the progress we’ve made towards our impact goals this year, the areas we’re prioritizing for 2023, as well as highlighting some of our recent impact stories related to our People, Community, and Planet.
Happenings
Other things we’re working on include:?
Read, watch & listen?
We asked iFsters “What’s something you read, saw or heard this past quarter that gave you a practical, actionable takeaway?”
Jessica Groopman – A Renegade Solution to Extractive Economics with Kate Raworth
“Now this is a listen that really stuck with me! Check out this podcast from Tristan Harris of the Center for Humane Technology, interviewing Kate Raworth, pioneer of Doughnut Economics. In it, they discuss how our current economic paradigm has embedded itself in our minds, our business models, our digital technologies and how we think, and propose a new model for economic success based on meeting the needs of all people within the bounds of our planet. It is an eye-opener for anyone, but particularly for innovative leaders, technology builders, investors, business practitioners, and policy-makers. In an era of radical change and uncertainty, this discussion (and Raworth's accompanying book) promise to inspire, provoke, and bring loads of new thinking and delicious questioning. Highly recommend!-dimensionally as possible, because life's joys and challenges inform our zeal for the future. ”
Joy Shibata – Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski?
This book explains the neurobiology of emotion and why women can be more susceptible to burnout. The authors lay out the difference between stressors (causes of stress) and stress (your body’s physiological response), and how we must first tend to the needs of our own body and emotions in order to effectively deal with the actual stressors. I found this book really illuminating on how the body reacts to stress and came away from it with an appreciation for the importance of listening to your body and allowing yourself the freedom to move through “the innate cycles and oscillations of being human” (i.e., rest is good for you, people!). I particularly like how tactical it is in offering approaches on how to deal with stress. Also, Brené Brown is a fan — enough said.?
Gabriela Rodil – Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen! Legendado Portugues?
“As the yea ends, I can't help but reflect.? My goal is to achieve closure and reset for the New Year.? I have a reliable video that helps me put anything and everything into perspective.? It is a little old but it holds up.? For me it is a classic! I am happy I get to share it with my community 'It takes a village,’ says the ancient African proverb.? In my case it takes a large metropolitan area to continuously aid in my personal and professional growth.? Friends, family, therapists, coaches, books, neighbors, colleagues, and videos like this are all part of my metropolis.”
Work & Insights
?For Profit, for the Future of the Planet : For a growing group of start-ups, sustainability is not an afterthought or a charitable endeavor– it’s their entire business model.?
The Importance of Designing for Accessibility : Joy Shibata, an iF Visual Designer, on her work with digital accessibility, and why it is critical for equity.
Introducing iF’s Organizational Design Practice : A conversation with Chris Anibarro, iF’s Director of Organizational Design, about the new practice, his experience in the field, and his vision for the future.
Sellen : Sellen Construction is one of the leading general contractors in the Pacific Northwest, and responsible for the design and construction of some of the most beloved and well-known buildings in the region.? Mid-way through a 5 year strategy they called iF to breathe new life into their plan