Our Vision & Values
Our vision is a world in which oppressive policies and practices are dismantled and replaced by liberatory alternatives that disentangle economic prosperity, access to opportunity, and access to power from race and ethnicity.
Toward this vision, we are guided by these values– both internally in how we operate, and externally in service of our work with partners:
RACIAL JUSTICE
Economic prosperity and access to opportunities have been inextricably linked with race and ethnicity, by design. We center racial equity in our work - in process and in outcomes - knowing that the impacts of racism, patriarchy, capitalism, ableism, and heteronormativity are compounded for people of color who share other historically marginalized identities. We operate from the premise that by designing process, policy, and products from the perspectives of those who live at these intersections, everyone will benefit.
RELEVANCE & RESONANCE
Each partner and situation is unique and we adapt our approach in ways that respond to the myriad complexities of the moment. We ensure that our work is relevant to the context that our partners are operating in and create resonant impact that reverberates long after our work is completed.
CREATIVITY
We know that creativity is essential to disrupt oppressive systems and make lasting change. We know that progress is not linear or a formula, so we constantly interrogate our own processes and commit to a stance of learning and openness to new ways of being.
INTEGRITY
We believe integrity is showing up as our full selves and constantly striving to speak and act in alignment with our values and purpose. We hold ourselves to account to ensure our work is advancing our core value of racial justice. We support our partners to do the same.
INCLUSION
Every person has inherent value and wisdom. We make better decisions, better policy, and build more resilient communities when we as individuals and communities create and uplift our own strengths. We support our partners with building systems that support this empowerment through process, policy, and resource distribution.
Our Team
Pooja Bhatt
CURRENTLY ON LEAVE
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Pooja Bhatt is currently on leave from SeeChange.
Pooja is an experienced policy professional and strategist driven to understand the root causes of big and small problems and connect people, information, and their collective power to discover and implement solutions. Over two decades, as a “systems thinker” and “professional dot connector,” Pooja has helped nonprofits, community coalitions, elected leaders, governmental agencies, and philanthropy support the policy and programmatic priorities of local communities and the organizations that serve them. As a policy advisor for elected leaders at the local and state levels, she translated her values into action through policymaking and funding strategies that removed barriers to opportunities and created more inclusive work environments in the public sector. Rooted in the Pacific Northwest, Pooja has worked with organizations around the United States and in India.
Pooja earned a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan with a focus on education and social policy.
Aimee Craig
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Aimee Craig is an experienced facilitator and strategist. She is skilled at guiding groups to shared decisions and creating processes that honor lived experience and diverse perspectives.
Aimee works with leaders to clarify and live their mission, vision, and values through their meeting and process design, engagement, and communications. Directing communications and public affairs in the non-profit and government sectors, Aimee has led engagement processes with students, teachers, families, and school administrators and designed multi-year strategic communications plans. With partners in early learning, K-12 education, and philanthropy, Aimee has facilitated multi-year learning communities and short-term, decision-making workgroups. She prioritizes joy and connection as tools for change.
Aimee has worked with large government agencies and foundations and small non-profits and individual leaders. Clients include the Oregon Community Foundation, Northwest Regional Education Service District, the American Indian/Alaska Native Professional Learning Community, Chalkboard Project, and the Oregon Department of Education, Early Learning Division.
Aimee also volunteers at the Dougy Center for Grieving Children, listens to many podcasts, and loves instigating karaoke.
