shaima shamdeen
Designing Experiences That Connect
Goal: Create meaningful, high-impact experiences that position the organization as a trusted convener and systems change leader, building cross-sector partnerships through shared learning and collective purpose.
Impact: Directed the Creating Our Future conference for four consecutive years, establishing it as a premier regional convening attracting 500+ leaders annually across education, workforce, and policy sectors. The event catalyzed new partnerships, unlocked funding opportunities, and expanded statewide influence. Produced multimedia content, including case studies, videos, and impact narratives, to drive engagement and support development efforts.
Approach: Designed comprehensive stakeholder journeys from first touchpoint to long-term engagement. Centered stakeholder needs and cultural context to ensure every experience honored diverse perspectives. Built systems for relationship stewardship that converted one-time attendees into repeat collaborators. Implemented feedback loops and measurable outcomes to continuously evolve strategy and demonstrate tangible value.
Shaping the Language of Change
Goal: Transform complex policy research into a compelling, accessible final report that fosters cross-sector alignment and drives legislative action.
Impact: Secured $425,000 in state funding to expand financial aid outreach by co-authoring A Policy Blueprint for Increasing Financial Aid Uptake in Washington. The report established the organization as a credible thought leader and served as a springboard for additional advocacy, planning, and stakeholder engagement efforts beyond the initial funding success.
Approach: Led the content strategy in collaboration with policy and design leads, reshaping dense drafts into a clear, logically structured final product. Oversaw narrative development, language refinement, and visual presentation to ensure resonance with broad audiences. Balanced strategic rigor with emotional clarity to turn data and policy into persuasive advocacy tools.
Translating Purpose Into Story
Goal: Deepen public understanding of organization’s mission by turning systems-level strategy and grassroots efforts into emotionally resonant, human-centered stories that inspire action and build connection.
Impact: Directed and produced video content that elevated the organization’s brand identity and became assets for storytelling, fundraising, and stakeholder alignment. One distilled the organization’s backbone strategy into a powerful narrative for public and funder engagement. The other, an original animation, sparked community pride by honoring collective progress.
Approach: Led creative direction from concept to final cut, developing creative briefs that translated organizational strategy into clear production direction. Intentionally shaped narrative arcs, scripting, and visual style to evoke emotion, reflect authenticity, and align with brand values. Collaborated closely with production teams, interview subjects, and illustrators to balance artistic vision with mission-driven goals.