Vitalyst Health Foundation: Learning Sessions & Systems Change
Date:
August 5, 2025
Co-Creating a Learning Journey with Vitalyst Health Foundation
From pilot cohorts to a lasting, adaptive program for systems-minded nonprofits
Over the past few years, Mindflower Studio has had the privilege of working alongside Vitalyst Health Foundation to design and facilitate a series of interactive, cohort-based learning experiences for their Grant Partners. What began as a series of experimental sessions has grown into a lasting program and visual product—one that’s grounded in systems thinking, tailored to the realities nonprofits face today, and shaped by continuous feedback, iteration, and real-world learning.
Starting with Curiosity
Our partnership began with a shared question: How might we support nonprofits beyond funding? Vitalyst wanted to offer something dynamic—an experience that acknowledged the complex, evolving nature of systems change work while helping partners build the mindsets and tools needed to navigate it.
Rather than roll out a static training, we co-created a living learning journey. Each session was hands-on, participatory, and visually rich—rooted in frameworks like FourSight, the Water of Systems Change, and emergent thinking tools. We introduced visuals, invited reflection, and built a space for nonprofit leaders to explore their work in new ways.
Designing in Real Time
Over the course of multiple cohorts, we built a flexible curriculum that evolved with each group. We tested new content, adjusted our approach, and used participant feedback to guide what came next. Each session served as both learning and prototype—a chance to practice adaptation and creativity in real time.
This iterative process wasn’t just behind the scenes. It was modeled in the sessions themselves. Participants were encouraged to explore ambiguity, push their thinking, and reflect on how systems showed up in their day-to-day work.
A Lasting Offering
Today, the result of that co-creation is a thoughtfully designed 3-part learning series, offered twice a year. Participants choose between an in-person or online cohort experience, allowing for flexibility and accessibility.
Session 1: Creative Problem Solving & Thinking Preferences
Participants explore their own thinking styles using the FourSight model and engage with a structured, visual process for solving complex problems.
Session 2: Systems Thinking & Systems Change
Using real-world examples and visual frameworks, this session helps participants identify leverage points, shift perspectives, and better understand the systems they work within.
Session 3: Collaboration
In the final session, participants explore the mindsets and conditions needed for effective collaboration across organizations, sectors, and power dynamics.
Each session builds on the last, creating a foundation of shared language, practical tools, and systems awareness. Participants leave with printed visual tools, new relationships, and renewed clarity about their role in advancing health equity.
Looking Ahead
This partnership has demonstrated that nonprofit learning doesn’t have to be overly academic or prescriptive. It can be human-centered, creative, and deeply rooted in systems thinking. We’re proud to have supported Vitalyst in building something that’s not only useful, but enduring—and we’re excited to see how it continues to evolve.
Kelsey Otten
Asssitant Director of Partner Engagement
,
Vitalyst Health Foundation
Energizing, Insightful, Creative
Vitalyst has partnered with Mindflower Studio for the past couple of years to facilitate our Grant Partner Learning Sessions. One of the things I most appreciate when working with Abby is her thought-partnership and ability to co-create with us.
During the planning process, we are able to freely ideate and discuss what we'd like the end product to be, and Abby's creativity and thoughtfulness is reflected in the way she dives into the conversation and helps turn ideas into substantive content for the Learning Sessions.
The positive energy she brings to the facilitation of our workshops is contagious, and we've received great feedback from our grant partners that the Learning Session content has been relevant to their work.
In addition to the workshop facilitation, her visual summary/graphic recording is incredible. As a visual learner, I appreciate being able to see complex concepts laid out in such a visually appealing way, which makes the content easier to digest.
Finally, Abby is just a great human. She brings empathy, creativity, conscientiousness, and professionalism into her work, and I am grateful for the opportunity I've had to work with Mindflower Studio. If you have the opportunity to utilize Abby's talents in this way for your work, I cannot recommend it enough!