Lab Testimonials

Overall, the study was extremely valuable to our team in that we were able to learn and practice communication in a narrative framework to our base, and we currently still use these narratives in our communications. Storytelling is powerful, and we’re grateful for this opportunity to explore it more deeply. Working with the team at the Lab was one of the highlights of the experiment. They are responsive, friendly, knowledgeable, and skilled.
Working with the team at the Lab was one of the highlights of the experiment. They are responsive, friendly, knowledgeable, and skilled.
2022 Field Research Partner
Spring 2023 Training For Impact Cohort Member
During TFI, I have truly gained so many skills, but also underwent personal growth and witnessed tangible results in our campaigns and organization. The knowledge and skills I acquired have empowered me to become a more effective climate advocate, equipped with evidence-based organizing strategies.
The knowledge and skills I acquired [from Training for Impact] have empowered me to become a more effective climate advocate, equipped with evidence-based organizing strategies.
Victoria Sunkel
Spring 2023 Training For Impact Cohort Member
This cohort framework has provided a platform for self-reflection, enabling me to identify my strengths and understand how I work best. Moreover, it has reaffirmed my belief in the universal truths of organizing, regardless of the diverse situations and locations in which we operate. The wisdom, power, and knowledge shared by Assata and my peers have been transformative, fostering a deep sense of learning and personal growth.
The wisdom, power, and knowledge shared by Assata and my peers have been transformative, fostering a deep sense of learning and personal growth.
Tyler McDermott
Spring 2023 Training For Impact Cohort Member
Through this program, I gained invaluable self-awareness and learned to embrace my unique strengths as a leader. Recognizing that I am not primarily a task-oriented leader allowed me to leverage my strengths effectively.
Through [Training for Impact], I gained invaluable self-awareness and learned to embrace my unique strengths as a leader. Recognizing that I am not primarily a task-oriented leader allowed me to leverage my strengths effectively.
Trevor Carroll
Spring 2023 Training For Impact Cohort Member
As a relatively new organizer, learning on the go without much opportunity to slow down and grasp the necessary tools, I greatly appreciated the insights provided by the program. One impactful aspect was the emphasis on the Ladder of Engagement (LOE). This tool helped us to recognize the different levels of involvement and how to strategically engage individuals, particularly within marginalized communities, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.

The program enabled me to reflect on my own leadership skills, which stem from my background in the healthcare industry, known for its top-down approach. Recognizing the need to implement leadership practices that truly serve my community, I have gained valuable insights and tools to reshape my approach and foster more inclusive and equitable leadership.
The emphasis on the Ladder of Engagement [in TFI program] helped us to recognize the different levels of involvement and how to strategically engage individuals, particularly within marginalized communities, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
Carmen Cavezza
Spring 2023 Training For Impact Cohort Member
The knowledge retention aspect of the program was outstanding. I had never before considered critical capacities in such a formal way, and the curriculum provided invaluable insights into strategic, organizing, narrative, disruptive, and electoral and institutional capacities. I witnessed a transformation in myself as I gained a deeper understanding of these concepts and applied them to my work. Power mapping and narrative building were also particularly impactful, enabling me to develop new strategies for my work and think outside the box.
I witnessed a transformation in myself as I gained a deeper understanding of strategic, organizing, narrative, disruptive, and electoral and institutional capacities and applied them to my work.
Karlie Hill
Minnesota Environmental Justice Table
The Training for Impact modules have been so relevant to the topics I am currently working on. I have been bringing learnings around power-building and base-building to many of the coalition spaces I am a part of. I also took a lot from the relational organizing modules and was quickly able to implement the different strategies for sharing your “story of self” and 1:1 meetings, as I just started a new job. I am using those frameworks a lot and have noticed a positive difference in our organizing program!
I have been bringing learnings around power-building and base-building to many of the coalition spaces I am a part of. I am using relational organizing frameworks a lot and have noticed a positive difference in our organizing program!
Akira Yano
Honestly, one of the things that has been most useful has been the curriculum and developing a more in-depth fluency with the Lab's resources. It's a lot of information, but I now feel prepared to find what I need when I need it when doing organizing work! So far, the Engagement Systems Parts 1 and 2 as well as the Critical Capacities frameworks have been most useful on my end.
One of the things that has been most useful has been the curriculum and developing a more in-depth fluency with the Lab's resources. I now feel prepared to find what I need when I need it when doing organizing work!
Spring 2022 Training for Impact cohort member
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Thank you so much for this ground-breaking and thoughtful educational experience. I am sure it will continue to develop and blossom in my organization and me. The connections alone were highly generative. Definitely worth doing again.
I am sure [Climate + Health peer learning] will continue to develop and blossom in my organization and me. The connections alone were highly generative.
Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle ’22-’23 Participant
Richmond, California
The Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle is great if you are working at the intersection of climate and health -- you'll learn real skills about how to be more effective and more importantly, how to make your work more impactful, plus you'll get to know and connect with a diverse group of people across the country thinking and working on similar issues.
The Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle is great if you are working at the intersection of climate and health -- you'll learn real skills about how to be more effective and more importantly, how to make your work more impactful.
Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle ’22-’23 Participant
Portland, Oregon
The Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle provides genuinely helpful, actionable strategies and frameworks that you won't find anywhere else regarding climate change and health advocacy.
The Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle provides genuinely helpful, actionable strategies and frameworks that you won't find anywhere else regarding climate change and health advocacy.
Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle ’22-’23 Participant
Washington, DC
I had no idea what I didn't know! Now I have a structure in which to approach my climate/health work, and the ongoing support of the Lab means the world.
I had no idea what I didn't know! Now I have a structure in which to approach my climate/health work, and the ongoing support of the Lab means the world.
Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle ‘22-’23 Participant
Washington, DC
My favorite part of this experience was connecting with my peers in this program. Making these connections and having an opportunity to meet and learn from leaders in climate and health around the country was such a fun experience! We were able to bounce off of each other to problem-solve challenges we are facing, learn from each other, and set up opportunities for collaborations going forward. Knowing there is such great climate leadership occurring across the country in the space of climate and health provides me with a newfound sense of hope and motivation.
My favorite part of [the Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle] was connecting with my peers... Knowing there is such great climate leadership occurring across the country in the space of climate and health provides me with a newfound sense of hope.
Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle ‘22-’23 Participant
Santa Monica, California
The facilitators, Rebecca and Diamond, were so awesome! The thoughtfulness of their presentations, in curating content in a way that was manageable and easy to understand, cannot be overstated. Also great to start conversations with amazing co-participants that hopefully will continue into the future! It was so validating to hear about other participants' experiences and know that even if we don't all have the answers, we are thinking through the same issues and we are not alone.
The facilitators [of the Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle] Rebecca and Diamond were so awesome! The thoughtfulness of their presentations, in curating content in a way that was manageable and easy to understand, cannot be overstated.
Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle ’22-’23 Participant
Clean Energy & Climate Justice Campaigner
The opportunity to build networks and connect in person with fellow energy justice advocates from across the country is invaluable.​ I love the cross-pollination that happens at Lab events and have followed up with many people.
The opportunity to network and connect with fellow energy justice advocates is invaluable.​ I love the cross-pollination that happens at Lab events and have followed up with many people.
Misha Clive
Greenlining Institute
The campaign planning and development modules were concrete and so helpful. I’ve come back over and over to those resources, especially the different case studies. This was the training I have been waiting for! …I was on coalition call recently and we were talking about power mapping. Sharing examples [that I learned in the Cohort] of how other coalitions have developed a community power analysis challenged us to think differently about our coalition's 'strategic culture.'
The campaign planning and development modules were concrete and so helpful. This was the training I have been waiting for!
Nicole Wong
Solar United Neighbors
Developing the playbook allowed us to collect & share from advocates and frontline community members... we learned that we are not alone and that we don't have to reinvent the wheel in order to hold utilities accountable.
Developing the playbook allowed us to collect & share from advocates and frontline community members... we learned that we are not alone and that we don't have to reinvent the wheel in order to hold utilities accountable.
Yesenia Rivera
Conservation Colorado
The results from our research project with the Lab came at an opportune time, because I had just started a new digital department. Based off our results, I proposed a significant investment of resources in texting so we could ... reach and engage Latinx Coloradans.
The results from our research project with the Lab came at an opportune time. Based off our results, I proposed a significant investment of resources in texting so we could... reach and engage Latinx Coloradans.
Lilly Zoller
Conservation Colorado
Throughout the process, the Lab team worked to help us identify the most useful questions and were flexible and generous in providing expertise, guidance, and additional resources we needed to be successful.
Throughout the process, the Lab team worked to help us identify the most useful questions and were flexible and generous in providing expertise, guidance, and additional resources we needed to be successful.
Lilly Zoller
Minnesota Environmental Justice Table
The Training for Impact modules have been so relevant. I... was quickly able implement the different strategies for sharing your “story of self” and 1:1 meetings. I have noticed a positive difference!
The Training for Impact modules have been so relevant. I... was quickly able implement the different strategies for sharing your “story of self” and 1:1 meetings. I have noticed a positive difference!
Akira Yano
Climate Nexus
A colleague forwarded me your newsletter and I knew this was a community that I needed to be a part of as a person of color doing climate change work!
A colleague forwarded me your newsletter and I knew this was a community that I needed to be a part of as a person of color doing climate change work!
Sabrina Williams
Western Organization of Resource Centers
The Lab emails are one of the few that I consistently open and read: the authentic voice and useful resources. I always know there will be something of interest to me in there.
The Lab emails are one of the few that I consistently open and read: the authentic voice and useful resources. I always know there will be something of interest to me in there.
Dave Weiland
UnKoch My Campus
We’ve re-vamped our on-boarding process and base-building plan based on recommendations from the cohort, including hosting a monthly ‘meet and greet’ and testing email subject lines. Those shifts are already yielding results!
We’ve re-vamped our on-boarding process and base-building plan based on recommendations from the cohort. Those shifts are already yielding results!
Tempestt Tuggle
UnKoch My Campus
Participating in the cohort reminded me how many resources are available through the Climate Advocacy Lab. When I or my co-workers have a question about something, my first move is to check and see ‘What does the Climate Advocacy Lab have?’ It’s so helpful not to have to ‘reinvent the wheel.’
Participating in the cohort reminded me how many resources are available through the Climate Advocacy Lab. When I or my co-workers have a question about something, my first move is to check and see ‘What does the Climate Advocacy Lab have?’
Tempestt Tuggle
Alaska Community Action on Toxics
What a treasure trove! I'd like to kiss the toes of whoever thought this project up and whoever funded it. ​I wish every social justice issue had its own advocacy lab just like this one.
What a treasure trove! I wish every social justice issue had its own advocacy lab just like this one.
Patti Saunders
Respiratory Health Association
My praxis group has also been amazing, and we have getting together outside of the bi-weekly meetings to strategize and brainstorm about climate work in the Midwest! ​Thank you for all the work you have put into this cohort – it has really changed my life.
My praxis group has also been amazing, and we have getting together outside of the bi-weekly meetings to strategize and brainstorm about climate work in the Midwest! It has really changed my life.
Kelly Nichols
Community Action Partnership Orange County
What I also love about the Lab, especially as someone who is young and a newer organizer, you have these series talking about different organizing strategies ... that, unless you are a more experienced organizer or you are manage to find a mentor, it’s not as available as you think.
What I also love about the Lab, especially as someone who is young and a newer organizer, you have these series talking about different organizing strategies that are not as available as you think.
Linda Moore
Alianza Center
Working with the Climate Advocacy Lab is absolutely a dream. We ... have felt so much support and confidence every step of the journey because of the outstanding guidance.
Working with the Climate Advocacy Lab is absolutely a dream. We have felt so much support and confidence every step of the journey because of the outstanding guidance.
Johanna Lopez
Partnership Project
Instantaneously I felt safe. It was such a unique cross-section of activists and organizers. The storytellers were incredibly humble and that helped to demystify a lot of things. I could instantly connect. I work in finance, but in the narrative and storytelling could see myself.
Instantaneously I felt safe. It was such a unique cross-section of activists and organizers. The storytellers were incredibly humble and that helped to demystify a lot of things. I work in finance, but in the narrative and storytelling could see myself.
Catherine Mbacho
New Conversations Initiative
I want to express appreciation to the Lab team... y'all have gotten really good at creating shared learning spaces that are actually really productive and where work moves forward afterward.
Y'all have gotten really good at creating shared learning spaces that are actually really productive and where work moves forward afterward.
Steve Deline
Our Climate
Based on what I learned through the cohort, Our Climate is revamping our entire digital approach to center moving people from online to offline!
Based on what I learned through the cohort, Our Climate is revamping our entire digital approach to center moving people from online to offline!
Carrie Cullen
Climate Action Campaign - San Diego
Using pillars of power, EJ framing and coalition best practices (esp. authenticity and meeting needs of constituents) from the Lab have been key to two huge wins, so THANK YOU. These are solid gold strategies that we will keep using to accelerate more wins.
Using pillars of power, EJ framing and best practices (esp. authenticity and meeting needs of constituents) from the Lab have been key to two huge wins, so THANK YOU. These are solid gold strategies that we will keep using to accelerate more wins.
Ayn Craciun
Penn Environment
Lab membership has connected me to a whole network of advocates and social scientists..., helped seed collaborative work, and provided much needed motivation and optimism.
Lab membership has connected me to a whole network of advocates and social scientists..., helped seed collaborative work, and provided much needed motivation and optimism.
Penn Environment
The tests we've run in partnership with the Lab led us to adjust our own relational organizing model, more effectively recruiting and moving volunteers up the ladder of engagement.
The tests we've run in partnership with the Lab led us to adjust our own relational organizing model, more effectively recruiting and moving volunteers up the ladder of engagement.
Flora Cardoni
Southeast Climate & Energy Network
The Lab provides excellent information, training and resources. Also, the possibility of leveraging your organization's expertise to the benefit of other members of our network.
The Lab provides excellent information, training and resources.
Alexander Easdale
RE-AMP Network
The Climate Advocacy Lab connects you with smart, evidence based approaches to winning on climate.
The Climate Advocacy Lab connects you with smart, evidence based approaches to winning on climate.
Melissa Gavin
The Climate Reality Project
Engaging with the Lab has helped instill a greater appreciation for data-driven decision making in our organization.
Engaging with the Lab has helped instill a greater appreciation for data-driven decision making in our organization.
Courtenay Tuxhorn
Illinois Environmental Council
There are many organizations doing similar work to IEC in other states, but there are few effective options for sharing what we've learned. The Lab provides a hub to learn about what has and hasn't worked elsewhere, access to powerful tools and findings that our small organization could not get otherwise, and helps us avoid doing redundant work, saving us time and resources.
The Lab provides a hub to learn about what has and hasn't worked elsewhere, access to powerful tools and findings, and helps us avoid doing redundant work.
Matt Steffen
GreenFaith
The Climate Advocacy Lab is becoming a drawer in my proverbial toolchest of building persuasive stories.
The Climate Advocacy Lab is becoming a drawer in my proverbial toolchest of building persuasive stories.
David Takahashi
Clean Energy & Climate Justice Campaigner
The Climate Advocacy Lab VALIDATES ME. I came to my org with a data-driven perspective and we didn't have the tools to get the insights I wanted to learn. I also came from broad green economy work that includes clean energy along with many other issues -- everything from fair trade labor standards to GMOs. I didn't know how to find research and insights that I could apply specifically to climate and clean energy advocacy. Being part of the Climate Advocacy Lab and gaining resources and connections has allowed me to make a strong case and transition my org to a much better position for data-driven learning, and gain learnings from allies in the field that I would never have the capacity and resources to achieve on my own.
Being part of the Climate Advocacy Lab and gaining resources and connections has allowed me to make a strong case and transition to a much better position for data-driven learning...
Misha D. Clive
PowerLabs
A benefit of working with the Lab is learning about experiments that other organizations have run and getting insights that I can apply to the work that I do. Also, being able to point other organizers to a library of resources that they can use to improve their work.
A benefit of working with the Lab is learning about experiments that other organizations have run and getting insights that I can apply to the work that I do.
Randall Smith
Sierra Club
Joining the Lab has been a great way for me to keep my finger on the pulse of climate research and maintain a grasp on what social science is saying about advocacy work. Whether or not I use specific findings for a specific project, I find myself referencing studies I've read or webinars I've attended with the Lab when considering the most effective or strategic ways to fight the climate crisis. It encourages me to do more testing and research in my organizing work, as well.
Joining the Lab has been a great way for me to keep my finger on the pulse of climate research and maintain a grasp on what social science is saying about advocacy work.
Chelsea Watson
Energy Foundation
Work with the Climate Advocacy Lab if you want to find smart insights into public engagement and policy campaigns, especially when it comes to polling and other data points.
Work with the Climate Advocacy Lab if you want to find smart insights into public engagement and policy campaigns.
Andrea Sanchez Davidson
Cornell University and research4impact
The climate advocacy space in the US is at the forefront of bridging science and society. This would not be happening without the online and in-person community that the Lab has created and continues to nurture and build. This stuff simply doesn't happen on its own. It requires a space, and it also requires an organization that legitimizes these connections as something that can and should be done more often.
The climate advocacy space in the US is at the forefront of bridging science and society. This would not be happening without the online and in-person community that the Lab has created and continues to nurture and build.
Adam Seth Levine