Dearest colleagues and friends,
Today marks my last communication as a Senior Design Partner at Design Group International. After five amazing years at Design Group International, I’ve learned I don’t actually hate being an entrepreneur! In fact, I’m spreading my wings and launching L3 Catalyst Group, a woman and queer-owned space, working in beloved community to grow learning, cultivate brave leaders & teams, and co-create a liberatory future.
Y’all know I love words. The meaning of words matters, especially in our current social context when words are twisted by legislatures, banning actual history to spare privileged feelings. Words and actions perpetuate anti-Blackness everywhere. Words dictate that queer and trans people are denied health care. Books are pulled from library shelves. Words have power.
I’d love to tell you why I’ve chosen the following words to describe L3 Catalyst Group.
L3 Catalyst Group is focused on 3 L’s: learning and leading toward liberation.
LEARN
Transformation can’t take place without learning. We are approached by leaders and teams when they seek organizational change and are stuck. We help leaders and teams uncover underlying systems issues that are preventing them from moving forward. Learning is critical, and we can't stop there because learning isn't a silver bullet.
LEAD
The work we do with organizations and leaders is significant, complex, and takes bravery. We first listen to clarify your leadership goals, commitments, values, and vision for change. We support our clients to dive deep into our complex identities of power, privilege, and marginalization, recognizing how we show up and work toward personal and collective change. Each of us leads. We need each other.
LIBERATE
We work for liberation, and we are all interconnected. Inequity is unconscionable, so we work toward spaces, relationships, and systems of collective liberation marked by justice and equitable outcomes. Brave leaders take steps toward growing spaces of thriving and belonging. We help align your current reality with your aspirational, brave future.
L3 Catalyst Group is called a group because we all live, work, are held accountable, are nourished, and thrive in community. At L3CG, I can be fully myself, celebrating badass humans with intersecting identities that I get the honor of working alongside every day. L3 Catalyst Group works within an intersectional consultant and client community.
L3 Catalyst Group works to catalyze change in ourselves, our relationships, our organizations, and systems. Truth telling about historical and present inequities is critical. Together, we catalyze a brave, bold, and liberatory future.
Let’s stay connected!
Fellow leaders and learners, I wish you courage, rest, and beloved community along the journey.
With love and deep gratitude,
Deanna (they/she)
Owner & Principal
L3 Catalyst Group