Meet Lyndon Valicenti

Lyndon is the Founding Principal of a Chicago-based systemic design practice called Daylight. Lyndon and her team work with changemakers — any individual, organization, community, and network that believes the status quo needs to change — to amplify their power for systems change. Daylight's mission is to collectively and strategically intervene in the practices, policies, dynamics, and mindsets that hold complex problems in place, in order to realize more just, equitable, and resilient outcomes for all. Lyndon has 15 years of cross-sector experience leading planning, policy, and research initiatives on social and environmental issues, from climate resilience to equitable community development. 

Q+A

Favorite Word?
Abundance.

What do you geek out about?
System mapping.

What is your favorite quote?
I recently heard the always-inspiring Liz Ogbu of Studio O propose, "what if we went into every community engagement with the mindset that we are building a sacred relationship?" and it was a game changer for me.

What's the most outrageous thing you have ever done (that you can share)? 

I once lived in a log cabin one very cold winter in Montana, volunteering with some brave environmental activists at the Buffalo Field Campaign. Each day we would head out on cross-country skis to “sit” with wild bison that had migrated out of the protection of Yellowstone National Park’s boundaries. If anyone tried to harm or kill them, we brought out our cameras and documented the injustices to share footage with the local media. Unfortunately, when the bison move out of the Park’s protection they are subject to terrible, life-threatening treatment, as they are seen as pests and potential carriers of a disease that affects valuable cattle. To learn more about the mistreatment of wild bison, check out the important work of the Buffalo Field Campaign.

What do you hate?
I hate our nation's dominant patriarchal, white supremacy culture.

Want more? Learn more about Daylight and connect with them on Twitter. Connect with Lyndon on Twitter.