BREAKOUT #1
LOCATION: CROSS TIMBERS 3
Learn a practical, design-thinking approach to building literacy programs that work in the real world and that tell a compelling story when it’s time to write the next grant. Practical tools included.
About This Session
Description
In this session, we flip the script on program development from a solo weekend spent drafting a wish list program for a grant deadline (been there!) to an intentional planning process that builds over time into a program the full team can buy into and funders are excited embrace.
Drawing on design thinking principles and real examples from the field, we’ll explore what it looks like to build a program around your learners first, your outcomes second, your team third, and your grant narrative last.
You’ll leave with practical takeaways you can bring back to the team, whether you’re designing something new or taking a hard look at what you already have.
What we'll cover:
This session is built for program administrators/designers who feel the tension between what they know about their learners and what their program structure actually allows for. Whether you’re designing something new or taking an honest look at something that’s been running for years, this workshop will give you a concrete way to move forward.
We will cover:
- Who is your learner, really? How to build a simple learner persona from what you already know and what it reveals about your program design that data alone won’t show you.
- Piloting with intention: how to test a program element in a way that generates useful information, rather than just running it and hoping.
- The design-to-story link: why the way you build a program determines what you can say about it later and how to use that connection to strengthen both your program and your funding narrative.
- A brief look at where AI tools can support this work: one or two specific, low-barrier ways to use AI to assist with design and documentation.
The session is structured around a simple design canvas that participants will begin filling in during the session. You’ll leave with a partially completed draft you can keep working on back at your organization. Bring a program you want to strengthen or a design challenge you’ve been sitting with. We’ll use real examples in the room. No design experience required.
Topics & Focus
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Assigned by TCALL
Audience
Level
Case study?
Promotion?
Find definitions of topic areas, audiences, levels, and PD categories by clicking on any icon, or see them all on this page.
A note from the presenter:
No design background assumed; participants should be familiar with their own program delivery
Handouts & Materials
No handouts or materials available at this time.
“Name of Session” – session presentation slides (PDF)
Name of Document – lesson sample (PDF)
Name of Document (PDF)
Name of Document – infographic (JPG)
Presenter
Melanie Fisk, MSW, MBA
Principal & Founder
Adaptive Ascent Group
Melanie Fisk (MSW, MBA) is an executive strategist and systems builder. Over the past 20+ years, Melanie has led change across nonprofit and public-sector settings, including serving as CEO of Literacy Advance of Houston, where she guided a turnaround and merger that doubled service capacity and expanded wraparound supports. She’s also held senior leadership roles at large, regional community organizations and directed national-scale technical assistance efforts connected to federal initiatives. Her superpower is building environments where great teams can do their best work and where strategy doesn’t live in a file, but is a living, organic part of a truly ground-up, adaptive culture.
In 2025, Melanie launched Adaptive Ascent Group, small boutique consulting firm to help small-to-mid sized organizations turn big goals into day-to-day momentum. She has gathered a team of systems builders and “implementation translators” who love the messy middle where strategy meets real people, AND real-world constraints. Together they aim to be your favorite thought partner. You know, the one who is grounded, will tell you the truth (even when it’s hard), who is just the right amount of wonky, and who loves to help you get stuff done!
When she’s not leading design workshops or geeking out with a new read, Melanie’s usually in the kitchen cooking something elaborate, hanging out with her two rescue pups, or connecting with a friend, preferably while being outside. She’s especially curious about the seismic shifts facing civil society and how we can reimagine systems for collective resilience. Based in Alexandria, VA, Melanie brings both humor and humanity to her work, and she’s always up for a good question and a deeper conversation.
Breakout26 – FISK
Page checked or updated: 7/01/2026
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