Presenting to Founders – Key Learnings from My Summer Internship with Reimagining Society

As my summer internship with Reimagining Society drew to a close, one of the most defining moments of my experience was presenting my work and key findings to the organization’s founders and leadership team. This presentation served as both a culmination of my efforts and a reflection of the meaningful projects I had the privilege of working on over the past few months. It was an opportunity to share insights, highlight successes, and outline potential next steps for some of the key initiatives I contributed to during my time with the organization.

Preparing for the Presentation

The process of preparing for the presentation was an exercise in reflection. I had to distill the wide range of work I had been involved in—spanning gender equality, climate risk management, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement—into a coherent narrative that demonstrated both the impact of my contributions and the broader vision of Reimagining Society.


I structured the presentation around three main projects that had defined my internship:

  1. The development of a case study using the SDG Impact Tracker, which helped quantify the impact of local initiatives in India, demonstrating how even small-scale projects can contribute to global sustainability goals.
  2. The mixed-method research survey in rural Bhutan, which focused on women’s climate vulnerabilities and adaptation needs, providing valuable insights for shaping gender-sensitive climate policies.
  3. My involvement in the Global Wellbeing Conference 2024, where I played a role in managing the application process, engaging stakeholders, and conducting consultation sessions that laid the groundwork for an impactful event focused on Conflict Prevention, Gender Equality, and Climate Action.

Each of these projects offered a unique set of challenges, but they also provided a wealth of learning opportunities. My goal in the presentation was not only to showcase these achievements but also to highlight the ongoing relevance of the work and the importance of continuing to push forward with these initiatives.


Key Insights Shared with the Founders

One of the central themes of my presentation was the interconnectedness of the issues I worked on. Whether it was conducting research on women’s climate vulnerabilities or organizing a global conference on gender and conflict prevention, the common thread running through all of these projects was the recognition that effective policy must be inclusive and intersectional.


I emphasized the following key insights during my presentation:

  • The Power of Gender Mainstreaming: Throughout my work on climate policy in Bhutan and beyond, it became increasingly clear that gender mainstreaming is not just a box to be checked—it’s essential for creating effective, sustainable policies. Women’s perspectives and experiences are vital to understanding how climate change impacts communities, and incorporating these insights leads to more resilient and inclusive solutions.
  • Local Solutions Have Global Impact: My work with the SDG Impact Tracker underscored the importance of local innovation in addressing global challenges. Small-scale projects, like the factory in India that repurposes straw into sustainable packaging, demonstrate how grassroots initiatives can contribute to SDG goals such as Responsible Consumption and Climate Action. These projects are scalable, and with the right support, they can create significant ripple effects across sectors and regions.
  • Collaboration is Key to Success: One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship was the collaborative nature of the work. Whether it was conducting focus group discussions with rural women or engaging with international organizations for the Global Wellbeing Conference, I learned that success often depends on the ability to listen, engage, and build partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Presenting My Findings

Delivering this presentation was not only a professional milestone but also a personal one. Standing in front of the organization’s founders, I felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing that the work I had done contributed to something larger than myself. It was a validation of my passion for gender equality, sustainability, and inclusive policy-making, and a reminder of the responsibility we all share in driving positive change.


The feedback I received was incredibly encouraging. The founders expressed appreciation for the depth of analysis and the actionable insights that came out of my research and involvement in the various projects. They were particularly interested in how the SDG Impact Tracker could be used to guide future investments and how the gender-sensitive climate policies we developed in Bhutan could serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges.


Key Learnings from My Internship

Reflecting on my summer internship, I can confidently say that it was one of the most enriching experiences of my career so far. Here are the key lessons I will carry forward:

  1. The Importance of Inclusive Policy: My work on gender-sensitive climate policies reinforced the notion that inclusive policymaking leads to more effective outcomes. Policies that ignore the voices of marginalized groups, especially women, often fail to address the root causes of issues like poverty, environmental degradation, and inequality.
  2. Data-Driven Decision-Making is Essential: Tools like the SDG Impact Tracker are crucial for measuring the real-world impact of policies and initiatives. Having clear data not only helps track progress but also provides a basis for scaling successful projects and refining those that need improvement.
  3. Collaboration as a Driver of Innovation: Whether I was working with international organizations, local communities, or Reimagining Society’s leadership team, collaboration was at the heart of every successful initiative. Bringing diverse perspectives together leads to richer solutions and fosters a more dynamic approach to problem-solving.
  4. Adaptability is Key: Working across different regions, from India to Bhutan, I learned the importance of adaptability. Each project required a unique approach, and being able to pivot between different cultural, environmental, and political contexts was an essential skill that I developed during my time with Reimagining Society.

Looking Ahead

As I move forward in my career, the lessons and experiences from this internship will continue to guide me. The opportunity to work on such meaningful projects—focused on gender equality, climate resilience, and sustainable development—has reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing a career in public policy and advocacy. I look forward to building on these foundations, working to create more inclusive and equitable solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.


Presenting my work to the founders of Reimagining Society was a powerful reminder of why I chose this field. It’s about making a tangible impact, collaborating with passionate individuals and organizations, and always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. This internship has given me the tools, knowledge, and confidence to continue on this path—and I am excited to see where it leads next.


A Special Thanks to WAPPP

None of this would have been possible without the generous support of the Women and Public Policy Program (WAPPP) at Harvard Kennedy School. The WAPPP Summer Internship Grant, supported by the Cultural Bridge Program, enabled me to take on this incredible opportunity and dive into projects that I am deeply passionate about. The financial support allowed me to focus fully on contributing to Reimagining Society’s initiatives without the constraints of funding. I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity, and it has made a lasting impact on my professional development.


Thank you, WAPPP, for making this journey possible and for your unwavering commitment to empowering students like me to make a difference in the world.

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