Naomi joined Collaborate in Spring 2021 as a Head of Practice, bringing her love of facilitation and participatory processes, experience of community empowerment and social change, research skills and relational project management. Naomi’s work at Collaborate spans much of our practice – Human Learning Systems, system leadership programmes, learning and evaluation work, community engagement, and the design and facilitation of cross-sector collaboration.

Naomi is currently supporting clients in Norwich, Gloucestershire and Westminster to take a test and learn approach to their work supporting individuals and communities. With colleague Leigh Brown, she leads our work applying collaboration and systems change approaches to decarbonisation and climate adaptation work, for example supporting the Local Area Retrofit Accelerator and the development of the Home Energy West Yorkshire plan. 

Since joining Collaborate, Naomi has supported our Human Learning Systems work, which promotes an alternative way of funding and managing public services in complexity – enabling continuous learning, adaptation and collaboration. She recently developed a maturity matrix to support organisations evaluate their progress towards an HLS approach.

Prior to Collaborate, Naomi worked in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector for 20 years, as well as a shorter stint in Local Government. The scope of her work included running large scale training and grant programmes, supporting VCS groups and organisations with organisational and business development, facilitating participatory processes, and advising Councils on partnering with the VCSE sector.

In their own words:

I’m a deeply curious person who loves to learn. I’ve been shaped by personal and career experiences which drive my determination to work for a world that is equitable, just and compassionate. I am proud of my past work supporting collective community action and social change. I’m inspired by young activists, and I’m happiest when supporting people to have good conversations which build relationships, understanding and commitment to work together for the common good.

Naomi Diamond Projects