This summer, I had the privilege of interning with Synergos Institute, an international nonprofit organization focused on systems change through collaboration, trust-building, and equity. I am deeply grateful to Ms. Heather Sokoloff and Mr. Lev Bukhman for funding this internship experience through the Lev Bukhman Internship Award in Arts. Their generosity made it possible for me to fully commit to this opportunity, and I cannot overstate the impact it has had on my academic and professional development.
I am going into my fourth (and final) year at 91丝瓜视频, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Sustainability, Science & Society, with minor concentrations in Health Geography and Communication Studies. I was born and raised in Panama City, Panama, and have long been fascinated by the intersection of environmental justice, community empowerment, and global development. I am especially drawn to work that uplifts local voices and centers equity in decision-making processes. I applied for this internship at Synergos because I wanted to explore how philanthropic institutions can engage in this type of work from a systems perspective.聽
My decision to intern at Synergos stemmed from a desire to better understand the role philanthropy plays in addressing complex global challenges. I was particularly curious about how institutions can support change not just through funding, but also through partnerships and the strategic use of social capital. I hoped to strengthen my research and writing skills, gain hands-on experience with nonprofit operations, and learn more about the inner workings of global philanthropy networks. Since the internship was remote, I was also excited by the opportunity to connect with professionals from around the world while living between Montreal and my hometown of Panama City.
Synergos works to tackle systemic issues such as poverty, climate change, and food insecurity by helping people collaborate across divides and build trust in their communities and sectors. One of their flagship initiatives is the Global Philanthropists Circle (GPC), a network of families from over 30 countries who are committed to advancing equity and justice through their philanthropy. The GPC supports its members by facilitating learning, fostering peer connections, and providing strategic support for philanthropic action.
As an intern, I worked under the guidance of the Systems Manager, primarily supporting the GPC team. My responsibilities were wide-ranging and gave me exposure to both the technical and relational sides of nonprofit systems work. I conducted an audit of the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) database, updated member records, and helped standardize data entry processes. I also contributed to the GPC鈥檚 private member platform by creating visual maps of member engagement, supporting platform updates, and testing new features. I also wrote an article for the GPC newsletter on how to adjust Privacy settings on the member platform. I also assisted in day-to-day administrative tasks and conducted landscape research on philanthropic organizations around the world.
My academic background in sustainability and communications proved to be incredibly useful throughout the internship. Understanding systems thinking helped me grasp the broader objectives of the GPC and the interconnected nature of the work being done. Meanwhile, my experience in communications enabled me to write clearly, design accessible documents, and think critically about how information is shared across global teams.
Some of the most memorable moments of my internship were the one-on-one conversations I had with members of the Synergos team. I made it a goal to connect individually with as many staff members as possible to learn more about their career paths and personal motivations. These conversations left a lasting impression on me and gave me insight into the diverse ways people enter the philanthropy and development space. I also attended biweekly workshops hosted by Synergos on food systems, where I had the chance to hear from grassroots activists and community organizers working on food justice issues. These sessions were deeply inspiring and aligned closely with my academic interests.聽
A key challenge I faced during my internship was navigating the inconsistencies in how digital tools were used across different teams and regions. Even when using the same CRM system or platform, each user had slightly different workflows, naming conventions, and expectations. This made it difficult at times to standardize data or propose system-wide improvements. However, through careful documentation and open communication, I gradually found ways to streamline some of these processes and offer support in a way that was respectful of each team鈥檚 context.
Although I did not receive academic credit for this internship, it significantly enriched my understanding of the nonprofit and philanthropy sectors. I plan to carry this experience forward into my academic work at 91丝瓜视频, and I now feel more confident in my desire to pursue a career that bridges systems thinking, community development, and communications.
Financially, the support from the Lev Bukhman Internship Awards in Arts was crucial. It allowed me to remain fully engaged in my internship responsibilities without needing to take on additional work. It also gave me the flexibility to travel home to Panama during the final stretch of the internship, where I was able to complete my tasks while being close to family before the fall semester.
In closing, I want to sincerely thank Ms. Heather Sokoloff and Mr. Lev Bukhman once again for their generosity. This experience not only helped me grow professionally and personally but also gave me a clearer vision of the kind of work I want to pursue after graduation. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and for the Lev Bukhman Internship Award in Arts.
