Blog

What happens when an international development organization first begins to recognize how trauma impacts its work? 

Drawing from three decades of experience in fragile states with USAID projects, Angi Yoder-Maina, Ph.D., now Director of FSU RISE, shares a candid 5-part series on the hidden challenges of international development. Through written and audio narratives, the series highlights trauma’s impact on organizations, teams, and program delivery, offering insights into transforming trauma-unaware practices into resilience-focused strategies.

Organizations are realizing that traditional wellness programs, while valuable, are not enough to address escalating mental health challenges in the workplace. The FSU Resilience Institute’s RISE program highlights a shift toward systemic, healing-centered approaches that prioritize leadership engagement, psychological safety, and workplace culture.

Dr. Cindy Bigbie's insights into workplace dynamics, highlighted in her book My Link to Mildred, emphasize the transformative power of emotional safety and connection in overcoming trauma and fostering resilience. Partnering with Florida State University's RISE program, her evidence-based Bigbie Method offers organizations a replicable process to build psychologically safe environments, reduce workplace stress, and enhance collaboration, paving the way for thriving teams and sustainable success.