Our approach

Strategy Meets Creativity

We believe the best campaigns combine clear strategic thinking with creative execution that actually engages people. Whether it's a multi-country advocacy campaign or a neighborhood collaborative art project, we know that policy/political change is only possible when accompanied by cultural change and social understanding.

Collaborative, Not Extractive

Our research, planning, and evaluation processes focus on collaboration and participation. We believe the people closest to problems have crucial insights for solving them. Our job is to facilitate, synthesize, and help translate learning into action.

Local Roots, Global Branches

Whether we're working on international digital rights campaigns or neighborhood-level organizing, we connect local struggles to global patterns and help movements learn from each other across borders.

Sustainable Movements Need Sustainable Communities

We build space for rest, joy, and creativity because we're organizing for the long-term. That means trainings that energize, campaigns that celebrate, events that connect, and strategies that are forward-looking. We also believe community is strategy- whether that's connecting activists across countries or helping neighbors know each other's names.

Learning-Oriented

We approach research, evaluation, and strategy as learning processes. Our work helps organizations adapt and improve, not just prove and report.

Our team

Laura Schwartz-Henderson is the Founder and Executive Director of Curious Shapes, bringing over a decade and a half of experience in research and social impact. Her work spans the intersection of technology, human rights, and social change, collaborating with diverse stakeholders globally. Laura's expertise includes managing and implementing multi-country research on digital rights, program development, creative campaigning, and strategic planning. Laura’s passionate about connecting communities and making meaningful work exciting, participatory, and fun.

Alex Esenler is the Director of Operation and Impact at Curious Shapes. She brings over a decade of experience in the digital and human rights, media and democracy, and communications space. She is a data and database nerd who is passionate about knowledge sharing and building systems that amplify impact, improve workflows, and facilitate collaboration. Alex’s expertise include operations, program and impact monitoring and evaluation, program management, and strategic planning. 

Laura Vidal is the Lead of Communications and Community Growth at Curious Shapes. She has 15 years of expertise in freedom of expression, strategic communications, and intercultural communication. She holds a Ph.D. in Education Sciences with a focus on intercultural learning in virtual communities from the University of Paris XII.

Contact

Building something? Facing something? Need strategic support? Want to connect?

We're interested in:

  • Campaign collaborations with organizations doing community-based work

  • Research and evaluation partnerships

  • Strategic planning and capacity building engagements

  • Training and event facilitation opportunities

  • Speaking engagements on digital rights, creative campaigns, or sustainable activism

  • Cross-border solidarity and knowledge-sharing initiatives

Email: laura@curiousshapes.org