Arkellah Irving
Strategy - Vision, Co-design & Evaluation
I work with leaders and organisations to define vision, co-design strategies, and build evaluation frameworks that accelerate goals and create lasting cultural change. Grounded in human connection, I build trust-based relationships, design strategic engagement points, and gather powerful stories that shape inclusive strategies and ensure every voice is heard. My clients gain shared vision, stronger collaboration, measurable results, and clear evidence of impact to inspire lasting change.
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Looking for training? Check out the SHIFT 7 Elements of Engagement
Vision
I guide leaders and teams to clarify and articulate a shared vision that unites diverse voices and provides a clear direction forward. Through strategic facilitation and purposeful engagement, I help organisations define vision and mission statements that inspire action and align stakeholders, creating a strong foundation for decision-making and cultural change.
In Practice
​Creating a Shared Vision for PIRSA’s Annual Strategic Plan.
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SHIFT consulted with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), and led the review and evaluation of their Annual Strategic Plan for Riverland Fruit Fly Outbreak; their Riverland Erradication Plan. Arkellah collaborated with leaders, geographically diverse teams, and industry representatives to develop a shared understanding of the areas for improvement and the opportunities for growth. Through strategic facilitation and purposeful engagement, we brought diverse perspectives together to co-create a shared vision, building greater trust across teams, fostering stronger collaboration, and enabling open, solutions-focused dialogue.
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This collaborative process produced a new policy position and a revised Plan that aligned priorities across the organisation and industry. Arkellah restructured the planning approach to enable real-time adaptability to emerging issues, ensuring PIRSA could respond swiftly and effectively. The result was deeper alignment between teams, more confident decision-making, and a strategy that addressed recurring challenges with clear, actionable solutions.
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Photo Credit: Arkellah Irving. Sunset over The Murray River at Berri, SA.
Co-design
I facilitate inclusive, co-design processes that bring stakeholders, teams, and communities into the heart of strategy development. By creating meaningful connection points and using story collection to surface lived experiences, I ensure strategies are built collaboratively, reflect diverse perspectives, and foster trust and ownership across all involved.
In Practice
Co-designing an Aboriginal Community Gathering – Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CAHLN).
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SHIFT Consulting worked alongside Miri Kawi Services and the CAHLN Aboriginal Community Gathering Working Group to co-design an Aboriginal Community Gathering aimed at respectfully re-engaging the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. This was built on the work of the Aboriginal Health Framework and Action Plan 2022–2027: Listening, Caring, Healing.
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We collaborated closely with cultural advisors, drawing on proven engagement models, and ensuring the process was guided by the principle of ‘listening to learn’. Together, we created a culturally safe environment where community voices could be heard, trust rebuilt, and future directions shaped collectively.
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Artwork Credit: CAHLN Listening, Caring, Healing Action Plan. WARDLI PURRUTINTHI ‘Place to live or to be alive’ is designed by accomplished Aboriginal South Australian artist Allan Sumner, a descendant of the Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna and Yankunytjatjara Peoples.
Evaluation
I develop robust evaluation frameworks that measure what truly matters. From setting meaningful indicators to analysing qualitative insights, we help organisations articulate outcomes, impact, and change with clarity and confidence. These evaluations become powerful tools for continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement, and reporting to boards, funders, and communities.
In Practice
Whole-of-Business Aboriginal Engagement Evaluation for SA Water.
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SHIFT Consulting was engaged to deliver an organisation-wide Aboriginal Engagement RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed) Evaluation. This work involved conducting a comprehensive suite of interviews across all business units to gain a deep understanding of both the challenges and opportunities in Aboriginal business engagement.
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Arkellah developed a robust evaluation framework tailored to SA Water’s context, setting meaningful indicators, capturing qualitative insights, and mapping roles and responsibilities through the RACI process. This approach provided a clear picture of current performance, highlighted areas for improvement, and identified practical steps to strengthen Aboriginal engagement across the organisation.
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The evaluation not only delivered actionable recommendations but also became a strategic tool for continuous improvement, stronger SA Water staff relationships, and contributed valuable information for an SA Water Aboriginal Engagement Strategy that followed.
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Artwork Credit: SA Water Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2020-2023. Artist Paul Herzich, Ngarrindjeri Kaurna man.