California Community Engagement 2.0 (CEI 2.0)
Strategic storytelling, visual systems, and rapid-turnaround pitch materials for a competitive, multi-stage state funding initiative
Context & Stakes
California Community Engagement 2.0 (CEI 2.0) was a competitive, multi-stage funding process for a six-year, $100M statewide education initiative focused on strengthening district collaboration across California.
Eskolta School Research and Design competed against other proposals for approval by board members and state funders. The stakes were clear:
Without approval, the funding would be lost.
Without approval, the funding would be lost.
Each round required concise, persuasive storytelling delivered through slides and a video capped at 5 minutes, designed for a non-technical, high-level decision-making audience.
The Problem and Challenge
At the start of the process, there were no existing pitch materials — no coherent narrative, no visual system, and no clear storyline for funders.
The challenge was compounded by time pressure and strict format constraints: rapid turnaround between competitive stages, and a requirement to communicate a complex, multi-partner initiative through slides and a video capped at five minutes.
My Role
I led the narrative and visual strategy for Eskolta’s CEI 2.0 funding pitch across multiple competitive stages.
I was responsible for:
- defining the story arc across rounds
- deciding what to emphasize and what to cut
- designing a visual system that worked seamlessly across slides and video
- structuring the video script, pacing, and sequencing
I was responsible for:
- defining the story arc across rounds
- deciding what to emphasize and what to cut
- designing a visual system that worked seamlessly across slides and video
- structuring the video script, pacing, and sequencing
This included close collaboration with Eskolta’s leadership while owning the narrative and production decisions.
Process
Given the tight timelines, the process was intentionally focused and strategic:
- Defined a clear, funder-facing storyline centered on district collaboration
- Structured explainer-style videos using talking-head footage supported by slides
- Designed visuals specifically to function inside video, not just as static decks
- Iterated materials between rounds based on evolving requirements
- Speed required prioritization, clarity, narrative flow, and decision-maker comprehension came first.
- Structured explainer-style videos using talking-head footage supported by slides
- Designed visuals specifically to function inside video, not just as static decks
- Iterated materials between rounds based on evolving requirements
- Speed required prioritization, clarity, narrative flow, and decision-maker comprehension came first.
Deliverables
Across Rounds 1 and 2, I delivered:
Meeting slide decks
Explainer-style videos (talking-head + slides)
Integrated presentations used directly in competitive review stages
All visuals were designed to support the spoken narrative and remain legible within a 5-minute video constraint.
Explainer-style videos (talking-head + slides)
Integrated presentations used directly in competitive review stages
All visuals were designed to support the spoken narrative and remain legible within a 5-minute video constraint.
Outcome
The proposal successfully advanced through the competitive process and was approved after the third stage, securing funding for the CEI 2.0 initiative.
The narrative and visual materials served as the foundation for communicating the initiative during the approval process.
Related Work: Network Communique:
Following the CEI 2.0 initiative, I also produced and edited a short-form audio series amplifying educator voices across California’s Community Engagement Initiative.
My Role: Producer and Editor
Edited and mastered 6 episodes (2–6 minutes each)
Tools: Audition & Premiere Pro
Focused on clarity, pacing, and accessibility
(On-the-job learning)
(On-the-job learning)
