Transforming for systemic change

Societal challenges defy conventional boundaries

Present-day global challenges defy silos; climate shocks, inequality, and tech disruption intertwine in ways conventional programs miss. Dragonfly Impact brings high-rigor intelligence methods to the humanitarian and development space, combining expert insight with AI to reveal leverage points and avoid unintended harm. By mapping the interplay between local realities and global forces, we help mission-driven organizations drive lasting, systemic change.

What We Deliver

Integrated Roadmaps

Understand complex dynamics—how climate, technology, economics, and social cohesion intersect—enabling strategic interventions that work across local and global scales.

Strategic Synthesis

Bridge grassroots innovation with systemic change by aligning community-level actions with broader policy and development objectives.

Measurable Transformation

Track genuine outcomes through leverage-point analysis and rigorous theories of change, ensuring interventions achieve sustained impact rather than short-term relief.

Proven Impact

At the 2024 Australasian Aid Conference, Miranda Forsyth gave the Keynote Address (left) while Development Intelligence Lab CEO Bridi Rice shared results from an experiment where Lab analysts with no particular expertise in development economics used Dragonfly AI to analyze middle-income traps in Southeast Asia under time pressure.

“This type of tool will undoubtedly save you time when it's used in the right hands, but I think its primary benefit is that it helps us to actually think better, make better decisions, and train our people to think better and make better decisions as well.”

— Bridi Rice, CEO, Development Intelligence Lab

“What distinguishes Dragonfly Thinking from conventional AI tools is its cognitive architecture, which is layered over large language models like ChatGPT. Rather than simply generating responses, the system guides users through a process of structured analysis and incorporates multiple perspectives.”

–Development Policy Centre, ‘Putting AI in aid: new tools for development policy and programming’

NEXUS: Next Generation Philanthropy

Aaron McNeilly, a strategic philanthropy expert, adopted Dragonfly’s methods following the NEXUS Australia Summit. He joined the AI CoLab pilot to pursue Dragonfly’s potential in the “for purpose” sector.


“Dragonfly Thinking is a powerful collaboration tool for navigating complex social impact initiatives; it gives me the strategic clarity I need to drive real, lasting change and engage a diverse portfolio of stakeholders.”

— Aaron McNeilly, The Alchemists Global

“Everything is interconnected... No matter the challenge, be it environmental, social or economic—working together and remaining open to collaboration was continually emphasised as the key to overcoming these obstacles. Dragonfly’s presentation reminded me that our most pressing issues cannot be tackled in isolation and the most effective solutions are often born from cross-sector collaboration.”

— Saska Coote, Philanthropy Australia, Top 5 takeaways from the NEXUS Australia Summit

Pacific Leadership

Dragonfly Thinking partnered with the ANU Pacific Security College to enhance decision-making capabilities for Pacific security leaders, demonstrating how AI can augment strategic thinking while respecting local knowledge and context.

– ANU Pacific Security College, Solomon Islands Leadership Workshop

“How can artificial intelligence help us make decisions? Today our PNG Executive Leadership Retreat explored an AI tool from Dragonfly Thinking that can help map risk, resilience and reward for leaders. Participants used the platform to analyse complex scenarios and different perspectives, demonstrating how the collaboration between humans and AI can support decision making.”

– ANU Pacific Security College, Papua New Guinea Leadership Workshop

Core Methods

  • Systems Mapping

    Visualize intricate interdependencies between economic, social, technological, and environmental systems, highlighting pathways for positive systemic transformation.

  • AI-Augmented Stakeholder Analysis

    Systematically integrate diverse local and global perspectives, ensuring strategies respect and reflect cultural, economic, and societal complexities.

  • Multi-Horizon Scenario Analysis
    Evaluate and refine interventions against multiple plausible futures to ensure robust and resilient outcomes, even amid uncertainty.

Who we serve

  • Projects

    International Development Organizations tackling systemic global issues

  • Strategic Philanthropists committed to transformational rather than transactional interventions

  • Climate Adaptation Practitioners building integrated community resilience strategies.

  • Peace-Building Organizations addressing underlying causes of conflict holistically.

  • Social Innovation Leaders creating scalable solutions aligned with complex social dynamics.

  • Indigenous Rights Advocates integrating traditional knowledge within systemic change initiatives.

From Complexity to Clarity to Change
When challenges span continents and cultures, integrated intelligence is essential for lasting transformation.