“Every penny you spend is worth it if you can bring it back to the team.”
For Naomi Reitzin-Palmer, the School for Thinktankers was not just a personal learning experience, but a chance to strengthen her entire organisation.
Naomi Reitzin-Palmer is the Programme Administrator at the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI), a non-profit public policy think tank in Jamaica dedicated to producing and sharing impartial, evidence-based knowledge to inform decision-making on governance, sustainability, and social policy across the Caribbean. For the past year and a half, Naomi has been supporting CAPRI’s mission while navigating the challenges of entering the think tank world for the first time.
Her journey into public policy research began in 2024, when she attended the launch of a migration study prepared by CAPRI.
“I knew that this was something I really wanted to be part of.”
That moment inspired her to join CAPRI, first as an intern, and eventually as a full member of the team. With a Master’s degree in English from the University of Alberta and previous experience in the education sector, Naomi stepped into her new role as Programme Administrator with enthusiasm and with plenty of questions.
“Prior to coming to the School for Thinktankers, I had just gotten the role of Programme Administrator at CAPRI. Among my tasks are overseeing sponsor relations, human resources, programmatic initiatives, applying for funding and reporting to major donors. On taking that role, I felt like I needed as much support as I could get, and OTT provided a way to really step into the world of think tanks and build a strong foundation for my work.”
At the School for Thinktankers, Naomi found both the knowledge and the encouragement she needed. Sessions on donor engagement, communications, and organisational culture were particularly impactful.
“Professionally, the reporting for some funders can be quite rigorous. There was a session at the School that provided an overview of how to frame our relationship with donors. That was very useful.” She also valued the chance to discuss CAPRI’s unique funding model with peers and experts. “At the OTT School, I was able to talk to Enrique and other professionals who gave me great advice on how to better engage our corporate sponsors. We are now creating spaces for open discussions about our research and getting their feedback, allowing them to see our agenda. This will help us build stronger relationships and improve engagement.”
Among all the sessions, one stood out as her favourite: the Transparify Integrity Check. “It was a really fun and engaging session. We presented scenarios that a think tank might face and, in groups of six, brainstormed possible solutions. It really put you in the position of a leader, thinking about philosophy, policies, and practical decisions. I enjoyed it so much that I took the scenarios back to Jamaica, printed them out, and we did the exercise as a team. People really enjoyed it.”
For Naomi, one of the most valuable aspects of the School was being able to take her learning home and share it with her colleagues.“At CAPRI we have something called a Knowledge Hub, where at the end of each team meeting, someone shares what they’ve learned. I’ve shared insights from the School for Thinktankers in five Knowledge Hubs since February. From my perspective, I feel more confident in my role, and I feel I now have an informed perspective on the wider think tank ecosystem. My contributions to the team can be more meaningful.”
The experience also gave her fresh perspective on the importance of her role within the broader think tank community. “Sometimes we get really bogged down by the daily routine and tasks of working in a think tank, but the OTT School gave me a broader perspective on how important our work is, and where we fit in on a larger scale.”
On a personal note, the School was also memorable.
“I had never been to Europe before, so being in Spain was fantastic. The city and location were beautiful. And what I appreciated the most was the diversity of the group, the different ages, countries, and backgrounds. That really made it special.” Naomi describes her overall experience at the School in three words: engaging, exciting, and thought-provoking.
When asked what advice she would give to someone considering applying, Naomi was clear: “Try to persuade your team to let you go, to finance the trip. Because it is really worth it. Every penny you spend is worth it if you can bring it back to the team and share your knowledge. Your team will be grateful for you having the experience and will feel enriched through you. So I would say: do it for the team.”
Looking ahead, Naomi is committed to continuing her work at CAPRI, mastering the programmatic aspects of her role, and developing skills in fundraising and donor reporting, essential abilities not only for think tanks, but for the non-profit sector as a whole.
And to young professionals entering the field, she offers one last piece of advice:
“If there is any local think tank in your area, start as a volunteer or intern. That’s how you get exposure and build your career in the field. Read as much as you can about the think tank space, because being informed about the challenges will help you face them. It’s not easy work, but if you expose and teach yourself, you’ll know whether it’s for you, and feel confident if you decide it is.”
Naomi’s story is a reminder that the School for Thinktankers is not only about building individual capacity, but about strengthening whole teams and organisations. Her journey shows that investing in one person’s growth can create ripples of impact that benefit an entire community.