Motivation, Mindset & Belonging Consulting
Leveraging science to build stronger communities together
Education
Ed.D. University of California, Los Angeles, Education – 2018
B.A. Stanford University, Psychology – 2011
A.A. Santa Monica College, Psychology and Anthropology – 2008
Services
I help organizations improve belonging and engagement through two core services.
1. ELEVATING opportunities for creating more equitable outcomes by:
- Conducting qualitative research and collaborative inquiry to discover opportunities for improvement
- Conducting desk research and providing evidence-based recommendations
- Assessing what knowledge and skills could support teams in designing more effective solutions
2. TRAINING leaders and teams in evidence-based strategies for:
- Creating a growth mindset culture that embraces excellence and continuous learning
- Strengthening cross-group trust, empathy, belonging, and inclusivity
- Leveraging an embodied understanding of core psychological needs, social identity threat, and bias for developing more inclusive initiatives and message framing
- Unleashing the power of purpose to maximize collaboration, well-being, productivity, and engagement
About
With 14 years of experience bridging research and practice, I focus on how to measurably achieve equitable outcomes by creating more inclusive and motivating conditions for individual and group thriving. My areas of expertise are the mindsets, practices, and structures that promote equity, inspire people to fully engage in their work, and collaborate more effectively and respectfully across lines of difference. I hold a doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Stanford University where I worked in applied social psychology research for seven years upon graduating.
Approach
What I have learned over my career about affecting meaningful improvements in equity and engagement is that it requires a multi-pronged approach that is coordinated and coherent––one that attends to the recursive processes that unfold within individuals, between individuals and groups, and within structures, all of which can reinforce and amplify long-standing power hierarchies, unequal access to opportunities, and deficit-based narratives about the root causes of inequality.
We know from research and practice that people are more motivated to change when they have safe spaces to develop equity literacy and awareness of the root causes of inequality while also feeling a sense of agency and hope. This requires starting with building trust and a shared sense of purpose, then looking together at disaggregated data from their own context so that they can see the problem. Once people can see the problem with empathy and curiosity, they need access to tools, and evidence-based resources so that they have clarity about next steps and a way to see the impact of their improvement efforts over time.
I Believe...
"I believe that learning to embrace challenges with optimism and inclusivity is paramount for humanity to survive and thrive"
Clients
curriculum vitae
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