ABOUT
I am the granddaughter of immigrants from Eastern Europe fleeing anti-Semitism. They arrived in the U.S. just as Jews became seen as white. Two quick generations later, I benefit from all that generational wealth-building offers: education, stable home, health care, family backing. Awakened to the harm the system of whiteness causes, I shifted my parenting, business concept, day-to-day decisions and avocational choices to address systemic racism.
It took several years of study, training, and conversation to identify that my most effective way of contributing to anti-racism is by leveraging my skills and privileges within my community: progressive, largely educated, mostly middle-aged white people. I turned the craft I honed as educator toward the delivery of engaging, impactful racial equity workshops for the white-identified. As my skills, experience, and relationships deepened, I began partnering with facilitators of color in group conversations with people across a spectrum of identities.
The more I step into this work, the more grateful I am for the teachers of color I’ve learned from—who do not shy away from the difficult task of engaging with us well-meaning white folks: Leticia Nieto, Pamela Taylor, Edna Sadberry, Annie Cole, Fernell Miller, to name a few. I’ve learned so much from white-identifying mentors as well: Paul Kivel, Judy Blair, james boutin.
I have a B.A. from The Evergreen State College in education, sociology and natural history, and a M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education focusing on democracy in education. My career as an educator spans four decades and an uncommon range of experiences. I co-founded The Clearwater School, a profoundly democratic, non-ageist school for 4-19 year olds, taught qigong to people with cancer, managed child welfare improvement efforts, and led mountaineering courses for groups ranging from youth-at-risk (sic) to executives. These experiences, and more, bring texture and nuance to my current pursuits.
All the while, I keep learning.
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCES
Co-facilitator for racial equity staff/board retreats and a racial equity cohort of sponsors of Bike Works
Facilitator of race-based caucus sessions for Public Health - Seattle/King County, and Seattle Public Schools via Racing to Equity
Coach to Gary Taylor, designing a training for a national audience of child welfare leaders launching racial equity efforts
Self-Employment Coach including conducting Racial Equity Audits for sole proprietors
Project Strategist/ Project Management/ Communications for Hay Consulting, a sole proprietorship focused on strategic improvements to child welfare & human services
The Clearwater School, Bothell, WA: Co-founder, PR Lead and Trustee of a democratic, liberatory school for students ages 4-19
equity Training & practice - Highlights
AS A PARTICIPANT
Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance: Advanced Facilitation Trainings
Monthly accountability groups: White Women Working Together, White Women’s Collective with Solfire Institute, Coalition of Anti-racist Whites cohort
Conferences including Northwest Teachers for Social Justice, Step Up to Racial Equity, Decolonizing Education Conference, etc.
Racial Healing Circlekeeper Training Levels I, II & III
Numerous circles & series with The Circle Works, Huayruro, Healing Circles Global, The Circle Way
People’s Institute for the NW & Beyond: Undoing Institutional Racism
AS A FACILITATOR
Workshop Creator—Not Getting It Right: How Racism Creates a Gap Between White Intention & Impact, You Know You’re White, Now What?, We Are Well-Meaning White Folks & more
Presenter—Step Up to Racial Equity Conference; Decolonizing Education Conference
Caucus Facilitator—for Seattle Public Schools via Racing to Equity, at Decolonizing Education Conference, for Public Health of Seattle/King County
Guest Facilitator—Private Antiracism Study Group; Two Dog Yoga
DEI Board Committee Co-Chair—Changes Parent Support Network
Co-keeper—Racial Healing Circles at Woodinville UU Church
Convener/Facilitator—Women-Owned Business Colloquy
Feel free to reach out.