THE DREAM TEAM!

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Maria Monica Andia, JEDI Trainer & Communications Composer

Maria Monica (she/they) is a passionate consultant, facilitator, and coach with a decade of experience in education, non-profit, and wellness sectors. They focus on engaging individuals and organizations in generative dialogue to imagine and re-imagine creative solutions, cultivating inclusive environments where everyone thrives. Maria Monica adopts a people-first approach, ensuring solutions are grounded in equity, collaboration, and human-centered design. They hold a Master's in Social Work, specializing in Organizational Management and Clinical Practice.

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Kameisha L. Bennett, Senior JEDI Trainer & Administrative Advisor

Kameisha (she/her) has dedicated her career to health, race, gender, and social justice, serving as a student, teacher, trainer, researcher, analyst, writer, advocate, and leader. Her expertise encompasses research, development, training, and technical assistance. She excels in guiding organizations to address challenges and implement sustainable, effective solutions, with extensive experience in social and health equity, conflict analysis and resolution, mental health, substance misuse, sexual health, and health disparities. Kameisha holds an M.A. in Sociology.

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Shari Davis, Client Relations Jedi

Shari (she/her) is a strategic leader and consultant in human capital management (HCM) and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). She possesses a keen understanding of the intersection between human resources, organizational culture, and strategy. For over 20 years, Shari has partnered with clients to develop high-performing leaders and teams, facilitate business transformations, and create equitable, inclusive cultures that honor the identities and experiences of team members and the communities they serve. Her cross-industry experience provides deep insights into aligning HCM and DEIB priorities with organizational strategy. Shari holds an M.S. in Human Resource Management and multiple leadership and team assessment certifications.

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Zewud Debebe, JEDI Trainer

Zewud (she/her) brings over 25 years of expertise in Human Capital Management, Development, and Corporate Culture Change. She has collaborated with start-ups experiencing rapid growth and organizations undergoing change and restructuring, including international entities, serving as a change agent for cultural integration and management. Her portfolio includes due diligence, compliance, and integration of acquisitions and mergers. Zewud has conducted numerous pay equity analyses and developed employee classification and grading systems to close inequitable gaps. She holds an M.A. in General Administration & Human Resources.

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J. Russell Fugett, Client Relations Jedi

Russell (he/him) is a bridge builder who excels at fostering consensus and organizing impactful teams. By leading with attentive listening, he cultivates an environment of inclusive collaboration and community that positively influences lives. His experience includes serving as Chair of the Multicultural Affairs Council during college and as Senior Program Coordinator at The George Washington University Multicultural Student Services Center. Recently, Russell worked as a Project Manager at Cook Ross, a global training and consulting firm focused on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (I.D.E.A.). He holds an M.S. in Project Management.

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Betsy Griffith, JEDI Trainer

Betsy (she/her) is a historian dedicated to teaching the past to improve the future. Her career includes roles as a nonprofit executive at Monticello, the Phillips Collection, and National Public Radio; Dean of the MBA Evening Program at Georgetown University; and partner at Venture Philanthropy Partners. She has taught history to adult learners at Georgetown’s Liberal Studies program, the Smithsonian, and aboard Viking cruises. Betsy holds an MBA from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in Liberal Studies from Georgetown University.

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Felicia Ishino, JEDI Trainer

Felicia (she/her) has over 20 years of experience in Seattle-area K-12 and higher education institutions, as well as nonprofits. Her work focuses on creating equitable and inclusive environments for learners and professionals, emphasizing the importance of cultural humility and understanding. Felicia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Arts in Education, both from the University of Washington.

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Robyn Jones, Chief Finance Officer

Robyn (she/her) provides finance and administrative support to Equity Through Action’s leadership team. A native of Indiana, she has worked in the nonprofit sector for several years. Robyn earned a B.S. and an M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies and Housing, respectively, from Iowa State University. She is deeply committed to the nonprofit sector and believes in serving a greater purpose through her work.

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Jackie Kindall, JEDI Trainer

Jackie (she/her) is the founder of Kindall Evolve Consulting LLC, where she assists driven executives in building cohesive, thriving teams. A natural go-getter, Jackie finds great satisfaction in witnessing the transformations that occur as her clients and their teams work together to surpass their goals. She holds an M.S. in Organization Development & Leadership.

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Essence Revels, JEDI Trainer

Essence (she/her) is a passionate advocate for underrepresented populations, dedicating her healthcare career to fostering a culture where all individuals are valued, included, and receive high-quality care. With over a decade of experience, she empowers organizations to create and sustain fulfilled teams by promoting engaging and inclusive workplaces. Essence excels in coaching, valuing service excellence, and understanding the learning and development process. She guides stakeholders in articulating equity aspirations and recommends strategic solutions for sustainable organizational transformation. Essence holds an M.B.S. in Health Equity.

C.Marie Taylor, President & Principal Consultant

C. Marie (she/her) is an accomplished leader, consultant, and advocate with a deep commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and justice. As the Founder and Principal of Equity Through Action, she brings over two decades of experience working with organizations to build equitable cultures and sustainable leadership practices. C. Marie’s approach is rooted in her belief in the power of humanity, inclusion, growth, and action to drive systemic change. Her expertise spans nonprofit management, executive coaching, and JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) training. C. Marie holds an M.B.A. in non-profit Management. and is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in creating inclusive systems and practices that foster meaningful transformation.

Juan Toscano-Madrid, Office Jedi

Juan (he/him) is the driving force behind the seamless operations of Equity Through Action, ensuring the organization functions effectively and efficiently. With a background in administrative management and a passion for organizational excellence, he excels in streamlining processes, managing logistics, and supporting team success. Juan is dedicated to fostering an environment that reflects ETA’s values of equity and inclusion, helping to build the infrastructure needed to deliver impactful results. His approach combines precision, creativity, and a commitment to collaboration, making him an integral part of the ETA team. Juan has a B.A. in Art History & Studio Art.