Cheryl Pruce
Cheryl Pruce is a Stanford University graduate and Fulbright Scholar with technical training in data collection and analysis, research and evaluation, and applied statistics. Throughout her 16 years in change-making work in education policy research, philanthropy, and strategy consulting, Cheryl has helped build out new work areas, portfolios, and teams for every organization of which she was a part, managing complex projects and teams. She has worked with schools, state education agencies, small businesses, and policy advocacy organizations to help unify internal and external constituents around a new strategic vision and bolster trust and cohesion after a leadership transition, all of which occurs more often in places where social change work happens. While in philanthropy, Cheryl spent years building relationships with change making organizations and developing compelling impact cases for funding. During her career, Cheryl also formed and led a local grassroots dialogue initiative, supporting conversations across difference, and received an executive certificate in facilitation to continue this work in communities trying to face the complex social challenges of our day. Cheryl started her own company using her skills as a data strategist, human-centered facilitator, and community builder to help mission-driven organizations better use their data and people to make forward movement that deepens the impact they are trying to make in the world.
Amrita Varadarajan
Amrita Varadarajan has 15+ years of education + work experience related to the development sector – working on capacity building/ L&D, organization design & development, program design, assessment design and systems change in sectors like education, panchayati raj, election management and health. She also has worked with a range of stakeholders such as large and small non-profits, donor agencies, management consultants, government stakeholders from village to state & national levels, multilateral and bilateral agencies. She brings to the space a deep desire to empower non-profit leaders and teams to build thriving, reflective & compassionate workspaces – where we all spend more than 1/3rd of our days, physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually! When not dreaming up ways to do more organization design work, Amrita inhabits other worlds through the characters in the books she reads, the road trips with her partner, the plants she spends time with, music she listens to and the weird series she is trying not to binge on! You can connect with her on LinkedIn (the only social media space you will find her on, sometimes!)
Alyssa Smaldino
Alyssa Smaldino (she/her, they/them) is an anti-racism organizer, facilitator, and coach supporting leaders and organizers to build thriving communities grounded in courage and care. They have nearly 15 years of multifaceted, cross-sector experience that enables her to imagine and build toward a more equitable future. In addition to running a coaching and facilitation practice, Alyssa is co-founder of Libertroph Magazine and curator of the Care Culture newsletter, both of which uplift stories and inquiries about how people can organize to disrupt racism. She is also an Undoing Racism trainer with the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. Alyssa started their career in the global health field, most notably as Executive Director of GlobeMed, where she organized and trained students and grassroots leaders in the movement for global health equity. She has also worked with community development organizations to design and facilitate anti-racism curricula for public servants. Alyssa is a graduate of the Executive MPA program at NYU-Wagner and holds a degree in Public Health from George Washington University. In their free time you can find them taking long walks along the East River, exploring NYC’s art and culture, or breaking a sweat on the dance floor with her beloved queer community!
Deirdre Maloney
Deirdre Maloney is an international leadership and communication trainer, experienced facilitator, coach and published author. Her direct approach, combined with practical tips, relatable anecdotes, and a smidge of humor helps people enhance their leadership, their teams, their communication, their effectiveness, and their peace of mind. Through her trainings, Deirdre has presented sessions around the world for organizations like Kaiser Permanente, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Boeing, and National Association of Women Business Owners. Through her facilitations, Deirdre has helped groups like Maui Brewing Company, San Diego Humane Society, and MOXIE Theatre create strategic plans, overcome challenges, and build rapport. Deirdre has been a contributing writer for such publications as Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur and Thrive Global. Her books include Bogus Balance, The Mission Myth and her powerful Tough Truths mini-book series. In addition to her work through Momentum LLC, Deirdre is currently board president of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. Other experience includes running a multi-million-dollar nonprofit, teaching marketing for the University of San Diego, lobbying to state and federal legislators, and serving as a broadcast news producer at a variety of television stations. Deirdre is a long-time mindfulness practitioner who continually strives not to strive, and to gain wisdom by just sitting there.
Hillary Trudell
Hilary Trudell is a facilitator, producer and educator with over 15 years experience in the field of public service and the arts. She specializes in community engagement, team building, arts education, and providing a platform for storytelling and advocacy. For the past six years, Hilary has worked as the Director of Local Programming and Regional Outreach at the Clinton School of Public Service leading first-year student teams through their first field work experience. Prior to taking this position, Hilary worked with volunteer steering committees across the United States for the Human Rights Campaign, leading them through strategic planning retreats and guiding them through productive conflict. In 2017, Hilary founded a storytelling initiative called The Yarn, whose mission is to amplify voices, build understanding, and create a space for human connection. Currently completing The Yarn’s fourth season, Hilary and her team have produced over 20 shows to date. Since moving back to Arkansas in 2015, Hilary has personally coached over 250 people in efforts to help them share their stories succinctly, effectively and with impact. Hilary’s facilitation expertise includes team building; action planning; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and coaching teams on how to leverage their stories to build stronger cohorts and market their products and services more effectively.
Darren Jones
Darren Jones possesses several years of experience in multiple roles within higher education and education technology. In his roles, he designed learning programs and leadership curricula, facilitated leadership training, and provided leadership, personal, and academic coaching to college students. Darren is the Principal Coach & Consultant for Momentum Coaching & Consulting, LLC and serves as an executive, leadership, and personal development coach to organizations in the private and public sectors. He provides executive coaching sessions for individual contributors, emerging leaders, diverse leaders, and frontline/mid-level managers. Darren facilitates cohort-based leadership development programs, CliftonStrengths, and Positive Intelligence workshops. Darren received his coaching credentials through Gallup as a Certified Strengths Coach, the Center for Credentialing & Education as a BoardCertified Coach, the International Association of Coaching as a Masteries Practitioner, and the International Coaching Federation as a Professional Certified Coach. He received training from Gallup, the College of Executive Coaching, the Positive Intelligence Coach Training Program, and the CoActive Training Institute. He earned his bachelor’s from The University of Virginia, master’s from The George Washington University, and doctorate from The University of Georgia. Darren strives to provide a transformational experience helping others understand that transformation is not about becoming someone new but allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of who they are and how their natural talents manifest into increased individual/team productivity. As a coach, Darren guarantees a dynamic learning experience while building confidence in yourself and others to take on the challenges in the workplace and beyond. Darren infuses energy into sessions that pull the participant into the experience. He creates a space where others feel safe to be vulnerable and open to paradigm shifts, leading to lasting change. Darren is a native of New Orleans, LA, and currently resides in the Atlanta, GA metro area with his loving husband Larry and their amazing son, Hudson Alexander.