The Crew…
Chukwuemeka Ikegwuonu, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer | I am an Assistant Professor at St. Cloud State University in the Higher Education and Administration program. As a professor, my current research focuses on higher education institutions and the impact on retention and affordability. Drawing upon quantitative analytic strategies and other interdisciplinary frameworks, my work examines how internal and external factors impact the institutional policies that impact students every day. My work as an academic translates into my responsibilities as a consultant, specifically working with institutions and consortiums focused on improving student outcomes through honoring areas of equity and inclusivity. The goal is to ensure that university stakeholders are equipped to handle the various needs of a growing and diverse campus community. This also lends itself to organizational change outcomes through translating these exact variables to key performance indicators, executive coaching, and organizational assessment of climate, culture, and employee stimulus value as it relates to safe and productive workspaces.
Kalynn Dunn, M.A., L.P.C.
Consultant | I am a creative developer and organizer who enjoys the opportunity to mentor and cultivate individuals and teams for success. My clinical skills help me evaluate and problem solve strategic concerns and create new ideas for implementation. I relish opportunities to conceptualize professional development and team building opportunities for organizations to ensure a truly diverse and equitable space.
Desmond Perry, B.A.
Consultant | I am a graduate of the University of Findlay where I earned my Bachelors in Business and Hospitality Management. My professional career spans the gambit of opportunities associated with the service industry, including the management of 5-star, 5-diamond hotel properties in Florida, Atlanta, and Detroit. I channeled his expertise and focus into the field of DEI through employee recruitment, retention management, and performance development; a clear emphasis is placed on recognizing the impact of privilege and inequitable systems as it relates to employee well-being, growth, and organization enhancement. My work helps to not only open doors, but also introduce diverse faces, for positions beyond the front lines across multiple industries. As a consultant, my work also includes internal staff assessments, intentional personnel placement, and developing strategic training plans, for retention and professional development. My goal is help companies increase profits, by reducing attrition, and investing in the people that are already invested in their companies.
Ashley Bryan, B.A.
Intern | I’m a Psy.D. student at Roosevelt University in the Clinical Psychology Program. I entered into the mental health field determined to challenge the ways in which my own identities have been historically underrepresented in therapist communities. As a Black, queer woman, I have always found myself grounded by my roots. My own experiences within the Caribbean culture and community showed me the ways in which therapy is stigmatized, often creating barriers to care for those who may otherwise benefit from a therapeutic relationship. My goal as a therapist and consultant is to create a space that affirms and celebrates her clients intersecting identities.
Saige Thibaud, BA
Intern | I graduated from Florida International University with my Bachelors in Global Studies with a focus on sociology. I found myself in DEI work as I tried to navigate the differences between my Haitian upbringing and the American world around me. I was recognized for my work in the community with Princeton’s Race Relations Prize. My goal now is to better equip underserved groups to understand and grapple with the systems they live within.
William Moore, B.A.
Business Manager | I’m a graduate of Davenport University and Oakland Community College, where I earned my Bachelor's in Finance and Associate's in Business Management, respectively. I assist small businesses in their drive towards financial security, and have worked with them directly to develop strong business models that serve to promote the holistic growth of those enterprises, and provide high quality services to their communities. I’m responsible for ensuring that Changing Perspectives, and Coffee Hour Chicago, remain in good standing within the community. I works diligently to assist practice members with the scheduling of events, providing logistical support, and working collaboratively with community partners to bring Changing Perspectives to professional and consumer development events aimed towards decreasing the stigma against mental illness, working toward equitable workplace environments, and the provision of services to underserved populations.
Additionally, my passion lies with assisting underserved community members in meeting their financial literacy goals, wealth management, and working with Changing Perspectives to help bridge the gaps between the fields of mental health, equity, inclusivity, wellness and business. My work as a staff accountant for a Fortune 500 institution in the greater Chicago area has provided me with the added know-how of creating healthy business contacts, and dealing with the more nuanced areas of business that would allow the practice to maintain its success.
Ashley Mahoney, M.A.
I am a third year doctoral student at Roosevelt university in the Clinical Psychology program, where I also earned a Master’s degree. My clinical experience encompasses working with low-income communities, survivors of interpersonal violence, individuals with severe mental illness, and racial/ethnic minorities. In these settings, I utilized an integrated, multicultural approach with an emphasis on relational therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and geek therapy. As a bi-racial Mexican and Irish American woman, I can understand the fear associated with finding how one fits in the world. Thus, my goal as a consultant is to sit down to chat about the impacts of one’s intersecting identities and provide guidance on how one can navigate life while being authentic to oneself.
Amanda Ekabutr, M.A.
As a proud Thai Asian woman, I am committed and passionate about the purpose and work of DEI. My diverse background consists of implementing and facilitating effective educational programs around DEI, leadership development, professional development, and gender-based violence prevention, specifically with college and professional athletic teams. Prior to my current position as a Leadership Development Facilitator with the Talent Development Team at Republic Services, I worked with a non-profit organization, The Institute for Sport and Social Justice. At The Institute I supported staff, student-athletes and coaches around DEI and gender-based violence prevention. I arrived to The Institute following a tenure with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass), as the Director of Student-Athlete Development and Diversity and Inclusion Officer. There, I transformed the student-athlete development unit by creating a vast number of experiential learning opportunities. I co-advised the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) and supervised all student-athlete affinity groups. I also led the 2020-2021 UMass athletics racial and social justice plan, which included leading the first regional Northeast Black Student-Athlete Summit in collaboration with the New England Patriots and New England Revolution. I served on the executive committee for the Atlantic 10 Conference’s commission on racial equity, diversity, and inclusion and was a member of the LEAD1 Association’s DEI working group. Prior to UMass, I worked at Oregon State University with the Beavers’ Student-Athlete Development Office. While at Oregon State, I provided oversight for a number of initiatives geared toward the growth and maturation of OSU student-athletes, including Real Talk, Beavs BeTRUE and Women LEAD.
Currently, I serve on the Executive Committee for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Council of Excellence (DIECE) that is comprised of DEI practitioners and researchers in sport who set out to discuss, evaluate and create tangible solutions that drive intentional growth toward increased diverse, equitable and inclusive excellence within sport. As a former women’s basketball student-athlete who has received an immense amount of support from student affairs, my passion for supporting athletics and higher education will always remain.
I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise and Wellness, and later earned a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in College Student Services Administration, Education and Ethnic Studies.
Seth Preminger, Psy.D.
Dr. Seth Preminger is a licensed clinical psychologist. He graduated from Trinity College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and from Adler University with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology. He then obtained a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, also from Adler University.
Seth provides psychological services from an integrated approach that focuses on understanding and exploring relationships, behaviors, and life patterns. Seth’s goal is to provide his clients with the tools necessary to be the best versions of themselves through building skills and strengthen coping, within the context of a supportive and warm environment.
Seth also specializes in conducting neuropsychological assessments of children with neurobehavioral difficulties including learning disabilities, ADHD, mood disorders, and behavior difficulties. Seth has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with depression, anxiety, OCD, emotion regulation, anger, trauma, ADHD, parent/child relationships, school refusal, life-transitions, and general life difficulty.