Thank you for visiting my website to learn a bit more about me.
I don’t know about you, but as we walk through this global pandemic, I am conscious of what matters most. Family and friends. My faith. My principles. Good work. A good book. New “Doctor Who” episodes. And, carbs. Well, that last one was supposed to say health, but I am a work in progress. Today, I chose the healthy salad (no carbs) and tomorrow I am waking up at 5:30 am to get a workout in. One day at a time.
My Background
I’m a proud Air Force Brat who grew up in New Mexico, Washington State, Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia…and I got to Kentucky as soon as I could!
I moved to Lexington, Kentucky nearly 13 years ago to spend more time with my family before heading to the mission field in Uganda. I sold most of my belongings and headed out for adventure. Through a series of pivots, and after two trips to Uganda, other plans were revealed (which included a wedding with an estimated 1000 guests…most of them strangers. But that is a story for another time).
I currently serve as the Executive Director at Step By Step, Inc, a nonprofit that encourages and equips young single mothers, ages 12-24, with a mission “to empower and embolden young single mothers to improve their lives, their families, and their communities through healing, encouragement, faith and education”.
Additionally, I am a bi-vocational Associate Pastor at Embrace Church in Lexington, Kentucky, where I focus on discipleship, leadership development, and women’s ministry.
Consulting & Facilitation Journey
I began consulting about 23 years ago after gaining a wealth of knowledge in the nonprofit world. I’m a natural talker, and when employers would ask me to lead the event or “say a few words”, I always felt like I was in my element…even when I was nervous or felt challenged. I’ve never jumped out of a plane (because why would anyone jump out of a perfectly good plane?), so public speaking and creating workshops might be the equivalent for me. Ever the student, I began to explore racial equity and inclusion through research, conferences, and trainings. I would seek out organizations that would send volunteers to these experiences. One day, I realized that the opportunities I was afforded had given me the privilege of access. I was soaking up knowledge but not using what I learned in the community, and I knew I had a responsibility to share it.
One of the biggest challenges at the time for most people I spoke was funding. Some of the most brilliant minds who were on the frontlines doing the work on streets, in their neighborhoods, and in their small underfunded organizations did not have access. Between conference prices, travel, and lodging, only a small number of people in my immediate circle could afford that kind of investment. And I certainly understood, because without volunteering at these agencies, I would never have had these opportunities! An idea formed. What if I collaborated with trainers, workshop leaders, and industry experts and brought that knowledge home? Rather than leaving it all in a folder on a shelf, I developed my own workshops. was empowering to see neighbors and friends grow, and of course I learned from them as well, with every single interaction.
All these years later, I still provide free trainings for the causes in which I believe, and I supplement the work by providing paid consulting services. My offerings have expanded beyond equity and inclusion to so much more. What a wild ride.
Thank you for being a part of community engagement.
Baby Facilitator, Tanya years ago. I learn something from participants EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.