In a groundbreaking initiative, I led the creation and implementation of the first-ever anti-ableism and accessibility strategic plan for an organization with 15,000 employees. This comprehensive plan not only addressed systemic barriers but also fostered an inclusive work environment by promoting accessibility across all levels. My efforts resulted in measurable improvements in both employee engagement and access to resources for individuals with disabilities, setting a new standard for… Show more In a groundbreaking initiative, I led the creation and implementation of the first-ever anti-ableism and accessibility strategic plan for an organization with 15,000 employees. This comprehensive plan not only addressed systemic barriers but also fostered an inclusive work environment by promoting accessibility across all levels. My efforts resulted in measurable improvements in both employee engagement and access to resources for individuals with disabilities, setting a new standard for organizational inclusion.As a member of the 2024 Maternal Health Workforce Initiative Cohort, I contributed to advancing culturally congruent healthcare for pregnant individuals. In this role, I helped address disparities in maternal health by ensuring that healthcare providers and systems consider the unique cultural, social, and economic needs of diverse populations. My work in this space highlights my ability to influence policy and practice changes that promote equity in healthcare.Recognizing the need for greater representation and support for neurodivergent individuals in the workplace, I played a pivotal role in establishing a Neurodiversity Employee Resource Group (ERG). This ERG not only created a platform for neurodiverse employees to connect and share experiences, but it also informed organizational leaders on best practices for fostering an inclusive environment. Through this initiative, I demonstrated leadership in advocating for underrepresented groups and promoting diversity within the workplace. Show less

As a dynamic political scientist and equity consultant, I specialize in leveraging data-driven strategies and inclusive practices to advance workforce equity, anti-ableism, and trauma-informed HR policies. Through my consulting firm, Salons by Lauryn, I help organizations and public sector agencies identify systemic barriers and implement evidence-based solutions that foster inclusion and equity across their workforce and services. My expertise spans program evaluations, technical assistance… Show more As a dynamic political scientist and equity consultant, I specialize in leveraging data-driven strategies and inclusive practices to advance workforce equity, anti-ableism, and trauma-informed HR policies. Through my consulting firm, Salons by Lauryn, I help organizations and public sector agencies identify systemic barriers and implement evidence-based solutions that foster inclusion and equity across their workforce and services. My expertise spans program evaluations, technical assistance, and collaborative research, all aimed at empowering underrepresented groups and transforming organizational culture. Show less

As an independent consultant, I leverage my expertise to design organizational training and development tools that empower businesses, public service entities, and nonprofit organizations to enhance their diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) initiatives. In addition to serving as a subject matter expert for virtual DEIA courses, I specialize in developing customized qualitative research tools, conducting foundational statistical analysis and modeling, and crafting evaluation methods… Show more As an independent consultant, I leverage my expertise to design organizational training and development tools that empower businesses, public service entities, and nonprofit organizations to enhance their diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) initiatives. In addition to serving as a subject matter expert for virtual DEIA courses, I specialize in developing customized qualitative research tools, conducting foundational statistical analysis and modeling, and crafting evaluation methods to optimize both curriculum and facilitation strategies. My approach is rooted in data-driven insights and tailored to the unique needs of each organization, ensuring that their DEIA efforts are not only impactful but also sustainable in the long term. Through this work, I have helped numerous organizations foster more inclusive environments and improve overall organizational performance. Show less

In this role, I design and implement targeted strategies to reduce illiteracy and boost test scores for over 100 K-6 students each year. My approach is data-driven, combining direct observations, feedback from educators, and student performance metrics to craft effective, personalized interventions. I produce comprehensive annual reports that offer actionable recommendations to the Rochester School System, including administrators, principals, and staff. These reports not only highlight student… Show more In this role, I design and implement targeted strategies to reduce illiteracy and boost test scores for over 100 K-6 students each year. My approach is data-driven, combining direct observations, feedback from educators, and student performance metrics to craft effective, personalized interventions. I produce comprehensive annual reports that offer actionable recommendations to the Rochester School System, including administrators, principals, and staff. These reports not only highlight student outcomes and program impacts but also ensure compliance with equity and accessibility standards. Additionally, I provide detailed financial insights to guide resource allocation, ensuring that our initiatives are both effective and sustainable. Through this work, I’ve played a pivotal role in advancing literacy and academic achievement within the district. Show less

I designed and implemented the first onboarding tool for my department, serving 100 employees in its initial cohort. This tool streamlined the integration of new hires, ensuring they were equipped with the necessary resources and support from day one. To enhance leadership development, I established the department's first qualitative executive performance assessment tool using Qualtrics XM™. This tool provided a comprehensive, data-driven way to evaluate leadership performance, giving… Show more I designed and implemented the first onboarding tool for my department, serving 100 employees in its initial cohort. This tool streamlined the integration of new hires, ensuring they were equipped with the necessary resources and support from day one. To enhance leadership development, I established the department's first qualitative executive performance assessment tool using Qualtrics XM™. This tool provided a comprehensive, data-driven way to evaluate leadership performance, giving executives actionable insights into their strengths and areas for growth. My expertise in leveraging technology for performance management brought about more nuanced assessments that supported organizational leadership improvement.I led a collaborative grant between the City of Rochester and Monroe County, which focused on addressing the opioid crisis in urban areas.I developed a department-wide skills assessment for 60 full-time employees, allowing management to align staff with roles that matched their skills and interests. This initiative increased productivity and employee satisfaction by ensuring that individuals were placed in positions where they could thrive. It also highlighted my expertise in strategic workforce planning and my commitment to optimizing talent utilization.I implemented the first LGBTQ+ training curriculum for 75 employees, creating a more inclusive and understanding work environment. This training equipped staff with the knowledge and tools to support LGBTQ+ colleagues and clients, fostering a culture of respect and equality. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I successfully led the modification of seven community centers into food distribution sites. This initiative provided essential services to hundreds of community members who faced food insecurity during the crisis. My ability to pivot resources and operations in response to emergent community needs highlighted my leadership in crisis management and my commitment to public service. Show less

I spearheaded the “Councilman on the Corner” series, an initiative designed to improve constituent relations by bringing local government directly into the community. Through this series, I facilitated meaningful dialogues with residents, gathering insights to better address their needs. To measure the program’s impact, I developed a qualitative assessment tool for tracking and improving constituent engagement. This initiative not only fostered trust between the community and elected officials… Show more I spearheaded the “Councilman on the Corner” series, an initiative designed to improve constituent relations by bringing local government directly into the community. Through this series, I facilitated meaningful dialogues with residents, gathering insights to better address their needs. To measure the program’s impact, I developed a qualitative assessment tool for tracking and improving constituent engagement. This initiative not only fostered trust between the community and elected officials but also showcased my ability to implement grassroots-level strategies that enhance civic engagement.I drafted several legislative proposals aimed at enhancing quality of life, including the “Ten Minute Walk” initiative, which advocated for increasing access to parks and outdoor activities within a 10-minute radius for urban communities. Additionally, I contributed to policies promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion and environmental equity through Green Space initiatives. My legislative work highlights my ability to blend social justice with environmental sustainability, showcasing my skills in policy writing and advocacy for inclusive, equitable public spaces.I developed a strategic approach to foster bipartisan community support by using empirical data to bridge political divides. By analyzing community trends and preferences, I crafted a strategy that appealed to diverse political stakeholders, ensuring that proposed initiatives resonated across party lines. This data-driven approach not only solidified community backing but also demonstrated my expertise in using research and analytics to inform political strategy, making the case for policies that had wide-ranging benefits. Show less

As a visiting professor, I taught a wide range of undergraduate courses, including courses in African American Studies, on Institutional Racism, Equity and Inclusion in Public Administration, El Movimiento, Afro Latino Experiences, and Black Politics. I provided academic guidance and organizational advising to over 200 students, helping them navigate their academic journeys and personal growth. Additionally, I supervised both work-study and graduate students, mentoring them in research and… Show more As a visiting professor, I taught a wide range of undergraduate courses, including courses in African American Studies, on Institutional Racism, Equity and Inclusion in Public Administration, El Movimiento, Afro Latino Experiences, and Black Politics. I provided academic guidance and organizational advising to over 200 students, helping them navigate their academic journeys and personal growth. Additionally, I supervised both work-study and graduate students, mentoring them in research and professional development. My commitment to expanding the academic landscape led me to develop innovative curricula for new courses on the AfroLatino experience, critically analyzing The Wire, and exploring the cultural significance of Marvel's The Black Panther series. Through my teaching and curriculum development, I fostered critical thinking, promoted diversity, and created engaging, relevant learning experiences for my students. Show less

As a Ph.D. student and candidate, I led and executed independent, end-to-end research studies, managing every stage from planning to data analysis. I curated and synthesized over 400 pages of research data using advanced qualitative analysis software, ensuring a rigorous and systematic approach to my work. I successfully recruited over 300 participants from across the country through surveys I designed, while also preparing critical research artifacts, including protocols, scripts, and… Show more As a Ph.D. student and candidate, I led and executed independent, end-to-end research studies, managing every stage from planning to data analysis. I curated and synthesized over 400 pages of research data using advanced qualitative analysis software, ensuring a rigorous and systematic approach to my work. I successfully recruited over 300 participants from across the country through surveys I designed, while also preparing critical research artifacts, including protocols, scripts, and discussion guides. In addition, I remained continuously updated on mixed methods research, best practices, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) ethics protocols, ensuring my research adhered to the highest academic and ethical standards. This experience honed my expertise in research design, data analysis, and participant recruitment, equipping me with the skills to lead complex studies with significant academic and real-world impact. Show less