Trent Norman, MS

Trent has been working professionally in college and university settings since 1993.  As a student activist, he created the Black Students Organization at Fort Lewis College, UCAP (United Coalition Against Prejudice) – a not-for-profit organization created to address the Ku Klux Klan and a performance Theatre group, the Existential Sneeches.  Trent received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature and Theatre Performance while participating as a Residence Assistant and a student-athlete; Trent’s Master of Science is in Social Psychology is where Trent focused his energies on group dynamics and facilitation. Trent continues his love of theatre as the co-founder and director of the University of Colorado’s Interactive Theatre Project and Affinity Arts Consulting.  He has a passion for social justice issues and served 4 years as the Assistant Director for Organizational Diversity at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he developed a stand-alone curriculum for Resident Advisors (student staff), taught by Residence Hall Directors & Assistant Directors (professional full-time staff), created and implemented a diversity plan for the Division of Student Affairs and engaged the Department of Housing and Dining Services in a unit-wide training program to address climate issues for staff.  Trent participated in the Social Justice Training Institute (as a participant and intern); has been certified to train in the NCBI (National Coalition Building Institute) model; has a training certificate from NCORE (National Conference On Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education) and completed the Social Justice Education Training Certificate from NCORE. Trent is also a professional photographer, ski instructor, and avid cyclist.

Nadia Ali, MPA

Nadia’s depth of experience spans program management, coalition building, leadership and workforce development, community outreach, health care reform and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training, and consulting. She is passionate about health and racial equity and her work has primarily centered around increasing access to care in underserved populations, creating leadership opportunities for underrepresented minorities, and increasing awareness and dialogue around health and racial equity.  Additionally, Nadia has worked on programs focused on complex care, health information technology, health disparities research, and outreach in immigrant communities.

Darrie Matthew Burrage, MA

Darrie believes that the continuous practice of DEI work is about providing access to the breadth (and beauty) of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives that have been historically and systemically marginalized in our national and global society. Breaking barriers and trailblazing never-before-seen endeavors to honor these communities take the earnest and intentional action of inviting their influence in the process and outcome of those efforts; as well as giving credit for their contribution. Ultimately, Darrie strives to establish environments that represent, uplift, and respond to our diverse communities. We must deepen our empathy for others and reignite our self-efficacy to move toward implementing strategies that address the longstanding challenges these communities face.

Mikayla Branz, MSW/MPH

Jennifer Simpson, PHD

Jennifer is the CEO of Integrated Work. She has dedicated her life and career to improving lives, strengthening communities, and adding value to organizations by helping people amplify their impact by being more human, together. Her varied background includes more than twenty-five years of experience working in and with organizations across the private, public, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors to create more meaningful and effective ways of living and working together across differences; more than a decade of teaching university courses in communication, organizational diversity, and leadership disciplines; and a lifetime of bridging worlds in a way that capitalizes on the best in organizations to enhance creativity and stimulate whole system learning.

Rebecca Brown Adelman, MA

Rebecca co-founded in 1999 and co-directed The Interactive Theatre Project, a program at the University of Colorado at Boulder from 1999-2015, which used theatre as a medium for education, dialogue, and as a means to create social change. With an extensive background in theatre and improvisation from New York City, Rebecca studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Circle Repertory, HB Studios and received her MA in drama therapy for New York University. Rebecca is an actor, director, and writer with years of comprehensive training in Social Justice theory and practice. Rebecca has created and facilitated hundreds of performances and dialogues on issues impacting the community all over the country. She performs regularly in the Boulder and Denver area and is a longtime ensemble member of Playback Theatre West.  Rebecca is also an instructor with the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

🕙 How long is each session? 
Each session is 2 hours long.
🧕 Who are the facilitators?
The facilitators are experienced professionals who have been deeply involved in this work. For more information about their backgrounds, click here.
📅 What’s the time commitment?
There are six bi-weekly sessions.
😊 Who should participate from my organization? 
People who have leadership accountabilities or would like to develop more as a new emerging leader.
📖 What are the session topics?
Session topics include identity exploration; practicing radical empathy; active listening; exploring power and privilege as a leader.