Navigating justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion with love
We can’t advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) through checkboxes or quick fixes. True investment in this work requires a holistic, growth-oriented, and relational approach to address the root causes of the challenges we face. I am here to guide and support your journey throughout this transformation.
With over two decades of experience, I’m dedicated to compassionately empowering staff and organizations to embody the change critical for a future where our planet and people flourish. I invite you to join us.
Consulting Services
COACHING
Tailored one-on-one sessions for:
Staff of Color
JEDI Change Agents
Executive Directors / Presidents
CAPACITY BUILDING
Trainings to strategically advance JEDI learning within staff and organizations
Guidance for JEDI teams to effectively change organizational systems and culture
Strategy development to build a JEDI framework for short- and long-term change within organizations
MOVEMENT BUILDING
Leadership Cohorts
Philanthropy-Focus: Advancing JEDI in environmental philanthropy
Movement-Building: support for high-impact projects
Featured Publication
Transforming a movement:
How foundations can support effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) capacity building efforts in environmental organizations
This report provides a guide to how funders and others can support and advance effective DEI efforts in the environmental movement. It analyzes how seven funders are supporting DEI capacity building and how 43 staff of color and 24 DEI point people (staff who have a core role in coordinating, managing, and leading DEI capacity building efforts) view and experience different DEI capacity building approaches within their organizations. Our research revealed a clear need for long-term investment of effective DEI capacity building practices that especially focus on “the how”; address and remedy root issues (such as white dominant culture and institutional racism); create an inclusive culture; and center the experiences of staff of color.
Testimonials
“Marcelo is a mentor to many J.E.D.I. practitioners like myself. He is thoughtful, passionate, and provides the depth and breadth of expertise needed to move us forward on these important issues. By always bringing his caring, whole, and authentic self to the work, it results in the true initiation, advancement and expansion of J.E.D.I. practices and principles in our movement.”
— Chante Coleman, Director of Equity & Inclusion, National Wildlife Federation
"Marcelo, aka 'Silver Fox,' is as brilliant as his breath is minty. Also, what amazing sartorial splendor on a daily basis! In all seriousness, Marcelo is pretty awesome. His experience within the environmental sector, combined with his lens of social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and his lived-experience as a person of color, makes his perspective and work critical, especially in this turbulent sociopolitical climate. He is a J.E.D.I. unicorn, and essential to the environmental movement and to our world in general."
— Vu Le, the dude behind nonprofitAF.com
"Marcelo is filling a gap in the thought leadership market between where we are, and where we ought to be. He does so with an experienced understanding of organizational efficiency, return on investment, and heart. Nobody walks away from an encounter with Marcelo feeling less hopeful about the future and our ability to make it better, together."
— Majora Carter, Urban Revitalisation Strategist