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.
Why JEDI Heart?
“Marcelo, through his breadth and depth of understanding people, the intersectionalities and complexities of relationships, and the dynamics of the environmental movement and philanthropy, is providing transformational guidance to our community.”
— Elyane Stefanick, California Program Director and Equity Co-Chair, Conservation Lands Foundation
“Marcelo has dedicated decades of his life to building his DEI analysis. He is deeply committed to building a diverse and reciprocating community in conservation, and to helping leaders thrive and build self-awareness. He builds strong and real relationships with the organizations and coalitions he works with and is invested in their mission, growth, and well-being.”
— David Lamfrom, Vice President of Regional Programs, National Parks & Conservation Association & Chairman of the Board, Center for Diversity & the Environment
“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