Alyscia Raines, M.Ed. serves as CEO and Lead Strategist at ADR Consulting Group. Alyscia has been engaged in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work for over 10 years, facilitating workshops, producing scholarship, conducting data and evaluation leading training, and

coordinating large-scale cultural programs. Alyscia holds a Master’s Degree in Social Justice and Multiculturalism from Loyola University Chicago as well as a certificate in Data, Analytics, and Evaluation. She also holds a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida and graduate certification in Leading Organizational Change with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Northwestern University.

Most notably, Alyscia leverages her experience in strategic planning and change management to help clients develop tangible steps to get from their status quo to an idealized state. Alyscia is passionate about combating inequities in the workplace and has a slew of solutions to help managers and leaders who are ready and committed to adopt a more inclusive workplace culture.

Hallie Moberg Brauer, M.Ed. serves as an Associate Consultant with ADR Consulting Group. Hallie has spent the better part of her professional career after completing her Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration at Loyola University Chicago,  working with international students, coordinating cross-cultural student exchanges at Northwestern University in Evanston. She believes deeply in the value of bringing people together across cultural differences to learn and grow as individuals and as a global society. She also has 8 years of experience facilitating various justice and inclusion-focused workshops and seminars. Hallie’s expertise comes in the form of conducting both qualitative and quantitative research as well as writing reports and executive summaries for clients. Hallie truly believes that effectively incorporating DEI into an organizational culture yields better institutions and happier healthier employees

Dr. Omari W. Keeles is an Associate Consultant at ADR Consulting Group, LLC and has been engaged with DEI work for approximately 8 years. He earned a B.S. in Psychology from Howard University and an M.P.H. from The George Washington University Milken Institute of Public Health. After completing his M.P.H., Omari was a public health analyst at the American Public Health Association and a research and health policy analyst at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. Following his employment in the public health sector, he continued his education and earned an M.A. and Ed.M. in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College Columbia University, and an M.S. in Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan. 

In his most recent role as an Assistant Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Northwestern University, Omari develops, implements, supports, and researches short and long-term initiatives around inclusion, equity, and diversity for faculty, staff, and senior leadership, offering training around inclusive teaching, intergroup dialogues, and strategies for creating inclusive learning and research environments.

Taylor Coleman is an extremely dedicated high school student from Houston, Texas, and is proud to hold a 4.0+ grade point average. She’s working towards becoming fluent in both Italian and Spanish. Her strong suits include organization, dedication to tasks, and her extensive knowledge of social media and technology. She feels strongly about combating the lack of equality for women, people of color, etc. She desires to be an ally to every community and is passionate about helping others do the same. She hopes to contribute to helping others achieve an overall healthier, more productive working environment.

Qiu graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Occidental College in Social Justice and Change, with an emphasis on Asian Pacific Americans. During this time, they completed a thesis entitled "Betraying Images of Asian Pacific Americans: the Effects of the Model Minority on Racial Justice" and fostered deep involvement around Intergroup Dialogue and student organizing. Eventually, Qiu went on to receive their Masters in Higher Education with a concentration on Diversity and Social Justice from the University of Michigan. Qiu has worked at multiple institutions of higher education engaging in work related to social justice training and facilitation, student leadership, cultural programming and mentorship, bystander intervention, and identity development. They have an expansive appreciation for the diversity of social change work and strategies that exist and continue to emerge, and are a nerd for facilitation and curriculum design. They especially enjoy working with people who might have less familiarity with ideas of social justice, equity, and inclusion, but who are deeply committed to learning and improving our culture and society.

Mike is a seasoned higher education executive, with 18 years in the field in the US and abroad. Mike presently works as the Chief Student Affairs Officer at Lake Superior State University. In this role, Mike is responsible for student success and retention, campus engagement, and creating a campus environment wherein students feel belongingness, safe, seen, and heard. Mike has facilitated DEIB work through experiential learning for students and staff; policy revision and strategic planning; staff training; and professional development during his career. Mike’s ability to ask challenging questions in thought-provoking ways makes for deep learning and conversation and provides rich data with which to create data-informed action plans and tell a meaningful story.

Sophia Simon (she/her) is a mission-driven creative whose professional interests lie at the intersection of communications and social equity. With 4 years of experience in digital media and public relations, she has worked with several organizations across the public health, education, political, and economic sectors, and has unique skills in storytelling and community engagement. Sophia earned her B.A. in Communication Studies with a minor in Global Health and concentration in Strategic Communication from Northwestern University where she also currently serves as a Northwestern University Public Interest Program Fellow. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.

Karina (she/they) is incredibly invested in social justice work as a scholar, professional, and an abolitionist. As a biracial, Black, queer person who grew up in South Minneapolis, Karina has been embedded in these topics fro a young age, but the introduction to Black Studies at Northwestern University ignited a fire within her. With almost 5 years of experience, Karina has worked with curriculum building, workshop/retreat development, facilitator training and facilitation in the social justice and academic spheres. Karina is incredibly excited to be a part of  ADR Consulting Group.

Karina graduated with honors from Northwestern university earning their B.A. in African American Studies, Sociology and Legal Studies. She has plans to continue her education in a Black Studies PhD program. Her study areas are in Black Studies and Critical Film Studies with a focus on the Black Horror Genre, Black Critical Media Studies, and Black Historical Fiction

Sara Nagi earned her B.A. in Communications from Seattle Pacific University in her hometown of Seattle, Washington. In 2017, she received her Master’s Degree from Loyola University Chicago in Cultural & Educational Policy Studies and a certificate in Public Affairs & Management. Sara has spent the last decade working in the education and nonprofit spaces. She recently began working as a Project Manager for a DEI & Strategic Communications firm. She supports the Principal Consultant in developing workshops, surveys, and mission statements for companies and organizations that strive to create more equitable hiring processes and inclusive work environments. Recently, she supported the Principal Consultant in developing a survey to collect data on the barriers to Black homeownership and how to get financial education resources into the hands of community members.

​​Laxmi (she/her) is an anti-oppression educator, facilitator, and coach based in southeast Michigan. She graduated with a B.A. in English and Communication from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Laxmi has over 10 years of experience designing and facilitating interactive and dialogue-rich learning experiences (workshops/trainings, retreats, courses) at several universities alongside and for students, staff, faculty, and administrators. Laxmi primarily works with leaders and change makers, creating opportunities for individuals and groups to build capacity for social change work, identify and prioritize goals & values, and develop interpersonal/communication skills to lead with inclusivity and integrity. Her strengths-based and collaborative approach to DEI education leverages the power of inquiry, storytelling, and critical reflection to help people meaningfully connect across differences and build sustainable, actionable plans for organizational growth. She is especially passionate about training effective trainers and facilitation as a leadership competency; training and facilitation skills are flexible, dynamic, and can be brought into any setting to transform and unlock learning, relationships, and community potential.

Soteria Reid (she/her), a dedicated social justice educator and change creator, was trained as a facilitator in Northwestern’s Office of Social Justice Education. In her role as the office’s first Lead Undergraduate Coordinator, Soteria played a pivotal role in supporting the peer education, intergroup dialogue program. With experience in DEI and non-profit management consulting, she has overseen equity-focused data metrics, led strategic initiatives, and developed training for ERGs, DEI Steering Committees, and internship programs. A values-driven professional, Soteria is devoted to creating new worlds and fostering community well-being. She actively reimagines workplaces that prioritize people above all.

Derrick Owens is the Vice President of Proposals at ADR Consulting Group, LLC. As a proposal professional for one 15 years, Derrick is responsible for sourcing and managing all proposal, request for information and engagement at the firm. He earned a B.A in Business Administration and B.A in Speech Communications from Houston Christian University. Derrick works with leaders to identify and overcome complex challenges, lead teams to accomplish goals and deliver commercial results, and impact consistently in businesses and institutions of all sizes and maturity.

Taylor Thomas (she, her, hers) is a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and research professional dedicated to equity-based research and advocacy in education policy and organizational practices with a critical, intersectional, and anti-racist lens. In her work, Taylor draws on her experiences, leadership, advising, and facilitation in DEI education, programming, and strategic planning to address the assets, needs, and rights of communities most impacted by systems of oppression. 

Taylor earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Loyola University Chicago in both Global & International Studies and Sociology. Taylor has also received her certification as a DEI Practitioner from the Sarah Jane Academy. Over the years, Taylor has received numerous awards for her leadership and advocacy; spoken on intersectional feminism, the Black student experience, and anti-racism in education; and facilitated workshops on DEI, identity development, racial equity, and team mindfulness practices. Outside of her work, Taylor practices and teaches restorative yoga for personal and collective rest as a 200-HR certified yoga instructor