About the Presenter
Dr. Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt
Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt has been providing insight and training to individuals and companies for over 25 years. She is a university professor who brings her advanced education, training and experience to organize and inspire companies to make appropriate changes to counter bias and embrace diversity as an asset.
Lisa specializes in creating customized presentations and strategies for companies who have routinely approached Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from a human resources perspective which often tends to be reactive. Instead Lisa incorporates a proactive approach to solve DEI problems. She recognizes that the identification of personal behaviors (the self) is desperately needed in social service organizations, government institutions, and small businesses throughout our country.
Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in social casework and a doctorate in clinical social work.
IMPACT
Discussing DEI without discussing impact does not address root causes nor does discussion alone bring about meaningful change. As organizations seek to change mindsets, behaviors and actions relating to social injustice, their workplaces are staffed with more engaged employees, which ultimately impacts the company, its service delivery, and its bottom line.
Sechrest Diversity is Impact Driven:
Working directly with our clients not only addresses mindsets and behaviors, but provides a framework, guidance and action steps that help organizations meet their diversity and inclusion goals. Here are some testimonials of some of our customers:
“Lisa’s presence is powerful, her words are thoughtful and inspiring, and her demeanor is both engaging and inclusive. I first met Lisa when she was introduced as a Facilitator for my Project Team with the Leadership Fairfax Institute (LFI). Our project objective was to create and deliver a half-day program to educate our cohort on the topic of Education, A Pathway for Equity: Ensuring Higher Educational Opportunities for All Youth.
Lisa’s expertise surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion significantly enhanced our entire endeavor in developing the end-to-end program deliverables. Seamlessly transitioning between facilitator, mentor, and contributor, Lisa ensured we had meaningful conversations, carefully considered each team member’s perspective, and provided expert insight on the topic. Lisa graciously accepted our request to speak as an expert during our Program day. I can say unequivocally it was a highlight of the workgroup.
We were extremely fortunate and grateful to have Lisa as a part of our team!”
— Susan Parr | Leadership Fairfax Institute Class of 2018
“I first met Lisa at a racial justice workshop where we were in a Black Indigenous Person of Color (BIPOC) group to discuss implicit racial bias. Lisa's passion and devotion to racial justice became clear as she shared personal stories from her life and her work. Lisa and I have continued the conversation outside of our class meeting bi-monthly with other BIPOC women to talk about racial justice and support one another.
I just started my journey to be a racial justice facilitator and I feel incredibly lucky to have a friend and colleague like Lisa in my community. She listens compassionately, speaks energetically, and approaches racial justice genuinely.”
— Kristen L. Mun
“I have known my friend and colleague Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt for over 20 years and have seen her growth as a mother, teacher, and civic leader. Lisa provides a unique perspective because of the life that she has led, her experiences, and her advocacy supporting several community organizations. Lisa’s leadership skills are apparent as I have listened, discussed, and learned from her throughout the years. I am excited to support and work with her on her next journey to facilitate hard discussions on equity and justice. I look forward to participating in some of these future forums.”
— Bill Bouie, President and CEO | Sky Communications Inc.
"When we were looking for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion coach for our Parent-Teacher-Student-Association (PTSA), we were ecstatic when we found Lisa! We engaged her to put on a series of seminars which really informed our membership and helped us pull together as a school community. She is a homegrown Restonian who really knows her stuff!"
— Andy Sigle, Former President | South Lakes High School PTSA (Reston, VA)
