We weave equitable and inclusive practices into everyday life at work.

What does it mean to weave equity and inclusion into everyday life at work?

Far too often, a team’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy is relegated to the work of an overburdened few. But as long as DEI efforts remain siloed, an organization can never sustainably shift the culture in concrete ways that:

  1. Fully operationalize the mission and values

  2. Cultivate deeper psychological safety so everyone can thrive

  3. Intentionally attract and retain new generations of talent with distinct workplace standards

  4. Unlock the immense benefits of diversity, leading to innovation and shared success

We propel teams in making immediate strides toward their DEI visions. We take common workplace initiatives—like employee engagement, manager training + development, and strategic planning—and reframe them so equity and inclusion are at the forefront, rather than afterthoughts.

Getting started with our Culture Catalysts

If you’ve repeatedly tried to jumpstart your DEI strategy with little to no impact and dwindling trust amongst employees, our three signature services provide tangible and immediate levers you can pull to start infusing deeper equity and inclusion into your organization within a few months.

Catalyst 1: The Fertile Ground

Goal: Cultivate the Ideal Environment

Program: Manager Series for Building Trust & Psychological Safety Across Identities

Catalyst 2: The Me

Goal: Purposeful Self-Reflection + Personal Development

Program: Customized Executive & Team Coaching

Catalyst 3: The We

Goal: Healthy Team Communication

Program: Giving & Receiving Culturally-Aware Feedback™

Learn why leaders choose us >

Executive Coaching San Francisco

  • "Feedback training at this level was a real eye opener! Michael and Viva took great care to break down the feedback process in a manner that speaks to our organization’s current needs; creating a culture of trust and psychological safety. My learning experience was meaningful while also being fun and engaging. The overall program helped me make an impact alongside fellow leaders to create our desired workplace culture."

    Jennifer Palmer, Human Resources Director at Deschutes Public Library

  • “Viva and Michael provided immense value as facilitators and trainers. Their expertise in the subject matter, combined with their engaging and interactive approach, made the learning experience truly impactful. They skillfully guided us through complex, but important concepts, ensuring that we not only understood the material but could also apply it effectively in our work everyday. They were patient and responsive to our questions, ensuring that everyone felt heard and valued throughout the learning journey. Their positive and encouraging demeanor motivated us to challenge ourselves and embrace new ideas.”

    Andrea Montoya, Employee Experience at Magoosh

  • “It has been a true honor to collaborate with Viva over the past few years. She quickly established herself as a valued partner across our team and has made meaningful contributions in a wide range of areas. Her guidance, grounded in her expertise in DEI as well as the employer brand space, has had a direct impact on our learner experiences, course content, and communications. She worked with us to develop inclusion and belonging workshops for our team and shape a guide to inclusive language that has helped us weave DEI into our day-to-day work. We know we’ll continue to see the ripple effect of her work in the months and years to come.”

    Dawn Taketa Riordan and Joanna Augenbergs, Partner + Managing Director & Senior Content Lead at IDEO U

  • “Hands down, Michael is the best coach and consultant I've ever experienced. He listens better than anyone I've ever worked with. And he does so with grace and kindness, but also with direction while holding me to account to get goals done. He's so thoughtful and also very funny. We have a lot of fun together. But he always brings it back to getting the work done that I need to do to have better balance in my work life and personal life.”

    Chantal Strobel, Communications & Development Manager at Deschutes Public Library

  • "We had the great fortune of working with Viva at a time when our volunteer organization wanted to take a data-informed approach to strengthening equity in a comprehensive way. Viva was an incredible fit! She filled our time together with a positive bright energy that kept us on task in a compassionate, laser-focused, calm manner. She did an amazing job meeting us where we were in our organization's journey while helping us identify mechanisms and build skills that moved us forward. Together, we built a clear path and tangible next steps that members with contrasting ideas could align on."

    Celeste Gordon, DEI Committee Chair at The Rotary Club of Oakland

  • "Viva and Michael designed and facilitated a workshop for ERG leaders in our organization. As designers, they took the time to understand our context, the audience, and the specific needs to be addressed in the workshop, in a short amount of time. As facilitators, they brought a grounding energy, deep empathy, and a way to share content that was digestible and impactful. I am grateful for the work they've done and how they showed up, and I look forward to partnering again in the future!"

    Marina Tavares, Senior Manager of Equity & Belonging at Jobs for the Future

  • “I've had the pleasure of working with Viva for a year and a half. She coached our executive team in both 1:1 and small group sessions. The feedback from our execs has been that Viva has inspired them to be increasingly introspective and curious about learning more. She has facilitated real changes in attitudes and approaches, giving people tools to take on very uncomfortable conversations, and feel empowered in doing so. Her approach is honest while still being approachable.”

    Sara Axelbaum, Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity at MiQ

  • "My experience with the strategic planning workshop was great. I enjoyed the format and foundation set before getting to work. I loved all the exercises we did to get at the right ‘level' required to provide our feedback. One activity that really stood out to me was writing a letter from our future selves. It's so easy to get into the weed on things and not see from a big-picture level. Michael and Viva helped us look at the work from different perspectives throughout the day."

    Dan Richards, Director of Partnerships at Ideal Restoration

  • "Viva and Michael were dedicated to our team and provided incredible leadership and facilitation for our strategic planning process! I love the intentional space they created, the silence they held in comfort, their teaching of even/over statements, and the next steps mapped out during our workshop."

    Kelsey Hull, Senior Development Manager at Rebuilding Together San Francisco

  • "Working with Viva is a privilege and a joy. She is an active listener who attunes herself to an organization's needs and then identifies where she can plug in to provide maximum support and impact. She provides thoughtful, clear, and actionable, expert feedback in a collaborative and engaging manner. Her work cannot be understated; she is a change agent and her work fosters individual and organizational reflection."

    Alexis Acciani, Sr. Manager of National Community Engagement at Reading Partners

We work with visionary teams who are investing in strategic transformation.

Unlocking Equitable and Inclusive Leadership: Executive Coaching at Liberation Labs

Liberated teams start with liberated leaders. Liberation Labs is your premier destination for top-notch executive coaching in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.

Our experienced executive coaches are committed to helping you unlock your full leadership potential. Whether navigating the fast-paced corporate world or striving for personal growth, our executive coaching services are tailored to your unique needs. You can expect to learn new skills and hone your existing ones to become a stronger leader for the benefit of your teams.

As your trusted executive coaches in San Francisco, we understand the challenges and opportunities that come with leadership roles in this dynamic region. Liberation Labs provides a supportive and empowering environment to explore your strengths, overcome obstacles, and develop advanced equity and inclusion skills. Our Bay Area executive coach services will give you valuable insights, enhance your leadership capabilities, and help you achieve your professional goals.