Corvallis, Oregon
Maria Chávez-Haroldson, (she/her/hers/ella), Ph.D., founder of EDI Consulting, LLC, has served for over two decades as an international/national trainer on topics of equity, diversity, and inclusive (EDI) organizational development and practice. Dr. Chávez-Haroldson’s focus on EDI practices are built upon the foundations of social justice. Her doctoral research addresses the lived experiences of diversity officers in higher education and how cultural strengths are capacitated as key elements of fortitude and resilience. In her research, Dr. Chávez-Haroldson applied an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis methodology which highlighted the importance of identifying cultural values and their powerful impact and influence on leadership.
Dr. Chávez-Haroldson has served as an EDI executive coach and thinking partner with education professionals, administrators, executive directors, and human resource professionals. She is currently coaching courageous EDI non-profit leaders. Her work also includes working with national, international, state, and local government organizations. She describes her coaching style as ‘thinking co-creative partnerships.’ As a conflict resolution facilitator, Dr. Chávez-Haroldson has guided professionals to work through tensions and toward building more trusting relationships. Dr. Chávez-Haroldson is a member of Oregon State University’s Courageous Conversations Initiative on Race and a member of the Oregon Higher Education LatinX Leadership Advisory Committee. She also serves on Governor Brown’s Social Justice Council which has been created to advise the governor on matters of equitable budget allocation. In her current administrative role, she serves as the Regional Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Director for the Willamette Education Services District in Salem, Oregon. She has served as the Vice President of Metropolitan Group, a social change agency in Portland, and as Director of the Office of Inclusion & Intercultural Relations for Oregon Youth Authority. Dr. Chávez-Haroldson’s prior professional experiences include serving as: Associate Director for the Center for Latin@ Studies and Engagement at Oregon State University; Executive Director for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates); Director of Crime Victim Unit for the Yamhill County District Attorney’s Office; Executive Director of CASA for children. Dr. Chávez-Haroldson has also served as adjunct faculty for the Conference of Western Attorneys General Alliance Partnership which focuses on developing judicial reform in Mexico, Central American, and Europe. In her position as a Qualified Mental Health Professional – Child Play Therapist, she served immigrant children, youth, and their families. For fourteen consecutive years, Maria and her husband have led the Northwestern Delegation of students to the Chicago United States Hispanic Leadership Conference and has provided yearly leadership workshops for 4-H Students throughout the Northwest.
Dr. Chávez-Haroldson earned her bachelor's degree in Human Sciences at the University of Phoenix, a master's degree in Leadership and Change at Antioch University Seattle, a master's degree in Public Administration from Western International University, and her doctorate in Leadership and Change at Antioch University.
