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 EDI organizational development, culture, and practice. Her doctoral research addresses the lived experiences of administrators in higher education and how cultural strengths are capacitated as critical elements of grit and resilience. In her study, Dr. Chávez-Haroldson applied an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis methodology, highlighting the importance of identifying cultural values and their significant impact and influence on leadership.
Dr. Chávez-Haroldson's role as an EDI executive coach and thinking partner is a testament to her ability to guide and support education professionals, administrators, executive directors, and human resource professionals. Her work extends to national, international, state, and local government organizations. She describes her coaching style as ‘critical thinking co-creative partnerships.’ As a conflict resolution facilitator, Dr. Chávez-Haroldson applies an Appreciative Inquiry model to guide professionals through dialogue, addressing existing tensions while highlighting the collaborative intelligence shared by the participants.
Dr. Chávez-Haroldson is a member of Oregon State University’s Courageous Conversations and the Oregon Higher Education LatinX Leadership Advisory Committee. She also served on Governor Brown’s Social Justice Council. In her current administrative role, she serves on the Executive Cabinet for the Willamette Education Services District in Salem, Oregon. She has served as Vice President of Metropolitan Group 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) for children, and Director of the Crime Victim Unit for the Yamhill County District Attorney’s Office.
Dr. Chávez-Haroldson's commitment to serving immigrant children, youth, and their families is evident in her role as a Qualified Mental Health Professional-Child Play Therapist. She has also served as adjunct faculty for Antioch University’s Women in Leadership Program and the Conference of Western Attorneys General Alliance Partnership. For fourteen consecutive years, Maria and her husband have led over a thousand students from the Pacific Northwest to attend the United States Hispanic Leadership (USHLI) Conference in Chicago, Illinois. She has also provided yearly leadership workshops for 4-H Students in the Pacific Northwest for over a decade.
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, a master's degree in public administration from Western International University, and her doctorate in leadership and change at Antioch University.
