School First
Tawanda C. Owens, Ph.D.
Cultural Change Consultant.
I am a strategic senior leader with more than 20 years of experience in the field of
education, and I'm dedicated to helping educational institutions change, particularly
through the lens of Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Belonging (DEJB). The responsibilities
I played as a manager and leader for DE&I at the Universities of Iowa, Colorado at
Boulder, and Utah are among the many rewarding professional experiences I've been
fortunate enough to have. In leadership teams, professional development, and strategic
visioning for public, independent day and boarding schools, as well as an international
independent boarding school, I have enjoyed creating deliberate adjustments.
Delivering practical and systemic workplace solutions that enhance DEJB is my stated
goal.
I am completely committed to supporting the growth of leadership skills in order to help
workplaces become more collaborative and raise awareness and a sense of belonging
for the benefit of all. Even though I recognize how difficult DEJB's work is, I take solace
in the fact that giving grace in space is crucial. I really believe that in order to create a
more just society in the future, it is essential to meet people where they are right now
since everyone comes to their understanding from very different beginning points.
Cities we have worked with include
San Francisco
Los Angeles
New York
Miami
Washington DC
Philadelphia
In the midst of the dual-pandemic, COVID and the murdering of Black people, my family
and I relocated from Salt Lake City, Utah, to the Maryland region. My decision was well-
planned and timed because I wanted to combine my love for DEJB and my enthusiasm for K–12 education. Although I had a happy and fulfilling career in higher education, I soon realized that the K–12 sector, where I worked as a career/counselor, 8th-grade
teacher, and coach, was where the core of my work was. I have devoted my life to being a supporter, educator, and mentor who encourages children to be their best self and I look forward to cultivating our next generation of leaders.
Last but not least, I am extraordinarily grateful of the opportunity I have to influence not just the lives of other kids, but also our own. My husband, Windell, and I have been blessed with three amazingly talented, kind, and intelligent children and a loving and protective Yorkie. Our favorite times include beach trips, biking, hiking, skiing, and looking forward to impromptu "dad jokes". My family is my core, and they are the
reason I'm committed to doing this work. As a forever optimist I am aware of and believe in the strength of our humanity as well as in the fact that, given the appropriate circumstances, we can and will coexist in harmony.