Hi! My name is Andrés (he/they)

I am a weaver, healer and visionary who seeks to partner with people and organizations to become whole versions of themselves in order to be effective and achieving your desired impact.

I started EQ Catalyst in 2022, after going through a second experience of professional burnout, realizing that organizations need close the gap between stated values / mission / culture and embodied values / mission / culture.

Through my consulting practice, one of my goals is to create brave / safe spaces that support transformational work. Whether navigating organizational change initiatives, shifting culture, or building alignment within federated organizations or movements, I am here as a catalyst to spark learning, understanding through enhancing leadership competencies and aligning vision, mission and values for social change.   

My story:

My career in mission-driven organizations began first as a volunteer with the Kadampa International Temples Project from 2004 - 2005 supporting capital improvement projects as a Temple Builder. After that experience I was afforded the opportunity to support the design and delivery of Buddhist education programs and as a project manager (2005 - 2008). That experience led to the role of Administrative & Operations Director (2008-2012) and found success in shifting organizational culture, developing systems for events, volunteer management and delivering education programs to the general public. Over that time, and through mentorship and my own tenacity and love for people, I was able to turn a financially struggling organization (KMC Florida) into a financial healthy organization built on community engagement and embodied values. I began advising other Administrative and Operations leads within the organization on their strategic thinking, people and organizational systems and culture-building. 

I then pursued my Master’s degree in Organizational Change Management from the New School and simultaneously worked as an Organizational Development (OD) Practice Manager and Consultant for a boutique consulting firm serving the public sector. Through this experience I honed skills in group process and designing OD initiatives, learning programs, organizational assessment and strategic planning through a lens of social entrepreneurship. 

I then transitioned into an internal change-maker role at the American Civil Liberties Union supporting programs like the Strategic Affiliate Initiative, Nationwide Conferences, learning programs, knowledge management, internal communications and operational efficiencies. This work grew into a role that was truly an internal advocate on behalf of greater workplace equity and led to my role as Senior Director & Intern Chief of Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging at the National Audubon Society, developing EDIB strategy, facilitating professional development trainings for State Directors and facilitating restorative processes for conflict resolution.