elita layà

Founder and Director of Twalo, leading DEI consulting, training, and workshops for organizations serving youth and marginalized communities. Conducts equity audits and develops resources for empowering trans and queer students.

Taught graduate courses on counseling, social justice, and cross-cultural engagement, focusing on personal and professional development of counselors.

Delivered undergraduate courses on race, social psychology, and community engaged learning, integrating experiential and liberatory learning approaches.

Collaborated with district leadership to implement DEI initiatives, designed a digital incident reporting system, and developed a comprehensive DEI action plan.

Provided consulting services to youth-serving organizations, focusing on building sustainable DEI plans and facilitating transformative workshops.

Co-taught graduate courses on transnational gender justice and queer studies, focusing on asset-based theoretical frameworks and community engaged education.

Managed a $500K budget for cultural resource centers, supervised staff, and implemented strategic plans to enhance student engagement and retention.

Co-managed the Queer Resource Center's budget and programming, focusing on LGBTQ+ initiatives and professional development workshops.

Developed culturally sustaining intervention systems and supervised counseling interns to foster equitable learning environments.

Completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Education, focusing on the intersection of anti-oppressive practices and educational systems. Conducted research on the 'School-to-Death Nexus' and developed frameworks for liberatory learning environments.

Earned a Master of Arts in Cultural Studies, exploring the dynamics of culture in educational settings and its impact on marginalized communities.

Completed a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, focusing on community engagement and social justice in mental health practices.

Obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a second major in Sociology, emphasizing the importance of social structures and their influence on individual behavior.