Meet Michelle (she/her/hers)
Michelle was born in Canada into an Indian and Jamaican family. Education, innovation, multiculturalism, spicy food, and great music run through her veins. After spending her developmental years in Toronto and then in South Florida, Michelle received her undergraduate degree in Public Relations. She advanced her education with a Masters degree in College Student Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Michelle centers her DEI work in trauma-informed non-clinical care as a Certified Trauma Support Specialist. She received the New York University Post-Masters Trauma- Informed Clinical Practice Certification and continues to engage in the study of intergenerational and identity-based trauma.
Michelle currently serves as serves on the Board of the Ehlers-Danlos Society and Well-Behaved Co.
Through her educational and professional career, Michelle has made it a priority to seek new knowledge and to provide spaces for dialogue and internal growth through her facilitation and educational style. She has over a decade of successfully bringing together people and teams of diverse backgrounds. She focuses on cultural competence, empowerment through diversity, equity, and inclusion training, and facilitation of critical dialogue about social justice issues.
Michelle’s goal is to create cultural change and to build connections and community within organizations. She has a humorous but warm way of helping folks with their own identity journey while challenging them to think of creative and intentional ways to dismantle the historically oppressive systems of capitalism and broader society. As an entrepreneur, her additional skills and passion align with supporting small business owners in finding their social justice voice and helping them proudly display this value in their business practices. As a global consultant, coach, and facilitator, Michelle focuses on supporting the recruitment and retention of marginalized populations by working with all constituents of the organization in professional sports, higher education institutions, non-profits, and small businesses.
Outside of work, you can find Michelle taking her full-time dog mom role very seriously, trying new recipes from Instagram, and watching NBA and NHL games.
Certified Trauma Support Specialist is a certification that attests that the bearer has completed the educational requirements necessary to help non-clinical care professionals learn the essential information and skills to help trauma survivors recover.
CREDENTIALS + CERTIFICATIONS
Post Master’s Trauma-informed Clinical Practice Certification New York University
M.S College Student Affairs; Concentration in Conflict Analysis & Resolution Nova Southeastern University
B.A Public Relations; MUMA College of Business Certification University of South Florida
Gender and Sexuality, Diversity in the Workplace Certification University of Pittsburgh
Leading for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Higher Education Certification University of Michigan
Hospitality and Tourism Management Certification Florida Atlantic University
The Intersectional Approach
DEI work should always be intersectional. Trauma-informed DEI work is acknowledging the way that identity-based trauma is exponentially elevated in intensity because of historical and systemic inequities, transgenerational emotional wounds, and internalized oppression that stems from external discrimination. This framework by Jalali Consulting LLC, recognizes individual experiences and identities connected to privilege and acknowledges that oppression can directly add layers of complexity to personal and community-based trauma.
Commitment to Business Values
Lead with integrity and transparency
Embody inclusive leadership, education, and care
Honor the legacy of Queer, BIPOC, and women leaders
Dismantle white supremacy
Speak against violence of any kind
Elevate anti-racism as a pillar to dismantling all systems of oppression
Channel authenticity and provide space for real talk #CommunicationIsKey
Reclaim and unapologetically showcase joy
Celebrate the non-linear experience of committed holistic healing
Acknowledge historical, societal, and generational trauma
Practice human-centric accountability
Identify and invest in BIPOC, Queer, and Women-led businesses
Champion Good Trouble in order to create transformative change
What People Are Saying
“As a public health professional, I have consulted Michelle in order to be sure that I am taking all angles into consideration when bringing health promotion to different populations. Her ability to hear, understand, and stay objective in order to provide DEI in a digestible and practical way, is why she will always be my first choice in consulting.”
- Functional Health and Wellness Professional, South Carolina
“Through her tireless commitment of creating affirming and nurturing spaces, Michelle Jalali possesses the quintessential traits of a DEI leader. It has not been uncommon to witness her gathering perspectives in a room, and weaving them together for progressive and grounding dialogue.”
— Inaugural Pan-African Collegiate Scholars Program Representative, California State University, San Bernardino
“When working with fraternity and sorority life leaders at a nation-wide institute, Michelle was able to connect inclusive practices to the current Greek experience. The students absolutely loved her charisma and humor and were deeply impacted by her understanding of their own lived experiences. Michelle supplied a holistic assessment and evaluation for our team.”
— North American Interfraternity Council Representative, Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute
“As soon as I met Michelle Jalali, I knew I wanted to work with her. She's thoughtful, empathetic, and dedicated to helping others become their best selves. It has been a joy to partner with her on creating new, worthwhile services and I look forward to more collaborations together in the future.”
- CEO, Altared
The work I do is all about connection. Connecting people to people, connecting language to real life context, connecting DEI terms to true meaning for small business owners, and connecting systemic issues to organizational practices in order to create real change.
My professional philosophy is to provide safe spaces for healthy dialogue around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. I tell all my clients, whether they are students, entrepreneurs, or administration, that my promise is to create a comfortable and energized atmosphere for seemingly difficult conversations that will transform personal and organizational development.
Let’s Chat.
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